How Old Are You?: John Elway Defied Laws of Age

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

—Abraham Lincoln

In the sports world, we obsess over age. We marveled as Kobe Bryant electrified the NBA straight out of high school. As Michael Jordan started his 14th All-Star Game in 2003, we cheered for him to show the kids a thing or two.

Every once in a while, an athlete, who should be beyond his years, strings together a set of performances that leaves us in absolute awe.

In Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway showed us the number of wrinkles in a man’s face means nothing when his game, his season, and his legacy are on the line.

 

Super Bowl XXXII: 12-22, 123 yards, 1 INT; 5 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD

Having already lost three Super Bowls, Elway had gained a stigma he could not shake: “Can’t win the big one.”

Elway had already appeared in three Super Bowls (XXI, XXII, XXIV), losing each one by monumental proportions.

For Super Bowl XXXII, Elway returned San Diego, Calif., the site of his second Super Bowl loss, 42-10, to the Washington Redskins. The pregame ceremonies seemed to be directed at taunting him.

To remind him of the lack of a ring, Jewel sang the national anthem. To remind him what happened in this city ten years ago, the quarterback—Doug Williams—and coach—Joe Gibbs—of Elway’s painful game stood at midfield for the coin flip.

Elway’s fourth Super Bowl opponent was the Green Bay Packers, an 11.5 points favorite entering the game. The Packers all but shut down Elway’s passing game, but it was his feet instead of his arm that made the headlines. 

Elway put the Broncos ahead, 14-7, with a fake to running back Terrell Davis, and taking it in himself from a yard out. With the score, Elway became the oldest player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl, at 37 years old.

His run late in the third quarter, with the score tied 17-17, made heads turn.

Facing a 3rd down with six yards to go deep in Packers territory, Elway took the game into his own hands. With no one open to throw to, Elway tucked it and ran towards the goal line, with Packers linebacker Brian Williams and safety LeRoy Butler waiting for him.

Elway took the smack, spun nearly 360 degrees in the air, and landed on the 2-yard line for a first down, shifting the momentum of the game.

“When I saw him do that and then get up pumping his fist, I said, ‘It’s on,'” former tight end Shannon Sharpe said after the game. “That’s when I was sure we were going to win.”

The Broncos won 31-24, and prompted owner Pat Bowlen to attempt to put the teams love for Elway into words, holding the Lombardi Trophy saying, “This one’s for John!”

 

Super Bowl XXXIII: 18-29, 336 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Elway returned to the Super Bowl, this time in Miami, Florida. There, Elway would have to face haunting memories once again.

Dan Reeves was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Elway’s opponent. Reeves also was the Elway’s coach in the Super Bowl losing years in Denver. Elway had a chance to prove that he was not the reason for the years of disappointment, and he took it.

His best play of the game, and the most talked about afterward, was an 80-yard dart to wide receiver Rod Smith for a touchdown. Most of the play was not seen, however, because FOX was still airing a commercial during the play.

Smith streaked past Falcons safety Eugene Robinson, who was arrested the night before the game for offering an undercover police officer $40 in exchange for oral sex. Robinson was allowed to play in the game, but could not stop Elway from winning his second Super Bowl.

With his stellar play, Elway became the oldest player to win Super Bowl MVP at 38.

He retired following the game, doing what every athlete dreams of:

Leaving as a champion.

B/R’s Most Wanted: The Top Ten Sleazballs in Sports

With John Calipari possibly heading out of Memphis, I’d like to look back at the top ten sleaziest people in sports.  These are either players, coaches or owners that have wronged fan bases and made them sick to their stomachs.

NOTE: This list is in no particular order.

10. John Calipari, Coach
Crime: Leaving Memphis Tigers to coach Kentucky in 2009

John Calipari came within a free throw of winning the 2008 NCAA Championship. 

Now, he has signed an eight-year, $35 million deal with the University of Kentucky after guiding the Memphis Tigers to their fourth straight 30-win season while in the midst of a 61-game Conference USA winning streak.

Calipari gets on this list because of the money and the fact that he could say yes to a desperate and hungry fan base in Lexington.

John Calipari has made Memphis a national power and his inevitable signing now means the top recruits will follow him to Rupp Arena.

9. Art Modell, Owner
Crime: Moving Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996

Mr. Modell is single handedly responsible for making Browns fans’ lives a living hell.

After vowing not to move from Cleveland, he broke his promise and moved the team to Baltimore.

He gave them a new logo and name and in four seasons, the Ravens were Super Bowl champions with one of the all-time great NFL defenses.

Art Modell is A dead man walking the instant he steps foot in Cleveland, and who can blame him?

8. Robert Irsay, Owner
Crime: Moving Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis under Cover of Night in 1984

Though Baltimore has football back, they were the original victims of thievery on a fateful night on March 29, 1984.

The future of football in Baltimore was looking bleak in 1982, and Indianapolis, Indiana was looking to become a new American sports powerhouse.

Robert Irsay publicly vowed to keep the team in Baltimore, but behind the backs of all the fans, he continued negotiations.

Talks heated up and after Irsay visited the then-Hoosier Dome (later RCA Dome), he was offered a $12,500 loan by the city of Indianapolis.

Under the cover of night, 15 Mayflower trucks were dispatched to the team’s training complex in Owings Mills, Maryland at 2:00 AM on March 29, because it was feared the franchise would be seized early the following morning.

Workers loaded all of the team’s belongings and the trucks left for Indianapolis and by 10:00 AM, the Colts were completely gone from Baltimore.

Fans were distraught and angry (still are to this day) over what happened and though they received a new franchise in 1996, what Robert and Jim Irsay did to them still leaves a gaping wound.

7. Nick Saban, Coach
Crime: Leaving Miami Dolphins for Alabama Crimson Tide in 2007

Nick Saban left LSU for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 after Dave Wannstedt was let go to coach the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Dolphins were on the cusp of being a playoff team and after a 9-7 season in 2006, hopes were high in South Beach but that’s where the hype ended.

After starting the season 1–6, however, the Dolphins got hot. They won four straight games, including wins over the then-unbeaten Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs.

At 5–6, hope still remained, but a 24–10 loss the following week to Jacksonville ended their dreams. After Thanksgiving, Alabama coach Mike Shula had been fired and Saban’s name was at the top of the candidates’ list.

During press conferences before and after games for the remainder of the 2006 season, Saban repeatedly told reporters he would not coach Alabama under any circumstances, stating on December 21 “I’m not going to be the Alabama coach.”

However, on January 1, he met with Alabama officials and was hired as the 27th head coach of the Crimson Tide on January 4.

Saban’s repeated promises to stay and then leave gets him on this list for using stupid judgment, but his crime isn’t as bad as the next coach’s on the list.

6. Bobby Petrino, Coach.
Crime: Leaving Atlanta Falcons in the middle of the season to coach Arkansas

They called him a coward, and for good reason.

Bobby Petrino accepted a five-year contract in the 2007 off-season to coach the Atlanta Falcons.

He was looking forward to installing his high-powered spread offense and working with superstar quarterback Michael Vick.

What he did not count on was his star quarterback being jailed for dogfighting and infighting between himself and DeAngelo Hall.

The pressure and speed of the NFL got to Petrino, and without telling his players in Week 13, he put his tail between his legs and went back to college after accepting an offer to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He left a note on every players’s locker noting how sorry he was and the pleasure it was to work with them.

The players did not buy it for a second and Lawyer Milloy went so far as to scribble his name off and write the word “coward.”

He could not be more right.

5. Alex Rodriguez, Player
Crime: Narcissism While Playing for the New York Yankees

Where do I begin with this guy?

After signing the now-biggest contract in American sports after the end of the 2007 season (10 years, $275 million), Alex Rodriguez just can’t seem to stay away from the spotlight and for some perverted reason, he enjoys it and that makes Yankee fans cringe.

Whether it’s allegedly being with a young blonde in Toronto, or admitting to using steroids in Texas, the man we call A-Rod is making more headlines on his own than his team is.

Just to give you an idea: during a press conference called by agent Scott Boras to discuss his steroid use, Rodriguez paused after saying “to my teammates.”

The wait lasted about a minute, with him looking around and trying to look sad before finally saying “thank you.”

It was no more than another way for him to use his celebrity to make himself look sympathetic; needless to say, not too many people bought it.

A new photo spread in Details magazine shows him kissing his reflection in the mirror in one of the pictures.

I was told by a friend that he has burned all things associated with A-Rod.

4. Clay Bennett, Owner/Chairman
Crime: Moving NBA Franchise from Seattle to Oklahoma City

The Seattle SuperSonics were not the same following the 1996 NBA Finals and during the 2006 season, businessman Clay Bennett bought the struggling franchise and hoped to build them a new complex after the lease on KeyArena expired in 2010.

Bennett was unable to get the approval from Seattle for a new arena, and on November 2, 2007 the team announced it would move to Oklahoma City as soon as it could get free of its KeyArena lease.

Mayor Greg Nickels maintained the stance that the Sonics were expected to stay in Seattle until their lease expired.

On April 18, 2008, the NBA gave approval of the move, and it was agreed that the SuperSonics’ name would not be used by Oklahoma City and that team’s history could be shared between Oklahoma City and any future NBA team in Seattle.

The now-Oklahoma City Thunder began playing in October 2008.

Bennett broke the hearts of a lot of people and used the move as a last-ditch business effort.

The people of Seattle almost have to feel as if the last 40 years mean absolutely nothing to them anymore.

3. Babe Ruth, Player
Crime: Sold to New York Yankees from Boston Red Sox in 1918

After putting the Boston Red Sox on the map, George Herman “Babe” Ruth sold his soul to the New York Yankees and made himself a legend in the Bronx.

Ruth became arguably the greatest baseball player of all time, ranking second in the career home run list and winning multiple world championships.

He burned one franchise and made another.  He single-handedly started what was one of the longest championship droughts in sports history and made generations of fans suffer.

2. Roy Williams, Coach
Crime: Leaving Kansas to coach North Carolina in 2003

After losing the 2003 National Championship game to Syracuse, Roy Williams was (again) at the top of the head coaching vacancy list for North Carolina; he was in the middle of the same situation in 2000.

Outside Kansas’ locker room following the game, CBS Sports correspondent Bonnie Bernstein interviewed Williams about the job and he said, “I really don’t give a (expletive) about North Carolina right now.”

Williams later accepted the job and took Carolina to the 2005 championship, defeating Illinois.

He gets on this list like many other coaches do, they followed the money even after vowing not to leave under any circumstances.

Fate would hit Williams like an avalanche as North Carolina met Kansas in the 2008 Final Four, losing 84-66.

1. Bill Belichick, Coach
Crime: Spurning New York Jets to coach New England Patriots in 2000

After losing Super Bowl XXXI, Bill Belichick (and most of the Patriots assistant coaches) migrated with Bill Parcells to the New York Jets.

Belichick served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Jets from 1997 to 1999, helping the Jets reach the 1998 AFC Championship game.

When Parcells stepped down as head coach in 1999, Belichick became the new Jets head coach. However, Belichick’s introduction to the media the following day turned out to be a surprise resignation announcement.

From a single piece of paper he read, “I resign as head coach of the New York Jets”.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft wasted no time in plucking him up and traded his first round draft pick to the Jets to name Belichick his head coach in January 2000.

Since that day, the Patriots have won six division titles, four conference championships and three Super Bowls; Belichick has been names Coach of the Year twice (2003, 2007).

Belichick is viewed as a shady character in many NFL circles as having a somewhat grim mood towards the media and is despised through other fan bases for the Spygate incident during the Patriots’ record-breaking 2007 season where they took allegations of cheating and used it as motivation to destroy their opponents.

 

This list is my opinion alone, if you have gripes or have other names that should be added I welcome comments below.

Is Bernard Berrian the Next Best Vikings Receiver?

Hasn’t anyone ever thought Bernard Berrian could be the next great wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings? I believe he is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL. He has blazing speed and can easily stretch the field and make spectular catches and also has the ability to break tackles. He was close to a 1,000 receiving last year. 

If Chilly goes again with T-Jack, it may be possible. I don’t know why the Vikings haven’t traded for Jay Cutler. If he were the QB he would easily be a Super Bowl favorite, and if we did have Jay, the teams would get rid of the eight-man box and Adrian Peterson would have an even better year than the last two.

Sage Rosenfels could be the answer to Berrian’s 1,000 yard-season. I believe the Vikings will draft a receiver like Hakeem Nicks or a cornerback like Vante Davis. Let’s wait and see what the Vikings have in store for us next season.

P.S. This is my first article. Please leave comments to help me do better. Thanks.

The Detroit Lions’ Most Important Draft Day Decision: Which Hole Is Left?

 

The draft will be here and gone before we know it, and a full summer of practice and speculation will begin. In Detroit, at least in recent years, the question looming has been “Can they turn it around this year?”.

Over the past few seasons, there has been nothing to hold on to except hope. The start of the 2007 season had us looking at playoffs, only to turn into “the same old Lions.”

This offseason has taken on a different feel. New management (well sort of), a new coaching staff, and a rebuilt roster have helped to bring new interest and undoubtedly new hope to us fans.

With the free agency signings coming to an end, we all can begin to see a picture of what the Lions may do in the draft. There is a lot of speculation; after all, we all know what’s best, right?

The most attention has been focused on the No. 1 overall pick.  Is it Matt Stafford, Jason Smith, Aaron Curry, or someone we don’t expect?

With so many decisions to make and so many holes to fill, it is becoming apparent that the Lions have one all-important question they have to ask.

Which need gets overlooked?

Realistically, to fill all 10 holes and add necessary depth, the Lions would have to trade down the No. 1 pick for a first, second, late round this year, and a pick next year. That would add two more picks.

They then would need to trade down the No. 20 pick or the first round pick they acquired from trading down at No. 1, adding one or two more picks. By trading down, the Lions could end up with as many as 11 picks in the draft. If they can hit on all 11 and get starters then hell might just freeze over. 

The Lions addressed many holes in free agency, but not enough. The draft should fill several holes, but not all. Even if the Lions draft a starter with five of their picks, they still will have some holes left.

Looking at the current roster, we can identify as many as 10 holes: middle linebacker, strong safety, cornerback, defensive tackle, defensive end, quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, left tackle, left guard, and depth.

Some needs are less important than others. The Lions have a No. 1 and No. 2 receiver, but a No. 3 is still a need. Quarterback and middle linebacker are much bigger needs at this point than cornerback. We have safeties but no true strong safety.

So how do the Lions decide which hole to ignore and how do they address the remaining needs in the future?

There are options. If we look at draft boards we see several different scenarios. Some have a quarterback as the most important guy, and that puts Stafford at No. 1. Others have the Lions waiting a year to get a quarterback and drafting Smith or Curry.

What we need to look at is which other positions will we need to look for next year. If we get a quarterback this year, then we likely will solidify the offensive line. That means the defense will be sub-par again.

It’s a tough spot to be in, but here we are. We all need to realize that long-term success will mean short-term failures.

My take: Give me the best available players at positions of need in the first three rounds. After that, give me the best available players regardless of position. Simple. Worst case scenario, you have guys that can be traded in the future.

Dan Rooney Heads to Ireland: What It Means for the Steelers and the NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers owner and chairman Dan Rooney was recently appointed to the post of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland by President Obama.

 

While this is a significant achievement for a man who has experienced the high of multiple Super Bowl victories and earned the unconditional love of a working-man’s city, one must wonder, where does this new position for Mr. Rooney leave the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL?

 

A hands-on owner who walks to Heinz Field on game days, attends practices, flies on the team plane, and makes it a point to know players and their families on a personal level, Rooney’s time in Ireland will no doubt leave a gaping hole in the Steelers’ organization once he takes flight over the Atlantic.

 

Day-to-day operations will undoubtedly run smoothly as Rooney’s son, Art Rooney II, will continue in his role as president.

 

The impact won’t be felt in the offices, but rather on the practice field and in the locker room. Rooney’s presence is an inspiration and driving force not only to players, but to coaches and staff as well.

 

And it’s not only his football team that will be feeling the effects of Rooney’s new life in Ireland.

 

Rooney represents an old-school mentality in the way he runs his organization and how he deals with and treats people. This system is one of the most respected in the National Football League and, as such, Rooney has become an iconic figure in the league. He is what new owners aspire to become.

 

His acceptance of the position in Ireland requires Rooney to step down from his post as the chairman of the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame committee as well as resign his seat on the Hall of Fame’s board of trustees.

 

His absence on key committees and at league-wide meetings will no doubt be felt among the owners. What it means to the NFL to have such a deeply respected member of the community and proven leader no longer an active participate is yet to be seen.

 

One thing, however, is certain—no one will be able to fill the shoes that have walked from the residential North Side to Heinz Field and back again countless times.

Super Bowl Rematch To Remember

With the six-pack Super Bowl set still fresh in the minds of the fans and the players, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked the Arizona Cardinals as their first preseason game. This must-see rematch will occur on Aug. 13, 2009.

As many know, the Pittsburgh Steelers squeaked out a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009. This historical game had many historical plays, like the 100-yard interception return by James Harrison would go down in Super Bowl history as the longest play during a Super Bowl game.

Larry Fitzgerald will also go down as one of the few who out ran Troy Polamalu, hats off to him.

Some people wonder why the Cardinals? I say that the Steelers chose the Cardinals as the first preseason game for the 2009 season because they know that they have the fire power to defeat them again. Plus they need a good team to see exactly how the rookies stack up against the pre-existing starts of the year before.

The Cardinals on the other hand probably agreed to this game because they might want to come back and prove they have the skill to run with the “Big Dogs.” Kurt Warner probably likes this idea because he gets a chance to apply punishment to James Harrison for the pick Warner practically threw right to Harrison.

No matter the reason for the agreement of this game, it will be a game to remember. The result of this game may end up predicting the whole season, along with the games of the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots.

This season will be all about revenge and the come back of the Detroit Lions. Though they will face a tough road they might be in the Super Bowl XLIV facing off against the defending world champions, The Pittsburgh Steelers, in place of the Arizona Cardinals.

Breaking Down the New York Jets’ Running Backs

The NFL Draft is only one month away, and the Jets still have needs all over their roster that they will attempt to fill with their six draft choices.

In preparation for the draft, I am going to go through each of the positions on the roster and examine what they currently have, who they could add through free agency, and who they could potentially draft.

Today, I will look at their running backs:

New York Jets Current Running Backs:

1. Thomas Jones – Jones is coming off a career year but has missed the Jets voluntary workouts in protest of his contract. It remains to be seen if he will skip anything mandatory, and if he does how the Jets will respond.

Jones is a legit No. 1 back but is over 30 years old, and the Jets philosophy is not to re- negotiate contracts with veterans. If Rex Ryan wants the running game he has talked about all offseason, he is going to need Jones on the team, so I think something will be worked out.

 

2. Leon Washington – The Jets are currently working on extending their do everything back. Washington’s production speaks for itself when he has the ball in his hands. All I can say about him is that the Jets’ No. 1 priority on offense this year should be to get him more touches.

I firmly believe Washington could be a Brian Westbrook type of player if given the chance.

 

3. Tony Richardson – The Jets were smart for bringing the veteran fullback on for another year. He is a great lead blocker and was a big reason the Jets improved so much in short yardage situations last year.

 

4. Marcus Mason – The Jets signed him last season and he never made it to the active roster. He was the NFL’s leading rusher last preseason for the Redskins, so there could be some potential there.

 

5. Jehuu Calucrick – A big back, who could play fullback and halfback in short yardage situations. It will be tough for him to make the active roster if Tony Richardson stays healthy all season.

 

6. Danny Woodhead – A big training camp story last year, Woodhead was a monster in Division II before being picked up by the Jets as an undrafted free agent. He missed all of last season with an injury, but will try to make the roster this year as a punt returner and scat back, which will be tough with Leon Washington and Jim Leonhard on the roster.

 

Free Agency

– I can’t see the Jets touching any of the remaining backs on the free agent market, unless Jones ends up holding out or somebody gets hurt. It wouldn’t hurt to have another halfback with some experience but they may be willing to give Mason, Caulcrick, and Woodhead a long look in training camp before signing a veteran.

 

Draft

– A few mock drafts have the Jets taking a running back with their first-round selection. If the Thomas Jones situation gets taken care of, I’d be shocked to see them spend a first rounder on a guy like Knowshon Moreno or Beanie Wells.

Even if they are anticipating a hold out from Jones, I’d still be surprised to see them pass up a receiver or quarterback for a RB in the first round.

They do still have a pro-bowl player in Leon Washington at the position, while they absolutely still need another starting caliber wide receiver and more talent at the quarterback position.

However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Jets take a long look at a guy like Donald Brown in the second round, especially if Jones contract issue becomes a bigger problem.

If the Jets spend a day-one pick on a running back, it will show they are expecting an extended problem with Jones.

Seattle Seahawks Should Draft Michael Crabtree

People say that they will draft Stafford with their first pick. I don’t think so; they can pick a QB like Nate Davis in the third round. Well, you never know, because look at stuff this way: Tom Brady was picked in the sixth round and turned out to be one of the best QBs ever.

Now we have OL. Seattle can draft an OL next year because Walter Jones has probably one or two years left; they just re-signed Willis, so I think he can learn from him and be less money.

D-line they have a great defensive line. You have Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp, Brandon Membane, Corry Redding, and you don’t know if Bryant Red is good yet.

They also have Colin Cole.

LB Aaron Curry is very good, but all the Seahawks really have to do is draft a linebacker with a pick. Hopefully they sign one and wait ’til next year. They can pick up Derrick Brooks or move a defensive end like Darry Tapp to OLB.

So that’s done.

They need Michael Crabtree because their WR crops are not that good. Yes, they signed TJ, but he’s old and Deion Branch is mostly hurt.

TJ crosses the field; he’s not really a gamebreaker down the field. Michael Crabtree is a huge playmaker. I know everybody saw what he did at the Texas game. So I think Micahel Crabtree is the best option for Seattle.

That’s all, I’m out.

NFL Competition Committee, Sshh the QB Is Playing: Fireman Ed Is On Notice

The tremendous intellect of the NFL’s Competition Committee is again making the fun of watching football even more enjoyable by implementing the “Sshh the QB is Playing” rule.

All eight members of the committee agreed that it is just too noisy for the Quarterback to call plays, or even just play. After a extensive investigation the committee has found that noise does distract the QB from calling the play, executing the play, and figuring out when the play is whistled dead.

In accordance with the rest of the QB protective rules all fans must now be quiet whenever a QB is on the field. If any noises are made that fan will be removed without warning and have their season tickets taken away(if applicable).

The committee is reviewing a extension of the new rule, called the 12th man rule. If this rule passes a team can choose to:

A: Let their fans cheer throughout the game
B: Put a 12th player on the field

If the team chooses “B” that player can not touch the QB, or even look in his/her direction.

 

The “Sshh the QB is Playing” rule causes quite a dilemma when a team is running the Wild Cat offense. Is the RB now the QB and do the rules apply to them? Can you tackle the RB from the ground if a direct snap has occurred? Just something to ponder.

Specific chants, such as the J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS, are banned all together. The committee realized that such chants could bring the opposing teams Quarterback spirit down and therefore these chants are deemed unsafe for the QB’s psyche.

If these types of chants are heard the opposing team will be rewarded 6 points and the QB will be given one xanax per instance. The committee is encouraging fans to keep rooting, but they must be quiet about it.

Furthermore visual fan distractions are also banned. For the likes of Hogettes, and The Barrel Man, proper football attire is required. Proper football attire is specified as wearing any of the two teams playing merchandise. I agree with this one, don’t you just hate it when people wear a Giants jersey to a Jets – Dolphins game?

The visual distraction rule was mainly put into effect for Eli Manning and the Hoggettes. Rumor has it that Eli could not keep his eyes off the Hoggetes founder Michael Torbert. Eli tried to cour Mr. Torbert, but much to his chagrin Mr. Torbert was already linked to another sow (Sow=adult female swine).

I look forward to this upcoming season, I am already practicing my air clapping.

The Best NFL Quarterbacks Not in the Hall of Fame

Who are the best QBs not to make the final Hall of Fame cut? Besides the Hall men, what field general would a team want directing their team? Let’s look at the old boys left at the Hall’s door. The list only includes players who are Hall-eligible.

 

1. Charlie Conerly—New York Giants

Giants owner Wellington Mara once said Charlie Conerly was the best player not in the Hall Fame.

A marine combat veteran of World War II, Conerly was a football legend at Old Miss who played all 14 years of his NFL career with the Giants. The early Giants teams he played on were very bad—once the Philadelphia Eagles sacked him 17 times in a game. But he later led the Giants to three title games and one victory.

One loss was in the legendary 1958 Championship Game against the Baltimore Colts. Conerly was Rookie of the Year in 1948, League MVP in 1959, and a two time Pro Bowler. In the offseason he worked his Mississippi Cotton farm and was the Marlboro Man on television ads.

 

2. Ken Stabler—Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints

The Snake led the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings. Under his leadership the Raiders played in some of the most memorable games of the ’70s and in numerous playoff and conference championship games.

Stabler was a four-time Pro Bowler and is a member of the NFL’s All Decade Team of the ’70s. He was the NFL MVP in 1974, the Bert Bell Award winner in 1976, and twice led the league in passing.

Among some sports writers controversy still swirls around the Snake, but it can be argued that Stabler was a better QB at crunch time than a few fellows already in the Hall of Fame.

And if All Decade and a Ring doesn’t get a player in, what does?

 

3. Jim Plunkett—New England Patriots, San Francisco Forty Niners, and Oakland Raiders

Plunkett has the stats and threw for over 25,000 yards in his career. Most importantly, he has the big wins.  Also: Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Super Bowl MVP, plus two Super Bowl rings.

Plunkett will have a hard time making the Hall, but then the Big Ring is the thing.

 

4. Phil Simms—New York Giants

If Simms had started and won the Giants’ second Super Bowl, he was injured late in the year, he would be a Hall of Fame QB.

Still, his big game stats are impressive. In Super Bowl XXI he won the MVP by completing 22 of 25 passes.

Injuries marred Simms’ career, preventing a route to the Hall. But what if he had made a comeback with Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns like he almost did?

Cleveland was a nightmare for Belichick and Simms was aging so it might not have made a difference, but if it had wouldn’t the league be different now?

 

5. Ken Anderson—Cincinnati Bengals

Anderson’s awards are outstanding: NFL MVP, four-time Pro Bowler, led the league in passing twice, Comeback Player of the Year, and led the Bengals to a Super Bowl only to lose to Bill Walsh and the San Francisco Forty Niners.

Anderson seems stuck in Hall of Fame limbo between the Super ’70s QB’s Gang, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, and Kenny Stabler, and the famous class of 1983 Crop of Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly.

Joe Montana bridged that QB gap, but what if Bill Walsh had stayed in Cincinnati, and he felt Paul Brown hiring him was a sure thing—would Ken Anderson be wearing a few Super Bowl rings and be in Canton?

 

Four more…and four who would pile up a plethora of yards playing in the Don’t Touch the QB or Bump the Receivers League of today.

 

Jim Hart—St Louis Cardinals—League MVP and Prolific Passer

If Don Coryell had been canned by the Bidwells, who knows?

 

Billy Kilmer—San Francisco Forty Niners, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins

Colorful Whiskey Kilmer loved the high-life and the highlight reel.

 

Roman Gabriel—LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

Big Roman had tremendous arm strength and accuracy but injuries hampered him. League MVP in 1969 and four Pro Bowls.

 

Archie Manning—New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings

His kids did okay.

 

Where’s Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagle fans might say? Spectacular plays but equally spectacularly inconsistent play plagued him and prevented his team from winning a playoff game.

And the Washington Redskins Joe Theismann? Super Bowl Win, Super Bowl loss screen pass, NFL MVP, horrible injury, and worse announcing…give me a healthy Jim McMahon any day.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010