Best backup QB ever?

Lots of quarterback threads today, so here's another one. Who's the best backup quarterback of all-time? It's got to be a guy who spent at least a few years as a backup, came in and won games when he was put in there, and played well. Can't be somebody who was a backup for one or two seasons, then took over the full-time job for a long time. So Steve Young can barely make the cut, somebody like Tom Brady can't.

My vote goes to Earl Morrall. Was Unitas' backup in Baltimore, played in two Super Bowls, then went to Miami and quarterbacked them for half of the undefeated season.

 

Don Strock

 

Morrall is a great choice.

Kurt Warner would have to be mentioned here since he took over for Trent Green who was injured in the preseason and took the Rams to the Super Bowl

 

Frank Reich. Just ask the old Houston Oilers.

 

Warner held down the starting job for three years after that, though. He kind of falls into the Brady group, where he was a backup at first and then won the starting job.

And Reich is a great choice. Even beyond the Oilers game (or the UM-Maryland game, for that matter), the Bills always played well when he was in there.

 

Jeff Hostetler

 

Shouldn't this be on the Anything Goes board?

And it depends on the criteria. Should be limited only to accomplishments while a backup, not backups who went on to greater things after being named starters like Young and Brady.

Those that jump out are Hostetler, Reich, Strock. And 87 Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, who was actually a backup most of that season until injury made him a starter.

 

Don Strock gets my vote as well. Plus, he had the best tan.

 

Steve Young.

 

Morrall, Strock and Reich are guys who are tough to beat off the bench,

 

Blanda.

 

Flutie.