Some Quarterbacks Look Better With Age

[LeonardRachiele]

Even in this age of sports medicine, all of us know that athletes slow down in their 30s. An average quarterback can look great on a great team; and a great quarterback can look at best average on a bad team. That explains why some quarterbacks had their best years past their prime.

Prior to the 1968 season, the Baltimore Colts obtained Earl Morrall from the New York Giants. Their main man, the legendary John Unitas, had tendonitis. It rhymes. Morrall was never more than a spot starter and backup in his previous 11 years with four teams-San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and as stated New York. Earl Morrall in 1968, age 34, was the Player of the Year and the NFL's Leading Passer. Baltimore went 13-1 during the season; defeated Minnesota 21 to 9 in the Conference Playoff; doused Cleveland 34 to 0 in the NFL Championship Game; and lost Super Bowl III to the New York Jets 16 to 7.

For years later just before 1972, the Dolphins picked Morrall up from the Colts. Bob Greise was injured. Morrall at 38 had another fine season as Miami went undefeated. Griese returned for the postseason. The Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins 14 to 7 in the Super Bowl.

Also in 1972, Norm Snead, now with the Giants, was NFL's leading passer, age 34, in his 12th pro season. The Giants at 8-6, were only one game above .500. Craig Morton's best was in 1977, age 34, 12th season, as the Denver Broncos went to the Super Bowl. Three years ago, I thought Brett Favre was washed up. He had a fantastic season in 2007 with Green Bay and likewise now in 08 with the New York Jets.

Where did this trend begin?-Again in New York. Charlie Connerly had his best seasons in the 1956-60 timeframe. The New York Giants won three Conference Championships and one title. Connerly aged from 35 to 40. After 1960 , the Giants acquired Y. A. Tittle from the San Francisco 49ers. Tittle was 34 in 1960 and on the bench virtually all season. In 1961, Y.A. Tittle eased passed Connerly as the number one quarterback. His record setting and best years were 1962 and 1963. The Giants in 61-63 went to three consecutive NFL Championships but lost each time. Tittle played in 1964 and was very bad as the Giants' dynasty ended in last place at 2-10-2. Y. A. regretted not retiring after 1963.

[Brian wolf]

Tittle shouldnt have retired in 1964 ... a bad season yes, but he still might have recovered from that championship knee injury. The team still had weapons on offense but with Sherman dismantling the defense, any victories would have been harder to come by ... Tittle may have been fed up with Sherman as well but his body was beat up. Still, it would have been interesting to see if he had anything left in 1965, especially with Namath splashing into town for the AFL ...

[SixtiesFan]

Tittle shouldnt have retired in 1964 ... a bad season yes, but he still might have recovered from that championship knee injury. The team still had weapons on offense but with Sherman dismantling the defense, any victories would have been harder to come by ... Tittle may have been fed up with Sherman as well but his body was beat up. Still, it would have been interesting to see if he had anything left in 1965, especially with Namath splashing into town for the AFL ...

Fran Tarkenton put out a book in 1971 titled "Broken Patterns." It was mainly about the 1970 Giant season, but covered Tarkenton's career to that point. In the segment concerning Tarkenton's 1967 trade from the Vikings to the Giants, he mentioned Y.A. Tittle. Tarkenton said Tittle wanted to keep playing but retired after the 1964 season because Tittle saw "the upcoming seasons would be nightmares."

[sheajets]

Rich Gannon was a guy who really hit his stride in his mid 30s...between 34 and 38 years of age. Oakland was the perfect spot for him in Grudens WCO. Testaverde too once he got out of Tampa Bay....though the bonehead INT's were always a part of his game

Steve DeBerg had two quality seasons with KC at 36 and 37 years old in 1990 and 1991

Warren Moon had a Pro Bowl season for Seattle at 41 in 1997. He didn't even get started in the league until he was 28, but he was terrific between the ages of 34 and 41