But, football is back and I got to thinking about quarterbacks and Hall of Famers and why Tom Brady is only fully capable of playing in the league as it is today. Random thoughts, but we all know I have them.
At work today, I got to thinking of Y.A. Tittle and everything he accomplished. Why? I don't know. Maybe it's because of all the rule that the NFL has now. Would we have more images like this one nowadays?
Not sure. But when that photo was taken in 1964, the rules were different. Players were different. They hurt and hated each other more. You would not have ever heard of Dick Butkus texting Ray Nitschke about hanging out after the game (had texting been around in those days). Jack Tatum would have NEVER called Mel Blount to go out for a drink after a game.
But, fear not, for there are still some NFL players today that remind me of some of the bygone players.
I'll start with Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford. But, you are warned. Commenting on Stafford will not only include my opinon of him as a player, but as a man. I'll start with the football fan in me and end with the female in me.
It was, I believe, 2009. Against who? I don't remember and honestly, who the Lions beat that day isn't as important as what the young man from Georgia did. If Stafford was bloody and kneeling, looking dazed, the comparasions would be better, but let's be serious for a moment: What Stafford did, Y.A. Tittle is thinking he would have done the same thing.
After a vicious hit, Stafford was apparently in a lot of pain, we later found out it was a broken clavicle. After eluding every team doctor, Matthew went back on the field for the final play. He took a snap (not really using his left side obviously) and with an almost one armed short armed throw for the TD.
That play alone solified me as a fan of his. Even with his dishragging of Bears safety DJ Moore, I couldn't hate the kid.
Matthew Stafford has the resolve of Y.A. Tittle (who played the rest of the season, partially with a cracked sternum). He has the calm coolness in the game as Dan Marino, and the same ability to lead that the Dolphins QB had. He doesn't have the Joe Theismann or Joe Namath need to announce he's there. Rather, he uses the Johnny Unitas approach: He lets his game announce his arrival. He has the Ken Stabler mental toughness and the ability of Terry Bradshaw to confuse us on how smart he truly is. He is under-rated the same way that Steve Young was when he first came up.
Matthew Stafford is a polarizing QB. Will he be a Hall of Famer? Not really sure, but a lot of the players in the Hall didn't know they'd be HoF'ers when they were only two or three years in the game.
And, the female in me, says that Matthew Stafford has the same sex appeal that Joe Montana has. No lie.
He was the first player I thought of today as I thought of Y.A. Tittle and the comparasions...well, to some, they may be off in the stats department, but not in the toughness department. Face it. Of all the QBs in the league today, Matthew Stafford is the toughest.
But, in drawing out those comparasions, which QBs playing today could have played in times past? I know people think that Tom Brady could have, but face it. If he's afraid of Ed Reed (and gets a "Roughing the Passer" call on Reed's tripping, which missed Brady by a foot), how would he handle Butkus?
Come on. You KNOW that, if that had been Butkus, he'd have gone back to the line, INTENTIONALLY took Brady's head off, then stand over him, telling him "Now, THAT'S roughing the passer, bitch." Brady would never have survived Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, or Jack Tatum. So, I don't think Brady could have played in any era but the one he's in now.
Aaron Rodgers? Sure, he's got the feet and the toughness, but how would he respond to Jack Lambert flying over the line to take his head off?
Jay Cutler? NO. I love the guy and think he gets too much criticism, but I know that Cutler would not survive a hit from Dick "Night Train" Lane.
Other than Stafford, I think that Ben Roethlisberger could. He's got size and strength. He's got decent speed. Sure, there are others that are a lot faster, but there are those a lot slower. I would love to see Big Ben go against the Purple People Eaters.
But, those are my random thoughts. I had them more clearly defined earlier today, when I had no paper available for writing (of course!) and maybe one of these days, I'll try to explain some things a little more clearer on what I meant this entry to be.
But, it is what it is.
Thoughts? Any player playing today that could have played in the bygone era of football? Comment below with who and why! :)
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