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Bengals QB
Greg Cook
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On opening day, two rookie quarterbacks, the Cowboys’ Quincy Carter and the
Panthers’ Chris Weinke, started for their respective teams, and Michael Vick had his
own package in the Falcons’ offense. With this in mind, we asked NFL insiders who
they believe were the best rookie quarterbacks ever. Please note that players who played
in other leagues were not included, and to be included, a player’s career had to
extend past the AFL-NFL merger.
1. Greg Cook / Bengals (1969) — As a rookie with a second-year expansion
team, Cook led the team to huge upset wins over the two best teams in football, the Chiefs
and Raiders, and led the AFL in passer rating, despite being hurt part of the year. He
reinjured his shoulder during the offseason, and for all practical purposes, his career
was over. Bill Walsh once described Cook as a player who could throw like Dan Marino and
move around and see the field like Joe Montana. After viewing Cook, the fifth player taken
in a draft that started with O.J. Simpson, then-Raider head scout Ron Wolf said, "We
all blew it and underrated him."
2. Fran Tarkenton / Vikings (’61) — Made a first-year expansion team a
threat to beat anybody and led the Vikings to a huge upset of the Bears in September of
his rookie year.
3. Dan Marino / Dolphins (’83) — Marino did not take over until it was
too late to salvage the season, but he was sensational once he cracked the lineup.
4. Joe Namath / Jets (’65) — Namath really put the AFL on the map.
First, he helped force the merger with the NFL, and then a few years later he gave the AFL
the credibility it had lacked with an upset win in the Super Bowl. He was known for his
cockiness, super arm strength and a lightning-quick release. Namath was hot and cold as a
rookie in ’65, but he was a difference-maker.
5. Jim Plunkett / Patriots (’71) — Plunkett had a great rookie year
throwing to college teammate Randy Vataha. While Plunkett was never able to put big years
back to back, he was solid in ’71 and ’73.
6. Steve Bartkowski / Falcons (’75) — Bartkowski had great size and a
big gun, and his rookie year was one of his best. He was a member of the same class as
Randy White and Walter Payton and still managed to win the Rookie of the Year award.
7. Dennis Shaw / Bills (’70) — Shaw had a terrific rookie year, but he
never came close to matching it.
8. Peyton Manning / Colts (’98) — Manning started every game as a
rookie and closed the year very strong.
9. Rick Mirer / Seahawks (’93) — His best year was his rookie year,
when he played for Tom Flores.
10. Jeff George / Colts (’90) — After his rookie year, the Colts
believed he could become a Johnny Unitas-Bert Jones type for them.
Notes — Eight of the 10 quarterbacks were first-round picks, while Shaw was
taken near the top of Round Two and Tarkenton in Round Three.
George, Manning, Bartkowski and Plunkett were drafted No. 1 overall, while Mirer was
chosen second and Cook fifth. The AFL manipulated the draft process so the Jets could get
Namath. |
