We used to call them the flower boys, or the glory boys. You know, the guys that collect all the recognition for the hard work done by others, collect the huge paychecks and have kids mauling them for autographs.

Have you ever heard a lineman brag about making a great pass block, or read a statistic in the paper about how many cut blocks the center made? Those are the ones where the center gets down on his hands and knees and crab crawls until enough 250-pound linemen have flattened him, and he can no longer move under the pile. Can you tell I was a lineman?

The quarterbacks are the kings of the glory boys - the roses of the garden. They are frequently the Heisman Trophy winners (30 as of 2008) , the most talked about and the highest paid of all the players. They are the leaders of the offense. When they get hurt, the team usually struggles.

There have been many very good quarterbacks through the years, but only a select few make my all-time favorite list. Here’s my ranking of the top 10.

1) Fran Tarkenton (Vikings)

2) Tom Brady (Patriots)

3) Joe Namath (Jets) - Almost as good a model for tv commercials.

4) Joe Montana (49ers) - A smooth quarterback, with a good arm.

5) Johnny Unitas (Baltimore Colts)

6) Roger Staubach (Cowboys) - This darn QB was the spoiler for the Vikings several times.

7) Bart Starr (Packers) - One of the all-time best, but I can’t remember seeing him play.

Brett Favre (Packers) I like to pick on this guy, but he was pretty good when he was younger.

9) Dan Marino (Dolphins)

10) Terry Bradshaw (Steelers)

Some of these guys are from my younger days, and a couple are still playing - sort of. Favre is on his last legs. With all those interceptions against Baltimore, his arm is on the way out. I won’t mention that he took away the Patriots’ chance for the playoffs.And, sorry I had to leave you out Peyton, but I’ve never been a Colts fan.

So why is Fran Tarkenton on top of my list. I guess, because he’s the first quarterback I ever remember as a kid. He was a good scrambler, and had a strong arm. He playing for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966, and back again from 1972 to 1978. In that time he took them to three Super Bowls.

Brady is my second choice for various reasons. Since I’m not a Patriots fan I have to cheer for him, and hope that he recovers from his surgery to play next season. He’s got a great arm, and is very smart with his play audibles against the defenses.

Who are your favorite QB’s?

-Bob Hammerstrom

bhammerstrom@nashuatelegraph.com

Tags: 49ers, Bart Star, blog, bob hammerstrom, Colts, Cowboys, Dallas, Dan Marino, Dolphins, favorites, Football, Fran Tarkenton, Green Bay, Jets, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Minnesota, New England, NFL, Packers, Patriots, Peyton Manning, QB, quarterback, Roger Stauback, sports, Steelers, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady, Vikings