Brett Favre Retires: How Does the Green Bay Quarterback Rank Against the Greats of the Game?

After weeks of speculation, Brett Favre the prolific and durable quarterback of the Green Bay Packers is finally retiring. Love him or hate him, Favre brought a level of enthusiasm to the game that the NFL is sure to miss. Along the way, Favre put up numbers worthy of a Hall of Famer. This 1991 second round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, who came to the Packer's by way of trade, threw for an NFL record regular season 442 touchdowns during. As if that wasn't enough, his 61,655 career yards passing, 8,758 attempts, and 5,377 completes are also NFL records. But it's probably Favre's ability to start 275 (including playoffs) in a row that would most likely impress his peers. Unless, your name is Cal Ripken Jr. and you play baseball, you will not find too many athletes with that type of durability.

Yet there are those who are still unwilling to give Favre his due, when comparing him to some of the NFL all-time greats. Some critics will point to his losses in the big games, or his penchant for throwing the ball away when forcing a throw into coverage, as reasons not to rate him in the top rung of all-time great quarterbacks. So how does these three time NFL MVP stack up against some of the best quarterbacks to play the game?

Favre vs Starr:

Before comparing Favre to the rest of the league, it we should compare Favre to another Green Bay great, Bart Starr. Starr was the consummate leader of Lombardi's Packers, and the winner of the first two Super Bowls in NFL history. Starr also added three NFL championships along the way, giving him a total of five titles in his career. The problem with Starr is that he was a product of Lombardi's system, and spent his career surrounded by great coaching and Hall of Fame teammates. The edge goes to Favre in this one.
Verdict: Favre

Favre vs Marino:

Aside from the fact that Favre ended up breaking a good deal of the career records set by Marino, Favre also won a Super Bowl with the Packers, something that Marino's critics have always held against him. Talent wise they were similar individual, with Marino perhaps having a quicker release, and Favre able to throw the ball a bit deeper than his rival. Still, both had a gunslinger mentality, and both never met a game they did not think they could win with a pass. It's hard to separate these two.
Verdict: Tie

Favre vs Bradshaw:

By virtue of four Super Bowl victories, Terry Bradshaw has always been included in the list of all-time great quarterbacks. The problem with that is that Bradshaw had the distinction of quarterbacking a team who had arguably the best defense ever assembled. Bradshaw was also benched early in his career, losing his starting job at times. Both quarterbacks had cannon for arms, and both made questionable throws that lead to interceptions. Despite the Super Bowl victories, Favre is the better of the two.
Verdict: Favre

Favre vs Montana:

Montana is another quarterback with four Super Bowl victories to his name. While not physically as talented as Favre, Montana ability to make good decisions and avoid costly mistakes is probably reflected in his superior lifetime quarterback rating. What's more, he was the MVP of three of the four Super Bowls he played in, showing that he was at his best in the big games. The edge goes to Montana.
Verdict: Montana

Favre vs Manning:

If anyone is going to take down some of Brett Favre's lifetime marks, it would probably be Peyton Manning. Manning who is as prolific passer as they come, is the more cerebral of the two, and is able to call a better game than Favre. Both passers have won a Super Bowl, and both are born leaders respected by their teammates and peers. In a toss-up, this one goes to Manning.
Verdict: Manning