Grogan's grit helped revolutionize quarterback position

[jmt57]

Grogan's grit helped revolutionize quarterback position by Jeff Howe of NESN

Steve Grogan was the man — a man’s man.

He was a little bit of “Dirty Harry” mixed with “Shaft” and a side of “Rocky.” Tougher than Teflon and more courageous than a bomb squad agent, Grogan is one of the three greatest quarterbacks to ever don a New England Patriots uniform. And for a number of Pats fans who grew up during Grogan’s era (1975-90), he is still their favorite player.

“I think Steve should go down as the toughest guy that ever played for the Patriots,” said former Patriots linebacker Steve Nelson, Grogan’s teammate for 13 years.

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[Gwedd]

Yeah, I'll second that.......

Man was a rock.

 

[vincent undertaker brown]

He was also a pioneer as a running QB.Plus way tougher than that piece of crap EASON!

 

[efin98]

Gotta give him respect, he saw the best and worst of the team during his time and earned the love and admiration that lives to this day...

 

[jmt57]

He was also a pioneer as a running QB.Plus way tougher than that piece of crap EASON!

Yeah, it's kind of ironic that the Pats had the toughest QB in franchise history and the QB with the least heart and passion in franchise history on the roster at the same time.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yeah, it's kind of ironic that the Pats had the toughest QB in franchise history and the QB with the least heart and passion in franchise history on the roster at the same time.

And started the wrong one against da Bears...I'll go to my grave believing Grogan starting gave the Pats a fighting chance to win.

 

[efin98]

And started the wrong one against da Bears...I'll go to my grave believing Grogan starting gave the Pats a fighting chance to win.

That famous quote about Howie Long being pissed at the Raiders for knocking out the Pats QB forcing Grogan to play probably puts that into truth...they may have lost, but at least it would have been close in the 4th quarter.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Grogan was one tough bastard although he was not the greatest quarteback. Much like when Bledsoe was QB, you always knew that when it mattered, it wouldn't end well. There is a reason they never won the big game untill Brady came along and by the way for his pretty boy persona and all Brady is every bit as tough as Grogan was and probably then some.

 

[PittPatriot]

That famous quote about Howie Long being pissed at the Raiders for knocking out the Pats QB forcing Grogan to play probably puts that into truth...they may have lost, but at least it would have been close in the 4th quarter.

I was a little too young to remember the details, but when was that quote? During the run to SB XX?

 

[efin98]

I was a little too young to remember the details, but when was that quote? During the run to SB XX?

That year or '87...

 

[italian pat patriot]

Gotta give him respect, he saw the best and worst of the team during his time and earned the love and admiration that lives to this day...

i agree with you: well said

 

[Steamer86]

I grew up with Grogan and loved the guy, but I would hardly say he revolutionized the position....

 

[jmt57]

Part two of the interview:

Brady, Brown among Grogan's favorite all-time players by Jeff Howe of NESN

“Troy Brown is a guy that is just a football player. He could have played in any era, did whatever they asked him to do whenever they asked him to do it. I admire a guy that plays like that.”

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[upstater1]

Grogan was one tough bastard although he was not the greatest quarteback. Much like when Bledsoe was QB, you always knew that when it mattered, it wouldn't end well. There is a reason they never won the big game untill Brady came along and by the way for his pretty boy persona and all Brady is every bit as tough as Grogan was and probably then some.

This is historical revisionism against Bledsoe. Bledsoe threw INTs early in games, but at one point, he had lead to more 4th quarter comeback wins than Dan Marino at that stage in his career, and more than Elway. Bledsoe was masterful at the late comeback, he excelled in the two minute offense.

 

[Gumby]

Grogan is the reason I was a Pats fan in my youth and he remains today my favorite player of all time.

I agree the "revolutinize the QB poisiton" is a bit of artistic license by the author. I don't think there is any specific innovation or change you can point to from him that isn't pre-existing. Certainly running QBs were not new (e.g. fran tarkenton ) and they come along every 5-10 years and are advertised as the new breed - michael vick, etc etc. Look how McNair was being lauded this past weeks as being tough - so that is not new or old either.

He is much more on point when he talks about how he is admired for his grit and determination and attitude together. I think that is really the point about SG. He was always a football player first and a leader second and third the QB of the offense.

nice stuff hearing from him.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

This is historical revisionism against Bledsoe. Bledsoe threw INTs early in games, but at one point, he had lead to more 4th quarter comeback wins than Dan Marino at that stage in his career, and more than Elway. Bledsoe was masterful at the late comeback, he excelled in the two minute offense.

Historical revisionism on whose part? Fourth quarter comebacks against bad teams does not make a great QB. Bledsoe was not a big game QB and when you mention the Pittsburgh playoff game in 2001 remember to include the part when he was literally tossing the ball up for grabs over his head.

 

[upstater1]

Historical revisionism on whose part? Fourth quarter comebacks against bad teams does not make a great QB. Bledsoe was not a big game QB and when you mention the Pittsburgh playoff game in 2001 remember to include the part when he was literally tossing the ball up for grabs over his head.

I remember that well. We discussed it a week ago when it was proven that there was a flag against Pittsburgh on that play for holding the receiver, it was thrown right in front of Bledsoe, and he saw it.

Bad teams? Bledsoe's comebacks were against bad teams? Do you really stand by that assessment? That the 1994-2000 Patriots were behind bad teams in the 4th quarter 15 times, and won those games?

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

I remember that well. We discussed it a week ago when it was proven that there was a flag against Pittsburgh on that play for holding the receiver, it was thrown right in front of Bledsoe, and he saw it.

Bad teams? Bledsoe's comebacks were against bad teams? Do you really stand by that assessment? That the 1994-2000 Patriots were behind bad teams in the 4th quarter 15 times, and won those games?

My original statement was that neither Grogan or Bledsoe were big game QB's IMO. You choose to make it all about fourth quarter comebacks than so be it. I don't have all of Bledsoe's 4th quarter comebacks commited to memory like you apparently do but I do recall there were numerous games when he would play lousy for 3 quarters and than throw a late TD or two. That to me does not make him a big game QB. A big game QB does not throw 4 interceptions in the SB or lay an egg the next year against Pittsburgh in the playoffs.

I am old enough to remember watching Grogan play and he was as tough as they come but he was flawed as a QB and sometimes very frustrating to watch. Same could probably be said for Bledsoe. I thought the article was just a little bit over the top in its praise of Grogan. The point I wanted to make was that for all of Brady's other attributes, I think that his toughness is underrated and he is every bit as tough as Grogan was. Having a tough guy as a QB is great but it doesn't amount to a whole lot unless you can deliver the goods when it matters the most. Luckily we have someone who is both tough and a big game QB.