100 Greatest Quarterbacks, 100-91

There have been several hundred, perhaps even thousands of Quarterbacks who made at least one start in the National Football League, some of them have been legendary, some of them have been mediocre, some of them were one-shot wonders and some of them were complete disasters. So, I compiled a list of the best 100 Quarterbacks who have started a game since 1970 and ranked them. I would be lying if I said that I used any exact formula. I attempted to balance stats, big-time performances and the era or team which they played on. 28 of the 29 Quarterbacks who have ever led their team to a Super Bowl are on this list. Sorry, Trent Dilfer.

So enjoy, as this list reminds you guys you probably heard about in a long time and allows you reminisce on how good they could have been


                                              100-GREG LANDRY (1968-1984)
                                    (Lions, Colts & Bears)

It's no secret that the Detroit Lions suffered through decades of poor Quarterback play before drafting Matthew Stafford in 2009. The one bright spot for the Lions at the games key position came in the early 1970's with a gunslinger named Greg Landry. Landry played 102 games for the Lions from 1968 to 1978. While Landry's career statistics might not be super-sexy, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1971. Landry would be the last Lions Quarterback to be selected to the Pro Bowl until Matthew Stafford, Landry was also named Comeback Player of The Year in 1976 after throwing for 17 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Landry also played three seasons for the Colts from 1979-1981, He threw for just under 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season in Baltimore. Landry also played in the USFL for a few years before finishing his career as a backup for the Bears.

                                                    99-NEIL O'DONNELL (1991-2003)
                                    (Steelers, Bengals & Titans)

Steelers fans most likely remember Neil O'Donnell for throwing two costly interceptions to Larry Brown in Super Bowl 30, but don't let that fool you, O'Donnell was a productive Quarterback during his time in the Steel City. O'Donnell played five seasons in Pittsburgh where he threw for over 13,000 yards, 68 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. O'Donnell also led the Steelers to a 39-22 record during that span, which included four trips to the playoffs, two trips to the AFC Championship game and a trip to the Super Bowl. O'Donnell signed with the Jets following Pittsburgh's Super Bowl loss to Dallas. O'Donnell struggled in his first with the Jets leading them to a 1-15 record. He improved in 1997 under Bill Parcells leading the Jets to a 9-7 record. O'Donnell signed with the Bengals in 1998 where he tossed 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 343 pass attempts. Twice, O'Donnell led the NFL in fewest percentage of passes intercepted. 

                                             98-AARON BROOKS (1999-2006)

                                                         (Packers, Saints & Raiders)

Aaron Brooks has become an afterthought in New Orleans thanks to the success of Drew Brees. But Brooks does hold one distinction in New Orleans that Brees never will. Brooks quarterbacked the 2000 Saints team that became the first in team history to win a playoff game. Brooks was thrusted into the starting position in 2000 following an injury to Jeff Blake. Brooks led the way for the Saints until the end of the 2005 season, Brooks threw for 20 touchdowns or more each year from 2002 to 2005 and threw for over 3,500 in each of those four seasons. Brooks is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame despite the fact that the team parted ways with him in 2005 to sign Drew Brees. Brooks signed with the Raiders in 2006, but nagging injuries forced him to miss eight games while the Raiders finished with a record of 2-14, the worst in the league.

                                             97-DAVID GARRARD (2002-2013)

                                     (Jaguars, Dolphins, Colts)

David Garrard did not have a lengthy tenure as a starting quarterback, but what he did have was promising. Garrard took over the starting gig away from Byron Leftwich in 2006. He led the Jaguars to the playoffs in 2007, picking up a win over the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card. Garrard threw for over 16,000 yards during his time in Jacksonville, second most in team history. He also threw for 89 touchdowns and 54 interceptions, compiling a 39-37 record. Garrard was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009 after throwing for 3,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. He threw for 2,734 and a career high 23 touchdowns in 2010, but the Jaguars drafted Blaine Gabbert in the offseason and cut Garrard (what a mistake that was), Garrard attempted to make a comeback with the Jets and Dolphins but a back injury ended his career before he ever threw a pass for either team.

                             96-JIM MCMAHON (1982-1996)

                          (Bears, Chargers, Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals, Browns & Packers)

Not going to lie, Jim McMahon might not be on this list if not for the 1985 Bears. When I think of McMahon, I don't particularly think of his performances, but rather his quirkiness. McMahon played seven seasons for the Bears, playing in three NFC Championship games. McMahon is also remembered as being the signal caller for perhaps the greatest team in NFL history. McMahon threw for 100 touchdowns and 90 interceptions during his NFL career and was a Pro Bowler in 1986. McMahon had a career record of 67-30 and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year after replacing an injured Randall Cunningham with the Eagles in 1991. McMahon also won a Super Bowl with Green Bay in 1996 serving as Brett Favre's backup.

                                             95-JON KITNA (1996-2013)

                                                  (Seahawks, Bengals, Lions & Cowboys)

When you look at Jon Kitna's statistics, they are probably a surprise to everyone. Even Jon Kitna. The undrafted free agent out of Central Washington started 124 games during his career and while his record wasn't impressive (50-74) he was usually surrounded by a pretty bad team, yet still managed to put up decent statistics. Kitna led the Seahawks to the playoffs in 1999, throwing for 23 touchdowns, leading the Seahawks to an AFC West Championship. Kitna signed with the Bengals in 2001 and threw for 3,600 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2003, which led to him being named Comeback Player of the Year. Kitna then signed with the Lions in 2006 where he threw for over 4,000 yards in back to back seasons. Kitna also started 9 games for Dallas in 2010 after Tony Romo went down with a season ending collarbone injury. He threw for 16 touchdowns leading the Cowboys to three wins.

                                           94-JAY CUTLER (2006-PRESENT)
                                          (Broncos & Bears)

Yes, I have Jay Cutler ranked as the 94th best Quarterback of all-time. I'm sure there are many people who wouldn't agree with me, but Cutler's career stats aren't too shabby. Cutler began his career in Denver where played three seasons under Mike Shanahan. New head coach Josh McDaniels traded Cutler to Chicago 2009, even though Cutler was coming off a career best season where he threw for 4500 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl. Cutler threw for 27 touchdowns and 3,700 yards with the Bears in 2009, but also threw 26 interceptions. Cutler led the Bears to the NFC Championship Game in 2010, but left the game early due to injury. Cutler holds the Bears passing records for career yards and touchdowns. Cutler, surprisingly threw for a quite few more touchdowns than he did interceptions during his career, tossing 208 touchdowns and 146 interceptions in his 11 year career.

                                           93-JEFF HOSTETLER (1984-1998)
                                      (Giants, Raiders & Redskins)

Hostetler spent the better part of his career as a backup, otherwise he might be higher on this list. Hostetler proved to be a serviceable signal-caller during his 83 career starts. Hostetler had an impressive 51-32 record during his career. Most Giants fans will remember Hostetler for filling in for an injured Phil Simms in 1990 and leading the Giants to a Super Bowl. A quarterback controversy later ensued between Hostetler and Simms that resulted in Hostetler getting shipped to the Raiders. Hostetler was named to the Pro Bowl in 1994 throwing for 3,300 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 1997, Hostetler threw for a career high 23 touchdowns, he signed with the Redskins in 1998, but injuries derailed his season. Hostetler ended his career with 16,430 yards passing and 94 touchdowns.
    

                                         92-JOE FERGUSON (1973-1990)
                                      (Bills, Lions, Bucs & Colts)

Joe Ferguson might be the best Quarterback in Bills history that's not named Jim Kelly. Ferguson spent 12 seasons in Buffalo before being replaced by Kelly. Ferguson played 18 seasons in the NFL for four different teams, starting 171 games. Ferguson had his best season in 1981 when he threw for 3,652 yards and 24 touchdowns. Ferguson's lack of being able to take care of the football was his biggest knock during in his NFL career. Ferguson threw for 209 interceptions during his career, the 23rd most in NFL history. He led the Bills to the playoffs three separate times, led the NFL in touchdown passes in 1975, and in passing yards in 1977. The Bills replaced Ferguson in 1984 with Kelly, Ferguson spend the next several seasons seeing limited action in Detroit, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis before retiring in 1990.

                                        91-SCOTT MITCHELL (1991-2001)
                                 (Dolphins, Lions, Ravens & Bengals)

Scott Mitchell probably wouldn't be on this list if it weren't for one really good year he had with the Lions. Mitchell began his career in Miami in 1991, serving as Dan Marino's backup. He became the starter in 1993 when Dan Marino tore his achilles tendon. Mitchell started seven games for the Dolphins tossing 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mitchell became one of the first players in NFL history to cash in on free agency by signing with the Lions in 1994. Mitchell struggled in his first year in Detroit, but went off in 1995, having one of the best seasons that any quarterback has ever had in the history of the NFL. Mitchell threw for 4,338 yards, 32 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions while leading the Lions to the playoffs and earning. However, Mitchell's 1995 is most remembered for his dismal playoff performance against the Eagles. Mitchell remained the Lions starter until 1998 when he was shipped to Baltimore. Mitchell ended his career with Cincinnati in 2001. He threw for 15,692 yards, 95 touchdowns and 81 interceptions in his 11 year career.