NFL TOP TEN LIST
BEST PERFORMANCES BY BACKUP QB
Do you know a backup QB when
you see him? Before compiling my
subjective list I first had to define who is a backup. The criteria I used is a QB is performing as
a backup if the clear number one guy is
not playing due to unfortunate events. A
starter gets injured. A starter falters
and the team makes an unanticipated call to the bullpen.
My list excludes legitimate
QB battles where there was controversy as to the appropriate starter. Think of Roger Staubach and Craig Morton or
Steve Young and Joe Montana. I also
exclude natural progressions, such as Jim Zorn giving way to David Krieg.
(10)JEFF GARCIA – Led
Eagles to 5-1 regular season finish after taking over for an injured Donavan
McNabb. Eagles defeated Giants in wild
card playoff round before losing 27-24 to the Saints in the divisional round.
(9)DON STROCK – Career
backup who bridged the Griese and Marino eras.
Led Miami back from 24-0 deficit in January 1982 playoff game against
San Diego. Strock threw for 403 yards
and four touchdowns. The Chargers
won 41-38 in overtime. The “Epic in Miami" is on every list of the
greatest NFL games.
(8)FRANK REICH – A
career backup, primarily for Buffalo.
Best known for leading the Bills back from a 35-3 deficit against the
Houston Oilers in a January 1993 playoff game.
The Bills won in overtime 41-38.
(7)TIM TEBOW – The
Broncos were desperate when they benched Kyle Orton in favor of Tebow five
games into the 2011 season. Though it
was seldom pretty, Tebow led the Broncos to a 7-4 finish and the AFC West
title. The Broncos then won a dramatic
overtime game against the Steelers in round one before the Patriots crushed
them in round two.
(6)MATT CASSEL –
Cassel got the keys to the Porsche Patriot offense when a Kansas City tackler
knocked Brady out for the 2008 season in week one.
Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 record. Though the Patriots narrowly missed the
playoffs that year, Cassel earned himself a fat contract and the chance to
start for the Chiefs. How ironic.
(5)KERRY COLLINS – Collins took command from an injured and emotionally troubled Vince
Young early in the 2008 season and led the Titans to an unexpected 13-3
mark. The season ended on a sour note
when the Titans bobbled away a winnable game to the Ravens in the playoffs.
(4)JEFF HOSTETLER – Hostetler had played very little for the Giants before stepping in when
Phil Simms suffered an injury late in the 1990 season. Hostetler piloted the Giants to and through
the playoffs. The Giants famously beat
the Buffalo Bills in SB XXV when Scott Norwood missed a game-winning field goal
in the final seconds.
(3)TRENT DILFER –The
2000 Ravens weathered a five-game stretch with no offensive TDs thanks to one
of the most dominant defenses ever.
Dilfer took over from an extremely ineffective Tony Banks to give the
Ravens just enough punch to get into the playoffs. Once there, they dominated with defense and
efficient offense. Trent Dilfer was the
ultimate game manager and has the SB ring to show for it.
(2)TOM BRADY – Yes
that Tom Brady. Maybe the Patriot fans
know different, but I don’t think the Patriots planned for Brady to take many
snaps away from Drew Bledsoe in 2001.
Brady took over for an injured Bledsoe in game two and guided the Pats
to an 11-5 record. With a little help from
the tuck rule, The Pats made it to the SB.
Brady calmly led the Pats on a game-winning field goal drive after the
Rams had rallied to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. The rest, as they say, is history.
(1)EARL MORRALL – Morall guided two different teams to SBs in relief of the star. In 1968 he led the Baltimore Colts to a 13-1
regular season record. For his efforts,
Morall received the NFL MVP award. In the playoffs the Colts thrashed the
Cleveland Browns to avenge their only regular season loss. The Colts lost SB III to the New York Jets
16-7. The Jet win established
credibility for the AFL that merged with the NFL in 1970.
In 1972 Morrall replaced an
injured Bob Griese after game five. The
Dolphins won their remaining nine games to finish a perfect 14-0 and Morrall claimed
the AFC Player of the Year Award.
Griese returned when Morrall struggled in the AFC title game against
Pittsburgh. Griese remained the starter
in SB VII that the Dolphins won to complete their perfect season.
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