Brett Favre Is Not the Big Cheese, Despite What the Pundits Say

Despite What the Pundits Say, Favre Is Not the Big Cheese

It seems inevitable. Whenever you turn on ESPN, there is more breaking news about Brett Favre.

"Favre to Return"
"Favre Not to Return"
"Favre Throws a Snowball"

You get the idea.

But does Favre even deserve this attention?

It is true that all superstars are put into the limelight an exceedingly high amount, but is Favre really as good as we say he is?

Ask any smart Jets fan, and he'll give you the answer: no.

This year, Favre had 22 interceptions. Meanwhile, he had the same number of touchdowns. Chad Pennington, the man that was banished by Jets ownership to obtain Favre, threw for 19 touchdowns but only seven interceptions.

Favre's passer rating was 81.0. Pennington's was 97.4.

Favre threw for 3472 yards. Pennington threw for 3653.

Favre averaged 6.7 yards a throw. Pennington averaged 7.6

Favre's sitting on his couch in Mississippi. Pennington's in the playoffs.

But it's not just this year. Favre's career quarterback rating is 85.4, while Pennington's is 90.6.

Now, I'm not saying that Chad Pennington is more deserving of the Hall of Fame than Favre, but I am saying this: Favre is not the greatest quarterback of all time. He's not even one of the top five quarterbacks of all time. And it's reasonable to say that he might not even be a top 10 quarterback of all time.

I'm not saying he's not good; he is. I'm just saying he's not one of the greatest.

Yes, Favre has the most career touchdowns and yards. But wouldn't you expect the person who has the most starts to have the most yards and touchdowns?

If Carson Palmer had played that many games, he would have broken the old record too. Before this season started, Palmer averaged 1.7 touchdowns thrown per every game played. Favre averages 1.6.

More importantly, all those records are going to be broken by Peyton Manning, so people using stats for their cases on how great Favre is only have a couple more years. That is, all the records except for interceptions—Manning is not on pace to break that one.

But stats aren't the only thing by which to judge a great quarterback. A  great quarterback is a leader, a general, the one who rallies his team around him, the one who carries his teammates in the fourth quarter. How many times has Favre done that?

We all have that image in our head of the gunslinger winding up to throw one deep, just to have it get picked off when his team needed it most.

It happened in the playoffs last year. It happened in the playoffs against the Eagles in 2004. And it happened dozens of times before that.

When it comes to clutch, the name Favre doesn't ring up there with Montana and Brady.

I'm not saying he's not good. He's just not one of the greatest.

In no order, the top 7 of the greats

Unitas- The Golden Arm. Practically every passing record ever was once held by him.

Montana - Joe Cool, clutch. Statistics also back up how great he was.

Tarkenton - Most people forget him when they list great quarterbacks. Look at his numbers. They are astonishing. Then put that into perspective that he played in an era dominated by running backs.  Add this with his running ability and he deserves a top five no matter who you ask.

Elway- Great leader. Great q.b., again look at the numbers.

Marino- See above.

Young- If you're going to replace Montana, you better be good.

Manning- Already owns many passing records. He will own them all by the time he retires. Compare his numbers to Favre's and there is no question.

For example, Manning has had a passer rating over 94.5 seven times.

Favre has done that 3 times.

Manning has thrown for over 4000 yards 9 times.

Favre 5 times.

etc.