by Michael Harkins

Created on: September 06, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I have always believed that rating quarterbacks in the National Football League is almost completely a subjective endeavor. The league has devised a complicated system which relies on percentages of completions, touchdown passes, interceptions and yard gained. That rating does not account for wins, or even Super Bowl victories. If the object of the game is winning, and the ultimate prize for winning is the NFL Championship, then I believe we should rate signal callers in that way. There is no current NFL quarterback with more Super Bowl victories than Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. The former Michigan alumnus has three championships under his belt, while no other current QB, including Indianapolis Colt Peyton Manning, has more than one.

What is the role of the Quarterback? He is the leader of the offense. Under his guidance, the team scores points. Not only is athletic ability required, skills of motivation, play calling and experience are involved. A quarterback can pass for miles, and that will be measured favorably by the NFL pass rating system, but that will not get you to the Super Bowl. How else can one measure the qualities of leadership by winning championships?

In the late fifties, Johnny Unitas made his name by winning two NFL Titles. When the next decade came, Unitas was thought to win many more, but he would never win another as a starting quarterback. He could pass for huge numbers, but could he lead? Lead like Bart Starr did as signal caller for the Green Bay Packers. In the sixties, Starr lead his team to five NFL Championships, and victories in the first two Super Bowls. Based on that alone, it is my contention that Bart Starr was the best quarterback in the 1960's, bar none.

If you ask me who is the best ever, I will answer "Otto Graham" period. He played ten seasons as starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. In every one of those years he lead his team the the championship game, winning seven of those. No other signal caller has come close.

Today, Tom Brady epitomizes was a leader should be. Not flamboyant, but steady. Not high risk, but sure handed. He knows his team's strengths and limitations. A successful NFL quarterback should never be regarded as a passer, for he his a manager, a motivator and, most importantly, a leader. Peyton Manning is a great quarterback, and shares many qualities with Brady. Only time will tell if Manning will add more championships to his mantle. For now, however, the case is closed. Peyton Manning may have the passing records, but Tom Brady has the Super Bowl rings. And that is want counts!

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