by John Miller
Those of you who’ve been around Draft Sharks a while know that my favorite all-time player is… Jeff George.
Yes, the same bratty Jeff George who got kicked off the Falcons for calling coach June Jones’ mother a @%*&.
I fell in love with George when he was the #1 NFL pick in 1990 to the Colts. Of course, the fans quickly fell out of love with him when he flicked off the crowd in his 5th career start. But man, this guy can hum that football. George was traded to Atlanta and became a fantasy juggernaut. In 1994 he threw for 3,734 yards and 23 TDs. In 1995 he threw for 4,143 yards and 24 TDs. That ’95 run-n-shoot offense was the first in history to record a 4000-yard passer (George), 1000-yard rusher (Craig Heyward), and three 1000-yard receivers (Terance Mathis, Bert Emanuel, Eric Metcalf). But of course, there was the blowup with June Jones.
Off to Oakland, where he continued his torrid fantasy pace in 1997 with 3,917 yards, 29 TDs and only 9 INTs. Funny story... when George first came to Oakland, a reporter in the locker room asked Tim Brown if he thought George could get the ball downfield. Brown smiled, didn't say a word, glanced over at Jeff sitting quietly a few lockers down -- and simply lifted his #81 practice jersey to reveal a bare chest: It was dotted with bruises from his QB's laser-missiles... Next up was a stay in Minnesota, where George replaced an ineffective Randall Cunningham in week 6. Bombs away. George led the Vikings to 8 wins in 10 weeks, saved Dennis Green’s job, and got them in the playoffs. In only 12 full games – including playoff matchups vs. Dallas & St. Louis – he threw for 3,451 yards, 30 TDs and only 13 INTs. Drew Brees-type numbers.
His attitude problems reportedly resurfaced again in Washington with Marty Schottenheimer, though insiders say Marty used George as a scapegoat for a 0-5 start. George was later signed for a brief stint as the #3 QB in Seattle, then Lovie Smith in Chicago. Holmgren and Smith both remarked that George was a true professional.
George is the only NFL QB ever to throw for 23+ TDs with 3 different teams. If you asked 10 NFL personnel guys who’ve been in the business a while – Who has the best arm in NFL history? – I bet 3 of them would say Jeff George.
Anyway, why am I thinking about him today? Because apparently he wants to be Tony Romo’s backup and says he could win a couple games if/when Romo was out again. Listen to Jeff George today on Michael Irvin’s radio show.
Sign him Jerry!
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