It is indeed a tough question, in part due to exposure and in part due to the fact that the game has changed so much. Also, the guys in the 30s and 40s were selling used cars in the offseason and didn't have year-round scientific training and didn't have modern medicine for their injuries.

For my part, I think I base my opinions somewhat on how they compared to others in their era. If a guy was way better than others in his era, I suspect that he would have been way better in this era, too, after getting the benefit of the training/money/medical advances. Based on that, I think guys like Baugh and Otto Graham probably would've been standouts in the modern era to roughly the same degree that they were standouts in their own era.

Elway's good, but not even top 5. Staubach, another scramble to pass QB, had better stats in a less QB friendly era. Staubach had as many rings. Nobody argues that Roger Staubach is GOAT.

John Elway was never first team all-pro. He wasn't the best QB of his era.

Elway wouldn't have had as many comebacks if he didn't suck so bad for three quarters of the game.

People who think John Elway is the GOAT are just confused about being Marty bit.

The NFL network agrees:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum...owtopic=552157

Elway losing. LMAO.

I just remember so many years in his career when Elway just couldn't hit his receivers. He didn't develop any touch until much later in his career. People want to bag on his run game as well. Would you rather have Sammy Winder or Bernie Parmalee?

Well, that was close (wiping brow). Moving on are Dawson, Montana, Favre, and Brady.

Yes, that is fairly obvious. Elway has left a giant hoof print in your soul that will never go away. It comes out every time you post about him. He owns you. As a Bronco fan it is hilarious to see, and nothing could be a more fitting tribute to his everlasting greatness than to see you regularly twist and writhe about as you wallow in your painful memories. I'm not sure what kind of wine you can make with sour grapes, but your particular Elway whine is incredibly bitter.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...07985147_n.jpg

What are you talking about? I'm completely neutral and unbiased in any post I've ever written about that lowlife scum.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...51435053_n.jpg

Favre over Elway? LMAO Elway put a beating on you so bad for so long it's made you stupid.

LMAO

LMAO This might be the worst football take of all time. Stupid doesn't begin to describe it.

Unless, of course, you aren't serious. Which would make a lot more sense.