Sal Paolantonio for President

[Matt McGuire]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=paolantonio_sal&id=3281535&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

[jimmyp]

Good read.

I like the Bart "Ringo" Starr.

This past season I've been intrigued by all the talk of Brett being the "Last Gunslinger". Hasn't anybody seen a western film, those gunslingers all die young. In the case of Brett, it was catastrophic picks in the playoffs.

"Gunslingers" are made to be regular season QBs, where fans don't expect their guy to fire every single week. They can take the chances that sometimes pay off, and when they don't well 13-3 isn't bad eh?

This style of QB may be great to watch, but I'd take a consistent QB over a flashy inconsistent one that has the ability to lay great big turds in big games.

As an aside, I was watching some film of Elway during the 1987 AFC Champ game (the Drive), god damn he had a quick release.

[Matt McGuire]

Elway is the 2nd most talented QB I have ever seen. Jamarcus Russell would be #1.

[animal52]

Elway is the 2nd most talented QB I have ever seen. Jamarcus Russell would be #1.

How can you consider anyone who hasn't been tested at the NFL level at all.......much less #1?

[Matt McGuire]

I am talking about in terms of pure talent level. That has nothing to do with polish as a QB or experience. Russell's combination of size and arm strength is out of this world and it is why the Raiders drafted him #1 last year over Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas.

[jimmyp]

Wasn't Elway considered to be a "once-in-a-decade" number one prospect?

[Matt McGuire]

Yes I believe Elway was, but so was Russell's arm. Once he was drafted by the Raiders he automatically had the strongest arm in the NFL.

[NoNonsenseCoach]

Favre had a great first part of his career. 3 MVPs, and a Superbowl. If Eli won MVP the next 3 years I think he's a Giant for life.

[jimmyp]

Yes I believe Elway was, but so was Russell's arm. Once he was drafted by the Raiders he automatically had the strongest arm in the NFL.

So that's why he has 99THP in Madden!

[jimmyp]

Favre had a great first part of his career. 3 MVPs, and a Superbowl. If Eli won MVP the next 3 years I think he's a Giant for life.

I'm not so sure this is the case. This isn't a league anymore that really tolerates players playing past their prime. Favre still got it done throughout the 2nd part of his career (except maybe in the playoffs), but he wasn't Jesus, or Joe Montana, or even John Elway (whose first 3 losing superbowls had Denver lines of +9.5 -3 & +12). Favre was a very good NFL QB with exceptional length of career, but he doesn't touch my top 5 all time NFL QBs, and would duel to get in the top 10.

[Matt McGuire]

I'm not so sure this is the case. This isn't a league anymore that really tolerates players playing past their prime. Favre still got it done throughout the 2nd part of his career (except maybe in the playoffs), but he wasn't Jesus, or Joe Montana, or even John Elway (whose first 3 losing superbowls had Denver lines of +9.5 -3 & +12). Favre was a very good NFL QB with exceptional length of career, but he doesn't touch my top 5 all time NFL QBs, and would duel to get in the top 10.

100% agree with Jimmy

[jimmyp]

100% agree with Jimmy

Yay, Matt agrees with me. This has made my March.

[NoNonsenseCoach]

Lol hurray March.

Can't disagree with the top 5, Emmitt Smith isn't in my top 5 RBs and he's a similar case

[jimmyp]

The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

No better example than Gayle Sayers.

[Bluto]

Lol hurray March.

Can't disagree with the top 5, Emmitt Smith isn't in my top 5 RBs and he's a similar case

I've often wondered how different NFL History would be if Detroit drafted Emmitt Smith and Dallas drafted Barry Sanders.