Two '2nd tier' all-time QBs, both in the strong HOF class of 1971, with Van Brocklin having to wait longer than Tittle to get into Canton. Two part question...which QB had the better career, and which QB would you choose if you had to win one game?
Both guys had weird careers.
Van Brocklin was revelation with the Rams, leaving school early, going to a team with some offensive talent, and able to put Hamp Pool's multi-WR set theories into practice. Somewhat amazing that he still holds the single-game passing yardage record. His early career features Rate+ seasons of 144 (partial rookie year), 129, 129, 116, 127, 113. Splitting time with Waterfield hurts his career numbers, but Van Brocklin was very effective. Sid Gillman comes along, Van Brocklin gets the team to yet another title game, loses big to the Browns while throwing 6 INTs, and in one of Gillman's "genius" moves Van Brocklin is benched in 1956 for Billy Wade. Van Brocklin is shipped to a terrible Eagles team, where he makes 3 straight pro bowls culminating in the improbable 1960 NFL title and 1960 league MVP honors. Van Brocklin retires as the only QB to win titles with two different teams, which is matched by Peyton Manning, but Manning was kind of along for the ride in his final Bronco season.
Tittle's career arc is also interesting. Starts off in the AAFC, winds up on San Fran, is usually above average in Rate+ with two big years in 1953 & 1957 (127 and 124 Rate+), earning UPI MVP in 1957. The Niners are viewed as perennial underachievers, Tittle ends up getting benched for John Brodie, and is sent to the Giants. Tittle has an even more dramatic turnaround than Van Brocklin with the Eagles, 3 pro bowls, 3 years of MVP honors, 3 title game appearances, and a 1963 season that might have been the best QB season ever at that point in time. Tittle sets and resets the single-season TD mark, and while Van Brocklin has the highest yards game, Tittle might still have the best overall game by a QB....505 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INTs. Tittle plays one season too long, as his 1964 season is a disaster for himself and the Giants.
*How much merit do you give Van Brocklin for winning titles with two different teams?
*Do you think Van Brocklin retired too early? Does that count against him?
*In this comparison, how much does Tittle's lack of championships count against him?
*Does Tittle's run with the Giants elevate him over Van Brocklin?
HOF class of 71...Tittle vs. Van Brocklin
Re: HOF class of 71...Tittle vs. Van Brocklin
Just wanted to say that Tobin Rote also QB'ed two teams to titles. 1957 NFL crown with the Lions, and the 1963 AFL crown with the Chargers. (He also qb'ed a CFL division winning Toronto Argonauts team, with a then off-the-charts season for a CFL QB in 1960 but were denied a spot in the Grey Cup game in a wild and bizarre two game, best total points set with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1960 playoffs.)
Re: HOF class of 71...Tittle vs. Van Brocklin
Good point. I had forgotten about Rote.MarbleEye wrote:Just wanted to say that Tobin Rote also QB'ed two teams to titles. 1957 NFL crown with the Lions, and the 1963 AFL crown with the Chargers. (He also qb'ed a CFL division winning Toronto Argonauts team, with a then off-the-charts season for a CFL QB in 1960 but were denied a spot in the Grey Cup game in a wild and bizarre two game, best total points set with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1960 playoffs.)