Page 21 - ATODAY
P. 21
SPORTS A21
Wednesday 9 March 2016
Replacing Peyton? History not a precise guide
BARRY WILNER In this Oct. 17, 2004, file photo, Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler passes during the second Bowl and then retiring, his
AP Pro Football Writer half against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y. Dan Marino, perhaps the game’s greatest pure replacement was Brian
It’s tough enough replac- passer, left Miami in 1999. In stepped Fiedler who had three pro seasons as a backup. Griese. Not a bad choice,
ing a starting quarterback, though comparing him
let alone a legend like Pey- Associated Press with Elway was unfair from
ton Manning. the outset.
Yet that’s the challenge A third-round draftee in ‘98,
facing another great QB, Griese had the misfortune
John Elway, who now runs of losing 2,000-yard rusher
the Denver Broncos team Terrell Davis to a massive
that Manning walked knee injury during the QB’s
away from Monday. first season in charge. Gri-
“Peyton Manning utilized ese went 27-24 in Denver
every asset that God gave and was 45-38 overall in
him to be the best foot- the NFL.
ball player that he could Elway’s contemporary,
be,” Elway said. “And that, Dan Marino — perhaps
I think, to me is what sets the game’s greatest pure
him apart from anybody passer — left Miami in 1999.
else because he got ev- In stepped Jay Fiedler, who
ery ounce of ability that he unlike Griese had three
has.” previous pro seasons as a
Now, whether it’s Brock Os- backup.
weiler, currently headed Fiedler wasn’t outstanding,
for free agency, or some- but he was no bust. In the
one else who takes over next five seasons, the prod-
behind center for the Bron- uct of Dartmouth went 36-
cos, Elway has an unenvi- 23 and twice led the Dol-
able task. phins into the playoffs.
History tells us that some FLOPS
Hall of Fame quarterbacks Jim Kelly guided the Bills to
left their franchises in dif- four straight Super Bowls;
ficult circumstances, such OK, Buffalo lost them all,
as Johnny Unitas and Jim but is anyone going to
Kelly. match that feat? Maybe
Others were barely missed: not.
Joe Montana and Brett Fa- When the battered Kelly
vre. retired after the 1996 cam-
And for a few teams, it was paign, Todd Collins was his
a mixed bag. replacement.
SUCCESSES
Three stand out in particu- Rodgers also has two MVP and extra value in Big D as
lar: Steve Young, Aaron honors and a Super Bowl a punter.
Rodgers and Danny White. ring since replacing Favre MODERATE RETURNS
Young was being groomed in Green Bay. In fact, his When Elway set the bar
to take over for Montana seasonal numbers outdo for outstanding finales by
even before Montana Favre in many categories, winning the 1999 Super
was ready to step (or be and his three-year appren-
pushed) aside. And while ticeship has turned out bril- In this July 22, 2000, file photo,
Young didn’t lead the liantly for Cheeseheads ev- Denver Broncos quarterback
49ers to four champion- erywhere. Brian Griese throws during
ships as Montana did, the White didn’t win any ma- training camp in Greeley,
team around him wasn’t jor individual awards after Colo. When Jon Elway set the
as good as what Montana taking over for Roger Stau- bar for outstanding finales by
had. And the Cowboys bach in Dallas in 1980. He winning the 1999 Super Bowl
built a powerhouse during never got the Cowboys and then retiring, his replace-
the Young years. into a Super Bowl. ment was Griese. Not a bad
Still, Young won two MVP But he was a solid quarter- choice, though comparing
awards and the 1995 Super back with a 62-30 record, him with Elway was unfair
Bowl. a Pro Bowl appearance, from the outset.
Associated Press
