bane wrote:Crazy Levi wrote:
For the Colts to be such a dominant team - for a decade - and only come out with one ring doesn't bode well for a Manning greatest campaign.
I agree, but his individual stats are pretty damn amazing. I think rings are important, but they're just part of the story. Trent Dilfer has as many rings as Manning does, but nobody is going to say those two are comparable. Regardless, Manning is going to have to win a couple more to get into the conversation with somebody like Montana, who'd I'd agree is probably the best quarterback to ever play the game.
For a player to be considered "best ever" in any sport they need to bring the whole package - stats, multiple championships, big game wins, and intangibles. I think most of us here are on the same page as far as stats alone not being enough to make an athlete the "best ever" at their sport.
Montana has all of those - 4 rings, good numbers, exceptional performance in big games, and the intangibles such as the way he brought the 49'ers back against Cincy in the SB.
I think Elway can be brought into the "best ever" conversation. He has the numbers, he had some legendary big games, he was one of the best comeback QBs ever, and he carried teams that were a bunch of stiffs to multiple Superbowls before he finally got an RB to help him win it. And he has multiple rings. I still consider Montana better than Elway, but Elway deserves mention.
When I look at Manning I see the stats but not much else. He has a single championship that was spoon-fed to him, he is literally a .500 QB in big games, and he has just as many meltdowns as exceptional performances in big games. And he is abysmal out doors in a sport where weather is a factor. I just can't see someone saying "He's the best ever, but he sucked in the snow and the rain."
I think Brady is approaching being brought into the "best ever" conversation, although he isn't quite there yet. He's got the stats and some very impressive numbers in terms of protecting the ball, his winning percentage is excellent, and he is definitely a big game QB. His intangibles include winning multiple SBs with cast-off receivers and a no-name RB. He is currently putting up unbelievable numbers with a pair of 3rd string RBs, some no name receivers, a pair of rookie TEs, his best receiver coming off knee surgery, and his HOF receiver being traded part way into the season. Another thing going for him will be that he has been a consistent winner in the salary cap era. I don't consider him to be among the best ever at this point, but he has been the best QB in the league for the past decade. I'd say 1 more ring and he joins the conversation with Montana and Elway, 2 more rings and a case could be made for him as best ever.