49ers All-Time Backup QB

by David Fucillo on May 7, 2008 9:52 PM PDT in 49ers All-Time Team

The polls will remain open, but congratulations to Joe Montana as he has rolled to an impressive victory. Maybe it's not quite an Andy Lee-esque whooping, but Montana definitely stepped above and beyond his counterparts. Considering the talent the 49ers have produced at the quarterback position, I thought it was worthwhile to include a backup quarterback on our all-time 49ers team.

Steve Young (1987-1999): As it was fitting for Montana and Young to duke it out for the starting position, it' would be even more fitting if Young ended up as Montana's backup. Young finished his career with the greatest QB rating in NFL history. While he may not have had the speed of a Vick, Steve Young was one of the truly great rushing quarterbacks in NFL history. Combine that with uncanny accuracy and you're talking about an all-around threat rarely seen in NFL history.

John Brodie (1957-1973): Brodie finished his career third in the NFL in all-time passing yards and ranks as one of the greatest players NOT in the NFL Hall of Fame. Brodie ranks second in 49ers history in passing yards and third in touchdowns, while playing for plenty less than stellar teams.

Y.A. Tittle (1951-1960): While Tittle spent plenty of time in Baltimore and New York, his formative years came with the 49ers as a 4-time Pro Bowler. Considering the slowly developing passing game back in the day, 16,000+ yards in San Francisco is nothing to sneeze at.

Jeff Garcia (1999-2003): While we might all agree Jeff Garcia was not the greatest quarterback on straight numbers, he certainly ranks up there for what he did in spite of his shortcomings. Garcia was rescued from the CFL by Bill Walsh in one of his best moves since trading for Steve Young. Garcia was a 3-time pro Bowler in his five seasons and in spite of such a short tenure, he ranks 4th in franchise history for passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns. While he was certainly not a scrambler the caliber of Steve Young, he was quite fleet of foot, which helped for his lack of traditional passing tools. And the fact that he had to put up with T.O. certainly counts for something.

Poll

Who should be the backup QB on our All-Time team?

Steve Young

472 votes

John Brodie

15 votes

Y.A. Tittle

13 votes

Jeff Garcia

37 votes

537 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Why is this even necessary?

Shouldn’t the runner-up to the starting QB be the back-up?

I...drink...your...milkshake! I drink it up! - Daniel Plainview

by methodrampage on May 8, 2008 8:29 AM PDT reply actions

Not necessarily

It’s not safe to assume that somebody who vited for Montana wasn’t making their decision between Montana and Tittle instead of between Montana and Young (in which case Tittle would get the vote that Montana’s not getting anymore). In this case, it’s still not really likely for the obvious reasons, but a second place in a primary poll is not necessarily the first place in a secondary poll. If we do backups at other positions (LB, RB come to mind), I think we might not be so comfortable with our second places.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 8, 2008 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Of course it's necessary.

If 90% of voters were sane and picked Montana as starting quarterback, but all of them thought Steve Young was their number 2 guy, but then 10% of voters are insane and picked Jeff Garcia, your system would result in Jeff Garcia being #2QB, against the opinion of 90% of voters.

But you’ll just say your original post was sarcasm. Whatever.

by spenczar on May 8, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions

We already knew the results of the first poll

Young was going to win #2 hands down, like he is. I mean having a vote for Young as the #2 QB is the same as having a vote for Rice as the #1 WR. They’re both sure ins.

I...drink...your...milkshake! I drink it up! - Daniel Plainview

by methodrampage on May 9, 2008 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions

SERIOUSLY WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!?

How can your conscience allow you to pick Garcia over Brodie, much less Young? It’s days like this that remind me why in general people just piss me off.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on May 8, 2008 10:21 AM PDT reply actions