Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: Quarterback carousel produces erratic, disappointing season for the Green Bay Packers.

Regular Season Record: 5 – 7 – 2 (Third Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: Despite tensions between various players and Head Coach Dan Devine by season’s end, the Green Bay Packers finished 1972 with a record of 10-4, combining a strong rushing attack, a revitalized kicking game, and an aggressive defense to win their division. However, going into 1973, it was the passing game that threatened to derail Green Bay’s future title ambitions. The Washington Redskins, in their 16-3 playoff victory, provided the blueprint for defeating the Packers, using a five-man front to stop the run, daring Devine and his offense to beat them through the air. In that instance, the strategy was successful, limiting Green Bay to 78 yards on 29 carries.

One area of the passing game in need of a serious upgrade was the receiving corps. According to Stanton Greene in his book, The Green Bay Packers The Dan Devine Years 1971-1974, “Certainly the [receivers were] among the weakest in the league. … Devine understood this weakness intimately. How he would address it would determine his future in Green Bay.” Devine’s answer was to use his first-round pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, 21st overall, on Florida State Wide Receiver Barry Smith. In his senior year, Smith was named first team All-American when he led the nation in both receiving yards (1,243) and touchdowns (13) with 69 catches, second overall, in only ten games.

Unfortunately for the Packers, Smith lasted just three seasons, catching a total of 41 passes for 604 yards (14.7 yards per reception) and 4 touchdowns during that time, never exceeding 300 receiving yards in a season, before finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976. Surprisingly, given Devine’s declining confidence in his starting signal caller, Scott Hunter, over the course of the past season, the head coach chose not to draft a quarterback in 1973. In the process, he passed over future Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. Over his 15-year career, Fouts went on to complete 3,297 of 5,604 (58.8%) for 43,040 yards, 254 touchdowns, 242 interceptions, for an 80.2 QBR.

Prior to the draft, on January 9, another of Vince Lombardi’s star players retired, future Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson. The three-time Pro Bowler and two time All-Pro played ten seasons for Green Bay, starting 105 out of 127 games. He intercepted 21 passes for 322 yards while recording 22 sacks. A few days before the draft, Devine traded Robinson’s rights to Washington for a 1975 second round pick. Head Coach George Allen subsequently talked him out of retirement. Robinson went on to play two years with the Redskins, starting every game, intercepting 6 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while adding 6.5 sacks, before retiring for good after the 1974 season.

Years later, Robinson remarked, “Devine traded me to Washington. And that was fine because I wasn’t going to play for him anymore.” In his book, Stanton Greene stated, “In numerous interviews, Robinson has stated his antipathy toward Devine, saying that he thought him the worst coach he ever played for at any level.” Devine subsequently drafted two linebackers, Minnesota’s Tom MacLeod (third round) and Idaho State’s Tom Toner (sixth round), to take Robinson’s place. MacLeod went on to start ten games and Toner four in 1973, totaling 3 interceptions. The next offseason, MacLeod was traded to the Baltimore Colts as part of a deal for future Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks.

Toner played four seasons, all in Green Bay, starting 22 out of 53 games, intercepting a total of four passes. According to Greene, “After [Toner], the draft was a washout with one major exception. Almost as an afterthought, the Packers took a center in the twelfth round, [Illinois’s] Larry McCarren [(308th overall)].” Taking over for ten-year veteran Ken Bowman, put on injured reserve prior to the start of the 1974 season, McCarren went on to start 162 consecutive games over his 12-year Packers career, the team’s fourth longest consecutive games start streak at that time. Nicknamed “The Rock” in honor of his durability, McCarren was also selected to play in two Pro Bowls (1982 and 1983).

After he retired in 1984, McCarren was hired as sports anchor for a local Green Bay TV station in 1988. He went on to become a color commentator and game analyst on the “Packers Radio Network” with Jim Irwin and former Packers wide receiver Max McGee in 1995. He was subsequently teamed with play-by-play announcer Wayne Larrivee on radio broadcasts beginning in 1999, continuing to present day. “The Rock” was honored as the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year four times (1994, 1996, 2002, 2007) by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. All in all, 1973’s draft, Devine’s first without long time personnel director Pat Peppler, was his least productive to date.

In addition to Robinson, backup linebacker Tommy Joe Crutcher retired prior to spring training camp. Crutcher played six of his eight seasons in Green Bay, including three of their NFL title teams (1965-67). A third linebacker, future Hall of Famer Ray Nitschke, next retired on August 28. Selected 36th overall out of Illinois in 1958, Nitschke was part of what is considered possibly the greatest draft in franchise history. The two-time All-Pro subsequently anchored Lombardi’s defense through their five championship seasons during the 1960s, starting 150 out of 190 games while totaling 25 interceptions for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 16 sacks during his 15 years in the league.

In addition to the retirements, Devine decided to release another Lombardi veteran, wide receiver Carroll Dale, at the end of training camp. After 13 years, eight in Green Bay, the three-time Pro Bowler played one more season for the Minnesota Vikings before retiring, ending a career that began with the Los Angeles Rams in 1960. After the Packers acquired Dale in a 1965 trade, the speedy wideout went on to catch 275 passes for 5,422 yards (19.7 yards per catch) and 35 touchdowns. By the start of the 1973 season, the last remnants of the Lombardi era were all but gone, with only center Ken Bowman, guard Gale Gillingham, and defensive tackle Bob Brown remaining.

Finally, Bart Starr resigned as quarterbacks coach on January 10, leaving Green Bay after 16 years as a player and one as an assistant coach to return to Alabama. Starr’s disagreement with Devine over play calling, particularly during the Washington playoff game, undoubtedly played a role in his departure. Also, according to Stanton Greene, Starr had head coaching offers on the table from both Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Eagles. In the end, the future Hall of Famer decided to focus on his auto dealership as well as become a CBS color commentator. Instead of replacing Starr, the head coach chose to divide the play calling between himself and offensive line coach Rollie Dotsch.

In total, four 1973 picks were ultimately selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: the 4th overall, Alabama Guard John Hannah (New England Patriots), the 23rd, Southern Mississippi Punter Ray Guy (Oakland Raiders), the 26th, Michigan State Guard Joe DeLamielleure (Buffalo Bills), and the 64th, Oregon Quarterback Dan Fouts (San Diego Chargers). Also, one undrafted free agent would make his way to Canton, OH, Tulsa Wide Receiver Drew Pearson. Picked up by the Dallas Cowboys, Pearson made the squad due to his special teams play. Injuries to Otto Stowe and Mike Montgomery then elevated the MVC yards per catch leader to starting status, and he never looked back.

Of note, major changes were made to tiebreaking and television blackout rules. First, tiebreaker rules used in determining division winners and playoff teams were changed to start with head-to-head competition, followed by division, common opponent, and conference records. Congress next forced the NFL to eliminate the television blackouts of games in the home market, so long as the game is sold out 72 hours before kickoff. In 1972, all NFL home games (including championship games and Super Bowls) were blacked-out on television in each team’s respective city. However, after the Redskins playoff game was blacked out, Washington politicians passed a law to change the rule.

Lastly, beginning with the 1973 season, the Buffalo Bills would play their home games in Rich Stadium, located in the suburb of Orchard Park, after 13 years of playing in War Memorial Stadium, otherwise known as the “Rockpile”. Brock Yates of Sports Illustrated jokingly wrote in 1969 that the stadium, “looks as if whatever war it was a memorial to had been fought within its confines.” Meanwhile, beginning in the season’s fourth week, the New York Giants had to play in New Haven, Connecticut’s Yale Bowl for the rest of 1973 and all of 1974 while Yankee Stadium was renovated. It would be three years before the team could move to the new Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Regular Season Highlights: The Green Bay Packers failed to follow-up on their 1972 first place finish, falling to third place behind the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings and the 6-7-1 Detroit Lions in the NFC Central Division. Minnesota started the season with nine wins and were never threatened. For Green Bay, it was an erratic season; a win here, a loss there, a couple of ties, with the team unable to put together back-to-back victories. The result was a 5-7-2 record. According to Lew Feedman’s book, The Packers Experience, nothing illustrated Devine’s frustration more than a 34-0 loss to Detroit on October 28. “It was a very, very, very horrible, nightmarish type of game. I’m personally humiliated.”

Devine had declared at the end of last season that the quarterback position would be an open competition, a disappointment for third year starter Scott Hunter, having led the Packers to a 10-4 record. Just three weeks into the preseason and despite what Hunter felt was a good outing against the Houston Oilers on August 18, Devine decided neither he nor second year backup Jerry Tagge had shown enough to be his starter and that another option was required. On August 22, the head coach traded two second round draft picks (1974 and 1975) to the Miami Dolphins for Jim Del Gazio, an unproven third year reserve quarterback who, to date, had thrown only nine regular season passes.

Del Gaizo made the Dolphins’ roster as an undrafted free agent out of Tampa in 1971, spent the season on Miami’s taxi squad as the third-string quarterback, and was not activated the entire season. One year later, he ascended to the active roster as second-string quarterback behind 38-year-old Earl Morrall after starter Bob Griese went down with a season ending ankle injury in the fifth week. Del Gazio subsequently made four appearances, completing a total of 5 out of 9 passes for 165 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 100.5 QBR. The vast majority of his experience was accumulated in relief of Morrall during November 12th’s 52-0 victory over the 2-7 New England Patriots.

According to Stanton Greene, “Devine became enamored of the young ballplayer, who had less experience than either of [his] current quarterbacks.” For some reason, Devine felt optimistic his newest acquisition could lead the Packers’ offense, stating “We traded for him because this is the first opportunity we’ve had to trade for a quality player for a reasonable price.” This despite the availability of proven signal callers such as Detroit’s Bill Munson or the Atlanta Falcons’ Bob Berry, for likely a similar price. But the coach seemed confident that Del Gazio was the best choice to stabilize a volatile quarterback situation. “[Both] Hunter and Tagge must have felt like they’d been kicked in the teeth.”

Ultimately, Devine chose Hunter to start the opener after Del Gazio suffered a rib injury in the fifth preseason game. Yet, despite the uncertainty at quarterback, Greene stated that “With a playoff season under their belts, it was assumed that the next generation of Packers were ready to step up and provide the veteran leadership necessary to go to the next level.” Guard Gale Gillingham and tight end Rich McGeorge were back in the starting lineup after missing all but the first two weeks of last season due to injury. Del Gazio was waiting in the wings, and great things were expected of rookie wide receiver Barry Smith. Fans would soon know if this team was capable of fulfilling their potential.

Initially, it looked like Green Bay was ready to pick up where they left off at the end of last season. On a Monday night in Milwaukee County Stadium, they decisively defeated the New York Jets, 23-7. Hunter completed 6 of 13 for 107 yards with no interceptions. McGeorge caught a 19-yard pass from Hunter for a touchdown. Greene observed that “Barry Smith was fast and often open”, catching one pass for 21 yards. The Pack ran for 155 yards on 48 carries, with two-time Pro Bowl halfback John Brockington scoring a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception). And All-Pro Chester Marcol scored 11 of the team’s 23 points (3 field goals, 2 extra points).

It appeared Green Bay was determined to use the same formula that brought them success in 1972: a tough defense, a strong rushing threat, and a reliable kicking game. But it soon became clear that Hunter was on a very short leash. Devine hinted as much during a presser prior to the season’s first game, “It will take quite a bit to dislodge him [referring to Hunter]. … Then again, you look at Del Gazio and what he can do and this changes the picture quite a bit.” When the offense stalled in the second week against Detroit, Devine didn’t hesitate to pull his starter in favor of Del Gazio with just 1:53 left in the game, creating an early quarterback controversy that lasted the entire season.

With Green Bay down 13-10 in Lambeau Field, Del Gazio led the Packers downfield, completing 3 of 8 for 63 yards, before the drive stalled at the Lions 11-yard line. Marcol kicked a 24-yard field goal to salvage a 13-13 tie. Devine was subsequently undecided during the next week over who would be the starter on the road against Minnesota. It was game time before he named Del Gazio. In the end, it didn’t matter, as the Vikings held the Packers’ offense to 160 total yards (90 rushing and 70 passing) for an 11-3 victory. This time, Hunter replaced Del Gazio in the fourth quarter, but neither proved effective, totaling only 7 completions out of 20 attempts for 80 yards and 1 interception.

Brockington and halfback MacArthur Lane were held to 58 and 36 yards respectively while the defense allowed a total of 284 yards, 206 on the ground. Like the Washington Redskins in last year’s playoff game, teams were increasingly using a five man front to slow down the Packers’ rushing attack, putting additional pressure on a weak passing game and on a defense that was thin at linebacker due to the retirement of veterans such as Dave Robinson. Marcol was also failing to convert field goals he’d made last season, missing four attempts over the past two games. With the exception of the Jets’ game, it appeared Green Bay’s formula for success was beginning to break down.

Despite going only 4 of 14 for 36 yards against Minnesota, Del Gazio made his second start the next week against the New York Giants. Again, he was ineffective, completing a miserable 1 of 4 for -4 yards and 2 interceptions. Once more, Devine went to Hunter, this time at the beginning of the second half. He proceeded to rally the Packers to a 16-14 win, completing 6 of 7 for 86 yards and a 117.9 QBR. Brockington bounced back with 71 yards on 20 carries. Marcol scored 10 of Green Bay’s 16 points but also missed two field goals. In total, the offense was held to 200 yards, including a net 75 passing yards. Meanwhile, the defense held New York to 231 yards and forced four turnovers.

Although it had been a shaky first month, the 2-1-1 Packers were still in the hunt, one and a half games behind the 4-0 Vikings. However, the revolving door at quarterback continued into the fifth week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Back in Milwaukee, Hunter (6 of 11, 64 yards, 71.8 QBR) started but was soon replaced by Del Gazio (6 of 12, 89 yards, 62.8 QBR) when Hunter suffered a rib injury. In the second quarter, Del Gazio tossed a 26-yard touchdown to fourth year wide receiver Jon Staggers, in his second season with Green Bay. Unfortunately, he also gave up two interceptions. The running game totaled 160 yards, with Brockington gaining 106 on 15 carries (7.1 per attempt).

Marcol hit a second period 46-yard field goal but also suffered two blocked attempts. Another opportunity was wasted when the Packers failed to score from Kansas City’s 1 yard line. All in all, this was the one that got away as the Packers outgained the Chiefs, 315 to 149 yards, a rare offensive outburst, but had to settle for a 10-10 tie. At 2-1-2, Green Bay was now barely afloat in the race for the division title. Although the offense had struggled to score through five weeks (13 points per game), the defense had hung tough, allowing just 11 points per game. Also, while points were hard to come by, the Packers had given up only 8 turnovers while forcing 15 for a +7-turnover differential.

However, any hope for a second title evaporated over the next three weeks. The team went into a tailspin, losing on the road to the Los Angeles Rams, 24-7, and Detroit, 34-0, before falling to Chicago, 31-17, in Lambeau Field. Against the Rams, Devine said it best the day after the loss when he told the Milwaukee Journal, “We got dominated in every aspect of the game.” Los Angeles embarrassed Green Bay, outgaining them 378 to 63 yards. Hunter, whose play during the first five weeks had actually improved over last year (27 of 49, 381 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception), started his fourth game. However, on this day, he was only 4 of 10 for 48 yards with 1 interception (15.8 QBR).

Meanwhile, Brockington and Lane together could muster just 26 rushing yards. Rams defensive end Fred Dryer set an ignominious NFL record with two safeties in a single game when he sacked Hunter and Del Gazio in the end zone on consecutive series. Worst of all, the Packer defense suffered a demoralizing loss in the first half when last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, cornerback Willie Buchanon, went down for the remainder of the season with a broken leg. Hunter vowed the team would come roaring back against the Lions. Instead, it was a rerun of last week. Green Bay was once more dominated: 369 to 63 total yards with 263 to 60 rushing and 66 to 3 net passing yards.

Del Gazio made his second start of the season, completing 5 of 9 for 33 yards and a 63.7 QBR, but was forced out in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and would miss the next month. Hunter took over but only managed to complete 1 of 10 for -4 yards, threw another interception, and finished with an unbelievable 0.0 QBR. Unfortunately, the nightmare was not yet over. With Del Gazio injured, Hunter started against the 2-5 Bears. It would turn out to be his last game action as a Packer. Surprisingly, Green Bay was favored to win despite their struggles over the past two weeks. They led 17-10 at the end of the second quarter but could not contain Bobby Douglas in the second half.

The fifth-year quarterback went 10 of 15 for 118 yards while rushing for 100 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. Meanwhile, Hunter completed just 3 of 15 for 17 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Once more, the Packers were outclassed, giving up 337 yards while gaining just 98. Over three games, the Packers had been outgained 1,084 to 229 yards and outscored 89 to 24. In addition, injuries were piling up on both offense and defense, particularly along the offensive line. For all intents and purposes, Green Bay’s season was effectively over. It was also at this point that Devine decided neither Hunter nor Del Gazio would be the Packers long term answer at quarterback.

Reluctantly, with six games remaining, Devine turned to Tagge. At 2-4-2, Green Bay was in the division cellar, far behind the 8-0 Vikings. Said Greene, “You wouldn’t have been surprised to see them take a dive and lose every game left on the schedule.” Instead, for one of the few times all season, the team pulled together, led by Gale Gillingham, to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. Afterwards, the three-time Pro Bowler observed, “This is a helluva bunch of guys. They could have followed their tents awfully easy, but they didn’t.” Brockington, with 136 yards on 28 carries, and Marcol, who converted all four of his field goals, powered the Packers to a 25-21 victory at Lambeau.

Tagge, who found out he was starting only a few hours before the game, was a modest 7 of 14 for 67 yards but did not turn the ball over. He again got the start in the tenth week on the road against the 2-7 Patriots and had his best game as a professional, completing 17 of 23 for 267 yards, 1 interception, and a 93.9 QBR. Unfortunately, after taking a 24-9 lead early in the third quarter, the defense collapsed. Led by the first overall pick in the 1971 draft, quarterback Jim Plunkett, New England scored 24 unanswered points to beat Green Bay, 33-24.

Hunter was deactivated for the rest of the season after the Chicago game, and Del Gazio would see mostly mop up work after he returned from injury.

Over eight weeks, Hunter had started a total of five games, going 1-2-2, completing only 35 passes in 84 attempts (41.7%) for 442 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a QB Rating of 46.8. Over that same period, Del Gazio’s started three time, finishing with a record of 1-2, while completing a total of 27 out of 69 attempts (43.5%) for 318 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, earning a paltry QB Rating of 30.9, the worst of all the Green Bay quarterbacks. His last action as a Packer came in Week 13 against Minnesota, after taking over for Tagge, in a 31-7 beatdown. Despite the pronouncements of noted pro football analyst Dennis Ruzicka, who once described Del Gazio as the greatest Green Bay quarterback ever, Devine traded him to the New York Giants in 1974 after only one year in a Packers’ uniform.

, who finished the year with a record of 3-3, completing 56 passes in 106 attempts (52.8%) for 720 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, earning a QB Rating of 53.2. Tagge’s best performance of the season came in Week 10’s 33-24 loss to New England, when he However, Tagge went on to throw six interceptions in his last four games and was generally ineffective. By the end of the season, it was clear he lacked the physical tools to be effective at a high level in the NFL.

Quarterback controversies with two men in the mix are rarely considered healthy. With three players vying for one spot, things got really messy during the 1973 season. In a 1995 interview, Dominic Gentile, the team’s trainer, indicated he felt that switching quarterbacks in Week 3 was the beginning of the end for Devine and the Packers. Said Gentile, “I think one of Devine’s biggest mistakes was changing quarterbacks early in the season. That destroyed Hunter and fragmented the team.”

Brockington again carried the offense in 1973, rushing for over 1,000 yards for the third consecutive year, gaining 1,144 yards on 265 attempts, a 4.3 yard per attempt average, and 3 touchdowns, making him the first NFL player to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. For the second time in his career, Brockington finished second in the NFL in rushing yards, behind only the Buffalo Bills’ O.J. Simpson. MacArthur Lane, in his second year with the Packers, saw his totals decline from 821 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns in 1972 to only 528 yards, a disappointing 3.1 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown in 1973. Lane did lead Green Bay in receptions with 27 catches for 255 yards.

Fourth year WR Jon Staggers finished second in receptions with 25 and led the Packers in both receiving yards (412) and yards per reception (16.5). After catching 4 passes for 72 yards in Week 2, rookie WR Barry Smith caught only 11 more passes the rest of the year, finishing with 15 receptions for 233 yards (15.5 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. Marcol, in his second season, lacked 1972’s consistency, seeing his point totals decline from an NFL high 128 points and 33 fields goals (68.8%) to only 82 points and 21 field goals (60.0%) in 1973. P Ron Widby injured his back in a Week 12 victory over the New Orleans Saints and would never play again.

Overall, Green Bay’s offense finished 1973 ranked 12th in rushing, 24th in passing, and 22th in total offense, scoring only 202 points, down from 304 points in 1972. The passing game netted a wretched 1,283 total yards, the lowest team total since 1946, with only 7 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, 5th highest in the league. The lack of a passing game as well as injuries to the offensive line contributed to a decline in rushing yardage, from 1972’s 2,127 yards to 1973’s 1,973 yards. The defense also experienced a huge drop from 1972 to 1973, ranking 11th in pass defense, 13th against the run, and 14th in total defense, allowing 259 points after giving up only 226 points the previous year. The retirements of LBs Dave Robinson, Ray Nitschke, and Tommy Joe Crutcher, as well as the loss of Buchanon to injury, undoubtedly contributed to the decline.

The World Champion Miami Dolphins, Minnesota, and Los Angeles finished tied for the NFL’s best record at 12-2, wining the AFC East, NFC Central, and NFC West Divisions respectively. The Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals finished tied for the second best record at 10-4, winning the NFC East and the AFC Central Divisions respectively. The Oakland Raiders won the AFC West Division with a record of 9-4-1. The Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers were in the playoffs as the NFC and AFC Wild Card entrants respectively, both with a record of 10-4. Cincinnati finished ahead of Pittsburgh in the AFC Central based on a better conference record (8-3 to Steelers’ 7-4) while Dallas finished ahead of Washington in the NFC East based on a better point differential in head-to-head games (13 points).

Of note during 1973 was the acquisition of long time Baltimore quarterback and future Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas by the San Diego Chargers, bringing to an end an historic era in Colts’ history that began in 1956. Unitas had fallen out of favor with Baltimore’s new General Manager Joe Thomas as the Colts went from 10-4 in 1971 to 5-9 in 1972. On January 22, Unitas was traded to San Diego, reportedly for $150,000 in cash, despite winning 117 games during his time in Baltimore. Chargers’ Owner Gene Klein wanted a big name who would sell tickets, and he got it with Unitas. His signing by the Chargers had a domino effect, resulting in a trade that sent long time starting QB John Hadl from the Chargers to Los Angeles after 11 years, with the Rams subsequently trading their 11 year veteran QB Roman Gabriel to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Unitas started the 1973 regular season with a 38-0 loss to Washington, throwing for just 55 yards and 3 interceptions. His final victory as a starter was against Buffalo in Week 2, finishing 10 of 18 for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns, in a 34-7 rout. Unitas’s fourth quarter touchdown pass to RB Bob Thomas would turn out to be the last touchdown of his career. Despite the victory, Unitas was clearly not the same player he had been in his prime, and many began questioning his role as a starter after a 20-13 loss to Cincinnati in Week 3. The next week, he threw two interceptions, finishing 2 out of 9 for 19 yards against Pittsburgh, and was replaced in the second quarter by rookie QB Dan Fouts. Unitas would not start another game in 1973. He wanted to give it another try in 1974, but his body simply would not allow it. After one year in San Diego, Unitas retired on July 24.

After acquiring Unitas, San Diego traded Hadl to Los Angeles for DE Coy Bacon and Bob Thomas on January 25. He subsequently led the Rams to the playoffs in 1973, his first playoff appearance of any sort since 1964, completing 135 passes in 258 attempts (52.3%) for 2,008 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while earning a QB Rating of 88.8, and winning NFC Player of the Year honors. However, Hadl would be replaced by QB James Harris midway through the 1974 season and, a few weeks later, traded to Green Bay in what many critics would argue was one of the worst trades in pro football history. Hadl was again traded, this time to the Houston Oilers prior to the 1976 season, before ending his 16 year career after the 1977 season.

With Hadl now the new Rams’ quarterback, Los Angeles traded Roman Gabriel to the Philadelphia Eagles on June 8. In return, the Rams received All-Pro WR Harold Jackson, RB Tony Baker, a 1st round draft choice in 1974, and a 1st and a 3rd round choice in 1975. Gabriel completed 270 passes in 460 attempts for 3,219 yards and 23 touchdowns, all league highs, earning a QB Rating of 86.0, giving Philadelphia the NFL’s most prolific passing offense during 1973. For his efforts, Gabriel was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time, and was voted the Comeback Player of the Year by Pro Football Weekly. Gabriel played another four years for the Eagles, before also retiring after the 1977 season, ending his 16 year career.

John Constantine Unitas finished his 18 year NFL career with 2,830 completions in 5,186 attempts (54.6%) for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, 253 interceptions, and an overall QB Rating of 78.2. He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns. After being drafted in the 9th round by Pittsburgh in 1955, Unitas was released prior to the season and was out of professional football until he was picked up by Baltimore in 1956. Over the next 12 years, Unitas won three NFL MVP awards (1959, 1964, 1967) and two back-to-back NFL Championships (1958-59). However, beginning in 1968, Unitas suffered from arm trouble that plagued him the remainder of his career. Between 1968 and 1973, Unitas threw more interceptions (64) than touchdowns (38). After averaging 215.8 yards per game, his production fell to 124.4 in his final six seasons. His passer rating plummeted from 82.9 to 60.4 during that same period.

Despite the decline, Unitas set many passing records during his career. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards, despite playing during an era when NFL teams played shorter seasons (12 or 14 games as opposed to today’s 16 games) and prior to modern passing friendly rules, implemented in 1978. Unitas’ 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at the time, making him the first quarterback to hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season. His 47 game consecutive touchdown streak between 1956 and 1960 was a record that lasted more than 50 years until it was broken by New Orleans Saints’ QB Drew Brees in 2012. Unitas was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility.

Also of note in 1973 was Buffalo RB O.J. Simpson setting a then NFL rushing record with 2,003 yards in 332 attempts (6.0 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns, winning the NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year Awards. Miami S Dick Anderson won Defensive Player of the Year. Minnesota RB Chuck Foreman won Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Chicago Bears DT Wally Chambers won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Los Angeles Head Coach Chuck Knox won Coach of the Year.

Finally, after 11 years as Head Coach of the New York Jets, Weeb Ewbank decided to retire. Ewbank will be forever remembered as the man who coached Baltimore to a 23-17 overtime victory over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship game, otherwise known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played”, as well as leading the Jets to a 16-7 upset win over those same Colts in Super Bowl III, the game that established the legitimacy of the American Football League.

Post Season Highlights: In the Divisional Playoffs, the NFC Central Champion Minnesota Vikings hosted the NFC’s Wild Card team, the Washington Redskins, in Metropolitan Stadium, while the AFC’s Wild Card team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, traveled west to the Oakland Coliseum to play the AFC West Champion Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile, the NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys hosted the NFC West Champion Los Angeles Rams in Texas Stadium, while the AFC Central Champion Cincinnati Bengals traveled to the Orange Bowl to play the AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins. The winners would advance to their respective Conference Championship games.

On December 22, QB Fran Tarkenton threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a victory over the 1972 NFC Champion Washington Redskins.

Minnesota scored first on K Fred Cox’s 19 yard second quarter field goal for a 3-0 lead. A fumbled Vikings’ punt set up RB Larry Brown’s 3 yard touchdown, giving the Redskins a 7-3 halftime lead. The Vikings took the second half kickoff and marched 79 yards to score on RB Bill Brown’s 2 yard touchdown to lead 10-7. After the Redskins retook the lead, 13-10, early in the fourth quarter on two Curt Knight field goals (52 and 42 yards), Tarkenton threw a 28 yard touchdown pass to WR John Gilliam, to put the Vikings back on top, 17-13. CB Nate Wright’s interception then set up a second Tarkenton to Gilliam 8 yard touchdown reception, extending the Vikings lead to 24-13. QB Billy Kilmer’s 28 yard touchdown pass to WR Roy Jefferson closed the gap to 24-20, however, Cox’s second field goal from 30 yards out late in the fourth quarter sealed a 27-20 Vikings’ victory.

Later that day, the Oakland Raiders scored 16 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oakland scored first on RB Marv Hubbards’ 1 yard touchdown in the opening period for a 7-0 lead. But, with the Raiders leading 10-0 after a 25 yard George Blanda field goal early in the second quarter, Pittsburgh QB Terry Bradshaw threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to WR Barry Pearson to cut Oakland’s lead to 10-7 at halftime. In the third period, after Blanda added two field goals (31 and 22 yards), CB Willie Brown blew the game open by intercepting a Bradshaw pass, returning it 54 yards for a touchdown, and a 23-7 lead. After Blanda kicked his fourth field goal of the game, a 10 yarder, to make the score 26-7 early in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to WR Frank Lewis, to cut the Raider lead to 26-14. However, Oakland put the game away when Hubbard scored his second 1 yard touchdown, for a 33-14 Raider victory.

On December 23, the Miami Dolphins outgained the Cincinnati Bengals, 400-194, while scoring on three of their first four possessions, to beat the Bengals.

Miami dominated the game early, scoring on their opening drive, with QB Bob Griese’s 13 yard touchdown pass to WR Paul Warfield and a 7-0 lead. Cincinnati narrowed the lead to 7-3 on their first drive with a 24 yard field goal by K Horst Muhlman. However, RB Mercury Morris racked up 33 rushing yards on the way to Miami’s next first quarter touchdown, a 1 yard run by RB Larry Csonka, extending their advantage to 14-3. In the second quarter, Griese completed a 48 yard bomb to Warfield that set up Morris’ 4 yard touchdown run, and a 21-3 advantage. Facing the prospect of going into their locker room with a 21-3 deficit, the Bengals suddenly stormed back with 13 points in the final 3:26 of the second quarter.

First, DB Neal Craig intercepted Griese’s pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the Dolphins’ lead to 21-10. Then, Bengals S Tommy Casanova ended Miami’s next drive by picking off another Griese pass on the Cincinnati 33 yard line with just under two minutes left. QB Ken Anderson got the Bengals into scoring range with a 22 yard scramble to the Dolphins 38 yard line, where Muhlman made a 46 yard field goal, cutting the score to 21-13. With just eight seconds left until halftime, Morris fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which Bengals’ LB Jim LeClair recovered on the Dolphins 3 yard line. On the next play, Muhlman kicked a 12 yard field goal that sent both teams into their locker rooms, with the Dolphins leading 21-16.

However, Cincinnati’s hope of a comeback was quickly crushed in the second half. On the third play of the third quarter, Anderson tried to connect on a deep pass to TE Bob Trumpy, but was intercepted by S Dick Anderson, who returned the ball to the Bengals 28 yard line. Seven plays later, Miami went up 28-16, with Griese’s 7 yard touchdown pass to TE Jim Mandich. Dolphins’ K Garo Yepremian put the finishing touches on his team’s victory with field goals from 50 and 46 yards, for a final score of 34-16.

In the last game of the day, the Dallas Cowboys avenged a 37-31 regular season loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and advanced to the NFC Championship game.

Two Los Angeles turnovers in the first quarter gave the Cowboys an early 14-0 lead. LB Lee Roy Jordan’s interception of QB John Hadl’s pass on the first play of the game led to RB Calvin Hill’s 3 yard touchdown run. DB Mel Renfro then recovered RB Lawrence McCutcheon’s fumble on the Rams 35 yard line to again set up the Cowboys, resulting in WR Drew Pearson’s 4 yard touchdown reception from QB Roger Staubach. K Toni Fritsch added a 39 yard field goal, increasing Dallas’ lead to 17-0 early in the second quarter.

But the Rams cut the Cowboys lead to 17-16 by the fourth quarter, on K David Ray’s three field goals (33, 37, 40 yards), and RB Tony Baker’s 5 yard fourth quarter touchdown, as well as a relentless pass rush that sacked Staubach seven times. However, the Cowboys regained control of the game, when Staubach threw a short pass over the middle to Pearson. As the Rams were about to stop him for a short gain, DBs Dave Elmendorf and Steve Preece collided, allowing Pearson to scamper untouched for an 83 yard touchdown, and a 24-16 lead. Fritsch later added a 12 yard field goal, for a final score of 27-16.

On December 30, the NFC Championship Game pitted the Dallas Cowboys against the Minnesota Vikings in Dallas’ Texas Stadium, while the Miami Dolphins played the Oakland Raiders in Miami’s Orange Bowl for the AFC Championship.

In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings forced four interceptions and two fumbles, en route to a victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

With the loss of RB Calvin Hill and DT Bob Lilly to injuries, Dallas was undermanned. Minnesota jumped to a 10-0 halftime lead, with a first quarter 44 yard Fred Cox field goal, followed by a second quarter 86 yard drive that ended with a 5 yard touchdown by RB Chuck Foreman. The Cowboys finally scored on WR Golden Richards’ 63 yard punt return for a touchdown early in the third period, cutting the deficit to 10-7. But Vikings’ QB Fran Tarkenton then threw a 54 yard touchdown pass to WR John Gilliam to increase their lead to 17-7. After K Toni Fritsch’s 17 yard field goal again cut the lead to 17-10, Minnesota converted two fourth quarter turnovers into 10 points; CB Bobby Bryant returned a Roger Staubach pass 63 yards for a touchdown, while S Jeff Wright’s interception of another Staubach pass set up Cox’s final 34 yard field goal, for a 27-10 Vikings victory.

Later that day, RB Larry Csonka led the Miami Dolphins to a victory over the Oakland Raiders, with 117 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

Miami scored on their first drive of the game, when QB Bob Griese’s 27 yard scramble set up Csonka’s 11 yard touchdown run, and a 7-0 lead. Csonka scored again late in the second quarter on a 2 yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 at halftime. However, after the teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, Oakland QB Ken Stabler threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to WR Mike Siani, to cut the lead to 17-10. In the fourth quarter, after Dolphins’ K Garo Yepremian made a 26 yard field goal for a 20-10 lead, the Raiders were faced with 4th and inches. Down by 10 points, Oakland went for the first down, but was stopped by the Miami defense. The Dolphins used their running game to take the remaining time off the clock, setting up Csonka’s third touchdown, a 2 yard run, to clinch the game, 27-10.

The Miami Dolphins were poised to win back-to-back Super Bowls, something no other team had accomplished since the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowls I and II in 1966 and 1967. The Minnesota Vikings had achieved a second chance at Super Bowl glory after their embarrassing defeat four years earlier to the then AFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 13 1974, at Rice Stadium in Houston TX, the NFC Champion Minnesota Vikings, led by seven year Head Coach Bud Grant, played the AFC Champion Miami Dolphins, led by fourth year Head Coach Don Shula, in Super Bowl VIII. Miami was making its third straight Super Bowl appearance, while Minnesota was making its second appearance in four years, having lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7, in Super Bowl IV. For the first time, a former AFL franchise was favored to win.

Although Miami was unable to match 1972’s perfect season, many sports writers, fans, and Dolphins’ players themselves felt that the 1973 team was better. While the 1972 team faced no competition that possessed a better record than 8-6 in the regular season, the 1973 team played a much tougher schedule. Like the two previous seasons, Miami’s offense relied primarily on their rushing attack. RB Larry Csonka recorded his third consecutive 1,000 yard season (1,003 yards on 219 attempts and 5 touchdowns), while RB Mercury Morris rushed for 954 yards on 149 attempts (6.4 yards per carry), scoring 10 touchdowns. Csonka finished 6th overall in rushing yards while Morris finished 1st overall in yards per carry and tied for 3rd in rushing touchdowns.

QB Bob Griese completed 53.2% of his passes (116 out of 218 attempts) for 1,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a QB Rating of 84.3, 6th overall in QBR. WR Paul Warfield remained the main deep threat on the team, catching 29 passes for 514 yards (17.7 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns, 2nd overall in receiving touchdowns. Fellow WR Marline Briscoe lead all Dolphins receivers in receptions with 30 catches for 447 yards and 2 touchdowns. Overall, Miami finished 3rd in rushing yards (2,521), 5th in points scored (343), but only 21st in passing yards (1,582). Miami’s “No Name Defense” continued to dominate their opponents. Future Hall of Fame LB Nick Buoniconti recovered three fumbles and returned one for a touchdown. S Dick Anderson led the team with 8 interceptions, which he returned for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns, while S Jake Scott, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, had 4 interceptions and 71 return yards.

Miami was still using their “53” defense, devised at the beginning of the 1971 season, where Bob Matheson (#53) would be brought in as the fourth linebacker in their 3-4 defensive formation. Matheson could either rush the passer or drop back into coverage. Miami finished the season ranked first in the NFL in total defense, allowing only 150 points, better than the 171 points the Dolphins surrendered in 1972. Miami also finished 1st in pass defense, allowing only 1,290 yards, while finishing 12th in rushing yards allowed (1,991). K Garo Yepremian had another good year, leading the Dolphins in points scored (113), converting 25 out of 37 field goals (67.6%) and 38 out of 38 extra points.

In 1973, Minnesota snapped back from 1972’s disappointing 7-7 finish. The offense was again led by 13 year veteran QB Fran Tarkenton, back with the Vikings for a second season after spending his first six years with Minnesota before being traded to the New York Giants in 1967. Tarkenton completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 2,113 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, earning a QB Rating of 93.2, 2nd overall in QBR, while also finishing in the Top 10 in passes attempted, passes completed, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and pass completion percentage. He also rushed for 202 yards and another touchdown.

The team’s primary deep threat was Pro Bowl WR John Gilliam, who caught 42 passes for 907 yards, an average of 21.6 yards per catch, and scored 8 touchdowns. Gilliam finished 2nd overall in receiving yards and 3rd in yards per reception. The primary difference between Minnesota’s 1972 and 1973 offense was the addition of NFL Rookie of the Year Chuck Foreman, who rushed for 801 yards on 182 attempts (4.4 yards per carry), caught 37 passes for 362 yards, and scored a total of 6 touchdowns. Minnesota’s four other contributors at running back, Dave Osborn, Bill Brown, Oscar Reed, and Ed Marinaro, combined for 1,469 rushing and receiving yards as well as 11 touchdowns. Overall, the Vikings finished 6th in rushing yards (2,275), 9th in points scored (296), and 14th in passing yards (1,956).

Minnesota’s defense was once again anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the “Purple People Eaters”, consisting of DTs Gary Larsen and Alan Page and DEs Jim Marshall and Carl Eller. Behind them, CB Bobby Bryant (7 interceptions, 105 return yards, 1 touchdown) and S Paul Krause (4 interceptions), led the defensive secondary. The Vikings finished the season ranked 2nd in the NFL in total defense, behind only Miami, allowing 168 points, while finishing 11th in rushing yards allowed (1,974) and 12th in passing yards allowed (1,894). K Fred Cox led Minnesota in scoring with 96 points, but only converted 21 out 35 field goals (60.0%).

Miami’s game plan on offense was to use misdirection, negative influence traps, and cross blocking to exploit the excellent pursuit of Minnesota’s defense. Kansas City had used similar tactics against the same Vikings’ defensive line in Super Bowl IV. Wrote C Jim Langer, “All this was successful right away. We kept ripping huge holes into their defense and Csonka kept picking up good yardage, especially to the right.” On defense, the Dolphins’ goal was to neutralize Foreman by using cat quick Manny Fernandez at nose tackle, and to make passing difficult for Tarkenton by knocking down his receivers and double teaming Gilliam. They were also depending on DEs Bill Stanfill and Vern Den Herder to contain Tarkenton’s scrambling.

The Dolphins dominated the Vikings right from the beginning, scoring touchdowns on two 10 play drives in the first quarter. First, Miami’s Jake Scott gave his team good field position by returning the opening kickoff 31 yards to the Miami 38 yard line. Then, Mercury Morris ran right for 4 yards, Larry Csonka crashed through the middle for 2 yards, and Bob Griese completed a 13 yard pass to TE Jim Mandich, to advance the ball to the Vikings 43 yard line. Csonka ran on second down for 16 yards, then Griese completed a 6 yard pass to Marlin Briscoe to the 21 yard line. Three more running plays, two by Csonka and one by Morris, moved the ball to the Vikings 5 yard line. Csonka then finished the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

After forcing Minnesota to punt after three plays, the Dolphins went 56 yards in 10 plays, scoring on RB Jim Kiick’s 1 yard run, to give Miami a 14-0 lead. By the time the first quarter ended, the Dolphins had run 20 plays for 118 yards, had 8 first downs, and scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, with Csonka carrying 8 times for 64 yards, and Griese completing all four of his passes for 40 yards. Meanwhile, the Miami defense held the Viking offense to only 25 yards, 6 plays, and 1 first down. Minnesota advanced only as far as their own 27 yard line. The situation didn’t get much better for the Vikings in the second period. After trading punts, the Dolphins mounted a seven play drive, starting from their own 35 yard line, culminating in a 28 yard field goal from Garo Yepremian, to make the score 17-0.

Minnesota had their best opportunity to score in the first half on their ensuing drive. Starting at their own 20 yard line, Minnesota marched to the Miami 15 yard line in nine plays, aided by Fran Tarkenton’s completions of 17 and 14 yards to TE Stu Voigt and John Gilliam’s 30 yard reception. Tarkenton’s 8 yard run on first down advanced the ball to the 7 yard line. But, on the next two plays, the Vikings’ Oscar Reed gained only 1 yard on 2 rushes, bringing up a 4th and 1 with less than a minute left in the half. Instead of attempting a field goal, Minnesota decided to go for it on fourth down with another running play by Reed. However, Reed lost the ball while being tackled by Nick Buoniconti, and Scott recovered the fumble for the Dolphins.

Miami’s Jim Langer wrote that, at halftime, “We definitely knew that this game was over.”

Early in the third period, Miami marched 43 yards in 8 plays, to score on Csonka’s 2 yard touchdown, increasing their lead to 24-0, with almost nine minutes left in the quarter. The key play was Griese’s 3rd and 5, 27 yard pass to Warfield, to the Minnesota 11 yard line. It was Griese’s last pass of the game, his only pass of the second half, and just his seventh pass overall. For Warfield, it was only his second, and last, catch of the game. After an exchange of punts, Minnesota got the ball back at their 43 yard line, after Larry Seiple’s kick went just 24 yards. The Vikings mounted a 10 play, 57 yard drive, with Tarkenton completing 5 passes for 43 yards, including a 15 yarder to Voigt, taking the ball into the end zone himself on a 4 yard touchdown run, to cut Miami’s lead to 24-7 early in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota had one final chance to get back into the game. Miami went three and out on their next possession, and the Vikings got the ball back at their own 3 yard line. Eight plays later, the Vikings reached the Miami 32 yard line. After two incomplete passes, Tarkenton’s pass was intercepted by Dolphins CB Curtis Johnson at the goal line, ending Minnesota’s final threat. Miami got the ball back at their 10 yard line with 6:24 left in the game, and Csonka and Kiick were the ball carriers on all 12 remaining plays. The Dolphins had their second straight Super Bowl victory, 24-7.

Larry Csonka became the first running back to be named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Both his 145 rushing yards and his 33 carries were Super Bowl records at that time. QB Bob Griese finished the game with 6 completions in just 7 attempts for 73 yards. Miami’s seven pass attempts were the fewest ever thrown by a team in a Super Bowl. The Dolphins rushed for 196 yards, did not have any turnovers, and were not penalized in the first 52 minutes. Miami’s performance in Super Bowl VIII is still considered one of the most dominating in Super Bowl history.

Conclusion: While the Miami Dolphins got their second Super Bowl win in as many years, Green Bay got a reality check. Packer fans were hopeful after 1972’s 10-4 record, NFC Central Division title, and the first playoff berth since 1967. 1973’s 5-7-2 season brought them back to earth with the realization that another trip to the Super Bowl might not be just around the corner after all. The only remaining players from the Lombardi years were C Ken Bowman, OG Gale Gillingham, and DE Bob Brown. This was now Dan Devine’s team, and his future success would live or die based on the performance of his young squad.

On the plus side, with a few breaks along the way, particularly the two ties, Green Bay could have had a .500 or better season. It likely wouldn’t have been enough for another playoff berth, but it would have lessened the criticism. On the other hand, Devine knew at the end of 1972 that his passing game was a problem, yet it only got worse in 1973. In his book, Stanton Greene wrote, “Late in the 72 season, the Packers had thrown out the passing game. When they needed to bring it back [in 1973], it wasn’t there. … It had atrophied. They couldn’t throw the ball and Devine didn’t want to throw the ball.” The reality was, with two losing seasons in three years, it was clear 1974 would make or break Devine’s future as Head Coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.

To end this post, I’ve attached the NFL Films Super Bowl VIII Highlight video, narrated once again by the great John Facenda.

As always, your feedback is appreciated!