Franchise QB Out In Week 1...Has It Happened Before?

[PaulThePat]

Supported the Pats for over 25 years but I've never really spent too much time watching what happens at other clubs so I need some help ? As the thread title says has any other Franchise/MVP/HOF level QB been knocked out for the year in Week 1 before ? Plenty of lineman get season enders but I'm struggling to think of a top level QB who has seen only 5 minutes of action before it was all over.

If it has happened recently the follow up question is how did the team get on without him ?

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Re: Franchise QB Out In Week 1...Has It Happened Before ?

Randall Cunningham was knocked out in the first game of the 1991 season with an ACL tear. The Eagles finished 10-6.

 

[jcdavey]

Re: Franchise QB Out In Week 1...Has It Happened Before ?

he wasn't a franchise qb, but the chargers qb got injured in preseason of 92 so beathard our gm at the time made a trade with the redskins for stan humphries, who then went on to lead us to the playoffs

Aug. 13 The Chargers acquire quarterback Stan Humphries in trade with Washington Redskins.

Dec. 20 The Chargers clinch first playoff berth since 1983 with 36-14 win at Raiders and make history as only team to start 0-4 and make playoffs and have winning record.

 

[BadMoFo]

Re: Franchise QB Out In Week 1...Has It Happened Before ?

Buenos noches. I am sleeping and getting ready for Monday Night Football.

 

[TonyGaitor]

Vinnie Testaverde for the Jets in the 99 Opener against the Pats. Rick Mirer and Ray Lukas led the Jets to an 8-8 Record.

 

[dhamz]

Re: Franchise QB Out In Week 1...Has It Happened Before ?

Randall Cunningham was knocked out in the first game of the 1991 season with an ACL tear. The Eagles finished 10-6.

Jim Mcmahon played QB with the only job given to him being don't screw it up. That was maybe the best defensive team since the 85 Bears. I believe they were #1 against the run and the pass while playing in the best division in the NFL.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Johnny Unitas was hurt early in season 68, and didn't play most of the year. Earl Morrall came in and lead the Colts to a 13-1 record and SB 3. He was also the league MVP.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

i dunno about week 1.

But I vaguely remember in 2001 one of the teams lost their franchise pro-bowl QB during week 2. Sadly that team had to rely on their second year 6th round draft pick.

Sorry I can't recall the rest of the details anybody remember what team that was? or who the QBs were? or what happened?

Anyone?

 

[JSn]

i dunno about week 1.

But I vaguely remember in 2001 one of the teams lost their franchise pro-bowl QB during week 2. Sadly that team had to rely on their second year 6th round draft pick.

Sorry I can't recall the rest of the details anybody remember what team that was? or who the QBs were? or what happened?

Anyone?

Yeah, sadly everyone and their uncle is positive they knew how great Brady was already and Cassel or O'Connell couldn't possibly be the next Brady.

 

[PatsDeb]

It hasn't happened to us week one, but it did happen in week 2 (or was it 3) when Drew Bledsoe went down with a serious injury. We all thought the season was over then too. Then some young kid named Brady came in and took us all the way. While Bledsoe didn't go on IR, he might has well have as he never got his job back. Plus he had already spotted us two losses for that season, and though many here seem to forget it, Cassel actually won the game for us yesterday, so we are still 1-0, in first place.

The Giants also lost Phil Simms one year (don't remember what week it was) when they were on a Superbowl run and Jeff Hostetler came in and took them all the way. BB was the defensive coordinator.

Not saying Cassel is Brady or Hostetler, but the fact is, we do have a coach that has been through this at least twice and succeeded big time. Let's see what they come up with. BB always preaches that this is a team game and if someone goes down (even your franchise QB) everyone else has to step up. They managed to do it yesterday when they must have been feeling devastated. We still have fantastic players at virtually every other position.

It's a terrible situation, but we've seen BB make lemonade out of lemons before.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Yeah, sadly everyone and their uncle is positive they knew how great Brady was already and Cassel or O'Connell couldn't possibly be the next Brady.

Yeah, I remember us all being relieved when Bledsoe went down, cause we were certain this scrawny, undersized kid that came in to replace him was gonna end up being our saviour.

 

[JSn]

Yeah, I remember us all being relieved when Bledsoe went down, cause we were certain this scrawny, undersized kid that came in to replace him was gonna end up being our saviour.

That's the kid who runs like a chicken and got picked up as an after-thought? What a freaking JAG.

 

[dhamz]

Yeah, sadly everyone and their uncle is positive they knew how great Brady was already and Cassel or O'Connell couldn't possibly be the next Brady.

No one knew what Brady was back then but the fact is the guy they turned the team over to is unquestionably one of the handful of best ever to play. They will be talking about him 50 years from now the way they talk about Unitas.

So I guess my point is that I highly doubt either Cassel or O'Connell are one of the 5 best QBs in the history of the sport. But if one of them is, then I think the team will be just fine.

 

[PaulThePat]

That's the kid who runs like a chicken and got picked up as an after-thought? What a freaking JAG.

Tom was a starter (some of the time) in College. Yep, nobody knew who he was but he had a college record to look back on as well as not becoming conditioned to the role of backup over several years.

I'm 100% totally behind Matt but I don't think the comparison to Brady holds water.

 

[cartmen]

put it this way Brenda Warner wouldn't be Brenda Warner without Trent Green's knee. yeah I know that was preseason but you get my point

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

No one knew what Brady was back then but the fact is the guy they turned the team over to is unquestionably one of the handful of best ever to play. They will be talking about him 50 years from now the way they talk about Unitas.

So I guess my point is that I highly doubt either Cassel or O'Connell are one of the 5 best QBs in the history of the sport. But if one of them is, then I think the team will be just fine.

No! We don't need one of the best 5 QB in history. We have a future HOF WR, the best slot WR to have ever played the game. One of if not the best o-lines in the NFL and a very solid defense.

We need Cassel to be a slightly above average QB.

He doesn't need to throw 50 TDs. Just every once in a while when the defense think Cassel sucks and is expecting another run play cause we are on our 1 yard line, throw a bomb to Moss.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

No! We don't need one of the best 5 QB in history. We have a future HOF WR, the best slot WR to have ever played the game. One of if not the best o-lines in the NFL and a very solid defense.

We need Cassel to be a slightly above average QB.

He doesn't need to throw 50 TDs. Just every once in a while when the defense think Cassel sucks and is expecting another run play cause we are on our 1 yard line, throw a bomb to Moss.

While I agree with the overall premise, I do take umbrage with this part of it. Our o-line is NOT one of the best. As yesterday demonstrates and as we have seen at times, we have some real pass protection issues to work out alone the line.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Johnny Unitas was hurt early in season 68, and didn't play most of the year. Earl Morrall came in and lead the Colts to a 13-1 record and SB 3. He was also the league MVP.

Prior to that season, Morrall had a .500 record and was considered a journeyman QB. He repeated the feat with the Dolphins in either 72 or 73 winning about 10 games when Griese went down with an injury.
This could be the opportunity for the rest of the team to step up and prove that they can win it......despite everything.

PS After the last two opening day fiascos, can the Pats just get it over with by having a bye in week one????

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Supported the Pats for over 25 years but I've never really spent too much time watching what happens at other clubs so I need some help ? As the thread title says has any other Franchise/MVP/HOF level QB been knocked out for the year in Week 1 before ? Plenty of lineman get season enders but I'm struggling to think of a top level QB who has seen only 5 minutes of action before it was all over.

If it has happened recently the follow up question is how did the team get on without him ?

Bob Griese got knocked out early in 1972 - not a franchise QB - and the Dolphins went undefeated the rest of the way. I think Griese came back though at the end. Still it's pretty impressive.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Prior to that season, Morrall had a .500 record and was considered a journeyman QB. He repeated the feat with the Dolphins in either 72 or 73 winning about 10 games when Griese went down with an injury.
This could be the opportunity for the rest of the team to step up and prove that they can win it......despite everything.

PS After the last two opening day fiascos, can the Pats just get it over with by having a bye in week one????

Both the teams mentioned, the Colts and the Dolphins were teams, made up of many great players, coached by one of the best coaches ever, Don Shula. He kept the team focused on the task at hand.......

Let's see, we have many great players besides Brady and what many have called THE best coach ever in Belichick! Starting to see similarities.....I know I am!!