Brutal Terry Bradshaw: 1970-1976

[@jammininthepast]

I was one, perhaps ambivalence and a modicum of schadenfreude that thought he would never live up to the hype. He was a tough cookie, no doubt. He developed into a HOF QB. (side note) I believe he was in some Burt Reynolds movie back in the day. It shows that with patience (we don't have that anymore) and coaching, surrounding him with talent and look at the results. Good vid. Thanks brother you're appreciated.

[@markgardner9460]

Cannonball Run? Today if a QB can't get it done in 20 games everybody comes unglues. Give these guys some time. It's not like good QB's grow on trees. As always, many thanks!

[@felixcolon599]

@@markgardner9460 expectations for qbs are a lot higher now, esp with rookies lighting it up. Its not like back then when they sat for 3 yrs

[@markgardner9460]

That's right. Nowadays all these QB's have been playing in pro-style offenses while in college, so they're ready to roll right out of the gate. That wasn't the case back in the day, like you said.

[@jammininthepast]

@@markgardner9460 That's correct, many qb's never get a fair development time...some are fortunate like Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy who has a stacked roster around him. Teams selecting a qb with a top pick are typically dysfunctional and stink - Denver Broncos. We, unfortunately, live in an instant gratification society. Thanks again brother. bd

[@jammininthepast]

@@markgardner9460 good point, I concur.

[@LeeBrasher]

Considering how many of us old f*cks are still around I'm surprised this channel isn't up to a million subscribers yet lol. You'll get there! Thanks for another great reminder that football peaked in the 1970s.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you! Yeah, here's to The Cool School of NFL Fans still kickin'!

[@brotzmannsax]

I'm one, ha, Mark will get there slowly but surely with his hard work and smart statistics (and cool jersey's).

[@REM1956]

You do a wonderful job putting these videos together. The amount of commentary is perfect and the addition of period correct music really sets them apart. Thanks for all the work so I can relive my youth.

[@markgardner9460]

That's great to hear - thank you very much! I'm glad that enjoy watching my videos and commenting.

[@brotzmannsax]

When I watch his highlights it's hard to believe someone who wound up so successful took such head shots and beatings. Today he is ridiculed for being unable to speak or make sense on TV and there is no wonder why. Four time winner and twice MVP speaks volumes of his career, one of the best ever.

[@markgardner9460]

He was as gutsy as they come and should be admired for hanging in there and overcoming all of that adversity. Art Rooney, Sr. deserves a lot of the credit for sticking with him and supporting him.

[@joev4739]

It's unbelievable how poorly Terry started his career. The fact that he was able to turn it around and become a HOF QB shows how today's NFL differs from 70's. He had a -27 TD/Int ratio after 2 years and they stuck with him. Hard to imagine that happening today.

[@markgardner9460]

Gotta give a tip of the hat to the Rooney's for sticking with and believing in him.

[@REM1956]

Today's quarterbacks would have an existential meltdown if they got pulled just a couple times. Much less every other game. Steelers didn't worry about Bradshaw "losing the locker room" either.

[@markgardner9460]

That's a great point that you make. Coaches are reluctant to make in-game changes for fear of rattling their QB's fragile psyche. There's too much pride involved and they should be focused on what's best for the team.

[@REM1956]

@@markgardner9460 Very true. People, including players, forget they are being paid to win football games. It's a team sport. As Mark said, it's not about their individual fragile psyches. If their play is costing the team a win, step aside and someone else do their thing. It's their job, behave like a professional. It's a multi million dollar business, not kindergarten.

[@BigD32477]

Well he was able to mature enough over those years and listen to his coach enough not to lose and that great defense did the rest the first 2 SB years and by the last 2 SB years he was still erratic but he had confidence in himself that let him play his own game and win

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

I just got home from work Waiting to unpack this video!

[@markgardner9460]

Right on...go for it!

[@jtdavis62]

I was watching the Eagles - Jets game yesterday and thought of this video. The Steelers gave Bradshaw 4 or more years to figure out the NFL of the 1970s, a much less pass-happy league than what exists today. QBs like Zack Wilson or Justin Fields are expected to produce from Day One, and if they don't, their teams go out and get an Aaron Rodgers instead of letting their rookies develop in their own time. Very different times, indeed.

[@markgardner9460]

Exactly right. Then after a couple of years with a guy like Rodgers who ends up retiring, the team is back to square one and looking to draft another hot shot rookie.

[@williamford9564]

The pass happy nature of the game today is definitely a factor. There are also many more skilled and speedy wide receivers so teams want someone who is going to get them the ball. Another big factor in my opinion is that college offenses are running many more "pro" like offenses, so there are many more "pickings" out there in the draft than in the wishbone, I formation and "three yards and a cloud of dust" days of 60s and 70s.

[@markgardner9460]

Great points - teams can afford to be less patient now because the cupboard is always full of talented, promising college QB's to select in the draft each year.

[@fatherpeace6486]

Turkey Jones would be kicked out of the league today with that vicious body slam.

[@jtdavis62]

Excellent video, Mark.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you - I appreciate that.

[@MrBlk87]

Great job as always..... Regards

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you - I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

The 1973 Monday night matchup with the Dolphins was hilarious. Cosell kept pumping up Jefferson Street Joe Gilliam in the pregame, and he promptly went 0-7 with 3 interceptions, 1 returned for touchdown, the other returned to the 2. When he relieved Gilliam, Bradshaw gave up a pick-6 to Anderson also.

[@markgardner9460]

I remember watching that game. Dolphins Safety Dick Anderson had a HUGE game.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

It was unbelievable how bad that the Steelers quarterback situation was for quite a while! ( I never bought into the Joe Gilliam hype, and I thought Hanratty wes,well...ratty as a quarterback !)

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

I give Bradshaw total props for being extremely tough, and having a great deal of perseverance! He definitely overcome a lot of injuries and at times,a bit of animosity from Chuck Noll,who definitely seemed at times like he really didn't want Bradshaw to be the starting quarterback, Bradshaw was 4-0 as a Super Bowl QB but I think that is a bit misleading The SB IX victory of Minnesota was largely because of the Pittsburgh defense and Franco Harris.He played better in SB X against Dallas but really Lynn Swann bailed him out with some acrobatic catches ( Bradshaw got knocked out of the game by a helmet to helmet hit by Larry Cole on the 64 yard TD pass to Lynn Swann that put Pittsburgh up 21-10 Pittsburgh sacked Staubach 7 times, and many people think that the game turned around in the 3rd quarter when after Roy Gerela missed a FG,Cliff Harris rather stupidly patted Gerela in the head and thanked him,only to get slammed into the ground by a irate Jack Lambert! Who could have been ejected,but wasn't the Steelers defense and Swann were more the reason than Bradshaw that Pittsburgh won.The next time Pittsburgh made it to the SB 3 years later SB 13 Bradshaw played extremely well with 4 TD passes as Pittsburgh won 35-31 Before the game Thomas " Hollywood"Henderson famously stated "Bradshaw couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the C and the A!"And the next season the underdog Rams led the Steelers in the fourth quarter but Bradshaw threw a perfect pass and Stallworth went 73 yards to put Pittsburgh ahead 24-19.and Bradshaw played a much better 4th quarter as Pittsburgh prevailed 31-19 for their 4th SB victory, Bradshaw never would have gotten a chance in today's game to play that long,but he has 4 rings,on another team I believe he would have not gotten 4 rings,but he does deserve some credit for that.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner94604 interceptions and 2 for touchdowns I remember watching that on MNF! Remarkable game by Anderson!

[@markgardner9460]

Excellent synopsis - also, thank you for mentioning the Chuck Noll situation, as his handling of Bradshaw really messed with Terry's mind.

[@michaelhemphill8575]

Bradshaw had some good times...and he experienced some valleys throughout his career..he eventually became a rather prolific passer..and above average scrambler.. there's a piece of expressway..." named after him"..in my old home-town"!!

[@markgardner9460]

What is the expressway named? The Bradshaw Express? Bradshaw Expressway?

[@michaelhemphill8575]

@@markgardner9460 It's called the "Terry Bradshaw Expressway".. his middle name is "Paxton".. is in "Shreveport, Louisiana"..where was born in "48"!!

[@markgardner9460]

Now that's a unique name - Paxton. Thank you.

[@michaelhemphill8575]

@@markgardner9460 "My Pleasure".."Appreciate the Reply"!!

[@drbonesshow1]

I talked to Bradshaw's wife Tammy a few years ago concerning one of my football throwing innovations called Power-pronation (supinate then pronate) as her husband's throwing style (former javelin champion) was part of my research. He threw The Hammer. She said: Professor, Terry is too old and too fat to participate, but don't forget to watch our upcoming show. Needless to say, I never tuned in to The Bradshaw Bunch. Now to your video - back then Bradshaw fell onto the field whereas nowadays he falls off the couch.

[@markgardner9460]

No doubt about it, Bradshaw's throwing technique was dynamic. He had an absolute cannon for an arm. Guy like ha and Namath would sometimes get into trouble trying to thread the needle deep down field, but who can blame them? They had the confidence and the talent to succeed more times than not. I concede that I watched a partial episode of TBB - time that could have been better spent double-checking my grocery shopping list.

[@ac9559]

He did not inflate his stats with dinks and dunks and was a great deep thrower. When the rules changed in the late 70's his stats exploded. I don't know if someone in the HOF can be underrated but sometimes I feel he does not get the credit he deserves.

[@markgardner9460]

You are correct; he threw predominately medium deep to deep passes. Few in history can match his cannon arm.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

I can't believe he didn't break his neck on that one hit from the Cleveland guy. Yowch.

[@markgardner9460]

I know - it was amazing that he was able to come back and play so soon after that brutal play.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

Joe “Turkey” Jones laid a lick on ol’ Terry. He was flopping around on the turf of Municipal Stadium like a fish!

[@mcarlkv53]

Bradshaw- greatest qb of all time

[@markgardner9460]

That's quite the proclamation. I admire his grittiness and perseverence.

[@topJimmyP1984]

I think that was Randy White with the All Star sack near the end at 28:01.

[@markgardner9460]

You are correct, sir. He gave Bradshaw a necktie.

[@josephnicolino8529]

The offensive line was throwing look out blocks. You throw a block, turn around and yell Look out 😊

[@markgardner9460]

No doubt! The offensive line was far from great during his first few years.

[@3243_]

During this period, Bradshaw was said to have told his teammates, "You might lose with me, but you'll never win without me".

[@markgardner9460]

I like it!

[@docnoc66]

Hi Marc, I’m gonna throw on my Wilbert Montgomery jersey for this one

[@markgardner9460]

Right on! Wilbert Montgomery was a workhorse.

[@docnoc66]

Hold on, I got a change into my Dan Fouts jersey because he was a much better quarterback at an earlier stage in his career and I think overall as well, but just didn’t get to a Super Bowl

[@markgardner9460]

That makes total sense!

[@plantfeeder6677]

Good thing Terry didn't have much upstairs to damage. Maybe that's why he survived. All kidding aside he was the perfect fit for the Steelers even though I thought Hanratty was a better qb. But he certainly wasn't tougher.

[@markgardner9460]

Hanratty collected a lot of checks - regular season and post-season - without having played too much. Great gig if ya can get it.

[@felixcolon599]

@@markgardner9460 no pressure

[@markgardner9460]

Just think, if either Hanratty or Gilliam would have just played average ball, Bradshaw would probably be a long distant memory now.

[@kennethcollins6494]

Before I get started Mark, as a huge Rams fan an historian(as you are) is there any chance you could do a Rams quarterback cycle in the 70s? It would include Gabriel leaving, Hadl Harris Haden Jaworski Namath Ferragoma? I hope you consider that thanks

[@markgardner9460]

"The 1970's Los Angeles Rams Quarterbacks" video in my playlist should serve you well. Please check it out - thank you!

[@jstube36]

In Bradshaw's defense, I will say the talent level was not the best in those 1st four-five seasons. So of course he had to use his legs more. And it's also important to look at stats based on the era being played. In the early- mid 70's, the deep pass was an endangered species. Meaning a 200 yard passing day was an accomplishment in those times. In Super Bowl IX Bradshaw numbers were 9- 14 for 96 yards and a key TD pass. By contrast Tarkenton completed 11 passes for 102 yards. Fran threw 26 times got picked off 3 times and was sacked for a Safety. I would say Terry had the better day. 96 yards against an outstanding Viking defense is equal to about 200 yards against a lesser defense. Same thing in SB X. Roger completed more passes for more yards than Bradshaw. But Terry threw 2 TD's and no int's while Staubach was picked 3 times and sacked 7 times. Again better game Bradshaw.

[@markgardner9460]

That safety really bothered me. Why did Fran pitch the ball on a wet surface in the shadow of his own end zone? They hardly ever pitched the ball. Also, I think that Fran could have gotten his body out of the end zone before being tapped for a safety. He wasn't passing, so it really wasn't a sack.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

Was the deep pass an endangered species in that era? I don't think so. I think teams threw deep a lot more back then than they do now. The average yards per reception in that era was considerably higher than in later eras. This is partly because they threw less often, and ran more often which resulted in defenses committing to stop the run more, and also attitudes about the game and the evolution of the rules and tactics. And sure, Bradshaw didn't have Swann and Stallworth until 1974 (also Lambert from 1974), but they had guys like Franco, Blount, Russell, Ham, Preston Pearson, Mean Joe, LC Greenwood, Dwight Whtie, and Wagner. They had a plenty good overall roster. Of course every player will look better when surrounded by better talent.

[@jstube36]

@@NigelIncubatorJones If you look at the passing numbers of Super Bowls 5-9. You'll see what passing was like in those days. The RB became the primary receiver for a lot of teams. The fear of the likes of Bob Hayes and Otis Taylor made defenses employ more 2-Deep Zones. Offenses had to find alternate ways.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

I'm not sure I'm following your point. I know the average yards per catch was way higher back then. In 1970, the league average y/c was 13.2. In 2022, it was 10.9. I'm not quite sure it matters whether the backs or WRs were making those receptions, the data is clear on that point at least. Also, if you look at yards per catch for guys like Bob Hayes, Paul Warfield, Lance Alworth, etc., you'll see that they were quite high--around 20 y/c. For comparison, in 2023 Tyreek Hill through 5 games was averaging 18.1, and he's clearly the scariest deep threat this year. I know the Dolphins famously threw very little in the 1973 playoffs because they were so dominant that they didn't need to, but often forgotten is that in SB 7, Griese hit Warfield on a TD bomb that was called back on the flimsiest of false start flinches (I can't see it on the replay despite trying multiple times in super slo-mo). So it seems to me the deep threat was there. But Super Bowls 5-9 featured some of the greatest defenses of all time--the No-Names, the Steel Curtain, the Purple People Eaters, and Doomsday. I think those passing numbers you cite are more a testament to those great Ds than an indictment of offenses generally. I would expect teams to underperform their season averages in the playoffs because the competition is tougher. It was a more defensive era, for sure. @@jstube36

[@edpinkerton7947]

Not much larger then the old single bar

[@tommythomason6187]

Gutsy competitor. He got seriously hurt yet, just kept on coming back...never quit. Saw a clip of him recently where he said Joe Gilliam had a great arm and was a fine quarterback. Classy Cincinnati Bengals uniforms. Houston, too, with that bluish silver.

[@markgardner9460]

If Gilliam could have gotten straight and kept himself clean, Bradshaw would have been traded or released, I maintain.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner9460And history would have been changed!

[@markgardner9460]

That's right. Moral to the story: choices have consequences.

[@topJimmyP1984]

Nice video. I'm not execly a Bradshaw... or Steelers fan, he's a good likable guy and all, but i would sure appreciate a Roger 'the dodger' Staubach video!! 😊

[@markgardner9460]

Yeah, I hear ya. I will add that to my recommendations list. Thank you!

[@felixcolon599]

I don't know how they survived playing back then

[@markgardner9460]

Lots of novocaine, I guess.

[@randyhanson4973]

In today’s game he would have been labeled a bust and been cut without maybe getting a 2nd chance.

[@markgardner9460]

I think that you're 100% correct. At best, he would have been a back-up with another team.

[@3243_]

19:43--and Jack Kemp, Earl Morrall, and Bill Nelsen.

[@johnkrolczyk2241]

Despite his poor stats early on, it was obvious he had too much raw athletic talent to be denied.

[@markgardner9460]

Yeah, Pitt wasn't going to give up on him too early in his career. They had already let Unitas and Dawson get away.

[@richardmorris6365]

I remember it took him awhile to get going but forgot how long. In fact looking at the numbers QBs just weren't very proficient until a lot of rule changes. Someone said Terry was so dumb he couldn't spell DOG if you spotted him two letters!

[@markgardner9460]

It's a good thing that he added value with his running skills because his passing left a lot to be desired early in his career. The Steelers also showed a lot of patience by holding onto Terry Hanratty for a long time, too.

[@richardmorris6365]

@markgardner9460 and I might be mistaken but Coach Noll rode Terry pretty hard early, I think one week he lined up behind his guard to take the snap! 3 safties in one game ? That's crazy..

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, Noll was pretty hard on him. Bradshaw actually sustained a safety in each of his first three games - sorry if I didn't make that more understandable.

[@joev4739]

Actually the quote was "he couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the C & the A" - Thomas Henderson prior to the SB. Terry, as usual took it and let his play on the field do the talking.

[@joev4739]

​@@markgardner9460safties in his 1st three games. That must be some kind of record. I've seen how hard those first few years were for him. Can you imagine if social media existed then?

[@michaelleroy9281]

Houston wins their first game in the AFC

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

It's interesting that his passing numbers flip-flopped at precisely the time that the NFL liberalized the rules to benefit passing, 1978. Do you think that could have had anything to do with his improvement?

[@markgardner9460]

While the rle changes helped, other factors to consider are the development of Swann and Stallworth, as well as the steroid players on the offensive line and backfield which enabled Bradshaw ample time to complete more of his passes.

[@ozzieray]

Well, he did win two Super Bowls before those changes happened.

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, he was the QB in the first two Super Bowls, but it was primarily the defense and Franco Harris that were responsible for the team's success.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

@@markgardner9460 I remember as a kid, I regarded him as an elite QB during this timeframe, but I was just a kid, so what did I know? His teams were really good and made the playoffs, so it seemed obvious. But this video does a great job of showing that he was really just a middle of the pack QB at this time. He grew into a much better QB for the second half of his career.

[@markgardner9460]

I wonder if he didn't study enough game film - maybe he did later and that's when his play greatly improved. Surely the rule changes of 1978 helped, as did his steroid-infused offensive line which allowed him more time than before to assess passing situations. Whatever the factors were, he turned the corner and delivered big in big games.

[@felixcolon599]

I saw u wear a 77 broncos jersey was that alzado?

[@markgardner9460]

Karl Mecklenburg, actually. I ordered the Alzado, but received Karl's.

[@felixcolon599]

@@markgardner9460 was Mecklenburg on those Elway teams? Shame alzado became a raiders bc he was unstoppable

[@markgardner9460]

Yes he was

[@Bigchet1223]

He was truly awful early in his career. Most teams wouldnt be as patient today. He really didnt establish himself as starter until late 74 and 75. The additions of Swann and Stallworth in 74 helped out alot. And that defense was the shits however.

[@markgardner9460]

The first Super Bowl win seemed to give him added confidence and you're right - there is no way that a team would stick by him that long in today's NFL.

[@michaelleroy9281]

In 1976 that was a nasty tackle by Joe " Turkey" Jones of the Browns

[@3243_]

Man I wish Joe Gilliam could have gotten clean. Even if no other team gave him much of a chance, at least for his own sake.

[@markgardner9460]

He could have really been something - what an arm.

[@SKULL-DUGGERY-2]

Jeez! Not even Joe Montana or Tom Brady won 4 out of 6 Superbowls in 6 years.

[@markgardner9460]

This video is restricted to his career through 1976, so that covers the first two Super Bowl wins in which he was basically along for the ride, in my opinion.

[@SKULL-DUGGERY-2]

@@markgardner9460 Who would have taken the Steelers to the Superbowls? Mike Kruzek or Cliff Stoudt? Sonny.

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

You ought to do a video on those weird thin face masks some QBs wore during that time period. Griese, Bradshaw, and Hadl I think all had them, and maybe others.

[@markgardner9460]

Len Dawson wore it, too. Tony Adams of the Chiefs is another one. Then compare that to the last facemask that Namath wore (not too many QB's wore that style)

[@randyhanson4973]

Stabler had the coolest face mask. Everything about Stabler was cool. Stabler was the John Wayne of QBs

[@markgardner9460]

I'm sure that you've seen the yellow smiley face sticker that he had on the back of his helmet. I suppose the league made him get rid of that?

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

No, I didn't see that.@@markgardner9460

[@NigelIncubatorJones]

But did Stabler go without a chinstrap, like Bradshaw does in a few places in this video, or Billy Kilmer in SB 7? @@randyhanson4973

[@richwinds7179]

20:56 was not a td, he only got one foot down

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, I agree with you. They got away with one.

[@edpinkerton7947]

Toughest QB of the 70s

[@markgardner9460]

He, Pastorini and Manning were tops in that regard for sure. Bradshaw is probably top of the heap.

[@bryanjones4444]

Bradshaw was most likely the worst quarterback in the entire league from 1970-74. He had a good season in 1975 but had another bad season in 76 before putting finally together 3 outstanding seasons. In the history of football there has only been two teams that had a top 2 defense and a top 2 running game and not won the championship. Both those teams had Bradshaw as their quarterback, the 72 and 76 Steelers. Terry is in the Hall of Fame only because his defense and running games dragged him there. If not for that amazing defense and being drafted number 1 Bradshaw would have lost his job by 1972 and no one would be talking about him today. Using the "REAL GOAT" scoring system and removing the team success category Terry is the second worst quarterback in the Hall of Fame with only Troy Aikman being rated lower.Aikman was actually a below average quarterback throughout his career.

[@markgardner9460]

Swann and Stallworth's acrobatics bailed out Bradshaw's high 'n wide deep throws repeatedly. Contrary to what some fans say, I don't think that he was a very good accurate deep passer. He just had the luxury of having tremendously gifted wide receivers who made extraordinary catches time and time again. If Joe Gilliam would have stayed on the straight and narrow, Bradshaw would have been ridden out of town and who knows how his career ends up......certainly not in the Hall of Fame is my guess.

[@bryanjones4444]

I think I have mentioned the "REAL GOAT" scoring system to you before. If you include all the categories Bradshaw scores about 10% below the Hall of Fame level. If you remove the Team Success categories, and he has to rely on only his own play, then Terry comes out just 13% above the average quarterback. It takes 50% above average to earn your way into the Hall. Which proves his teammates put him in the Hall. I think you nailed it in regards to Swann and Stallworth as Terry's first of only 4 quality seasons came in their first year as starters. Love your videos, keep them coming!@@markgardner9460

[@markgardner9460]

Yes! I like your scoring/rating system very much. One factor that can not be assigned a numerical value, however, is how much the Steelers offensive line and Rocky Bleier benefited the team's success due to their steroid intake. "Their Life's Work: The Brotherhood of the 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers Then and Now" blows the lid off of how many of them were using the stuff. While other teams may have had users, there were none that came close to the extent of their team in that era. Thank you for watching and providing insightful commentary - I appreciate it!

[@bryanjones4444]

I did not know that about the Steelers. That may explain a lot about that defense@@markgardner9460

[@poindextertunes]

Bradshaws throwing style and release is so odd to me. He cocks it back behind his head. Seems like bad mechanics. Especially compared to someone like Marino

[@markgardner9460]

And he bends his back to the point where it appears to being uncomfortable. It worked well for him, but I wouldn't teach it to others.

[@hovertrout1]

So overrated!

[@markgardner9460]

Swann and Stallworth bailed him out in the last 3 Super Bowls. He'd chuck it up and let his acrobats go to work.

[@bigsky2703]

Wrong. Sorry, I hate the Steelers with a passion, but Bradshaw was not just an excellent QB, but a leader.