Hall of Famers choose Manning over Brady
Debate of which QB is better not that close, according to legends
/ Getty ImagesThere's no denying Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are future Hall of Famers, but who do current Hall of Fame quarterbacks think is the best at the position?
Aikman continued, “With Peyton, nobody I’ve seen does more at the quarterback position and has more to do with his team’s success. If you go to a practice, Peyton is basically an offensive coordinator running practice.”
Our NBC crew witnessed exactly what Aikman is referring to in Friday’s practice. Manning spends about 40 minutes each Friday with his backs, tight ends and receivers running plays, correcting, directing, cajoling and coaching routes and coordinating reads while the offensive coaches stand by in rapt attention. It’s an uncanny sight to see Manning literally running and coaching this portion of practice.
Because Manning is such a cerebral quarterback, Fouts actually doesn’t think he gets enough credit for his arm and accuracy. That’s why Joe Namath said he chose Manning: his physical size and arm strength.
Sonny Jurgensen said he was very conflicted about whom to pick due to his longstanding relationship with the Manning family, and ultimately he couldn’t go against Peyton.
But Jurgensen said that two years ago Brady played as well as the position EVER has been played. “Some people get in that ‘zone’ for a few games; he was in it for the entire season. His demeanor playing the quarterback position is what I really admire about him. But Peyton has great passion to be the best and he works at it. He’s a perfectionist.”
The two Hall of Famers who picked Brady did so, essentially, for the same reason. The championships. Appropriately, the man who earned four Super Bowl titles, Terry Bradshaw, said it’s all about the rings. “Great stats are important, but the most important aspect is winning. That is all anyone remembers.”
John Elway agreed. “I’d have to lean to Brady because he’s been in more tough situations, had to come back in big games. Plus, he has three rings to one for Peyton, and he played really well in the big games. Brady has had more chances, more of a track record in big games.”
Four of the Hall of Famers surveyed would not pick one quarterback over the other. "No way I answer that, it's just disrespectful to the sheer art of quarterbacking,” Young said. “I believe quarterbacks are artists. It's so rare to have two guys like this in a generation."
Bart Starr said, “I can't choose because each of those quarterbacks is outstanding and has led teams to championships. It's remarkable what they've been able to do. It's just a great happening when you have two outstanding leaders like that going up against each other.”
Marino’s assessment was as quick as his release. “I respect both of them. Neither one of them deserves to be chosen over the other. They are both Hall of Fame quarterbacks,” he said.
And Roger Staubach was diplomatic. “I know both and they’re that even. They are two of the finest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL, and every team needs two quarterbacks! They represent the best in the history of the NFL. They are physically gifted in different ways. But they have the instincts and mobility in the pocket that you have to have. What they really have in common is that they are very smart under center but the key thing is their leadership. They get their team to believe in them. Both guys have the total backing of their teammates,” he said.
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As for the old timers, both Y.A. Tittle and Charley Trippi still follow the game and watch their successors. And they each make their case for Manning. Then there's Clarence (Ace) Parker, who at 97, is the oldest living member of the Hall of Fame. We spoke to him with the help of his longtime friend, Buddy Lex. Although golf is a little more Parker's speed these days, the man who hit a home run in his first Major League Baseball at-bat (yes, he was Bo Jackson before Bo Jackson) says he still watches a little football. "I think the best quarterback is Peyton Manning. Others have their opinion, but that's my thought. Peyton is the best."
Trippi is 86 years old, and according to his wife, loves to watch Manning. He said: “I just can't visualize anybody better than him. He's definitely a winner, and he really moves the ball and can score so quick. He's unique.”
Tittle added, “I have a lot of respect for both of them. They play the same style — both drop-back passers, accurate, don't scramble around ... if it came down to it, I would take Manning because of his tremendous leadership qualities. He's more of an emotional leader. Brady is a great leader, too, but he's more of a quiet leader. I was an emotional player so you tend to choose the one who's more like you. But I just want to be clear that I think they're both excellent quarterbacks.”
So, as Manning and Brady make their eighth regular-season start against one another, enjoy watching the position of quarterback being played at its highest level. And remember that what makes their matchup so compelling is that these are two of the most competitive athletes you’ll ever find, and they have the ultimate respect for one another and truly regard one another as friends. And one day they will actually find themselves on the same team, in Canton, Ohio.
Voting results
For Peyton Manning: (13½ votes)
Troy Aikman (Class of ’06), George Blanda (’81), Len Dawson (’87), Dan Fouts (’93), Bob Griese (’90), Sonny Jurgensen (‘83), Jim Kelly (’02), Warren Moon (’06), Joe Namath (‘85), Clarence (Ace) Parker (’72), Fran Tarkenton (’86), Y.A. Tittle (’71), Charley Trippi (’68). Joe Montana (’00) (second half)
For Tom Brady: (2½ votes)
Terry Bradshaw (’89), John Elway (’04), Joe Montana (first half)
Abstain: Dan Marino (’05), Bart Starr (’77), Roger Staubach (’85), Steve Young (’05)
*NBC Sports producer Michele Froman contributed to this story.
© 2012 NBC Sports. Reprints ![]()
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