NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - 2010 Offseason

[Lord Avalon]

Greg Landry was the last Lions QB in the Pro Bowl ('71).

[Donegeal]

What about Eric Kramer?

[SlowwHand]

William Erik Kramer (born November 6, 1964 in Encino, California), is a former American football quarterback. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA. After attending Los Angeles Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University where he finished a successful college football career. He was not drafted by an NFL team, but did see action in 1987, when he played for the Atlanta Falcons as a replacement player during the NFL players strike. He would then spend some time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders. Kramer would return to the NFL in 1991, when he became a surprise starter for the Detroit Lions after injuries sidelined Rodney Peete. Kramer played in 13 games, led the Lions to a 12-4 record, their first playoff victory since the 1950s, and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

Kramer's nickname in Detroit was "Brass", a media-friendly redaction of "Brass Balls". The moniker apparently originated after Kramer called an audible on his first series as Lions' quarterback, having just replaced the injured Rodney Peete. One Lions' offensive lineman turned to another and said, "This guy's got brass balls." Kramer proved to be quite successful as a signal-caller in 1991 and the nickname stuck.

Kramer was not able to keep his starting job for the next three years, however, sharing duties with Peete and Andre Ware. In 1994, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears, and spent the next five years with the club, starting for most of 1995 and 1997, passing for over 3,000 yards in each of those seasons. Kramer's NFL career ended in 1999 after six games with the San Diego Chargers. He finished his 13 NFL seasons with 1,317 completions for 15,337 yards and 92 touchdowns, with 79 interceptions. He also gained 217 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

Kramer holds the Bears' record for highest career passer rating (80.7), and owns their single-season records for attempts, completions, touchdowns and passing yards.

He played.

[SlowwHand]

dp

[MRT144]

Jesus, The Bears have never had a stud at QB. That's just amazing.

[SlowwHand]

Sid Luckman, 4 championships. He may be about the only one, but he was one.

[MRT144]

Sid Luckman, 4 championships. He may be about the only one, but he was one.

Was that in the leather helmet era?

[SlowwHand]

Pretty much, yeah. The 40's. Long drought, huh?

[Lord Avalon]

At least they have a Super Bowl win with Jim McMahon.

[OzzyKP]

Normally Ozzy, I would say I feel for you... but I'm also a Cubs fan

If anyone can compaire, it would be a Cubs fan. However they've at least had a competitive team. Been to the playoffs, won playoff games, etc.

Though... I guess they've been to the playoffs only 6 times in the last 25 years. About the same as the Lions. Though didn't have championships back in the 50's.

Ok, I give in. The Cubs suck.

[Ming]

Two familiar phrases in Chicago...

Hope Springs Eternal
And
The Cubs Still Suck

[SlowwHand]

At least they have a Super Bowl win with Jim McMahon.

He didn't get in the way, which is good. The Bears won because of their awesome defense.

[Ming]

You don't give McMahon the credit he deserves. No, he wasn't Joe Montana or Dan Marino... but he was a WINNER. He was a real leader, and the offense worked hard for him. Yes, the defense was really awesome, but you still have to score some points... and that he did. With the exception of the debacle in Miami on a Monday night, they were otherwise perfect on the year. It was a good team. The defense was the difference, but the offense did what it had to do.

[SlowwHand]

The defense won it. McMahon was better than most that the Bears have had to work with, but you can't say it was him when the '85 Bears defense was perhaps the greatest in NFL history. You can say it, sure, but I don't agree.

[Lord Avalon]

I'm not saying it was him. He wasn't great - didn't have to be - but he did more than just not get in the way. He wasn't like Dilfer on the Ravens.