Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN

By Julie Boudwin jboudwin@nola.com,
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Ten NFL coaches and executives compiled a list of the 10 best quarterbacks who have played in the NFL since 1978, per ESPN.

The list is being dubbed, The GOAT Index. GOAT obviously being the acronym for "greatest of all time."

The 10-man panel included Pete Carroll, Tony Dungy, Mike Holmgren, Howard Mudd, Wade Phillips, Mike Reinfeldt, Ray Rhodes, Mike Shanahan, Al Saunders and Norv Turner. Together they have a combined 330 seasons of NFL experience, and all 10 are Super Bowl champions.

New Orleans Saints fans will be happy to know Drew Brees made the list, and despite being the No. 1 player for Saints fans, the panel considered him the ninth-best quarterback since 1978.

Tom Brady tops the list at No. 1 followed by Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, John Elway and Aaron Rodgers rounding out the top five. Dan Marino and Brett Favre are tied at No. 6 with Steve Young at No. 8 and Dan Fouts coming in at 10.

Here's what a few of the coaches/execs said about Brees:

More here ...

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

9?

Tough crowd...

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Looking at the QB's ahead of Brees, I think it's fair. By the time he hangs em up, I could see top #5 or better.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Yup, I was thinking the same thing. He'll be all-time leader in many top QB statistics. He's going to be passing up both Favre and Manning within the next 20 games for all-time yards. He should move past Favre for 2nd in TD's this season and then Manning in 2018 for the all-time lead. He has a shot of passing both Manning and Favre for career completion this season, as well. Ad another two to three years of production on top of that and they may stand for a while and will make him a first ballet HOF'er.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

These lists are like *******s, everyone has one and they all stink

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

The Super Bowls separate the top from the rest. He's top 5 any way you slice it, above Favre.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

If choosing a QB this is the order I would pick. There is more to being a QB than stats and SB
Elway
Brees
Manning
Favre
Montana
Young
Kelly
Tarkinton
Marino
Prescott
After that: Aikman, Flutie, Rogers
13 is appropro

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

:shock::lolup:

Prescott?

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

I would pick him (after review, as my number 12 option) to play now. Not ranking as best all time. But ahead of Rogers. I guess you can see i'm not a Rogers fan. lol

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

You could say my list is subjective.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

1) Dan Marino
2) Joe Montana
3) John Elway
4) Payton Manning
5) Drew Brees
6) Tom Brady
7) Brett Favre
8) Aaron Rodgers
9) Steve Young
10) Jim Kelley/Warren Moon

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

I like Warren Moon in that tenth spot...he is highly underrated when being compared to the greats and often left out of the conversation.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

(1) Tom Brady
(2) Peyton Manning
(3) Joe Montana
(4) Brett Favre
(5) Terry Bradshaw
(6) Roger Staubach
(7) Kurt Warner
(8) Steve Young
(9) Drew Brees
(10) Fran Tarkenton
(11) Warren Moon
(12) Jim Kelly
(13) Dan Marino
(14) Ken Anderson
(15) Johnny Unitas

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

It would be interesting to see what the rankings of the defenses for the QB's ahead of Brees. Same goes for big name receivers. How much of Montana's and Bradshaw's numbers were due to Rice, Swann and Stallworth. Even Bradshaw gave his receivers tons of credit in his book, talking about throwing it as far as he could and letting Stallworth and Swann go and get it.

In many cases the receivers made a good QB great. In Brees' case it more the other way around. Unfortunately, the man can't play D.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Don't think I could really disagree with that top 15 as a whole, but if that is the actual ranking I am curious. Do tell about Marino, for example. I love seeing Tarkenton, Anderson and Unitas in there. I actually have some graded Unitas rookie cards. Also do tell about Warner. I could see him slipping into the 10-15 range. And lastly, do tell about Bradshaw.

I can see why you have Brees where he is at this early point in his career, however. ;)

Edit: Perhaps do rings come into play?

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

More like playoff appearances. Manning was in two SBs prior to 2013 and was considered a top 3 QB then.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Hey, you only get 10 :p

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Btw Brees right ahead of Fouts............If Brees did not have that ring he would be below him. Basically Brees has become Fouts with a ring. Bad defense or not, it's SP's fault.

Favre won one sb and only went to two b2b. He is ahead because of more division titles and playoff appearances. Rodgers has only been in one SB. Consistency is king.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

:broccoli:

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

What? No Aaron Brooks? He did win our first playoff game.

http://content.ytmnd.com/content/a/8...95b603ef4c.jpg

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Wait your putting Prescott on a list with those guys based on one season?

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

I think this is an objective of a list a Saints fan can give. Spot on.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Brees probably has 5 years left, if he can get 1 more Super Bowl win he will shoot up those charts, if he can get 2 more Super Bowl wins then there is lots of conversation for the top spot.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

given the lack of credit for such a poor supporting cast over the years I can see it. Amazing

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

We're talking about great QBs, not great teams. QBs don't win division titles nor Superbowls, they help win them. Fouts was very good and should be on the list. Donovan McNabb is one of the greatest of all time by this logic.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

they said qb's AFTER 1978.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Not really because other than those three straight seasons and the 2008 NFCCG what has he done? He also had a short career and 05-07 were dark years for him. Also, the NFC was weak then at the top and so was the NFC East. In fact when 2005 came around the NFC East got competitive and the eagles no longer ran over everyone.

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

LoL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why I love it here.........

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Gotta be a Cowgirl Troll......

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

that's not Aaron Brooks, its Adrian McPherson. He was in a battle for 3rd string QB in 2006 until some stupid mascot ran him over with a golf cart

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

Roger that

Re: Drew Brees ranked as ninth-best QB since 1978 by NFL coaches, executives: ESPN
 

I am not one to make much fuzz about such subjective lists, but, come on.
Shanahan on Brady:"Five Super Bowl wins, especially the way he has won them. What more can you say about the guy?"
That 4 of those wins included clutch FGs by Adam Vinatieri, an INT at the goal line, and the biggest collapse by a team in NFL history?

How's Peyton Manning ahead of Brees? A ring that the Denver defense won? A most yards in a season record that was granted to him by the NFL with a highly suspect after season review of 1 play that gave him exactly 1 more yard than Brees? Are they counting the choke jobs as positives?

And how in the world is Aaron Rodgers in the top 5? Why is he ahead of Brees? Ahead of Young?