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Unitas couldn't latch on with the Steelers, who hadn't won anything in their first three decades in a league a third the size it is today. They let him go to the Colts where he was an immediate starter when the actual starter went down with a season ending injury.
Terry Bradshaw struggled to beat out his competition. His competition shot himself in the foot with off field issues. Even then the media and the fans (sound familiar?) ridiculed him and made jokes about his intelligence. He's made a fortune, much more than he earned as a player, in broadcasting, movies, and album sales. Stupid -smart and four SB rings later, he's still having fun and making money. (I could see Freeman winning four SB rings, but none of the rest of it.)
Joe Montana landed with a great organization and Bill Walsh who also made Steve Young a HOFer.
John Elway struggled in the big games. IIRC he lost three before he won two. He had a lot of help at RB in the two he won. Great situation more than "it", IMO.
Brett Favre impressed Jerry Glanville so much he traded him to Green Bay. Favre holds the record for interceptions in a playoff game with six. Great entertainer, just couldn't hold a job.
Played for four different teams. Favre holds a lot of records, but we all know records aren't important. It's all about wins.
Peyton Manning clearly took the Colts on his back and carried them to the playoffs year after year. Like Elway, Peyton is a bit of a choker. One Lombardi in all those years. He did it again this year. HOFer who mostly fell short. Maybe next year.
Tom Brady had a bad situation at Michigan holding the clipboard. Was he targeted in the 6th round, or was it luck of the draw? We'll never know, but an established coaching staff, with a veteran team, is a great way to start. Great situation.
Dan Marino also had a great situation, and he also set records with it. He had a long illustrious career, but never won a SB. In fact, he lost the only one he ever made it to.
Whether or not Russel has "it" will be debated, but he definitely has a great situation and a great defense to back him up.
Before ihop starts in...........I didn't start this thread and the only way to say anything about this topic has to include QB comparisons.
The Bucs won a SB with Brad Johnson. Eli Manning is living proof that you don't have to have Tom Brady to win a SB, in fact two SBs. Other than the fact that BJ actually won one, his name would never be included as one of the all time greats. His name would be debatable on a list of best Buccaneer QBs. Without that Defense the Bucs don't even make the playoffs, forget about winning the SB. Give Josh Freeman that defense and the Bucs are playing at home this Sunday in the NFCC game.
Freeman may not have "it", and he may never have "it" but he is still far and away our best option. He's the best option we've ever had. He's made the most of a bad situation and that situation is getting better. The Bucs scored more points in Schiano's first year than any other team in franchise history. It's not a stretch to expect even more in his second year. Doug Martin will have a great year behind Nicks and Joseph. So will Freeman. Schiano helped the offense with VJax. There is no doubt he will now focus on helping the defense.
Russell Wilson may be the next Doug Flutie. I don't know and don't really care. I just want a defense that can stop him. The Bucs can win SBs with Josh Freeman and a decent defense. Freeman doesn't have the experience Brad Johnson had, and he's already more dangerous. I like our odds with him.
In this year's crop Luck did the most with the least, RGIII raised durability issues, and Wilson came out of nowhere. Revisit this topic in 3 or 4 years.
An afterthought........how about Jim Kelly? I haven't seen his name mentioned at all. Four straight appearances in the SB would indicate to me that he had "it". "It" wasn't enough. He lost all four. Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer don't have "it", but they both have rings. I believe most fans and every coach who ever lived would take Kelly over those two. They are all three living proof that it's a team game. Not even the great Jim Kelly could carry the Bills. It's debatable whether just any QB could have done the job for the Bucs or Ravens. Neither team made it back to the SB and both Gruden and Billick were eventually fired. It's nice to have "it", it's just not crucial.
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