I love words. As a writer, I love choosing my words with thoughtfulness. The words you use--especially when writing--gives readers a glimpse of your soul. Reading what you have written is a sort of mirror where you, the writer, can see how you think. If what you write is easily understood, you likely think clearly. If it is confusing, well, maybe you need to organize your thoughts better. Maybe you need to think better.
Words we use--both in speech and writing--say much more about us sometimes than the subject our words are aimed at. Because words tell us about the writer or speaker, we should pick every word carefully and with much thought. Unfortunately not everyone uses words thoughtfully and certain words in English have been raped--yes, raped--of their meaning. Here are some words that have been misused to the point where they no longer carry the weight they should:
7. Sexist - If you think that women and men are different, guess what? According to academia and many folks on the Left side of the spectrum, you're a sexist. It's a pretty dishonest attack since anyone who thinks clearly knows that women and men are different.
6. Xenophobe - Think that the U.S. should crack down on illegal immigrants? According to the Left, you're an xenophobe. But it backfires and true xemophobes are lumped in with people who just want laws obeyed and enforced. And believe me, there are true xenophobes out there.
5. Rape - There are women who perpetuate the idea that if sex is uncomfortable or you regret it afterwards, it's rape. When women who claim rape under those conditions are revealed as frauds to the public, rape loses it's meaning: It isn't taken as seriously as it should be.
4. Holocaust - When someone uses the word holocaust, it should only be used when describing the Holocaust (the murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany) or a similar event like the genocide in Sudan. When U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat, compares what he sees as a health care crisis to a holocaust, he devalues the word holocaust. If the word holocaust can be thrown around when posturing for political reasons, it will not carry the weight it once had. Grayson, a Jew, should know better but he isn't the only perpetrator. The radical animal rights organization known as PETA had an ad campaign a couple years back called "Holocaust On Your Plate" comparing the killing of chickens for food to the murder of six million Jews. The ad even showed concentration camp prisoners side by side with fried chicken. Some folks just aren't going to take the word holocaust as seriously after that.
3. Homophobe - Like racist, homophobe is a mainstay of leftist vocabulary used to shut down opponents of left-wing policies. Hey, once they call you a homophobe, who's going to take you seriously? However, the opposite is happening. Homophobe carries virtually no weight among conservatives and moderates anymore because the Left throws it at everyone they disagree with. It is unfortunate what the Left has done because homophobes exist and the word should only be reserved for them.
2. Bigot - Everyone's a bigot when you're on the Left. The word has been devalued. I'm a bigot, you're a bigot, don'tcha wanna be a bigot, too?
1. Racist - The word has been misused for decades and hardly carries the weight it should have. And blame those who misuse it most: The left-wingers of American politics. Disagree with a welfare bill? You're a racist. Oppose affirmative action? You're a racist? Vote Republican? You're a racist! It has become worse since President Obama took the oath of office. Now Obama's defenders and advocates calls anyone who opposes the president's policies a racist. It's sick. The word doesn't mean anything anymore. Racism exists but when the Left accuses everyone who disagrees with them as racists, what does the word mean anymore?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
The 10 Coolest Spaceships in Science Fiction
Do you like science fiction? I do. And I love what the creative folks behind the scenes come up with whether it's the cool sets or neat costumes or awesome aliens. But most of all, I love the ships! Here are my 10 favorites taken from science fiction TV and movies:
10. A-Wing Fighter
Introduced in 1983's Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, according to some sources the A-Wing is supposed to be a small starfighter that relies more on speed than armament. Whatever. I just think the thing looks cool.
9. Romulan Warbird
This ship first appeared in the final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season way back in 1988. Aptly named, it does indeed conjure up images of some sinister bird-of-prey about ready to snatch up some poor, helpless creature.
8. U.S.S. Sulaco
The Sulaco from Aliens looks like something that the military would use several decades from now. When I first saw that sucker on the silver screen for the first time way back in 1986, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. That mother is one bad-ass ship!
7. Klingon Vor'cha-class heavy cruiser
Designed for Star Trek: The Next Generation and supposed to look like the Federation and Klingon Empire have been exchanging technology (note the warp nacelles), the Vor'cha-class is the best of both worlds as it combines some of the most eye-pleasing aspects of both Federation starships and Klingon ships. Rick Sternbach, who designed the Vor'cha-class, hit it just right.
6. Cylon Raider (new BSG)
The new Battlestar Galactica improved many of the things from the old BSG: Better actors, better writers, better sets, better babes. And better ships. While the old Cylon Raider is one cool ship, the new one with it's curved blade-wings blows it away. The fact that the new Cylon Raiders are Cylons just makes the Raiders even more uber-cool.
5. Imperial Star Destroyer
The Star Destroyers from the first Star Wars film captured my imagination as a kid even more than the Millennium Falcon originally did. I was five when Star Wars was released in 1977 and I would listen to the soundtrack by John Williams as I sat with pencil and paper drawing Star Destroyers over and over again.
4. U.S.S. Reliant
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a pretty good movie and had some awesome battle scenes between the beloved U.S.S Enterprise commanded by Captain Kirk and a hijacked U.S.S. Reliant helmed by Khan Noonian Soong. And that ship--the Reliant--stole the show for me. Often lovingly referred to as a "horseshoe crab" by fans, the Miranda-class starship is one of my all-time favorite spaceship designs.
3. Colonial Viper Mark II (original BSG version)
Yeah, classic Battlestar Galactica was a pretty sucky show. But whomever designed them Vipers sure knew their stuff. Inspired by fighter jets from the real world like the x-15 and the F-104 Starfighter, the Colonial Viper is still an awesome design thirty years later.
2. Colonial Viper Mark II (new BSG version)
I didn't think it was possible to improve on the sleek Viper from the original Battlestar Galactica. I was wrong. From the beginning of prodduction on the new BSG, the Colonial Viper was about the only thing the producers wanted to keep (mostly) untouched from the original BSG. Good call.
1. Millennium Falcon
Ah, the Millennium Falcon. The coolest space ship ever. Who knew that a cone stuck on a flying saucer would be so awesome? Allegedly the inspiration for the Falcon came from a half-eaten hamburger that George Lucas was chomping on. And the cockpit (which was supposedly the olive stuck to the burger) was inspired by the real-life B-29 Superfortress. Burgers and bombers. Hey, you take inspiration where you can get it.
10. A-Wing Fighter
Introduced in 1983's Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, according to some sources the A-Wing is supposed to be a small starfighter that relies more on speed than armament. Whatever. I just think the thing looks cool.
9. Romulan Warbird
This ship first appeared in the final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season way back in 1988. Aptly named, it does indeed conjure up images of some sinister bird-of-prey about ready to snatch up some poor, helpless creature.
8. U.S.S. Sulaco
The Sulaco from Aliens looks like something that the military would use several decades from now. When I first saw that sucker on the silver screen for the first time way back in 1986, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. That mother is one bad-ass ship!
7. Klingon Vor'cha-class heavy cruiser
Designed for Star Trek: The Next Generation and supposed to look like the Federation and Klingon Empire have been exchanging technology (note the warp nacelles), the Vor'cha-class is the best of both worlds as it combines some of the most eye-pleasing aspects of both Federation starships and Klingon ships. Rick Sternbach, who designed the Vor'cha-class, hit it just right.
6. Cylon Raider (new BSG)
The new Battlestar Galactica improved many of the things from the old BSG: Better actors, better writers, better sets, better babes. And better ships. While the old Cylon Raider is one cool ship, the new one with it's curved blade-wings blows it away. The fact that the new Cylon Raiders are Cylons just makes the Raiders even more uber-cool.
5. Imperial Star Destroyer
The Star Destroyers from the first Star Wars film captured my imagination as a kid even more than the Millennium Falcon originally did. I was five when Star Wars was released in 1977 and I would listen to the soundtrack by John Williams as I sat with pencil and paper drawing Star Destroyers over and over again.
4. U.S.S. Reliant
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a pretty good movie and had some awesome battle scenes between the beloved U.S.S Enterprise commanded by Captain Kirk and a hijacked U.S.S. Reliant helmed by Khan Noonian Soong. And that ship--the Reliant--stole the show for me. Often lovingly referred to as a "horseshoe crab" by fans, the Miranda-class starship is one of my all-time favorite spaceship designs.
3. Colonial Viper Mark II (original BSG version)
Yeah, classic Battlestar Galactica was a pretty sucky show. But whomever designed them Vipers sure knew their stuff. Inspired by fighter jets from the real world like the x-15 and the F-104 Starfighter, the Colonial Viper is still an awesome design thirty years later.
2. Colonial Viper Mark II (new BSG version)
I didn't think it was possible to improve on the sleek Viper from the original Battlestar Galactica. I was wrong. From the beginning of prodduction on the new BSG, the Colonial Viper was about the only thing the producers wanted to keep (mostly) untouched from the original BSG. Good call.
1. Millennium Falcon
Ah, the Millennium Falcon. The coolest space ship ever. Who knew that a cone stuck on a flying saucer would be so awesome? Allegedly the inspiration for the Falcon came from a half-eaten hamburger that George Lucas was chomping on. And the cockpit (which was supposedly the olive stuck to the burger) was inspired by the real-life B-29 Superfortress. Burgers and bombers. Hey, you take inspiration where you can get it.
Friday, October 23, 2009
9 Common Animal Myths
Animals are amazing. While they don't need exaggerations and embellishments to make them interesting, inevitably it happens and soon myth becomes fact to many people. Here are nine myths I hear often about animals and the facts that dispel those myths.
9. Birds
Myth: Touching a baby bird will cause it's parents to abandon it.
Truth: Birds don't have a very well-developed sense of smell and therefore will be unaware of your stank.
The story: Not sure where this myth comes from but I was told this as a child and believed it for much of my life. Turns out most species of birds will not abandon their young easily so your damn dirty hands aren't likely to cause a ruckus.
8. Pit bulls
Myth: Pit bulls have jaws that lock.
Fact: Pit bulls' jaws have the same musculature and structure of any other breed of dog.
The story: When pit bulls bite something or someone they are reluctant to release. Add to that the terrifying reputation pit bulls have (it is somewhat deserved, I might add) and you can see how this myth started. But when it comes down to it, the basic structure of a pit bull's jaw is the same as a poodle's.
7. Camels
Myth: Camels store water in their humps.
Fact: Camels store water in their stomach.
The Story: What else could their humps be for, right? Fatty tissue reserves, chump. Their humps are filled with fat. Hey, it's easy to understand how this myth originated: The camels' hump is unique in the animal kingdom and they can go for long periods of time without water (three weeks) so the humps, folks concluded, must be where the water is stored. It's a reasonable conclusion, but it just isn't true.
6. Bats
Myth: Bats are blind.
Fact: Depending upon the species, bats' vision ranges from good to poor but they are definitely not blind.
The Story: There are over 1,000 bat species in the world which accounts for about 20% of all mammal species. Most bats are insectivores but many species eat fruit. The family of bats called microbats are nocturnal and rely heavily on echolocation to hunt for prey. While most microbats have poor day vision, they are not blind. In fact they have pretty good night vision which they use in tandem with their echolocation ability. Some larger species of bats don't even have echolocation and instead use night vision and an acute sense of smell to find food.
5. Sharks
Myth: The great white shark is the most dangerous of all shark species.
Fact: It is the bull shark, not the great white, that is responsible for the vast majority of shark-related injuries and deaths.
The story: The bull shark can grow to be as much as 13 feet long and weigh as much as 700 pounds. Because the bull shark can tolerate freshwater (it has been observed 1,000 miles up the Mississippi River and 2,000 miles up the Amazon) it comes into contact with humans quite regularly. This fact along with the bull sharks' unpredictable, aggressive behaviour makes it the most dangerous of all shark species. Some scientists suggest that the bull shark may be responsible for hundreds of deaths every year which dwarf deaths caused by great whites and tiger sharks combined.
4. Dolphins
Myth: Dolphins are more intelligent than humans.
Fact: Dolphins are not more intelligent than humans: they're animals.
When it comes to problem solving, dolphins are about as smart as a rhesus monkey or an elephant. Not bad, right? Monkeys and elephants are really smart. Well, turns out ferrets and mink have better problem-solving skills than even dolphins yet no one says that mink are smarter than humans. It all comes down to the fact that many folks--especially those whacky environmentalists--have perpetuated the myth that dolphins are the super-smarties of the animal kingdom so we feel more sympathy for the marine mammals and will want to save them from evil, stupid humans. But it's shallow thinking: my estimation of an animal's intelligence has nothing to do with how much I like a particular species. I like all animals--even stupid ones.
3. Lemmings
Myth: Lemmings commit mass suicide to lower their population by jumping off cliffs.
Fact: Lemmings only jump off cliffs when forced to do so by bored filmmakers.
The Story: In the 1950s Disney filmed a famous documentary about lemmings. Turns out lemmings are the most boring creatures alive. So the filmmakers, attempting to make their film more interesting, rounded up a bunch of the poor little rodents and forced them off a cliff! It worked. The documentary (White Wilderness) won awards and acclaim and lemmings became known as the suicide cult of the animal kingdom. It's true that when lemming colonies become overpopulated and there's no food left they will gather en masse and move into unfamiliar territory frantically looking for something to eat. While doing so they sometimes may unintentionally bump a cousin or two off a ledge or into a lake or whatever. But it's not suicide.
2. Daddy longlegs
Myth: The daddy long-legs is the most venomous spider in the world but can't bite humans because it's mouth is too small.
Fact: The spider-like harvestman and the cellar spider (a true spider) both share the common name daddy longlegs in North America. Neither species can kill you.
The harvestman is not an actual spider and of the estimated 10,000 species (ten thousand!) of harvestman, none are known to have poison glands. The cellar spider (a true spider), which is also called a daddy longlegs and resides in many parts of North America (though originally from the tropics) is venomous but it's venom is harmless to humans.
1. Chameleons
Myth: Chameleons can camouflage themselves to blend into the background of their environment.
Fact: While Chameleons can change color, it has nothing to do with blending into their background.
The Story: The chameleon is one of the most fascinating animals on Earth and have many unusual features not seen elsewhere in the reptile family. For instance, chameleons have five toes fused into two groups (two on the outside and three on the inside of their feet) which allows them to grip small branches. Their unique eyes allow them to look in different directions at the same time giving them 360 degree vision. They also have a prehensile tail. And their tongue--which is longer than their body length in some species--can rapidly extend and strike prey. The end of the tongue is covered in mucous which sticks to the prey making the chameleon one efficient predator. But it is their ability to change color that they are most famous for.
The chameleons ability to change color is used for social interactions and, in fact, results in the chameleon standing out from their background like when they want to attract a mate. It is true that the default color for chameleons does match their environment (i.e. green chameleons live in jungles or forests, tan chameleons live in deserts) so it may seem that they are blending in when in fact they may just be going from one color (like blue) associated with a particular social interaction to their normal color.
9. Birds
Myth: Touching a baby bird will cause it's parents to abandon it.
Truth: Birds don't have a very well-developed sense of smell and therefore will be unaware of your stank.
The story: Not sure where this myth comes from but I was told this as a child and believed it for much of my life. Turns out most species of birds will not abandon their young easily so your damn dirty hands aren't likely to cause a ruckus.
8. Pit bulls
Myth: Pit bulls have jaws that lock.
Fact: Pit bulls' jaws have the same musculature and structure of any other breed of dog.
The story: When pit bulls bite something or someone they are reluctant to release. Add to that the terrifying reputation pit bulls have (it is somewhat deserved, I might add) and you can see how this myth started. But when it comes down to it, the basic structure of a pit bull's jaw is the same as a poodle's.
7. Camels
Myth: Camels store water in their humps.
Fact: Camels store water in their stomach.
The Story: What else could their humps be for, right? Fatty tissue reserves, chump. Their humps are filled with fat. Hey, it's easy to understand how this myth originated: The camels' hump is unique in the animal kingdom and they can go for long periods of time without water (three weeks) so the humps, folks concluded, must be where the water is stored. It's a reasonable conclusion, but it just isn't true.
6. Bats
Myth: Bats are blind.
Fact: Depending upon the species, bats' vision ranges from good to poor but they are definitely not blind.
The Story: There are over 1,000 bat species in the world which accounts for about 20% of all mammal species. Most bats are insectivores but many species eat fruit. The family of bats called microbats are nocturnal and rely heavily on echolocation to hunt for prey. While most microbats have poor day vision, they are not blind. In fact they have pretty good night vision which they use in tandem with their echolocation ability. Some larger species of bats don't even have echolocation and instead use night vision and an acute sense of smell to find food.
5. Sharks
Myth: The great white shark is the most dangerous of all shark species.
Fact: It is the bull shark, not the great white, that is responsible for the vast majority of shark-related injuries and deaths.
The story: The bull shark can grow to be as much as 13 feet long and weigh as much as 700 pounds. Because the bull shark can tolerate freshwater (it has been observed 1,000 miles up the Mississippi River and 2,000 miles up the Amazon) it comes into contact with humans quite regularly. This fact along with the bull sharks' unpredictable, aggressive behaviour makes it the most dangerous of all shark species. Some scientists suggest that the bull shark may be responsible for hundreds of deaths every year which dwarf deaths caused by great whites and tiger sharks combined.
4. Dolphins
Myth: Dolphins are more intelligent than humans.
Fact: Dolphins are not more intelligent than humans: they're animals.
When it comes to problem solving, dolphins are about as smart as a rhesus monkey or an elephant. Not bad, right? Monkeys and elephants are really smart. Well, turns out ferrets and mink have better problem-solving skills than even dolphins yet no one says that mink are smarter than humans. It all comes down to the fact that many folks--especially those whacky environmentalists--have perpetuated the myth that dolphins are the super-smarties of the animal kingdom so we feel more sympathy for the marine mammals and will want to save them from evil, stupid humans. But it's shallow thinking: my estimation of an animal's intelligence has nothing to do with how much I like a particular species. I like all animals--even stupid ones.
3. Lemmings
Myth: Lemmings commit mass suicide to lower their population by jumping off cliffs.
Fact: Lemmings only jump off cliffs when forced to do so by bored filmmakers.
The Story: In the 1950s Disney filmed a famous documentary about lemmings. Turns out lemmings are the most boring creatures alive. So the filmmakers, attempting to make their film more interesting, rounded up a bunch of the poor little rodents and forced them off a cliff! It worked. The documentary (White Wilderness) won awards and acclaim and lemmings became known as the suicide cult of the animal kingdom. It's true that when lemming colonies become overpopulated and there's no food left they will gather en masse and move into unfamiliar territory frantically looking for something to eat. While doing so they sometimes may unintentionally bump a cousin or two off a ledge or into a lake or whatever. But it's not suicide.
2. Daddy longlegs
Myth: The daddy long-legs is the most venomous spider in the world but can't bite humans because it's mouth is too small.
Fact: The spider-like harvestman and the cellar spider (a true spider) both share the common name daddy longlegs in North America. Neither species can kill you.
The harvestman is not an actual spider and of the estimated 10,000 species (ten thousand!) of harvestman, none are known to have poison glands. The cellar spider (a true spider), which is also called a daddy longlegs and resides in many parts of North America (though originally from the tropics) is venomous but it's venom is harmless to humans.
1. Chameleons
Myth: Chameleons can camouflage themselves to blend into the background of their environment.
Fact: While Chameleons can change color, it has nothing to do with blending into their background.
The Story: The chameleon is one of the most fascinating animals on Earth and have many unusual features not seen elsewhere in the reptile family. For instance, chameleons have five toes fused into two groups (two on the outside and three on the inside of their feet) which allows them to grip small branches. Their unique eyes allow them to look in different directions at the same time giving them 360 degree vision. They also have a prehensile tail. And their tongue--which is longer than their body length in some species--can rapidly extend and strike prey. The end of the tongue is covered in mucous which sticks to the prey making the chameleon one efficient predator. But it is their ability to change color that they are most famous for.
The chameleons ability to change color is used for social interactions and, in fact, results in the chameleon standing out from their background like when they want to attract a mate. It is true that the default color for chameleons does match their environment (i.e. green chameleons live in jungles or forests, tan chameleons live in deserts) so it may seem that they are blending in when in fact they may just be going from one color (like blue) associated with a particular social interaction to their normal color.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Top 11 NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time
I don't know who coined the phrase "baseball may be America's pastime but football is America's passion" but it's true. Football dominates the American sports universe and quarterbacks are among the brightest stars.
My criteria for who is a top 10 QB has three primary components: Statistics, longevity combined with high level of play, and how he compares to his contemporaries. What doesn't factor into my equation is how many times a QB appeared in the Super Bowl or the NFL (or AFL) championship game. I think it's stupid to rank QBs based on how many NFL titles they have. Last time I checked, there are 22 starters on a team. Many factors play a part into why a great QB doesn't win NFL championships: Quality of teammates, level of competition, injuries, coaching, etc. If a QB doesn't make my list it's not based on championships won or not won. I will consider how a QB plays once he is in the big game but not if he's in the big game. So, let's get to it: The top 11 quarterbacks of all-time.
11. Sammy Baugh (Washington Redskins 1937-52)
Slingin' Sammy Baugh played in a era that wasn't quarterback friendly like the NFL is today. Nor were offenses as sophisticated as they are now (nothing like the West Coast Offense existed in the 1940s). In fact, the first half of Baugh's career he led the Redskins as a single-wing tailback before becoming one of the first T-formation QBs. However, Baugh still passed for 187 touchdowns and over 21,000 yards in a time when a typical NFL season was between 9 and 12 games. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of his game, when considering the era in which he played, is his pass completion percentage. A career average 56.6% was phenomenal at the time and that includes 1945 when he completed over 70% of his passes! Not only was Baugh a great QB, he was a trailblazer who defined the QB position.
10. Johnny Unitas (Baltimore Colts 1956-72; San Diego 1973)
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955, Unitas was cut before he had a chance to play. In 1956 Unitas signed with the Baltimore Colts, led them to two NFL championships, inspired millions of boys nationwide, and became one of the most iconic figures in sports history. He was the Payton Manning of his age meaning he was THE Quarterback of the late fifties and all the way through the sixties. If Mr. Quarterback isn't on your top 10 list, well, I question your judgment.
9. Ken Anderson (Cincinnati Bengals 1971-86)
Though Anderson is one of the most efficient QBs in NFL history, holds the single-season record for highest pass completion percentage (70.6% in 1982), passed for 32,838 yards and 197 touchdowns in his career, and was the NFL's MVP in 1981, he isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What the hell?
8. Brett Favre (Atlanta 1991; Green Bay 1992-2007; N.Y. Jets 2008; Minnesota 2009-present)
In 1991 the Atlanta Falcons drafted Brett Favre in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. He only started 2 games for the Falcons that season before being traded to the Green Bay Packers. He started the 2nd game of the 1992 season for the Packers and hasn't missed a game since. That's 275 consecutive starts at quarterback! Not only is it the longest streak ever by a QB but it's the longest streak by any NFL player ever. In 2007, Favre's final year in Green Bay, he passed Dan Marino to become the all-time leader in touchdown passes. He now as 473 career TD passes. Do I really need to go on to justify his place on this list?
7. Sid Luckman (Chicago Bears 1939-1950)
When Luckman joined the Bears in '39, few teams used a T-formation (traditional QB formation) and most quarterbacks were essentially glorified tailbacks. Luckman, along with Sammy Baugh, made the position into what it is today. And even though Luckman retired in 1950, nearly sixty years later his passing stats still hold up quite well when compared to modern QBs. He still has the highest career touchdown percentage in NFL history; an amazing 7.9 percent of his passes were for touchdowns.
6. Dan Fouts (San Diego Chargers 1973-87)
While many NFL fans and analysts regard Dan Marino as the best pure passer in league history, Dan Fouts was doing what Marino would become known for when Marino was still in junior high. Watch those old NFL Films productions of Fouts and the Chargers passing there way up and down the field and you'll get an education on how to throw perfect spirals with perfect form and perfect execution. Fouts is a clinic and belongs on this list.
5. Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins 1983-99)
Though he never won a Super Bowl, Dan Marino may be the best pure passer in league history. His record 420 touchdown passes and 61,361 passing yards were only recently eclipsed by Brett Favre. Add to those feats his ability to win close games and the fact that he won so many games without a great supporting cast most years, Marino deserves his place as one of the best.
4. Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota Vikings 1961-66, 72-78; New York Giants 1967-71)
At the time of Fran Tarkenton's retirement in 1978, he was the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (47,003), touchdown passes (342), wins by a starting quarterback (125), rushing yards by a QB (3,674), and rushing touchdowns by a QB (32). He led the Vikings to three Super Bowls and even though they lost all three, the Vikings were one of the most dominant teams of the 1970s thanks to Tark's amazing abilities as a passer and scrambler.
3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts 1998-present)
If Peyton Manning continues to play like he has over the last decade for, say, another five or six seasons, he'll likely be the all-time leader in nearly every significant passing category including passing yards and touchdown passes. He's a three-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, and holds the all-time record for most TD passes in a season (49 in 2004). Enjoy watching him, folks, because he is making history.
2. Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers 1979-92; Kansas City Chiefs 1993-94)
While Montana never put up the big numbers contemporaries like Elway and Marino did, Joe Cool more than made up for it by becoming one of the most efficient passers in NFL history with a career pass completion percentage of 63.2%. When factoring in touchdown to interception ratio, wins, and weather conditions (Montana excelled in bad weather), he easily places high on my list. And, just to cement his position as #2 all-time, let's add in his big game play: Montana started in four Super Bowls, threw 11 TDs passes and zero interceptions. With three Super Bowl MVP awards--more than any other player--who would you rather have as your QB in a big game?
1. Steve Young (Tampa Bay 1985-86; San Francisco 1987-99)
When Montana was playing for the 'Niners, the sophisticated West Coast Offense implemented by head coach Bill Walsh was new to the NFL and very few defenses were geared to stop it. When Steve Young replaced Montana as the starter in San Francisco in 1991, most of the defenses in the NFL knew the West Coast Offense and were prepared for it. But Steve Young not only excelled at running the complicated offense, he surpassed his predecessor, Montana.
Now I know a lot of folks--especially 'Niner fans--have higher regard for Montana than Young because Montana won 4 NFL titles to Young's lone Super Bowl win. But Young rarely had a strong running game to rely on like Montana usually did. Nor were the defenses the 'Niners had in the '90s as good as they were when Montana played. Yet Young became a more efficient passer than Montana. In fact the most efficient passer in NFL history. But that's not all. Young also became arguably the most feared running quarterback ever. Young ran for over 4,000 yards in his career and scored 43 touchdowns on the ground. Oh, and then there was San Francisco's 49-26 thumping of the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX where Young threw six touchdown passes. Freakin' six touchdown passes. Steve Young is the best QB in NFL history.
My criteria for who is a top 10 QB has three primary components: Statistics, longevity combined with high level of play, and how he compares to his contemporaries. What doesn't factor into my equation is how many times a QB appeared in the Super Bowl or the NFL (or AFL) championship game. I think it's stupid to rank QBs based on how many NFL titles they have. Last time I checked, there are 22 starters on a team. Many factors play a part into why a great QB doesn't win NFL championships: Quality of teammates, level of competition, injuries, coaching, etc. If a QB doesn't make my list it's not based on championships won or not won. I will consider how a QB plays once he is in the big game but not if he's in the big game. So, let's get to it: The top 11 quarterbacks of all-time.
11. Sammy Baugh (Washington Redskins 1937-52)
Slingin' Sammy Baugh played in a era that wasn't quarterback friendly like the NFL is today. Nor were offenses as sophisticated as they are now (nothing like the West Coast Offense existed in the 1940s). In fact, the first half of Baugh's career he led the Redskins as a single-wing tailback before becoming one of the first T-formation QBs. However, Baugh still passed for 187 touchdowns and over 21,000 yards in a time when a typical NFL season was between 9 and 12 games. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of his game, when considering the era in which he played, is his pass completion percentage. A career average 56.6% was phenomenal at the time and that includes 1945 when he completed over 70% of his passes! Not only was Baugh a great QB, he was a trailblazer who defined the QB position.
10. Johnny Unitas (Baltimore Colts 1956-72; San Diego 1973)
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955, Unitas was cut before he had a chance to play. In 1956 Unitas signed with the Baltimore Colts, led them to two NFL championships, inspired millions of boys nationwide, and became one of the most iconic figures in sports history. He was the Payton Manning of his age meaning he was THE Quarterback of the late fifties and all the way through the sixties. If Mr. Quarterback isn't on your top 10 list, well, I question your judgment.
9. Ken Anderson (Cincinnati Bengals 1971-86)
Though Anderson is one of the most efficient QBs in NFL history, holds the single-season record for highest pass completion percentage (70.6% in 1982), passed for 32,838 yards and 197 touchdowns in his career, and was the NFL's MVP in 1981, he isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What the hell?
8. Brett Favre (Atlanta 1991; Green Bay 1992-2007; N.Y. Jets 2008; Minnesota 2009-present)
In 1991 the Atlanta Falcons drafted Brett Favre in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. He only started 2 games for the Falcons that season before being traded to the Green Bay Packers. He started the 2nd game of the 1992 season for the Packers and hasn't missed a game since. That's 275 consecutive starts at quarterback! Not only is it the longest streak ever by a QB but it's the longest streak by any NFL player ever. In 2007, Favre's final year in Green Bay, he passed Dan Marino to become the all-time leader in touchdown passes. He now as 473 career TD passes. Do I really need to go on to justify his place on this list?
7. Sid Luckman (Chicago Bears 1939-1950)
When Luckman joined the Bears in '39, few teams used a T-formation (traditional QB formation) and most quarterbacks were essentially glorified tailbacks. Luckman, along with Sammy Baugh, made the position into what it is today. And even though Luckman retired in 1950, nearly sixty years later his passing stats still hold up quite well when compared to modern QBs. He still has the highest career touchdown percentage in NFL history; an amazing 7.9 percent of his passes were for touchdowns.
6. Dan Fouts (San Diego Chargers 1973-87)
While many NFL fans and analysts regard Dan Marino as the best pure passer in league history, Dan Fouts was doing what Marino would become known for when Marino was still in junior high. Watch those old NFL Films productions of Fouts and the Chargers passing there way up and down the field and you'll get an education on how to throw perfect spirals with perfect form and perfect execution. Fouts is a clinic and belongs on this list.
5. Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins 1983-99)
Though he never won a Super Bowl, Dan Marino may be the best pure passer in league history. His record 420 touchdown passes and 61,361 passing yards were only recently eclipsed by Brett Favre. Add to those feats his ability to win close games and the fact that he won so many games without a great supporting cast most years, Marino deserves his place as one of the best.
4. Fran Tarkenton (Minnesota Vikings 1961-66, 72-78; New York Giants 1967-71)
At the time of Fran Tarkenton's retirement in 1978, he was the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (47,003), touchdown passes (342), wins by a starting quarterback (125), rushing yards by a QB (3,674), and rushing touchdowns by a QB (32). He led the Vikings to three Super Bowls and even though they lost all three, the Vikings were one of the most dominant teams of the 1970s thanks to Tark's amazing abilities as a passer and scrambler.
3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts 1998-present)
If Peyton Manning continues to play like he has over the last decade for, say, another five or six seasons, he'll likely be the all-time leader in nearly every significant passing category including passing yards and touchdown passes. He's a three-time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, and holds the all-time record for most TD passes in a season (49 in 2004). Enjoy watching him, folks, because he is making history.
2. Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers 1979-92; Kansas City Chiefs 1993-94)
While Montana never put up the big numbers contemporaries like Elway and Marino did, Joe Cool more than made up for it by becoming one of the most efficient passers in NFL history with a career pass completion percentage of 63.2%. When factoring in touchdown to interception ratio, wins, and weather conditions (Montana excelled in bad weather), he easily places high on my list. And, just to cement his position as #2 all-time, let's add in his big game play: Montana started in four Super Bowls, threw 11 TDs passes and zero interceptions. With three Super Bowl MVP awards--more than any other player--who would you rather have as your QB in a big game?
1. Steve Young (Tampa Bay 1985-86; San Francisco 1987-99)
When Montana was playing for the 'Niners, the sophisticated West Coast Offense implemented by head coach Bill Walsh was new to the NFL and very few defenses were geared to stop it. When Steve Young replaced Montana as the starter in San Francisco in 1991, most of the defenses in the NFL knew the West Coast Offense and were prepared for it. But Steve Young not only excelled at running the complicated offense, he surpassed his predecessor, Montana.
Now I know a lot of folks--especially 'Niner fans--have higher regard for Montana than Young because Montana won 4 NFL titles to Young's lone Super Bowl win. But Young rarely had a strong running game to rely on like Montana usually did. Nor were the defenses the 'Niners had in the '90s as good as they were when Montana played. Yet Young became a more efficient passer than Montana. In fact the most efficient passer in NFL history. But that's not all. Young also became arguably the most feared running quarterback ever. Young ran for over 4,000 yards in his career and scored 43 touchdowns on the ground. Oh, and then there was San Francisco's 49-26 thumping of the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX where Young threw six touchdown passes. Freakin' six touchdown passes. Steve Young is the best QB in NFL history.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Big Blog of Lists is here!
Hello and welcome to Average Joe Blogger's Big Blog of Lists! In short order I will be posting top 10 lists that cover just about any subject that interests me (which is a lot of subjects) including sports, politics, nature, entertainment, history, and much more. Ideas for top 10 lists are welcome and you can even submit lists to me via email (onceonfire@juno.com). If I like your list, it may be presented here for your pleasure. The format of lists that will appear here will be as follows: short introductory paragraph on the subject of the list and a countdown from 10 to 1 with a picture and paragraph for each numbered entry.
I hope to have the first list up soon. Thanks for playing.
I hope to have the first list up soon. Thanks for playing.
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