<![CDATA[Quarterbacks of the Ages]]>How about we look at this: Quarterbacks of different eras that could be in the HOF. These are the QBs whose careers spanned essentially the early to mid 70s up to the mid 1980s. Again, comparing their career production averages, this is the order that the QBs of that era came in at:

Dan Fouts 1973-1987 ....CA of 122

Ken Anderson 1971-1986....121

Terry Bradshaw 1970-1983.....106

Roger Staubach 1969-1979.....105

Bob Griese 1967-1980.....104

Jim Hart 1966-1984.....99

Ken Stabler 1970-1984.....94

Steve Grogan 1975-1990.....90

Joe Theisman 1974-1985.....87

Jim Plunkett 1971-1986.....85

Danny White 1976-1988.....84

Joe Ferguson 1973-1990.....80

Ron Jaworski 1974-1989.....79

Jim Zorn 1976-1987.....76

Brian Sipe 1974-1983....75

Archie Manning 1971-1984.....75

Steve Bartkowski 1975-1986.....70

Lynn Dickey 1971-1985..... 65

Richard Todd 1976-1983....62

Dan Pastorini 1971-1983.....60

Gary Danielson 1976-1988....48

Mike Phipps 1970-1981.....40

Of course the guy the Browns used a #3 pick overall on would be the biggest bust practically of his generation of QBs

(I did not put Montana on this list as his career didn't start until the 80s really...but his CA was 123....only 2 pts over Anderson.)

So let's note this: Every QB that has a higher CA than Ken Anderson is in the Hall of Fame except for these 4 names: Peyton Manning, Brees, Brady, Favre.

It can be argued that he is the best QB to not be in the HOF. His career was just one production point off Fouts who is in the HOF, but Anderson at least got his team to a SB. Fouts never did. In fact it was Anderson's team that beat Fouts's team to go to that Super Bowl. The other 3 guys, Bradshaw/Staubach/Griese both won multiple titles.

It is a good argument for his inclusion imo.

Should a 5th QB from that era be inducted? His main competition....besides guys coming after him, are Stabler, Plunkett, and Theisman.

For this era, I say Anderson would be the 5th that could go in if any should.

I will look at the subsequent generations next. QBs from late 70s into the mid-late 90s

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/31149/quarterbacks-of-the-agesRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:13:11 GMTThu, 04 Dec 2014 00:22:00 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:48:19 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

No Anderson did not have nearly the accolades. Yes, they played in different systems, Anderson played in safe WCO (the original) and Fouts had a vertical passing game yet his numbers were still as efficient.

It's the "Hall of FAME", not the "Hall of nifty stats". You are giving way too much value toward efficiency numbers and not enough toward production numbers IMO. Production counts. More yards ... More TDs ... that's the stuff that matters. Not just per attempt ...actual production.

Well, that CA average that PFR has come up with....and which I am basing this all on is supposed to be based purely on Production, not on efficiency. Fouts has a 122 production score, Anderson a 121.

Now, I don't begin to claim how that all works mathematically....because as you said, the pure volume numbers favor Fouts, but the CA has them even.

But here is one easy stat where Anderson is better: Winning. Fouts was barely over .500 (86-84-1). Anderson beat him head to head in the most important game that counted.

And, I would wager that if Anderson had won that SB, which was a close game, he probably would be in the HOF now. One win in one game would have been enough to get him in.

Fair to say?

43k yards versus 32k yards is huge, as is 254 TDs to 197. Fouts has Hall of Fame production. Systems don't make the HOF, the players that execute them do.

I agree and disagree somewhat: A QB in the right system for him who executes it very well can produce. But that same QB in another system could suck. Joe Montana and Steve Young were masters of the WCO. And really, so was Jeff Garcia. But when Garcia was taken out of that system....he was really no good. If Young say had gone to Tampa Bay....he may have never been in the system he was so good at and may have never put up the quality numbers that he did. He may have been Jeff Garcia with the Browns.

Fouts is absoulely in my Hall, Anderson is absolutely not.

Also, pure production isn't the only thing. Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde have better numbers probably than 75% of the QBs that are in the HOF.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457200https://brownsboard.com/post/457200Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:48:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Fri, 05 Dec 2014 00:25:23 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

Yes, but as I noted, they also played in completely different systems. Anderson may have been capable of throwing the ball around like hackey sack if he were asked. So the YPG doesn't impress me as much.

But those 4th quarter comebacks do....and that is the best part of your argument.

As for the accolades you mention, it is highly possible that Anderson took his share of trophies home as well. I haven't looked that up.

As for what stood out? The head to head matchup to go to the Super Bowl. Anderson won that.

No Anderson did not have nearly the accolades. Yes, they played in different systems, Anderson played in safe WCO (the original) and Fouts had a vertical passing game yet his numbers were still as efficient.

It's the "Hall of FAME", not the "Hall of nifty stats". You are giving way too much value toward efficiency numbers and not enough toward production numbers IMO. Production counts. More yards ... More TDs ... that's the stuff that matters. Not just per attempt ...actual production.

43k yards versus 32k yards is huge, as is 254 TDs to 197. Fouts has Hall of Fame production. Systems don't make the HOF, the players that execute them do.

Fouts is absoulely in my Hall, Anderson is absolutely not.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457098https://brownsboard.com/post/457098Fri, 05 Dec 2014 00:25:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:03:24 GMT]]>Here are the generations of QBs who began their careers from 1998-2007. I stop at that date as it encompasses a 10 years span, but it puts a fair time for a QB to have played up to this day, like 7 years:

Peyton Manning....172

Tom Brady.....145

Drew Brees....134

Phillip Rivers.....107

Donovan McNabb.....107

Kurt Warner.....96

Ben Roethlisberger.....94

Michael Vick.....91

Eli Manning.....89

Jeff Garcia.....88

Aaron Rodgers.....88

Carson Palmer.....88

Daunte Culpepper....86

Matt Hasselback.....85

Tony Romo.....84

Jon Kitna.....75

Jay Cutler.....68

Matt Schaub.....68

Aaron Brooks....65

David Garrard.....61

Jake Delhomme.....59

Marc Bulger.....57

Chad Pennington.....55

Jason Campbell....48

Alex Smith.....47

David Carr.....44

Matt Cassell....44

Ryan Fitzpatrick.....44

...Tim Couch....30

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457040https://brownsboard.com/post/457040Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:03:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:27:09 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

The bold may be a fair statement, but per the statistic I am using, Anderson had about 20% more production in his 15-16 year career than Hart did in a 20 year career.

I didn't really look into your stat analysis, just remembered the guys when they played. I never cared for Anderson, mainly due to the rivalry. Anderson had Booby Clark & Isaac Curtis. Jim Hart had Terry Metcalf and I think Roy Green.

Pastorini & Archie Manning were similar too- both played on awful teams for their careers. Pastorini had his team improve when Earl campbell came along, and they lost twice to the dreaded Steelers in the AFC Championship (Renfro was in btw).

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457036https://brownsboard.com/post/457036Thu, 04 Dec 2014 18:27:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:59:49 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

It's not even close. Look at the yards per game, they played in the same era same time, except for a couple seasons in the 80's , Anderson was a "game manager". Fouts was a freaking stud. And more than twice the 4th quarter comebacks tells you a lot too. You are old enough to remember both of these guys, put away the stats and remember watching them play ... who stood out?

Plus there is this:

6× Pro Bowl (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985)
2× First-team All-Pro (1979, 1982)
2× Second-team All-Pro (1980, 1985)
Pro Bowl Co-MVP (1982)
NFL MVP (PFWA, NEA, 1982)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (AP, PW, 1982)
2× UPI AFC Player of the Year (1979, 1982)

NFL 1980s All-Decade Team

Yes, but as I noted, they also played in completely different systems. Anderson may have been capable of throwing the ball around like hackey sack if he were asked. So the YPG doesn't impress me as much.

But those 4th quarter comebacks do....and that is the best part of your argument.

As for the accolades you mention, it is highly possible that Anderson took his share of trophies home as well. I haven't looked that up.

As for what stood out? The head to head matchup to go to the Super Bowl. Anderson won that.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457029https://brownsboard.com/post/457029Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:59:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:54:57 GMT]]>Here is the generation of QBs that started their careers in like 1990 to 1997. I didn't want to go further so that the Manningbrady generation could be done separate. But here are these guys:

Brett Favre.....105

Drew Bledsoe.....103

Steve McNair.....100

Marke Brunell.....96

Trent Green.....94

Kerry Collins.....81

Jake Plummer.....77

Brad Johnson.....74

Jeff Blake.....68

Jeff George.....65

Neil O'Donnell.....59

Kordell Stewart.....59

Gus Frerotte.....56

Trent Dilfer.....51

Rodney Peete.....46

Elvis Grbac....46

Tony Banks....42

It seems to me that only Favre out of this group is a certain HOFer. Bledsoe and McNair are unlikely's

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457027https://brownsboard.com/post/457027Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:54:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:47:25 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

Based on their total career accomplishment then can we assume that you believe that Dan Fouts would not belong in either? Here are their comparative stats:

Fouts: 86-84-1 as a starting QB

3297/5604 58.8 completion pct. 43030 yards

254 TDs 4.5% TD%

242 Ints. 4.3% Int.%

7.7 yards per attempt

13.1 yards per catch

237.8 yards per game

80.2 passer rating

319 sacks for 2304 yards lost

24 4th qtr. comebacks

26 game winning drives

Ken Anderson: 91-81 as a starting QB

2654/4475 59.3 completion % 32838 yards

197 TDs 4.4 TD %

160 Ints. 3.6 Int.%

7.3 yards per attempt

12.4 yards per completion

171.0 yards per game

81.9 passer rating

398 sacks for 2875 sack yards

10 4th quarter comebacks

15 game winning drives

This shows me a couple of things: Fouts played in a more pass happy offense than Anderson what with Air Coryell and all that.

Most of the other stats I think were reflective of that.

To me, the biggest edge Fouts has is in the 4th Qtr comeback and game winning drive areas. Anderson had only 10-15 of those in his career. (I think Brian Hoyer has 4-5 just this year alone, no?)

Otherwise I think the two are pretty comparable in their achievement.

It's not even close. Look at the yards per game, they played in the same era same time, except for a couple seasons in the 80's , Anderson was a "game manager". Fouts was a freaking stud. And more than twice the 4th quarter comebacks tells you a lot too. You are old enough to remember both of these guys, put away the stats and remember watching them play ... who stood out?

Plus there is this:

6× Pro Bowl (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985)
2× First-team All-Pro (1979, 1982)
2× Second-team All-Pro (1980, 1985)
Pro Bowl Co-MVP (1982)
NFL MVP (PFWA, NEA, 1982)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (AP, PW, 1982)
2× UPI AFC Player of the Year (1979, 1982)

NFL 1980s All-Decade Team

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457004https://brownsboard.com/post/457004Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:47:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:39:34 GMT]]>

@bob806 said:

I thought Stabler was clutch, and he should be in. The playoff game against the Dolphins was an all time classic, when he basically heaved a desperation shovel pass to the Oakland RB in the endzone (Clarence Davis) amongst a sea of Dolphins.

I think Ken Anderson is a lot like Jim Hart, solid QB with longevity. Those guys were good, not great.

My top HOF shuns are Hanford Dixon & Clay Matthews. I don't understand how they aren't in.

The bold may be a fair statement, but per the statistic I am using, Anderson had about 20% more production in his 15-16 year career than Hart did in a 20 year career.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/457001https://brownsboard.com/post/457001Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:39:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:33:17 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

None of these guys not in belong in, including Anderson.

Zombo

Based on their total career accomplishment then can we assume that you believe that Dan Fouts would not belong in either? Here are their comparative stats:

Fouts: 86-84-1 as a starting QB

3297/5604 58.8 completion pct. 43030 yards

254 TDs 4.5% TD%

242 Ints. 4.3% Int.%

7.7 yards per attempt

13.1 yards per catch

237.8 yards per game

80.2 passer rating

319 sacks for 2304 yards lost

24 4th qtr. comebacks

26 game winning drives

Ken Anderson: 91-81 as a starting QB

2654/4475 59.3 completion % 32838 yards

197 TDs 4.4 TD %

160 Ints. 3.6 Int.%

7.3 yards per attempt

12.4 yards per completion

171.0 yards per game

81.9 passer rating

398 sacks for 2875 sack yards

10 4th quarter comebacks

15 game winning drives

This shows me a couple of things: Fouts played in a more pass happy offense than Anderson what with Air Coryell and all that.

Most of the other stats I think were reflective of that.

To me, the biggest edge Fouts has is in the 4th Qtr comeback and game winning drive areas. Anderson had only 10-15 of those in his career. (I think Brian Hoyer has 4-5 just this year alone, no?)

Otherwise I think the two are pretty comparable in their achievement.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/456997https://brownsboard.com/post/456997Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:33:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:25:14 GMT]]>I thought Stabler was clutch, and he should be in. The playoff game against the Dolphins was an all time classic, when he basically heaved a desperation shovel pass to the Oakland RB in the endzone (Clarence Davis) amongst a sea of Dolphins.

I think Ken Anderson is a lot like Jim Hart, solid QB with longevity. Those guys were good, not great.

My top HOF shuns are Hanford Dixon & Clay Matthews. I don't understand how they aren't in.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/456962https://brownsboard.com/post/456962Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:25:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:05:49 GMT]]>None of these guys not in belong in, including Anderson.

Zombo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/456916https://brownsboard.com/post/456916Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:05:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Quarterbacks of the Ages on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:35:39 GMT]]>Here is the next generation of Quarterbacks. These guys started play from a couple of late 70s to the mid-80s and a few beyond. Here are the most productive QBs of that "age":

Dan Marino 1983-1999 CA of.....145

John Elway 1983-1998.....138

Steve Young 1985-1999.....135

Joe Montana 1979-1994....123

Warren Moon 1984-2000.....119

Randall Cunningham 1985-2001.....107

Jim Kelly 1986-1996.....103

Rich Gannon 1987-2004.....99

Dave Kreig 1980-1998.....97

Vinny Testaverde 1987-2007.....97

Troy Aikman....1989-2000.....97

Phil Simms 1979-1993.....91

Jim Everett 1986-1997.....87

Steve DeBerg 1978-1998.....79

Jim Harbaugh 1987-2000.....78

Chris Chandler 1988-2004.....77

Bernie Kosar 1985-1996.....67

Bobby Hebert 1985-1996.....66

Jay Schroeder 1985-1994.....62

Jim McMahon 1982-1996.....57

Chris Miller 1987-1999.....52

Doug Flutie....51

Wade Wilson.....51

Bill Kenney.....51

Note that all players with a 100 or better CA have been inducted into the HOF except Randall Cunningham with his 107

(but that is still well below Anderson's 121).

I personally don't know if any "injustices" have been done to any of these QBs by not including them into the HOF.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/456884https://brownsboard.com/post/456884Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:35:39 GMT