History's not on our side

[bbgun]

Journeymen like Bledsoe rarely lead their team to the promised land. More often than not, Supe QB's are drafted and groomed. The exceptions are noted below:

XXXIX Feb. 6, 2005 New England 24, Philadelphia 21
XXXVIII Feb. 1, 2004 New England 32, Carolina 29
XXXVII Jan. 26, 2003 Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 (Johnson)
XXXVI Feb. 3, 2002 New England 20, St. Louis 17
XXXV Jan. 28, 2001 Baltimore 34, N.Y. Giants 7 (Dilfer)
XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 (Warner)
XXXIII Jan. 31, 1999 Denver 34, Atlanta 19
XXXII Jan. 25, 1998 Denver 31, Green Bay 24
XXXI Jan. 26, 1997 Green Bay 35, New England 21
XXX Jan. 28, 1996 Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17
XXIX Jan. 29, 1995 San Francisco 49, San Diego 26 (Young)
XXVIII Jan. 30, 1994 Dallas 30, Buffalo 13
XXVII Jan. 31, 1993 Dallas 52, Buffalo 17
XXVI Jan. 26, 1992 Washington 37, Buffalo 24
XXV Jan. 27, 1991 N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo 19 (*Hostetler, but draftee Simms played most of that year)
XXIV Jan. 28, 1990 San Francisco 55, Denver 10
XXIII Jan. 22, 1989 San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16
XXII Jan. 31, 1988 Washington 42, Denver 10 (Williams)
XXI Jan. 25, 1987 N.Y. Giants 39, Denver 20
X Jan. 26, 1986 Chicago 46, New England 10
XIX Jan. 20, 1985 San Francisco 38, Miami 16
XVIII Jan. 22, 1984 L.A. Raiders 38, Washington 9 (Plunkett)
XVII Jan. 30, 1983 Washington 27, Miami 17
XVI Jan. 24, 1982 San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21
XV Jan. 25, 1981 Oakland 27, Philadelphia 10 (Plunkett)
XIV Jan. 20, 1980 Pittsburgh 31, L.A. Rams 19
XIII Jan. 21, 1979 Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31
XII Jan. 15, 1978 Dallas 27, Denver 10
XI Jan. 9, 1977 Oakland 32, Minnesota 14
X Jan. 18, 1976 Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17
IX Jan. 12, 1975 Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6
VIII Jan. 13, 1974 Miami 24, Minnesota 7
VII Jan. 14, 1973 Miami 14, Washington 7
VI Jan. 16, 1972 Dallas 24, Miami 3
V Jan. 17, 1971 Baltimore 16, Dallas 13 (Earl Morrall)
IV Jan. 11, 1970 Kansas City 23, Minnesota 7 (Len Dawson)
III Jan. 12, 1969 N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore 7
II Jan. 14, 1968 Green Bay 33, Oakland 14
I Jan. 15, 1967 Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10

 

[ravidubey]

But this history assumes all years are equal and we know that to not be true. Expansion and free agency have changed the league to the point where journeymen can make a terrific impact.

Note that 3 of the 10 journeyman wins over the last 39 years have occured in the last 6 years. Free agency finally got entrenched in the NFL in the late 1990's, so one could say the history of the free agency era indicates the next Superbowl will have a 50% chance of being won by a journeyman QB.

 

[JDSmith]

But this history assumes all years are equal and we know that to not be true. Expansion and free agency have changed the league to the point where journeymen can make a terrific impact.

Note that 3 of the 10 journeyman wins over the last 39 years have occured in the last 6 years. Free agency finally got entrenched in the NFL in the late 1990's, so one could say the history of the free agency era indicates the next Superbowl will have a 50% chance of being won by a journeyman QB.

Exactly, history as it relates to the old league without free agency has no bearing whatsoever on the current situation. It would be much more realistic to look at the QBs since free agency started and they've been allowed to move around. Because 30 years ago any QB with potential was going to sit and wait his turn with the franchise that drafted him.

 

[JDSmith]

Also look at the QBs who were on the losing teams. Almost every QB who's played in the Superbowl in the past 6 years has been a journeyman. Warner twice, Delhomme, Gannon, Johnson, Dilfer, Collins... All guys who couldn't make the cut elsewhere and bounced around.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

History has a habit of writing itself after the fact.

You consider Rypien a world class QB?

I think victory makes you a world class QB and not a world class QB makes for victory.

McNabb for example will never be considered more than a good QB until he wins it all. Culpepper is in the same boat.

Bledsoe had some Archie Manning years in Buffalo but this 'journeyman' as you call him has already led his team to the SB once. Has won AFC Championship games twice and has the pedigree of being the first pick in the 1993 draft.

If he does win a Superbowl then all of a sudden hell be going from journeyman to elite.

 

[JackMagist]

IV Jan. 11, 1970 Kansas City 23, Minnesota 7 (Len Dawson)

Dude, Len Dawson was not just a journeyman. He was drafted by the Chiefs out of college and was considered the most accurate passer in the game during his prime and always seemed to have his team in contention.

The rest of those guys you could call journeymen...some of them certainly were. And there are more of them if you look at other guys who got to the Superbowl for the losing teams (still not a shabby accomplishment).

I notice that you have Plunkett on the list as a journeyman and the fact that it was his third team I guess that is right. I would point out though that like Bledsoe, Plunkett was a #1 overall pick (and he was ROY his first year) both of the NE Pats BTW. These guys come into the league with something special but just found themselves in the wrong situation in the mid part of their careers. Maybe like Plunkett, Bledsoe will find the right situation here near the end of his career. I hope so.

Do I want us to get our very own young stud QB to lead these young guys that we are putting together for years to come?...of course I do. But if we can win a Superbowl with a journeyman like Bledsoe...I'll take it.

 

[bbgun]

Dawson was drafted by the Steelers, not the Chiefs. You guys have a point about free agency, but if the Eagles didn't play like complete turds in those championship games, the imbalance would have been more severe.

 

[Bizwah]

Dude, Len Dawson was not just a journeyman. He was drafted by the Chiefs out of college and was considered the most accurate passer in the game during his prime and always seemed to have his team in contention.

The rest of those guys you could call journeymen...some of them certainly were. And there are more of them if you look at other guys who got to the Superbowl for the losing teams (still not a shabby accomplishment).

I notice that you have Plunkett on the list as a journeyman and the fact that it was his third team I guess that is right. I would point out though that like Bledsoe, Plunkett was a #1 overall pick (and he was ROY his first year) both of the NE Pats BTW. These guys come into the league with something special but just found themselves in the wrong situation in the mid part of their careers. Maybe like Plunkett, Bledsoe will find the right situation here near the end of his career. I hope so.

Do I want us to get our very own young stud QB to lead these young guys that we are putting together for years to come?...of course I do. But if we can win a Superbowl with a journeyman like Bledsoe...I'll take it.

Great post.

It's that time of year when I start getting a little giddy about our prospects. Bledsoe could definitely step in and flourish here. He has better weapons here than he's had in the past few seasons. He has a better offensive line, a better coach, and low expectations from the local and national media.

I think he could pull a "Plunkett" (I had almost forgotten about him) and resurrect his career here.

The key is protection. We've got to keep his jersey clean. Parcells will make sure he's mentally tough. He'll also do everything in his power to keep Bledsoe protected. For all their troubles last season, the OL did a decent job of keeping Vinny upright.

 

[Draegerman]

I'm having a difficult time understanding what your definition is of a journeyman quarterback. For example, even though I can't stand the guy, you're still going to have a hard time convincing me that Steve Young is a journeyman qb

 

[bbgun]

History has a habit of writing itself after the fact.

You consider Rypien a world class QB?

Nope, and I never implied as much. I merely observed that most Supe QB's are home grown.

 

[JDSmith]

Nope, and I never implied as much. I merely observed that most Supe QB's are home grown.

But you ignored the fact, even after it was pointed out, that most Supe QBs in the age of free agency are NOT home grown. I don't see what bearing it could possibly have to compare QBs from 30 years ago when they were all home grown - anyone who was any good was kept, anyone who wasn't was allowed to leave.

 

[4miler]

Elway was drafted by the Colts, not Denver.

 

[4miler]

Favre was drafted by Atlanta too. It looks like the odds are in are favor because only Brady was drafted and groomed by his original team over the last 9 years. thats 6 of 9.

 

[Jimz31]

Let's just hope we become one of the exceptions.

 

[bbgun]

But you ignored the fact, even after it was pointed out, that most Supe QBs in the age of free agency are NOT home grown. I don't see what bearing it could possibly have to compare QBs from 30 years ago when they were all home grown - anyone who was any good was kept, anyone who wasn't was allowed to leave.

Not true. FA began in 1993 or thereabouts, and most of the teams since then have gotten to the big game with home grown talent at QB. Free agency or not, I expect this trend to continue. Why? Because the really good QB's are locked up by their respective teams. Unlike RBs, they're never allowed to test the free agency waters. And it goes without saying that Tampa and Baltimore's D had more to do with their success than Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer--two bus drivers if I ever saw one. Delhomme did slip thru the cracks and is a serious threat at QB. Whether or not he guides them back remains to be seen.

 

[bbgun]

Favre was drafted by Atlanta too. It looks like the odds are in are favor because only Brady was drafted and groomed by his original team over the last 9 years. thats 6 of 9.

Crap. I overlooked that.

 

[Nors]

Odds are actually on Bledsoes side. I researched everyone, their age and # of Pro Bowls played in. Vast majority had played in 4+ Pro Bowls as has Drew. 24 QB's won in their 30's. 5 at age 29. Throw out Brady and Montana's 5 won under age 30 and that leaves only 5 other QB's under age 29 that have ever won a SB....

Zero ex baseball players who sat out 3 seasons in that grouping..... Odds are against HENSON.

Starr 33,34
Dawson 35
Unitas 38
Staubach 30,36
Griese 30
Bradshaw 31,32
Stabler 32
Plunkett 35,38
Theisman 34
Simms 33,37
Williams 33
Montana 33,34
Rypien 30
Aikman 30
Young 33
Elway 37,38
Johnson 36

Journeymen like Bledsoe rarely lead their team to the promised land. More often than not, Supe QB's are drafted and groomed. The exceptions are noted below:

XXXIX Feb. 6, 2005 New England 24, Philadelphia 21
XXXVIII Feb. 1, 2004 New England 32, Carolina 29
XXXVII Jan. 26, 2003 Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21 (Johnson)
XXXVI Feb. 3, 2002 New England 20, St. Louis 17
XXXV Jan. 28, 2001 Baltimore 34, N.Y. Giants 7 (Dilfer)
XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16 (Warner)
XXXIII Jan. 31, 1999 Denver 34, Atlanta 19
XXXII Jan. 25, 1998 Denver 31, Green Bay 24
XXXI Jan. 26, 1997 Green Bay 35, New England 21
XXX Jan. 28, 1996 Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17
XXIX Jan. 29, 1995 San Francisco 49, San Diego 26 (Young)
XXVIII Jan. 30, 1994 Dallas 30, Buffalo 13
XXVII Jan. 31, 1993 Dallas 52, Buffalo 17
XXVI Jan. 26, 1992 Washington 37, Buffalo 24
XXV Jan. 27, 1991 N.Y. Giants 20, Buffalo 19 (*Hostetler, but draftee Simms played most of that year)
XXIV Jan. 28, 1990 San Francisco 55, Denver 10
XXIII Jan. 22, 1989 San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16
XXII Jan. 31, 1988 Washington 42, Denver 10 (Williams)
XXI Jan. 25, 1987 N.Y. Giants 39, Denver 20
X Jan. 26, 1986 Chicago 46, New England 10
XIX Jan. 20, 1985 San Francisco 38, Miami 16
XVIII Jan. 22, 1984 L.A. Raiders 38, Washington 9 (Plunkett)
XVII Jan. 30, 1983 Washington 27, Miami 17
XVI Jan. 24, 1982 San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21
XV Jan. 25, 1981 Oakland 27, Philadelphia 10 (Plunkett)
XIV Jan. 20, 1980 Pittsburgh 31, L.A. Rams 19
XIII Jan. 21, 1979 Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31
XII Jan. 15, 1978 Dallas 27, Denver 10
XI Jan. 9, 1977 Oakland 32, Minnesota 14
X Jan. 18, 1976 Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17
IX Jan. 12, 1975 Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6
VIII Jan. 13, 1974 Miami 24, Minnesota 7
VII Jan. 14, 1973 Miami 14, Washington 7
VI Jan. 16, 1972 Dallas 24, Miami 3
V Jan. 17, 1971 Baltimore 16, Dallas 13 (Earl Morrall)
IV Jan. 11, 1970 Kansas City 23, Minnesota 7 (Len Dawson)
III Jan. 12, 1969 N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore 7
II Jan. 14, 1968 Green Bay 33, Oakland 14
I Jan. 15, 1967 Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, Elway may have been drafted by the Colts but for practicality, he was never a Colt. Never put on a Colt Jersey. Favre was drafted by Atlanta but he too was never really in the Falcons plans. He was not brought along by Atlanta and bearly played. I think he threw 5 passes and was active for something like 3 games.

 

[Nors]

Actually looking good for Bledsoe -

He wins a Lombardi or 2 here he's in the Hall - first vote.

 

[TheHustler]

I'm having a difficult time understanding what your definition is of a journeyman quarterback. For example, even though I can't stand the guy, you're still going to have a hard time convincing me that Steve Young is a journeyman qb

He was drafted by Tampa Bay, I think.