Seattle Seahawks Quarterbacks Through The Years.
It all started in 1976 with Jim Zorn.
There is an interesting story, though not football related, to my relationship with Mr. Zorn. I served as a Drill Sergeant from 2002-2005. One day while trooping the line and barking orders I came across a young Private with the last name Zorn. I remember thinking, “There are just not that many Zorns in the world.” C’mon, have you ever met one? So I asked him (use your best Drill Sergeant voice), if he was related to anyone famous. He replied, “Yes Drill Sergeant, my uncle is Jim Zorn.” Me, “Jim Zorn?” “The first ever Quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks?” “The Quarterback coach for THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS?” “Private Zorn very sternly replied, “Yes Drill Sergeant.” It was on. After a little back and forth I had him get on the phone to call his Uncle (Yes on my dime), but he reached an answering machine. I told him he was lucky that he wasn’t going to be in my Platoon because I would make sure his Uncle had a reason to call me. He went off to do great things for his Nation. I never heard from him or his Uncle again. Oh well, still a cool chance meeting.
At any rate Jim Zorn started it all, and was fantastic to watch if for no other reason than that he was the Quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. I do not remember much about the games back then, due to me being pretty young….I was four when the Seahawks became a team, but I can read.
Here is a fun look at all 21 Quarterbacks who have started for our beloved Seahawks over the years.
Jim Zorn was known in some circles as, “The left handed Fran Tarkenton.” When Zorn wasn’t scrambling around making something out of nothing he was throwing the football to Seattle’s first Hall of Famer, Steve Largent. Zorn was NFC rookie of the year after the 1976 season. That’s right, Seattle started in the NFC West before switching to the AFC West after just one season. Jim Zorn threw for 12 touchdowns and ran for four his rookie season. Matt Hasselback was the quarterback who broke Zorn’s team record for three consecutive seasons with 3,000 passing yards. Zorn was one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch during his days as the Seahawks field general.
Dave Krieg is actually one of the most prolific passers to ever play the game, believe that! He actually still ranks in the top 15 in most passing categories, though some of those stats are padded by years after his “Seahawkdom.” Krieg played in 12 post season games during his career. He started off as the third string quarterback behind Sam Adkins but took over as the second string quarterback in 1981. At one point his teammates nicknamed him, “Mudbone.” Krieg was the recipient of Derrick Thomas’s record setting 7 sack game in a late victory against the Chiefs in 1990. It was almost 8, but Krieg eluded him on the last play of the game and tossed the winning touchdown pass to Paul Skansi. Krieg fumbled the ball 153 times in his 18 year career, third most in NFL history behind only Brett Favre with 166, and Warren Moon with 161.
Gale Gilbert signed as an undrafted free agent in 1985, the third string to Zorn and Krieg. When Jim Zorn was released later that year, he became the backup to Krieg and the placeholder. After his Seattle days were over he became the only member of the NFL to be a member of five straight Superbowl teams. He was on the roster of the Bills for four straight Superbowl games, and then the Chargers for one, losing all five.
Bruce Mathison started two games for the Seahawks in 1987, going 1-1. He played in three total games and didn’t do anything worth talking about. Blah.
Jeff Kemp started 7 games for the Seahawks between 1987 and 1991. He went 3-4 in those games throwing 9 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Blah.
Kelly Stouffer was a Rams first round draft pick in 1987, sat out that year due to contract negotiations, and his rights were traded to the Hawks the following year. His claim to Seahawk fame was having his nose broken and throwing a bomb for a touchdown. He was not great.
Stan Gelbaugh joined the Hawks in 1992. He led a great comeback victory against the Broncos on Monday Night Football, tying the game with a touchdown pass on the final play, then John Kasay won it with a field goal in overtime. That year the Seahawks set a record for the fewest points scored in a 16 game season. He really was not great.
Dan McGwire sucked badly. One of the worst first round picks ever. EVER. He sucked.
Rick Mirer set a rookie record for pass attempts, completions, and yards. He was also only the third rookie in the NFL to ever start all of his team’s games. He was runner up to Jerome Bettis for offensive rookie of the year. He is known as one of the biggest busts in NFL history, but nowhere near Brian Bosworth status. That is exactly how uninteresting the rest of his story is.
John Friesz was a rehab project that never panned out.
Warren Moon only played two seasons in Seattle, at least I think. He was Warren Moon, and Warren Moon had an awesome career, including his time in the CFL. At one point he was (maybe still is) the oldest Quarterback to throw a touchdown pass in overtime at 38 years 359 days. He works as a Broadcaster, ever heard of him? If not, shame on you. You should go to stand in front of the Clink with a sign around your neck that says, “I do not know who Warren Moon is.”
Jon Kitna started 15 games in 1999, and helped the Hawks win the AFC West title. He threw some touchdowns to Darrell Jackson, and a bunch of interceptions to everyone else. Blah
Glen Foley has the highest winning percentage of any quarterback in Seahawks history. Did you know that? He started one game, won it, then said, “blah.” Or maybe that was me?
Brock Huard’s first pass attempt in the NFL was a touchdown, but it was the preseason. He came back to Seattle in 2004, spent the entire year on IR, and then was done. His brother Damon was a quarterback for the Dolphins in 2000 when they became the first set of brothers in the NFL to start at quarterback during the same weekend. These days Brock has a buddy named Salt. Once again, if you don’t know him, go get a sign and take a bus to the Clink.
Matt Hasselbeck came to Seattle in 2001. He started off battling back and forth with Trent Dilfer for the starts. 2003 was his first year as Seattle’s unquestioned starter. He took Seattle to a wildcard game, was selected to the Pro Bowl, and then said on National TV, against the Packers, going into overtime, ” we want the ball, We’re going to score.” Oh Mathew, we all have said things that made us look a little silly. The second overtime saw Al Harris return a 52 yard interception for a touchdown, sealing the Green Bay 33-27 victory, and providing the silliness to poor Mathew. The next year Matty took the Hawks to the NFC Title game and won it. In 2005 Matty had the highest passer rating in the NFC and led the Hawks to the playoffs for the third year in a row. Matt Hasselback was the first quarterback to take the Seattle Seahawks to the Superbowl in 2006, which unbeknownst to many, was for my birthday. He has always given the greatest presents. Matt Hasselback took Seattle to 4 straight Division championships and their first ever Superbowl. I love what Matty did for us. If you don’t know Matt Hasselback, choke yourself.
Trent Dilfer started for the Hawks when Matt Hasselback was injured., mostly. He played quarterback, finished one season with a .92 completion percentage, then later on at one point had won 15 straight starts. Those starts came here and there, but had he not suffered a few serious injuries to his medial collateral and his achilles, his career may have been much longer and the story very different. Dilfer became a sports commentator for big TV and remains one of Matt Hasselback’s best friends to this day.
Seneca Wallace set the record for the longest touchdown pass in Seattle history with a 90 yard toss to Koren Robinson on the first play from scrimmage on a loss to Philadelphia. He also lined up as a receiver a few times. He should have lined up as a receiver all the time.
Charlie Frye made his first start in 2008. Blah
Charlie Whitehurst is forever known in my family as, “Clipboard Jebus.” We didn’t want to offend religious sensibilities, so we changed the s to a b. That is all he ever did for Seattle, except rid them of a few pesky draft picks, and a whole bunch of oxygen.
Tavaris Jackson is back and should be the perfect complement to Big Russ. I was not a fan of T-Jack as a starter, but as a backup in their current offense, he is the answer. He is especially the answer if our other option is Brady Quinn. Welcome back T-Jack.
Russell Wilson…that story is still being written. And it is a going to be………………………………wait for it………………………………
Jun 12, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and quarterback Brady Quinn (10) do a drill following minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jerrod Johnson (1) stands behind Wilson and Quinn. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
………………….wait for it…………………………………..Dange-Russ.
Go Hawks! 12th Man Now, 12th Man Forever!