If you start me up. If you start me up, I’ll never stop. I’ve been running hot. You got me ticking gonna blow my top. -Rolling Stones
Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! When Browns quarterback Brady Quinn takes the field against the Denver Broncos tomorrow night , he can carry one comforting thought into his debut. All kinds of quarterbacks have been in the same situation. Many of them got the tar beat out of them. Some did a little better. Although the Mighty Quinn did get into some football games last season, it got me thinking. How did some of the greats do in their debuts?
Troy Aikman: The first Dallas rookie quarterback to start a season opener since Roger Staubach in 1969. Threw three interceptions and got hit. Got hit a lot in a 28-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He did later throw for a rookie-record 379 yards in a game against the Phoenix Cardinals. Still, the team finished 1-15. As Aikman improved, so too did the Cowboys’ record.
John Elway: Author of The Drive. Author of one of the most clutch moments in the history of sports. Not so clutch in his first start. Not so clutch against the Steel Curtain. Staring down at Jack Lambert had Elway wanting ”to click my heels together and say, ‘Auntie Em, bring me home.’” Elway’s first career sack in the NFL came in that game at the hands of Lambert. Tough as steel.
Johnny Unitas: The Man With the Golden Arm. When starting quarterback George Shaw suffered a broken leg against the Chicago Bears in the season’s fourth game, Unitas made a nervous Pervis debut. His first pass was intercepted and brought back to the house. Then he botched a hand-off on his next play, a fumble recovered by the Bears. He had a pretty good career afterwards though.
Dan Marino: The last quarterback of the Great Quarterback Class of 1983 to be taken in the first round. Marino had a little better luck. On Sunday, October 9, 1983, he made his first start in the NFL a success by throwing three touchdown passes and completing 19 of 29 passes for 322 yards. Unfortunately, the Dolphins lost in overtime to the Buffalo Bills. You can’t have everything.
Brett Favre: Brett Favre holds the record for most career interceptions thrown. It all started way back when. Favre’s first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown. Shocker. He only attempted four passes as a Falcon. He completed none of them.
Fran Tarkenton: That’s Incredible! What was incredible was his first start. Tarkenton came into his first National Football League game against the Chicago Bears. Scramblin’ Fran led the Vikings to a victory by passing for 250 yards as the upstarts stunned the Bears 37-13. Vikings head coach Bud Grant flatly called Tarkenton “the greatest quarterback who’s ever played.”
Peyton Manning: The six-five, 230-pound quarterbacks with the laser rocket arm. All Archie Manning’s tutoring and that extra year at Tennessee couldn’t get Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts past the Seattle Seahawks and John Kitna in his pro debut. Peyton threw for an interception. Peyton threw for a bunch of three and outs. Peyton looked pedestrian.
Joe Namath: At 21, he was a star. At 25, he was a legend. His road roommate said it was like traveling with a Beatle. Namath became the Jets’ starting quarterback midway through his rookie season. Won Rookie of the Year. In his first game, he threw two TD passes in a loss to the Bills. Just a taste of things to come.
Jim Plunkett: Before he entered the NFL, UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called him the “best pro quarterback prospect I’ve ever seen.” High praise. High praise for the Heisman Trophy winner. For the number one pick in the draft. His first game was a 20-6 victory over Da Raidaz. it was the Patriots’ first regular season game at Scahefer Stadium. Schaefer is the one beer to have when you’re having more than one. I love that jingle. In the last game of the season, Plunkett threw an 88-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass to former Stanford teammate Randy Vataha. Woo doggie! That play dropped the Baltimore Colts to a 10-4-0 record. That play dropped the Baltimore into second place.
Public Spectacle:
Peace out homies. Six two and Even!
Need More? Brady Quinn,Cleveland Browns,NFL
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