A few posts back, I complained about how NFL Top Ten had unjustly slighted Seahawk great Dave Krieg.
Recently, the same show recognized the goodness that was Jim Zorn.
This time, the list was "Top 10 Left-Handed Quarterbacks." Of course, the narrowness of the category helped ensure Zorn's recognition: there have only been about 32 southpaw slingers in the league's history.
Spoiler alert: I'm going to publish the list.
Once again, the show was marred by a joke entry on the list.
The list begins by naming Scott Mitchell the 10th-best lefty quarterback in league history. This is defensible, as anyone who helps get the Detroit Lions to the playoffs deserves recognition.
However, the program then declares a tie for 9th place among "the field," which means every other southpaw quarterback who doesn't finish in places #1-8. The show goes on to mention several lefties, including ex-Seahawk Brock Huard.
Of course, putting "the field" at #9 redefines Mitchell's #10 finish, identifying him as the worst left-handed quarterback in league history. This is not only harsh, but inaccurate. Mitchell started three full seasons for Detroit, posted one truly great season (1995), and twice led the hapless Lions to the playoffs under the dubious coaching of "Cocaine" Wayne Fontes. By contrast, Huard (for example) never started a full season for any team.
Fortunately, the rest of the list mostly makes sense.
Chicago's running quarterback, Bobby Douglass, came in at #8.
Jim Zorn finishes #7, lauded for his elusiveness, charisma, and creativity by luminaries like Fran Tarkenton, Steve Largent, and Warren Moon. The program shows an embarrassing old TV commercial featuring Largent and Zorn singing the virtues of milk. Steve Raible says the most impressive thing about Zorn is that he never cursed.
The rest of the list:
6. Michael Vick
5. Mark Brunell
4. Frankie Albert
3. Boomer Esaison
2. Ken Stabler
1. Steve Young
Sadly, when NFL Top 10 ignored Krieg and recognized Zorn, they confirmed the general trend established since the early '80s. Zorn, despite inferior production, has always been beloved in Seattle, whereas Krieg, though demonstrably a superior player by every measure, has never been truly appreciated.
As NFL Top Ten enters its fourth season, its categories have become increasingly specific to potentially shark-jumping extremes (recent entry: "Top 10 Shortest Players").
Perhaps someday they'll come up with a category that will give some recognition to my man Mudbone.
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