Replacing a Legend

SI Staff | Jul 14, 2008

Replacing a Legend /

Replacing a Legend

Brett Favre - Aaron Rodgers

With Aaron Rodgers set to take over for Brett Favre in Green Bay, here's a look at how backups have fared in taking over for Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks over the years.

Dan Marino - Jay Fiedler

Fiedler compiled a 36-23 record as the Dolphins' starting quarterback and led Miami to consecutive playoff appearances after taking over for Marino in 2000. Though Fiedler's statistics were not impressive (he completed 58 percent of his passes for 11,040 yards with 66 touchdowns and 63 interceptions during his four-year stint with the Dolphins), he provided the team with a steady presence at the position and helped Miami win an AFC East title.

Jim Kelly - Todd Collins

Collins has to be considered a disappointment based on his miserable performance as the Bills' starting quarterback in 1997. Collins led Buffalo to 5-8 record, but questions about his accuracy and decision making led the team to dismiss him after the season. In fact, Collins languished on the benches of the Chiefs and Redskins for nine seasons before getting another opportunity to start. However, a string of solid performances while guiding the Redskins to a playoff appearance last season earned the veteran a nice pay day (three years, $9 million) and repaired his reputation.

Joe Montana - Steve Bono

While a future Hall of Famer (Steve Young) replaced Montana when he left San Francisco, the four-time Super Bowl winner was replaced by veteran Bono in Kansas City. Bono, who had served as an understudy to Montana in San Francisco and Kansas City, turned in a Pro Bowl performance while guiding the team to a 13-3 record during his first season as the Chiefs' starting quarterback. Though he only held the starting job for two seasons, Bono eased the loss of Montana and helped the Chiefs remain a playoff contender.

Steve Young - Jeff Garcia

Although Garcia has never gotten his due, the former CFL star admirably stepped in for Young after his career was cut short due to injury. Garcia earned the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl berths during his first season as the 49ers' starting quarterback, and set team records for passing yards (4,278) in that season. Although San Francisco only finished with a 6-10 record during that first year, Garcia went on to guide the 49ers to consecutive playoff berths in subsequent years.

Troy Aikman - Quincy Carter

The Cowboys struggled for years to replace Aikman, and Carter was the first to assume the duties as a rookie starter in 2001. Although Carter gave the team a different dimension with his athleticism, his failures as a passer (completed only 51 percent of his passes while recording a 63.0 passer rating) and leader led to a revolving door at the position (Ryan Leaf, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoerner, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson and Drew Bledsoe) until finally discovering Tony Romo two seasons ago.

John Elway - Brian Griese

Mike Shanahan surprisingly tabbed Griese over Bubby Brister as the Broncos' starting quarterback in 1999. Although Griese's numbers were respectable during that first season (completed 57 percent of his passes for 3,023 yards with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions), the offense never overcame the loss of Terrell Davis early in the season. However, Griese bounced back the following year to post a 102.1 passer rating and the second-best touchdown to interception ratio (19-to-4) in NFL history.

Warren Moon - Cody Carlson, Billy Joe Tolliver, Bucky Richardson | Houston; - Brad Johnson | Minnesota

The nine-time Pro Bowler played for four franchises, but his stints with the Oilers and Vikings were high points of his career. However, both franchises jettisoned Moon in favor of younger quarterbacks, but the results were not favorable. In Houston, the team handed the reins to Carlson (left inset) after trading Moon to Minnesota following a 12-4 season and an AFC Central division title. Carlson failed to deliver as expected and ultimately shared the job with Tolliver and Richardson (mid-left and right insets) the following year. The Vikings fared better than the Oilers in replacing Moon, as Johnson (right inset) put together a solid season in his first campaign as the team's starter. Though he didn't match Moon's flashy numbers, he completed more than 60 percent of his passes and ranked fourth in the NFC in passing prior to suffering a season-ending injury down the stretch.

Dan Fouts - Mark Malone

After Fouts' retirement in 1987, the Chargers acquired Malone from the Steelers. Although he had all of the physical tools to be a big-time starter, injuries and inconsistent play derailed Malone's bid to replace the legendary Fouts. Interestingly, Malone was originally drafted by the Steelers to become the eventual successor to Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, but never lived up to expectations in the Steel City.

Roger Staubach - Danny White

White took over as the face of the franchise following Staubach's retirement in 1979. Although White posted solid numbers as the starter and led the Cowboys to the three consecutive NFC Championship Games, his tenure as the Cowboys' starter is viewed as a disappointment due to his inability to win a big game. However, White did appear in a Pro Bowl (1982) and his 62-32 regular season record as a starter, makes it hard to view him as a disappointment.

Published Jul 14, 2008

SI STAFF