Friday, June 19, 2015

 COACHES AND QUARTERBACKS – NFC NORTH
Both high profile, and arguably the most important components of a successful football team. More credit and blame than they deserve? Probably. I’ve gone back 50 years and chose only one of each as the greatest for selected teams. Some were easy choices, others not so easy.

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Coach: Vince Lombardi
Only three of Lombardi’s seasons qualify but still, can there be anyone else?
Quarterback: Bart Starr
I was very close to going with Rodgers. Give him a couple more seasons. Favre was a great talent and certainly durable, but overrated as a quarterback.

CHICAGO BEARS
Coach: Mike Ditka
Going back 50 years leaves Halas only two seasons to consider.
Quarterback: Jim McMahon
Not all that exceptional in the big picture, but he has no competition in this franchise.

DETROIT LIONS
Coach: Wayne Fontes
Slim pickins here. Fontes’ .496 winning percentage is among the best in this dismal franchise.
Quarterback: Greg Landry
Landry wasn’t great, but not bad either. I’m all ears if anyone has a better suggestion.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Coach: Bud Grant
Iconic Viking. Easy choice.
Quarterback: Fran Tarkenton
The Vikings had some good seasons, but surprisingly no other quarterback challenges Tarkenton here. Duante Culpepper or Joe Kapp maybe. But no. Many of the Vikings quarterbacks had their best years with other franchises- Moon, Cunningham, George, Favre…




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