Some quarterbacks are so smooth in and around the pocket, Captain Morgan toasts them. Then, there's the other 99.8 percent at the position, the mere mortals who lack the Wow Factor but consistently find ways to stay in the chase.
Now it's time to honor the underrated quarterbacks who played below the radar for much if not all of their careers. The criteria are a combination of individual statistics, achievements and won-loss records relative to the talent around them. To be eligible, candidates cannot have more than four All-Star Game-Pro Bowl appearances on their resumes. (Maybe next time, Jack Kemp, Daryle Lamonica and Donovan McNabb. You, too, Ben Roethlisberger.)
These are some of the most unsung NFL quarterbacks of all time. And they really deserve more love.
Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (2002-10)
Career: 9 seasons (2002-10)
Record: 39-37 (.513)
League championships: 0
Statistics/game/starter: .618 completion percentage/206.0 pass yards/1.1 pass touchdowns
Bottom line: David Garrard was the rare dependable back-up who would become equally solid as a starter, a fourth-rounder who was a threat with his legs as well as his right arm.
The East Carolina product was at his best in the 2007 playoffs when he engineered an upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers then held his own against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, both on the road.
Teams: Chicago Bears (1986-87) , New England Patriots (1987-89, 2005), Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), San Diego Chargers (2001-04)
Career: 12 seasons (1986-89, 1998-05)
Record: 38-28 (.576)
League championships: 0
Statistics/game/starter: .547/201.3/1.2
Bottom line: Some '85 Bears teammates still whine that Doug Flutie cost them a Super Bowl or two. Truth is, head coach Mike Ditka was to blame for the way he set up the young QB to fail on short notice.
The one-time Heisman Trophy winner was banished to the Canadian Football League, and it wasn't until he went to Buffalo in his mid-30s that he showed what might have been. The people who bought more than 3 million boxes of Flutie Flakes can't be wrong.
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1999-2003), Cleveland (2004), Detroit Lions (2005), Philadelphia Eagles (2006, 2009), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007-08)
Career: 11 seasons (2002-10)
Record: 58-58 (.000)
League championships: 0
Statistics/game/starter: .617/214.9/1.4
Bottom line: Jeff Garcia succeeded Canton-bound Steve Young, who replaced Joe Montana, another future Hall of Famer. Is there anything the late starter could have done to make us forget those Niners legends?
But the guy was nothing if not a competitor. In his first four seasons at the controls, he was a two-time Pro Bowler who led his team to a pair of playoff appearances. And he was about as good with the Iggles and Bucs well into his 30s.
Teams: Cleveland Browns (1985-93), Dallas Cowboys (1993), Miami Dolphins (1994-96)
Career: 12 seasons (1985-1996)
Record: 53-54-1 (.495)
League championships: 1 (1993)
Statistics/game/starter: .590/208.7/1.1
Bottom line: Bernie Kosar had his legacy sacked by two revolting developments that were out of his control - The Drive and The Fumble, which effectively canceled two Super Bowl trips.
Otherwise, the guy might be a full-blown Browns legend instead of just another pretty good quarterback.