If you are barely in the top 50 list of all-time great QBs, then it's impossible to be "overrated" as Junc says. He can't have it both ways. That was my point all along. He claims Namath was overrated. Yet he claims Namath wasn't even in the top 50. Me thinks Junc's opinions are highly overrated.
we are allowed to disagree. the problem is most people think he is much higher than top 50 thus he is overrated. I don't really have a top 50 list but off the top of my head in no particular order. Remember this isn't a list abot talent it's about careers: Graham Unitas Layne Montana Marino Brady Elway favre Kelly Griese Staubach Aikman Kosar Bradshaw Roethlisberger Ken Anderson Boomer P. Manning E. Manning Simms Fouts Dawson Hasselbeck Brunell Plunkett Van Brocklin Rodgers Tittle Cunningham Brees Young Warner Baugh Tarkenton this list is already over 30 and I am sure I am missing some obvious guys so maybe he is top 40.
Now here you go again. You put up this list without Namath's name on it and yet you claim "most people" think he is much higher. No they don't. You don't think so, I don't think so and most people reaidng this list don't think so. So how can he be overrated? I'm getting dizzy already. I think you are confusing POPULARITY (particularly in the NY area) with GOOD CAREER. Joe Namath does not deserve being ranked with the likes of many on your above list... he just doesn't... and rightfully so. But in the NY area and particularly Jets Land, he is a God because he got it done. So I think what you are saying is "most people" (mostly older Jets fans) admire him as a "great QB," but it's not for the reasons you outline as a qualifier for entrance to your list (careers and stats). He's a "great QB" because he brought us the VLT and no one else has to date. So yes, he's overrated as a career stats QB, but he's not overrated in terms of popularity with Jets fans. It's impossible for him to be overrated in that context, because he bodly predicted the win despite being an extreme underdog and then led the team to back up what he told the media (who, BTW, mocked him incessantly the night before). He ignored them all. Was he surrounded by talent? Of course. But he was a real leader that day, both in the locker room and on the field and backed up wht he said. For that reason, he will never be overrated in terms of being the Jets most popular QB.
Thanks. We have both stated he is arguably a top 5 talent all-time. I will look to make a top 50 list too. I do not think I can make an argument for him to be in the top 20. What criteria did you consider when making your list? Championships won, starting record vs record when others started (look up Namath's career record as a starter vs the record when he did not start games for the Jets; pretty stark difference), records held upon retirement, all-pro honors? Anything else you looked at?
Again it's not about talent, not about how great they were at their peak but about overall careers and Joe's overall career was not a great one.
Plunkett may be a stretch but winning that 2nd SB probably swayed me to put him ahead of him but that may be a stretch- that is a stretch. I'd take Plunkett of my list.
I don't understand your criteria. There are great careers that are setback due to injuries. Namath, Terrell Davis and Gayle Sayers are three examples. I understand not including players who were flash in the pan players. Guys who had a great season and then faded away but Namath was NOT a flash in the pan. He was an elite amongst his contemporaries, he was iconic and changed the game forever.
TD and Gale were great before their careers ended, if Joe called ti quites in 1970 then this is a different discussion but he kept playing and most of his career was mediocre. had a very good, underrated career. Never as great as Joe was at his peak but had a better career.
he maybe overrated as a whole but to the NYJ, he's probably the best player we've had b/c of him bringing us a SB
Griese – What did he really do besides hand the ball off to Csonka, Kiick and Morris? Kosar – You seriously think Kosar is better than Namath? Ken Anderson – I can see someone making an argument, but he really only excelled in the short passing game and doesn’t compare to Namath IMO. Boomer – Boomer was a good QB, but not in Namath’s league. Simms – Interesting player here. Good QB who really benefitted from the Run game and superb defense. I can see an argument, but I think he falls short. Fouts – Great player, but was he really better than Namath? He put up better career numbers but was in Air Coryell offense with unreal weapons. Showed he couldn’t play in tough weather conditions where Namath was fantastic in the winds at Shea. Dawson – About the only person on this list that truly challenges Namath. However, he had a great defense and great running game. The team didn’t rely on him to win the way the Jets relied on Namath. Hasselbeck – better than Namath? Really? Brunell – See Hasselbeck Plunkett – Plunkett underachieved but found life with the Raiders. I don’t see how he is better than Namath. Cunningham – Unique talent, no doubt. Extremely athletic, but would be interested to understand why you would put him over Namath. I don’t see it.
TD and Sayers were great before their careers ended. So was Namath. No one would ever put Hasselbeck over Namath.
TD and Sayers had short careers and never had the downside, half of Joe's career was mediocre. Those players didn;t go through that. again it's about careers not talent. Hasselbeck is very underrated and had a very nice career.
if you compare them at their peaks then Namath wins obviosuly but Namath only had a few good years, Matt had more good seasons.
I bet the same people that claim Sanchez is over rated, adamently defend Namath to say he is not. It's hilarious seeing people using the same rationale that the Sanchez defenders use and yet condemn them for it. Double standards are awesome, and this thread pretty much proves it.
