Throwdowns > Closed

UnBiasedPerspective-ChaosRules said 12/06, 08:45 PM
There have been good Backup QBs that come in and close out a game. Better ones go on to start and maybe win a game or 2. Really good ones might get you thru a season without tanking.

But that's not what we are here to discuss. What we are looking for here is the Greatest of All Time. At least up till this day.

And there is only one.

Why, because in the words of the Immortals, "There can be only one".

So taking a trip down NFL memory lane, who is this GoAT? Hang around and you'll hear.

But until then, this back up won multiple games. He got his teams to the playoffs. He won playoff games. He won the Super Bowl. He racked up personal stats and awards. And he played well past the point most players hung it up. He played for over 20 years and 6 NFL teams. After his playing career, he went on to coach 3 very good future QBs as their QB coach.

So not only did he play the game well, he passed his gift on to future greats, giving back.

And I'll bet a lot of you won't even recognize the name.

So who is the GoAT Backup?

Earl Morrall

I'll wait while you youngsters hit Google....

GL Wamy!

UnBiasedPerspective-ChaosRules said 12/07, 07:52 PM
Just to clarify, I'm arguing the GoAT "backup" QBs. Not what backup went on to become a GoAT starter. Earl was a true backup who never had the security of having the job, even in his best season. Until the last few years, almost ALL QBs started as backups until winning the job after "learning" from a veteran.

No just for Dj, lets look at some stats.

Earl was responsible for getting the Dolphins to their unbeaten season, taking over for Griese, winning game 5 and getting them into the playoffs. Brady didn't do it, Rodgers has a chance, but that book isn't written yet.

He played for 3 Super Bowl teams, winning 1 and instrumental in the other.

He completed 1,379 passes for 20,807 yards

Earl threw 161 TD passes

His yards per completion were 15.1

He had 11 game winning drives and 14 career comebacks

Earl played in 255 games over 21 seasons

Someone in the comments brought up versatility, Earl kicked 45 punts for 1,705 yards with a longest of 66, pretty impressive even for today

So yes, for a career backup he is the GoAT.

And I have much more to come!

Bring it Wamy!

Dang, forgot the vids...

UnBiasedPerspective-ChaosRules said 12/08, 08:59 PM
No prob Wamy, but I wish you would have kept arguing your selection. There were people agreeing with you.

But, back to business. Some have commented that Earl started a lot of games. Yes, it would be hard to pick a GoAT Backup that only carried a clipboard and rode the pine. The very argument demands that the player actually played the game. No matter how many games Earl played, he was a BACKUP QB and was pulled when the starter was ready to play again.

Some have commented on where he was drafted. The argument isn't who was the lowest draft choice to have success. It doesn't matter where you were drafted, it matters what you did as a backup in this argument. And Earl is qualified for this argument no matter where he was drafted.

I pointed out his longevity and some have commented that he didn't "play" in all those games. That's the nature of a BACKUP, as long as he was suited up and on the active roster, those were his games. How is a backup supposed to know ahead of time if his # will be called.

I've laid out my case for a deserving player. Now it's up to you to vote.

Thanks for a challenging TD Wamy! GL!