Bradshaw - The Best Ever?

With all the Superbowl XLV buzz, everyone seems to be talking about the upcoming Roethlisberger v. Rodgers battle. Both of these guys have the potential to make a significant mark on football history, and it's gotten me thinking on the most over-debated topic in sports. In true hypocritical fashion, I figured I would voice my two cents on the issue.

As a long-time Bronco fan and loyal Dolphins supporter, my argument for the best quarterback of all time has always invariably ended with Dan Marino and John Elway at the top of the list, in no particular order. You can't argue with Marino's records or lightning-fast release, and Elway's mobility, arm strength, and accuracy were flat-out scary. I've spent years rebuking arguments that Favre, Brady, Manning, and Montana were better than either of these legends, but after a recent revelation, I offer up an new perspective.

Terry Bradshaw was the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Before you slaughter me, hear me out for a moment. Bradshaw led the Steelers to four Superbowl victories in the 1970's, finishing with a playoff record of 14-5 (a better percentage than Montana, Elway, Aikman, Marino, and Young). He was voted Superbowl MVP twice, and called the offensive plays for his whole career.

If you take the statistics into account, Bradshaw will never get the credit he deserves, but he is all-too-often overlooked. Quarterbacks are the 5-star generals of the sporting world. No one position carries the pressure, scrutiny, and expectations of the NFL quarterback, and wins are the most important statistic in the book (keep in mind, this is coming from the biggest Marino fan in the nation). Kyle Orton thew up crazy stats this season and was rewarded with a late-season benching, not because of his performance on the field, but because of his team's record.

Vince Lombardi is noted for saying, "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing". If that's the case, no one has ever done it any better than Terry Bradshaw.

-Sam