I Like Snaps! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fran Tarkenton

Tarkenton brought the term "scrambling quarterback" to the NFL. Was he scrambling to find a receiver, or just running for daylights? At any rate, he played six seasons for the Vikings before playing for five as a Giant. He then played seven more in Minnesota before retiring in 1978. 1978 is where he set a season record with a TD/INT ratio of 25-32 in 1978.

When he retired, he was number one in passing yardage with 47,003 yards from the air. He had since been passed by John Elway, Dan Marino, Warren Moon, Brett Favre, and others to follow. Francis Abury Tarkenton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Answer: Earl Morrall

The others were never Dolphins. Bob Griese was the team's primary quarterback at the beginning of the 1972 season, but due to injuries, back-up Morrall played in all 14 games compared to Griese's six. Griese was there at the beginning of the season, and there at the end after his injury-comeback. With all the greatness of Morrall in-between, the decision to go back with Griese once he was able to play, must have been a very troubling decision for coach Don Shula.

In the end, it must have been correct. Miami won that Super Bowl 14-7 against the Redskins.

Answer: Brad Johnson

The others were not rostered by Tampa Bay in 2002. The Bucs went 12-4 in the 2002 season, then stepped on the 49ers, Eagles, and finally the Raiders to win Super Bowl XXXVII, 48-21. It was a season of the Johnsons. They were quarterbacked by Brad Johnson, not related to his back-up Rob Johnson. Brad started 13 games, was 281-for-451 with 3049 yards, and had a TD/INT ration of 22-6. 1088 of those yards went to Keyshawn Johnson by air.

Answer: Greg Landry

None of the others listed were quarterbacks. Landry of the Detroit Lions was sacked 55 times in 1976. In Greg's 11 seasons as a Lion, he was sacked an amazing 261 times. What a bruising he took in Detroit, but the Lions created a reputation for not having an offensive line who could protect the one who took their snaps.

In 1985, Lion QB Eric Hipple was sacked 49 times. In 2006, Jon Kitna took 63 sacks in 2006, then another 51 in 2007.

Answer: Johnny Unitas

Bradshaw and Namath never reached the 4000-attempt mark, and Baugh never threw 3000 passes. Unitas played the first 17 of his 18 seasons as a Baltimore Colt from 1956-1972. His career passing attempts were 5186 times that he tried to throw the ball. He threw for a total of 40,239 yards with 290 touchdowns. Unitas retired as a Charger in 1973, then was inducted into the hall in 1979.

Answer: Frank Filchock

The others had some big bombs, but none over 95 yards. Filchock was a 1939 Washington Redskin when he hooked up for this big one with Andy Farkas. Filchock and Sammy Baugh shared the quarterback duties for the Redskins in the season, and Frank led the team with 1094 passing yards and throwing 11 touchdowns.

The Redskins finished 8-2-1 in the season, good enough for a second place finish in the NFL East Division. Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns was the next to duplicate this feat, throwing a 99-yard big one to Mac Speedie in 1947.

Answer: Jim Kelly

The others listed never played for the Bills. In this run from 1990-1993, the Bills went 13-3, 13-3, 11-5, and 12-4, but the fact that they could not win the big one under the helm of Marv Levy, took away their greatness. In those four seasons, Kelly threw for 13,512 yards, averaging 3378 yards per season.

He also threw for 98 touchdowns from the air. Jim played his entire 11-season career with the Bills with over 35,000 yards from the air and 237 touchdowns. After retiring in 1996, he was an easy Hall of Fame inductee in 2002.

Answer: Kenny Stabler

The others were all former Raider quarterbacks, but all had retired prior to 1976. In 1976, the Raiders beat the Patriots, then the Steelers, and finally the Vikings 32-14 to win the Super Bowl. This was the Raiders' second trip after losing in Super Bowl II to the Packers. Stabler, nicknamed "The Snake", led the Raiders in 12 of their 14 season games to a 13-1 record.

His back-ups were Mike Rae and David Humm. Kenny threw for 2737 yards with a TD/INT ratio of 27-17. Cliff Branch hauled down 1111 yards from the air with 46 receptions for the team and scored 12 touchdowns. Dave Casper also caught 53 passes for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns. Stabler retired after 15 seasons in 1984 as a New Orleans Saint.

Answer: Sammy Baugh

Baugh was a 16-season Washington Redskin from 1937-1952. Sammy took the Redskins to their first NFL Championship in his rookie season. He was the first quarterback in history to have a 70% completion rate in a season, and did this in 1945. Sammy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963. Waterfield, the Ram from 1945-1952 was was inducted in 1965. Bobby Layne, mostly of the Detroit Lions was inducted in 1967. Norm Van Brocklin, mostly of the Rams was inducted in 1971.

Answer: Craig Morton

All the others were Cowboy quarterbacks, but all had already retired and did not experience Dallas' first Super Bowl. In 1970, Morton took the snaps with back-up quarterback Roger Staubach in limited duty in his second season. Morton threw for 1819 yards with only 15 touchdowns, but the Cowboys had a balanced offensive attack, also rushing for 16 touchdowns. Staubach played in eight games, rushing for 221 yards for a 8.2 yards per carry average.

In 1971, Roger would take the position as the number one QB, and throw for 1882 yards with a TD/INT ration of 15-4. Staubach would later be a Hall of Fame inductee in 1985.