A must-watch video on Jim Zorn

[JoeRedskin]

Also, as for his stats, it was a MUCH different game in the late 70's and early 80's. There is a reason WR's didn't post 100 catch, 1000 yard years at that time. For some of his career mugging WR's was legal and, even when it wasn't, it was called very differently. And the roughing the passer rules? Please - if the QB was still twitching after being hit, it was legal. Plus, the high percentage passing game (i.e. the Bill Walsh offense) didn't come in until later in his career. Throw in the crappy team he played for and his accomplishments are actually pretty amazing.

Not saying the guy would have been a HOF'er somewhere else, just that, perhaps, judging his stats under todays analysis is misplaced.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Also, as for his stats, it was a MUCH different game in the late 70's and early 80's. There is a reason WR's didn't post 100 catch, 1000 yard years at that time. For some of his career mugging WR's was legal and, even when it wasn't, it was called very differently. And the roughing the passer rules? Please - if the QB was still twitching after being hit, it was legal. Plus, the high percentage passing game (i.e. the Bill Walsh offense) didn't come in until later in his career. Throw in the crappy team he played for and his accomplishments are actually pretty amazing.

Not saying the guy would have been a HOF'er somewhere else, just that, perhaps, judging his stats under todays analysis is misplaced.

I agree. Jim Zorn was a good QB in his day. It was a different time with different rules. You could abuse QB's and WR"s all day long and it was legal. Did anyone else notice he didn't have 1 fumble?....For his whole career?

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

I agree. Jim Zorn was a good QB in his day. It was a different time with different rules. You could abuse QB's and WR"s all day long and it was legal. Did anyone else notice he didn't have 1 fumble?....For his whole career?

It was probably not official recorded. He actually had 54, according to Pro-Football Reference. He was much better than his successor by a long shot though.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

It was probably not official recorded. He actually had 54, according to Pro-Football Reference. He was much better than his successor by a long shot though.

Ok. I thought that sounded pretty amazing not to have a fumble your whole career.

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Also, as for his stats, it was a MUCH different game in the late 70's and early 80's. There is a reason WR's didn't post 100 catch, 1000 yard years at that time. For some of his career mugging WR's was legal and, even when it wasn't, it was called very differently. And the roughing the passer rules? Please - if the QB was still twitching after being hit, it was legal. Plus, the high percentage passing game (i.e. the Bill Walsh offense) didn't come in until later in his career. Throw in the crappy team he played for and his accomplishments are actually pretty amazing.

Not saying the guy would have been a HOF'er somewhere else, just that, perhaps, judging his stats under todays analysis is misplaced.

Very true. Football is hard to compare from decade to decade because the rules have changed so much. It is moronic to compare numbers only. Greatest QB ever? Sammy Baugh or Johnny Unitas. Compared against Trent Green or Sage Rosenfels numbers, they are adequate. If you can't complete 65% now, you aren't an NFL QB. In 1978, no qb completed over 65% of his passes.
I hate that I am an old bastard at 34, but dammit, kids, learn the history of the game.