One thing that bugs me about modern NFL discourse is that a lot of commentators throw out terms like “of all time” when what they really mean is “the last fifteen years”. I don’t think most of them have a frame of reference for quarterbacks past Brett Farve. That’s not something you ever do, Mike, and I have enjoyed this series because you’ve contextualized this history so well.
For me, the term is "generational talent." If one takes a generation to mean 15 years, every NFL QB save Rodgers is in the same generation as "generational talent" Trevor Lawrence. Mahomes is only 4 years older than Lawrence. Hell, Jayden Daniels is only 14 months younger than Lawrence!
LOL actually the people I'm thinking of are more "podcasters on the Ringer network", but yes you're point stands. And I guess to be fair to them when we were talking about Montana, Marino, and Elway as the GOATs we weren't giving guys like Unitas and Starr their proper respect. I just wish these guys would stop using such absolute terms!
I did not make any rules against discussing Kaepernick, because I don't think there would be much discussion! No one is coming here to debate politics. But D******g**e can get folks REALLY worked up.
I miss that being the thing I argued about on the internet.
The stakes were so low compared to the end of due process, the end of science being used to make medical policy, and all the other horrors of nutjob fascism ascendent.
One can argue that DG was an early belwether of a discussion that featured the end of due process, the end of science being used to make policy, and other horrors.
1. Why does being flat footed disqualify one from military service?
2. I miss Street and Smiths (even though the football writing we can find today is of a much higher quality in general)
3. John Brodie belongs to that club of 1960's stars who retired in the early to mid 1970s, right before I was aware enough to start following sports. I DO remember reading lots about him like he was some sort of true superstar when I first started reading about NFL history as a youngster. Throw in the announcing and the post football golf career, Brodie was in the public eye alot longer than most other retired players of his stature.
4. The YA Tittle dropped pants story is definitely part of the collection of "Old timey stories that sound too good to be true." With the passage of time, these stories will have a harder time lasting, due to the fact that all games can now be viewed and old games are easily accessed.
5. On a semi related note to number 4, when I was about 10 years old, in 1979, my mom's boyfriend brought a friend over to the house. He claimed to play for the Eagles in the 1950s. I immediately ran to my room, got out my NFL encyclopedia, and looked this guy up. Needless to say, he was not listed anywhere on the Eagles rosters. And of course, being 10, I immediately ran with the encyclopedia back to our kitchen to tell the guy I couldn't find him anywhere in the book as playing for the Eagles. I guess my point is that no sane person with the info we have at our fingertips today would make the "I played on _____ team" claim, but this was something you could get away with before the advent of sport encyclopedias and later, the internet.
1. Basic training back then wass about marching and marching and marching. Not that star athletes wouldn't also get special treatment, mind you. (tho' in basic training they would still be marching and marching and marching)
4. I don't get it. If YA's pants indeed only fell to his knees, like that somehow makes it now something other than still a fun great story?
I just remember everyone laughing at/with me for looking this up. The guy ended up saying he was with the team during training camp one year but he did not seem insulted that I fact checked him.
Despite the risk of drawing the stinkeye, I can't help but note that Garcia and Brady are not only peers on the All-Time Top 5 Franchise QB list, but also share the unique the experience of being targeted by accusations -- at least partly motivated by spite and envy -- of tampering with balls.
One thing that bugs me about modern NFL discourse is that a lot of commentators throw out terms like “of all time” when what they really mean is “the last fifteen years”. I don’t think most of them have a frame of reference for quarterbacks past Brett Farve. That’s not something you ever do, Mike, and I have enjoyed this series because you’ve contextualized this history so well.
For me, the term is "generational talent." If one takes a generation to mean 15 years, every NFL QB save Rodgers is in the same generation as "generational talent" Trevor Lawrence. Mahomes is only 4 years older than Lawrence. Hell, Jayden Daniels is only 14 months younger than Lawrence!
"Generational Talent" is code for "I am a 25-year old YouTuber with a backwards hat and an inflated sense of my own importance."
For me, it's healthy to look at guys like Brodie and think, "Is he Matt Ryan? Is he Kirk Cousins? And how did QBs like that get perceived in 1967?"
LOL actually the people I'm thinking of are more "podcasters on the Ringer network", but yes you're point stands. And I guess to be fair to them when we were talking about Montana, Marino, and Elway as the GOATs we weren't giving guys like Unitas and Starr their proper respect. I just wish these guys would stop using such absolute terms!
Well, if I can't write about DeflateGate, I guess that leaves me Kaepernick.
Controversy, like life, finds a way.
(only kidding)
I did not make any rules against discussing Kaepernick, because I don't think there would be much discussion! No one is coming here to debate politics. But D******g**e can get folks REALLY worked up.
I miss that being the thing I argued about on the internet.
The stakes were so low compared to the end of due process, the end of science being used to make medical policy, and all the other horrors of nutjob fascism ascendent.
One can argue that DG was an early belwether of a discussion that featured the end of due process, the end of science being used to make policy, and other horrors.
But you thought there would be much discussion about DeflateGate? Re Garoppolo on a Frisco qb thread? The Pats guys have gotten into your head, Mike.
Any discussion on the internet about Kaepernick and, uh....the other thing, is of course, calm, reasonable, and nuanced.
Random Thoughts
1. Why does being flat footed disqualify one from military service?
2. I miss Street and Smiths (even though the football writing we can find today is of a much higher quality in general)
3. John Brodie belongs to that club of 1960's stars who retired in the early to mid 1970s, right before I was aware enough to start following sports. I DO remember reading lots about him like he was some sort of true superstar when I first started reading about NFL history as a youngster. Throw in the announcing and the post football golf career, Brodie was in the public eye alot longer than most other retired players of his stature.
4. The YA Tittle dropped pants story is definitely part of the collection of "Old timey stories that sound too good to be true." With the passage of time, these stories will have a harder time lasting, due to the fact that all games can now be viewed and old games are easily accessed.
5. On a semi related note to number 4, when I was about 10 years old, in 1979, my mom's boyfriend brought a friend over to the house. He claimed to play for the Eagles in the 1950s. I immediately ran to my room, got out my NFL encyclopedia, and looked this guy up. Needless to say, he was not listed anywhere on the Eagles rosters. And of course, being 10, I immediately ran with the encyclopedia back to our kitchen to tell the guy I couldn't find him anywhere in the book as playing for the Eagles. I guess my point is that no sane person with the info we have at our fingertips today would make the "I played on _____ team" claim, but this was something you could get away with before the advent of sport encyclopedias and later, the internet.
1. Basic training back then wass about marching and marching and marching. Not that star athletes wouldn't also get special treatment, mind you. (tho' in basic training they would still be marching and marching and marching)
4. I don't get it. If YA's pants indeed only fell to his knees, like that somehow makes it now something other than still a fun great story?
Well....don't leave us hanging. How did your mom and the boyfriend react?
I just remember everyone laughing at/with me for looking this up. The guy ended up saying he was with the team during training camp one year but he did not seem insulted that I fact checked him.
Number 5 is quite depressing.
Despite the risk of drawing the stinkeye, I can't help but note that Garcia and Brady are not only peers on the All-Time Top 5 Franchise QB list, but also share the unique the experience of being targeted by accusations -- at least partly motivated by spite and envy -- of tampering with balls.
Shoutout to Gio Carmazzi who may or may not have invented goat yoga.
They used to say Larry Bird wasn't white, he was clear. Guess the same goes for John Brodie (I hope (or maybe not?)).
This comment does not reflect the editorial opinions of Too Deep Zone or Mike Tanier LLC.
Sad to see you didn't respond to those zillions of Dianetics ads back in the '80s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_(Scientology)
The 'LLC' thing means you're futzing on your taxes, huh? Like LeBron. I knew you were making millions off of this site, Mike. Millions!
Very specifically that was Bill Murray in Space Jam.
No, I am NOT gonna look up 'goat yoga'.
Thanks for the American Pie reference!