Judging a QB class is extremely difficult to say the least. As the person in charge on the football field, many meticulous things come into effect of course. Let’s take a closer look at the best of the last 30 years, and who has had the most success. With the lackluster 90’s QB classes, where it unquestionably was hit or miss, with only a handful of high-quality players coming out of a few random classes like Steve McNair, the future HoF’er, Peyton Manning, and perennial waffler, Brett Favre. Other than the minority, the 90’s, as a whole, weren’t that impressive as far as talent delivered.

As we have gone into a new period, where QBs don’t automatically sit for a year or 2 any longer, they get drafted, study the playbook and get thrown in from day one. Take their bumps into straight on the job training. Which, helps push QBs into faster learning, especially if you draft a QB early, unless, phasing out a veteran QB, he is the guy your banking on. Times have changed significantly.

The Draft class of 1983, of course is the benchmark for all classes to be judged. Led by the legendary, Dan Marino and his 6 seasons passing for over 4000 YDs, John Elway and his marvelous scrambling ability and offensive awareness. Jim Kelly, and his leadership, bringing his Bills to 4 Super Bowls. And the oftentimes forgotten about Ken O'Brien, who was a very efficient QB for several years. This class had 3 Hall of Famers, won 2 Super Bowls, 4 Pro Bowl QBs come from this class, the top guys combined for 173,000+ YDs, and 1085 TD passes.

The overlooked draft class of 1987, led in front by Vinny Testaverde and his 275 TD passes, Rich Gannon and discovery of a 2nd life late in his career with Oakland, blue collar guys Jim Harbaugh and Steve Beuerlein, and injury riddled, Chris Miller. This class shockingly had 6 Pro Bowl QBs come from this group; the top guys combined for 157,000+ YDs, and 920 TD passes.

Then there is the class of 2004. With Eli Manning and his 3 4000 YD passing seasons, Ben Roethlisberger and 7 years completing 60%. Then there’s big yard, big game, Philip Rivers, and late starter, Matt Schaub and his low turnover rate (103 TDs /59 INTs). This class is still playing, but could possibly end up with 4 Hall of Famers, they already have won 4 Super Bowls, 4 Pro Bowl QBs come from this class, the top guys combined for 99,000+ YDs, and 633 TD passes so far already.

It’s a very tough call, as of now I would actually go with the class of 2004. Because of the championships already collected. It’s hard to compete with winning and in a passer friendly league; their passing numbers will rival 83’s when all is said and done.

The QB class of 2011, although exceptionally new, of course. Has potential to be an impressive draft class. That class also really brought in another innovative aspect to it. The transformation of the authentic mobile QB, a sign of the changing times. Several players show promise for the future and who knows where these guys will lead the NFL? With Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, and Blaine Gabbert all playing fine for their teams

The only way to establish the greatest QB class of all time is to look at what the QBs did in their career, not what they can possibly accomplish, many things can happen in a football players career. Of course, being the leaders puts it in perspective for me. I look ahead to the NFL and where the future of QBs are going.

Written by Frank Jordan of VegasTopDogs.com