The Tarkenton trade really helped build the Vikings as noted!( Jones Grim,White,Yary) And of course his return to Minnesota also made a very good team great! Along with Chuck Foreman!
When the passing pocket crumbled, he found a way to allow a receiver to get open and then deliver him the ball accurately. He didn't check it down like they have been doing for the past few decades.
Tark had all of the intangibles, toughness, grit, heart and verve for the game. To say he didn't have a strong arm is true, but it was strong enough. He was smaller and not powerfully built, yeah but illusive and difficult to lay a hit on him....The NY years were frustrating I'm sure, he was home in Minnesota, especially with Bud Grant. "Tuff as woodpecker lips" & all time fun to watch - Tarkenton is one of my all time favorites. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
That's all true. He had a great feel for the game. I read stories where he'd draw up plays in the Metropolitan Stadium infield dirt with his index passing finger. That aint happenin' today.
When a players is a hall of famer,ring of honor,multiple pro bowler,and mvp that puts him with the best of the best,but when he gets his number retired,that is for an very exclusive player.Tarkenton is one of those guys.He was and is still royalty with the Vikings.Love it!
This was great. Tremendous footage and editing!!! Just great memories. Just a kid when Fran came to Giants and boy was he fun to watch. Love the old classic uniforms as well as seeing Homer Jones, Bob Tucker and Ron Johnson. Thanks!
Highlight of my Giants fandom.Seeing Fran Tarkington at Giants stadium. The touchdown to Joe Morrison against the Saints was right in front of me. Tark was.my favorite because he could scramble.
Outstanding ! The thing about Tarkenton is he was already on track to set the records while with an expansion and one not much better except for the 1969 season. With Tarkenton , there was never an instance where you can't say "it was because of his defense" this or that . We all know he scrambled, but he was also a running QB with great open field instincts. At the time, there was no one like him. This man was a phenom on the field 2:40
He was really the only scrambling QB that I can think of prior to '71, then they came out of the woodwork (Manning, Bradshaw, Staubach, Douglass, Landry, Plunkett...), but then the went away after only a few short years.
Oh man you just crushed my soul!! "I'm 50, Didn't get to C him play" I am 60 and was a Rams fan in So.Cal so I hated him !! The Rams could never beat him or Staubach!! I know man, I'm old you didn't see him play either.
I remember Allie Sherman doing a show on ESPN in the late 80’s, it was like Monday Night Countdown type of program. He was pretty good for a guy who had been out of the league for years. I had no idea who he was. Some great footage of the Giants playing in Yankee Stadium. Sir Francis always gave my hometown Lions fits, Great video Mark, Thank you.
As usual, you make great videos. As an aficionado of NFL Films and especially NFL Films music, I appreciate your work. Great highlights, well edited, with great music and informative
Tarkenton was the best QB of the '7os (my opinion).. and retired owning several meaningful passing records. Should be a regular in the all-time top 10 QBs, but seems to always get downgraded (because no Stupor Bowl wins).
He held all the major passing records longer than anyone else has and only Slingin' Sammy Baugh is close. Tarkenton also did all that great work during the dead ball era of the NFL when the rules allowed defenses to reign supreme.
And he SURVIVED the NFL, to succeed in business without getting billions of brains cells annihilated. Unbelievable quickness in avoiding direct contact with men twice his size and weight accomplished this. Watch the highlights. Few MAJOR open field hits. Therefore his small height and weight were ASSETS in this brutal professional game, enabling him to avoid major HEAD injuries and tunnell his way into NFL history. Oh what a Lucky man he was.
For him to have not suffered a major injury until his 17th season is amazing considering how many times he put himself at risk by either passing or running.
@@markgardner9460He said that the hardest he ever got hit was by Dave Purifoy of the Lions in 1978... Purifoys helmet hit Fran in the face and knocked out several teeth and Fran had to get a lot of stitches!! They said 60! Holy cow but Fran played most of the game according to the stats!It was at the Met unfortunately I don't have footage I do have the entire game footage of the rematch in Detroit a game the Lions crushed the Vikings 45-14 ugh
Fran Tarkenton was a very great innovative quarterback. If a passing play broke down, you would "never" see him take the loss without at least trying to scramble, and many times, making a pass complete, when other QB's would take the sack. How many times did Fran do this in his career, to turn failure into success? His early Viking years (1961-66) with the fiery Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin, a great NFL quarterback himself in earlier years. Coach Van Brocklin was one of the best ever NFL QB's of all time, but as a Hard Coach, he had his faults, and these were big ones. From reading news articles about his temper explosions, to his frequent cursing and threatening of the players, that I saw and heard watching the Falcons when Van Brocklin coached there after leaving the Vikings. Fran, nor any other quarterback, Viking or Falcon, was able to play under Van Brocklin's explosive personality. I guess all Head Coaches can't be like Bud Grant was! Fran had productive seasons, even with Van Brocklin coaching, and the other Giant Head Coaches, in the 5-years he was there. But when he went back to Minnesota, there was a different Viking Head Coach, it was Bud Grant. Under Grant's leadership and quiet, gentleman personality, there was the solid foundation of a great coach, loaded down with people skills. Fran really love playing under Bud Grant. He once said that if you could not work with Coach Grant, you can't work with anybody! Fran would lead the Vikings to three Super Bowls in his final playing years in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the Vikings came up short in all three games and Fran and Bud would retire, having been to the Super Bowl, but in losing efforts. Fran Tarkenton was one of the NFL's greatest, so was Bud Grant. Under todays NFL rules and extended seasons, no telling what new passing records would have been accomplish by a Fran Tarkenton.
Tarkenton did not have the same raw physical abilities of, say, Terry Bradshaw or John Elway, but when it comes to getting the most out of whatever natural abilities one does have, Tarkenton is the best ever.
He was faster than those two, perhaps, but you're right - he had nowhere near the size, strength and arm power as those two players. Fran was my idol as a kid.
That's 100% accurate. The league is a joke - every rule is for the offense - they want QB's to pass for 400 yards and 3 td's every game. A 3 yard pass ends up being 18 yards because the tackling is so awful and the QB's laugh all the way to the bank.
The one game I remember was the opening day game in 1969 - Alex Webster’s first regular season game at the helm. Fran was facing his old team, the Vikings, and his old coach at a sold out Yankee Stadium. Fran led the Giants to a stirring come-from-behind victory - scrambling on a third and 17, and throwing the winning TD to rookie WR Don Hermann (85) with seconds left on the clock. The Giants won 24-23. It was splashed all over the papers the next day and many New Yorkers believed that the Giants were back.
Fran got a bit lucky on the 3rd and 17 play rolling left and heaving a pass that was deflected and caught by Butch Wilson setting up his winning TD pass to Don Hermann.The Vikings tried to get in FG range but a sack of Cuozzo by.. Benchwarmer Bob Lurtesma ( future Viking) effectively ended the game.As noted the Giants scored 24 points most against Minnesota all year and Jim Marshall had a funny comment.. He said obviously we love Fran as a teammate,but when he's a opponent when he's playing well,he has this annoying little laugh that drives you nuts!
That Viking defense was the greatest single season defense of all time giving up only 7.5 points per game and only 3.4 yards per play. They gave up 3 touchdowns to the Giants that opening day and only 9 more the rest of the season. The next game started a streak of 42 games in which the Vikings gave up 2 or less touchdowns in a game. The second longest such streak in football history is 18 games.
@@bryanjones4444 I think it was 9.5 points per game,but you are right they had a incredible defense especially from 69-71 that is one heck of a streak!And it might have been longer but Rodrigo Barnes had a pick 6 to give the Chargers a 3rd TD in week 12 !
@@stevenzimmerman4057 In my study of the greatest single season defenses I don't count pick 6's or kick returns for touchdowns against the defense. The defense gave up just 7.5 points per game the lowest in history. The second lowest was the 1970 Vikings at 8.2 per game. The 70 Vikings defense gave up the least touchdowns in history with just 10 and only 6 through the air which was another record. The 70 Vikes also gave up only 3.4 yards per play. No other defense has come close to those numbers. Fun fact, the 70 Vikings defense scored as many points as they gave up in the first half of the season 42-42, if you give the defense credit for the extra points.
These were the years were I first became a lifelong Giants' fan. Franny was the entire Giants offense until they picked up Bob Tucker (TE) and Ron Johnson (RB). Your tape makes it look like Franny had some good receivers to throw to. WRONG!!! Thanks for putting this tape together.
There were a few factors that made Fran scramble or take off for yardage. Most of this took place in his early Vikings days and his Giants years. Outside of Homer Jones, Fran didn't have a vast array of go-to receivers, his Offensive lines were not the best, and being 6' 1"(with cleats on) makes it tough to see over the big linemen. All this made Tark have to take matters in his own hands. In many ways Fran was his own offense. Of course this would change when he was teamed with a Human Army-Knife named Chuck Foreman. And regarding his arm strength. I'm quite sure John Gilliam had no problem catching Fran Bombs.
During his first hitch with MN he was forced to run for his life. He used to get sacked for some tremendous losses, but he was as entertaining as any QB ever has.
Yes, and defenders often double teamed Homer Jones (45) and he still caught a lot of bombs. Fran used TE Aaron Thomas (88) a lot. As you mentioned, the Giants run game never posed a significant threat, with Tucker Fredricksen (24) and Ernie Koy (23) often playing hurt and Joe Morrison (40) had a lot of mileage on him when Fran arrived in NY. The late 60’s Giants just never took off. But Fran was very popular with the NY fans - even with that other guy in Queens winning the Super Bowl in ‘68.
Another great set. I was too young to remember Tark on the Giants, but I remember being crushed when Staubach threw the hail mary pass to defeat the Vikings, to go to the Superbowl. 1975, I believe. Today I call it the Super Bore of which I am the same age being born in 1966. Great video. Thanx.
Thank you! I remember that NFC Divisional Playoff Game like it was yesterday. I can only imagine how much that day stung Tarkenton. His team lost the game, then in the locker room he was told that his Dad had just died.
@@markgardner9460 Thats right! I forgot about that. I've heard that his Dad died because of the excitement of that play, but I've also heard that his heart attack was unrelated. Still....My friend and I were total Steelers fans so I was looking forward to a repeat Superbowl. So, I was bummed when Staubach threw that pass. The next year they lost their 4th Superbowl. Unrelated, I have a picture of Jim Kelly giving the victory fist. You can see all 4 of his fingers and the caption reads, "Hey Jim, Show us your Superbowl rings". LOL
@@markgardner9460I heard the same thing.a very dark day in Vikings history but , obviously much worse for Fran! I was 16 and I remember that game as well! And not fondly!
Great video as always ! Loved watching him when I was a kid. I was a late bloomer and small until I hit my Sophomore year of HS. I loved watching this tiny guy drive defenses nuts with his scrambling. I hated that he never got a ring...it baffles me how great some of those Viking teams he played on were without winning at least ONE ring ! I mean he had Yary, White, Tinglehoff, Foreman, Rashad, Lash, Voight and that Defense...Marshall, Eller, Page, Siemon, Hilgenberg, Krauss. Fran was definitely one of my all time favorites. He guest hosted SNL once and was even really good one that !
I guarantee you any reporter that questioned Fran Tarkenton's arm strength would have walked away shaking his head, and his broken hand, if Fran ripped one at him from 20 yards.
@@giantobsession3993 Oh, no sir. Just coincidence. I am the son of SP4 Allan Ray Walsh, door gunner, 71st Air Assault Co., born 3/8/45, KIA Chu-Lai Vietnam 10/2/68.
Another great video Mark. When my book comes out I hope to turn out a video for each of the 35 quarterbacks in the study. I would love to find out from you how to get all the amazing footage that you put up. If I find out how to get it to you I would like to send you a copy of the book, I am sure you will love it. I am retiring in November and should have the book done within a few weeks of the Super Bowl in 2025. I know you are aware of this but for your subscribers I will share my findings in regard to Fran. My formula compares all the great quarterbacks since 1947 to the average quarterback and find out how far above average they are. I use 16 different statistical categories to accomplish this. The 5 quarterbacks who were the farthest above average as of 2021 are as follows. #5 Y. A. Tittle, #4 Johnny Unitas, #3 Drew Brees, #2 Peyton Manning and the real GOAT is Fran Tarkenton. Rodgers may be #5 by now but I have not recalculated him since 2021. For those who are curious Brady is currently #6 or 7 depending on Rodgers.
Thanks, Bryan! You may contact me at my email address - I think it's in located in the "About" section of my TH-cam HomePage. So Fran is #1 - Nice! He gets overlooked, so I'm glad that you will be shedding light onto the subject in detail.
There was a bit of a rhythm to his shift in passing range that could be predictable and his superbowl rivals made a point to study that and it made those unchanging tactics, no matter who the opposition was, pretty readable by the end of season championship.
Yes Mark is back! One of my favorite quarterbacks at the time i started watching football in the mid-70’s. My first was Roger Staubach but i really liked the Vikings style of play and scramblin Fran the man Tarkenton. Always exciting to watch. He was amazing in his years with the Giants. He was a winner on a team that was mediocre. After the big push in 76-77 to get to the Super Bowl that was pretty much it, he had played a lot of years by then. I was really rooting for them to get the Super Bowl in 77 but the Raiders weren’t having it.
Fran tossed 4 TD passes against Green Bay in the 42-40 victory in 1971 opening day but the season went south quickly! The Giants only won 3 more games and Fran only threw 7 more touchdown passes! As a Viking fan I'm extremely happy that he was angry at Giants management! He came back to Minnesota!
Looks like Tarkenton did the Vikings a HUGE favor just by demanding to be traded (to the Giants). And the Giants would get the receiving services of Bob Grim a few years later.
Great stuff, as always. As I watch these old clips, I often wonder how many of the blocks we see would be illegal today? I see a lot of blockers target the legs, for example.
Yes, there were a lot of those blocks, as well as the old high/low blocks executed by 2 offensive linemen. Crackback blocks were common back then, too.
I still have a '68 Sport magazine with Tarkenton on the cover I got autographed years ago...Van Brocklin I think really got tired of third-and-25 situations with Tark and forced a trade.
Had RB Ron Johnson been a team member for Fran '67-'71 they might have won the division in 1970. In '71 the year Johnson was injured (not on the field) I met him in Troy, NY as a kid (St. Mary's School). Still have the autographed booklet.
Ron Johnson had a huge year in '70 for the Giants when he rushed for 1,027 yards which was second best in the NFL. He was a good combination of speed and power.
@@markgardner9460 The 9-5 Giants should have won the division in 1970 over the weak 10-4 Cowboys. The Giants went 1-1 against Dallas who beat up on the Redskins, but got blown out twice versus the Cards. The Giants beat the Cards 35-17 and 34-17 (you will never see scores like that again - I'm good with numbers) yet faltered against the lowly Bears and Saints. Should have gone 11-3. Would have kept Fran in NY.
Ken is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in history, along with Fran. My formula, that compares a quarterback to the average quarterback of their era before comparing those numbers to all the other greats, finds Anderson as the 15th greatest quarterback since 1947 and Fran is the GOAT with only Peyton Manning close.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Fran as he tried in vain to rundown a guy who had picked him off for a pick six! I’m sure that was one of a multitude of reasons why Tarkenton wanted out from the Giants.
It is so weird that I was watching a video about the WFL and saw Tarkenton playing remembering how good he was on his feet. And A few minutes later a video on Fran Tarkenton shows up at the top of my fee. He was not the subject of the earlier video and I had not searched for any info on him. Does You Tube employ remote mind reading AI?
Thanks for the painful memories (lol). I’m a little disappointed I didn’t see one Homer Jones spike. Boy, those Giant teams were about as bad as this recent Giant Team has been. Sure wish the Giants had an - in his prime - Tarkenton around now.
I usually took the opportunity/ to watch this guy whether he played for NY or Minnisota. Early in his career he'd have me laughing at being chased all over the damned place often getting off a completed pass after. I know his adversaries understood they were entertaining people at their expense and I'm sure they hated that.
It was almost comical how he'd snake farther and farther behind the line of scrimmage in an attempt to elude pass rushers. He's get sacked for huge losses. Of course he made his share of spectacular plays by scrambling, too. He's a one of a kind!
@@markgardner9460 Oh yeah. He gave a testimonial about Robbin's "Power Talk" system changing his mind about tobacco. This was back in the heyday of late night infomercials.
Did he use Replacement Thinking, I wonder. Hopefully he didn't drop one habit just to pick up another bad one. You know, "I stopped cigarette smoking, but now I don't have any fingernails and I eat a pound of chocolate every day."
@@markgardner9460 Apparently Fran came out of it for the better. He even does an "interview" with Robbins for an "Personal Power" infomercial. It's even on TH-cam.
Tarkenton and the Giants destroyed the Cardinals and their playoff chances in 1970.winning 34-17 and 35-17 St Louis was 8-3-1 against everyone else and Tarkenton was 29-39 with 522 yards,8 touchdown passes 0 intercepted and a rushing TD so he totally dominated!. accounted for 9.touchdowns!
On November 15, 1953, Otto Graham first wore a Plexiglass facemask but it was already in use by at least one other player - 49ers Linebacker Hardy Brown. I don't know when he started wearing it. He was a rookie in 1948. The NFL banned these Lucite facemasks by the end of the '50's due to their propensity to shatter.
@@markgardner9460 I'm laughing at your comment on the last video when I said I was looking forward to your next video ,and you said " It just rolled out!" Perfect segue for Tarkenton!
I'm not sure. The songs are from different bands. I think I know which player you're talking about though - he really stands out, but I don't know his name.
@@markgardner9460 Tarkenton is a man who reveres the old time coaches and players! I have seen clips where he speaks about them.. and what he said about Bud Grant's passing was very moving and heartfelt!
I believe Chad Pennington had much weaker arm strength than Tarkenton. Also if memory serves me correct Drew Brees had very comparable arm stregnth to Tarkenton.
Fran tarkenton was an above average qb on a very bad team in NY. An above avg qb can do great things on a vg team like minn. Phil simms is another. Archie manning, we dont really know if he was great, vg, or just good becuase of his perdicament in NO. Tark was very popular in his day. A hard core self promotor who was constantly pushing the tarkenton brand on 1970s tv. So no hes not forgotton. Just not relevant. After football he attempted football media like most of these one trick ponies who dont have any skills or smarts outside football (like bradshaw). He then gravitated onto the motivational speaker circuit where he marketed some sort if positive thinking bs. A vg qb like john brody.i will give him credit however for having the decency of removing himself from the public eye unlike many others who are too dense to realize their 15 minutes have expired. Thanks Fran.
Thank you for your comments. I especially enjoyed the Manning ones. For obvious reasons, today's media attempts to portray him as an incredible QB who happened to be stuck on a bad team. I do not gravitate towards that. I think that he had incredible skills, but was only a good QB. I'm not sure that I would rate him as being very good because it seems to me that he did not make his receivers better. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Ahmad Rashad made a comment after he came to the Vikings that the Bills had one venue that they dreaded because it was so cold! The Met in Bloomington Minnesota! Imagine players from Buffalo thinking somewhere else is cold!
![[Part 1] ทารกน้อยถูกทิ้ง👶 หญิงชราเก็บขวดขายเลี้ยงดูเขาจนโต #โลกการละคร](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nPTDvFCExks/mqdefault.jpg)
Glad you are showing Fran Tarkenton. People forget how good he was.
Thank you very much, Richard!
A superb player who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves when people talk about the greatest quarterbacks.
I couldn't agree more. I don't think there has been any other QB who could throw on the run either running right or left as well.
I'm not going to disagree!
Fran and Van Brocklin were not a match made in heaven!
The Tarkenton trade really helped build the Vikings as noted!( Jones Grim,White,Yary) And of course his return to Minnesota also made a very good team great! Along with Chuck Foreman!
Great pass by Tarkenton and great effort by Homer Jones ( a great combination!) to score at 5:40
my favorite all time QB he was the master at turning around negative play's into positive play's. truly one one of the best in the 1970's decade.
When the passing pocket crumbled, he found a way to allow a receiver to get open and then deliver him the ball accurately. He didn't check it down like they have been doing for the past few decades.
Tark had all of the intangibles, toughness, grit, heart and verve for the game. To say he didn't have a strong arm is true, but it was strong enough. He was smaller and not powerfully built, yeah but illusive and difficult to lay a hit on him....The NY years were frustrating I'm sure, he was home in Minnesota, especially with Bud Grant. "Tuff as woodpecker lips" & all time fun to watch - Tarkenton is one of my all time favorites. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
That's all true. He had a great feel for the game. I read stories where he'd draw up plays in the Metropolitan Stadium infield dirt with his index passing finger. That aint happenin' today.
When a players is a hall of famer,ring of honor,multiple pro bowler,and mvp that puts him with the best of the best,but when he gets his number retired,that is for an very exclusive player.Tarkenton is one of those guys.He was and is still royalty with the Vikings.Love it!
Plus he held every major passing record in the book.
Pleasure to watch such high quality film from so long ago.
Thank you - I'm glad that you enjoyed it!
My all time favorite quarterback!🙂💜👍
Likewise! Fran the Man.
This was great. Tremendous footage and editing!!! Just great memories. Just a kid when Fran came to Giants and boy was he fun to watch. Love the old classic uniforms as well as seeing Homer Jones, Bob Tucker and Ron Johnson. Thanks!
Thank you very much - I appreciate it! I liked those Giants uniforms - crisp and clean.
Highlight of my Giants fandom.Seeing Fran Tarkington at Giants stadium. The touchdown to Joe Morrison against the Saints was right in front of me. Tark was.my favorite because he could scramble.
That's so cool that Morrison scored right in front of you! Great memories.
Thanks for this walk down memory lane. The game was better then.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Outstanding ! The thing about Tarkenton is he was already on track to set the records while with an expansion and one not much better except for the 1969 season. With Tarkenton , there was never an instance where you can't say "it was because of his defense" this or that . We all know he scrambled, but he was also a running QB with great open field instincts. At the time, there was no one like him. This man was a phenom on the field 2:40
Indeed. In short, Fran was The Man.
Didn’t get to c him play, I’m 50. But saw his highlights dude was a beast!
He'd be even better in today's game, I think. Thanks for commenting!
I saw him on the Giants in 1971 and then he was traded back to the Vikings in 1972 for Norm Snead and Bob Grim.
Yes, he was a scrambler, they frowned on that back then nowadays it’s normal.
He was really the only scrambling QB that I can think of prior to '71, then they came out of the woodwork (Manning, Bradshaw, Staubach, Douglass, Landry, Plunkett...), but then the went away after only a few short years.
Oh man you just crushed my soul!! "I'm 50, Didn't get to C him play"
I am 60 and was a Rams fan in So.Cal so I hated him !!
The Rams could never beat him or Staubach!! I know man, I'm old you didn't see him play either.
i love 70s fOOTbALL THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Thank you for your continued viewing, Manuel. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I remember Allie Sherman doing a show on ESPN in the late 80’s, it was like Monday Night Countdown type of program. He was pretty good for a guy who had been out of the league for years. I had no idea who he was. Some great footage of the Giants playing in Yankee Stadium. Sir Francis always gave my hometown Lions fits, Great video Mark, Thank you.
I remember watching that show! It started in '85. He got the gig cuz he helped to create NFL Films.
As usual, you make great videos. As an aficionado of NFL Films and especially NFL Films music, I appreciate your work. Great highlights, well edited, with great music and informative
Thank you very much, John; I really appreciate that!
football was so much better back then. just a gritty slug feast.
You are 100% correct.
Indeed. No upon further review or 5 minutes to determine if a catch was a catch. 😮
content. As a Georgia Bulldog, I could not be more proud of ol' Fran, the man (a Georgia Bulldog).
I enjoyed his work on Monday Night Football and That's Incredible!, too.
Tarkenton was the best QB of the '7os (my opinion).. and retired owning several meaningful passing records.
Should be a regular in the all-time top 10 QBs, but seems to always get downgraded (because no Stupor Bowl wins).
I agree with you! He had such great athletic ability and I'm always impressed with his throwing accuracy.
He held all the major passing records longer than anyone else has and only Slingin' Sammy Baugh is close. Tarkenton also did all that great work during the dead ball era of the NFL when the rules allowed defenses to reign supreme.
@@bryanjones4444 Growing up a Viking fan Fran was my all-time favorite QB.He wasn't the greatest athlete,but he was very cunning and resourceful!
And he SURVIVED the NFL, to succeed in business without getting billions of brains cells annihilated. Unbelievable quickness in avoiding direct contact with men twice his size and weight accomplished this. Watch the highlights. Few MAJOR open field hits. Therefore his small height and weight were ASSETS in this brutal professional game, enabling him to avoid major HEAD injuries and tunnell his way into NFL history. Oh what a Lucky man he was.
For him to have not suffered a major injury until his 17th season is amazing considering how many times he put himself at risk by either passing or running.
@@markgardner9460He said that the hardest he ever got hit was by Dave Purifoy of the Lions in 1978... Purifoys helmet hit Fran in the face and knocked out several teeth and Fran had to get a lot of stitches!! They said 60! Holy cow but Fran played most of the game according to the stats!It was at the Met unfortunately I don't have footage I do have the entire game footage of the rematch in Detroit a game the Lions crushed the Vikings 45-14 ugh
Fran Tarkenton was a very great innovative quarterback. If a passing play broke down, you would "never" see him take the loss without at least trying to scramble, and many times, making a pass complete, when other QB's would take the sack. How many times did Fran do this in his career, to turn failure into success? His early Viking years (1961-66) with the fiery Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin, a great NFL quarterback himself in earlier years. Coach Van Brocklin was one of the best ever NFL QB's of all time, but as a Hard Coach, he had his faults, and these were big ones. From reading news articles about his temper explosions, to his frequent cursing and threatening of the players, that I saw and heard watching the Falcons when Van Brocklin coached there after leaving the Vikings. Fran, nor any other quarterback, Viking or Falcon, was able to play under Van Brocklin's explosive personality. I guess all Head Coaches can't be like Bud Grant was! Fran had productive seasons, even with Van Brocklin coaching, and the other Giant Head Coaches, in the 5-years he was there. But when he went back to Minnesota, there was a different Viking Head Coach, it was Bud Grant. Under Grant's leadership and quiet, gentleman personality, there was the solid foundation of a great coach, loaded down with people skills. Fran really love playing under Bud Grant. He once said that if you could not work with Coach Grant, you can't work with anybody! Fran would lead the Vikings to three Super Bowls in his final playing years in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the Vikings came up short in all three games and Fran and Bud would retire, having been to the Super Bowl, but in losing efforts. Fran Tarkenton was one of the NFL's greatest, so was Bud Grant. Under todays NFL rules and extended seasons, no telling what new passing records would have been accomplish by a Fran Tarkenton.
Yes, good stuff! Fran was the master of the short passing game and he'd thrive in today's NFL. He'd put up numbers like the best QB's now. Thank you.
As a aside RIP to the great Jerry West NBA and Lakers icon he passed away yesterday...
Tarkenton did not have the same raw physical abilities of, say, Terry Bradshaw or John Elway, but when it comes to getting the most out of whatever natural abilities one does have, Tarkenton is the best ever.
He was faster than those two, perhaps, but you're right - he had nowhere near the size, strength and arm power as those two players. Fran was my idol as a kid.
Todays game is virtually unrecognizable. It is more like Summer "Passing League" drills in pads than real football.
That's 100% accurate. The league is a joke - every rule is for the offense - they want QB's to pass for 400 yards and 3 td's every game. A 3 yard pass ends up being 18 yards because the tackling is so awful and the QB's laugh all the way to the bank.
@@markgardner9460, BINGO!
Yep, it’s MARKETING people and lawyers running the league rather than football folks.
It’s STUDIO FOOTBALL, and it stinks.
The one game I remember was the opening day game in 1969 - Alex Webster’s first regular season game at the helm. Fran was facing his old team, the Vikings, and his old coach at a sold out Yankee Stadium. Fran led the Giants to a stirring come-from-behind victory - scrambling on a third and 17, and throwing the winning TD to rookie WR Don Hermann (85) with seconds left on the clock. The Giants won 24-23. It was splashed all over the papers the next day and many New Yorkers believed that the Giants were back.
That was a magnificent final drive by Fran. He just picked 'em apart. He was such a commanding presence - and he never panicked.
Fran got a bit lucky on the 3rd and 17 play rolling left and heaving a pass that was deflected and caught by Butch Wilson setting up his winning TD pass to Don Hermann.The Vikings tried to get in FG range but a sack of Cuozzo by..
Benchwarmer Bob Lurtesma ( future Viking) effectively ended the game.As noted the Giants scored 24 points most against Minnesota all year and Jim Marshall had a funny comment..
He said obviously we love Fran as a teammate,but when he's a opponent when he's playing well,he has this annoying little laugh that drives you nuts!
That Viking defense was the greatest single season defense of all time giving up only 7.5 points per game and only 3.4 yards per play. They gave up 3 touchdowns to the Giants that opening day and only 9 more the rest of the season. The next game started a streak of 42 games in which the Vikings gave up 2 or less touchdowns in a game. The second longest such streak in football history is 18 games.
@@bryanjones4444 I think it was 9.5 points per game,but you are right they had a incredible defense especially from 69-71 that is one heck of a streak!And it might have been longer but Rodrigo Barnes had a pick 6 to give the Chargers a 3rd TD in week 12 !
@@stevenzimmerman4057 In my study of the greatest single season defenses I don't count pick 6's or kick returns for touchdowns against the defense. The defense gave up just 7.5 points per game the lowest in history. The second lowest was the 1970 Vikings at 8.2 per game. The 70 Vikings defense gave up the least touchdowns in history with just 10 and only 6 through the air which was another record. The 70 Vikes also gave up only 3.4 yards per play. No other defense has come close to those numbers. Fun fact, the 70 Vikings defense scored as many points as they gave up in the first half of the season 42-42, if you give the defense credit for the extra points.
These were the years were I first became a lifelong Giants' fan. Franny was the entire Giants offense until they picked up Bob Tucker (TE) and Ron Johnson (RB). Your tape makes it look like Franny had some good receivers to throw to. WRONG!!! Thanks for putting this tape together.
You're welcome. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video!
Like I say every time he's mentioned I liked Bob Tucker! Very consistent!
He was too quick/fast to be covered by a Linebacker and in a lot of cases Strong Safeties.
There were a few factors that made Fran scramble or take off for yardage. Most of this took place in his early Vikings days and his Giants years. Outside of Homer Jones, Fran didn't have a vast array of go-to receivers, his Offensive lines were not the best, and being 6' 1"(with cleats on) makes it tough to see over the big linemen. All this made Tark have to take matters in his own hands. In many ways Fran was his own offense. Of course this would change when he was teamed with a Human Army-Knife named Chuck Foreman. And regarding his arm strength. I'm quite sure John Gilliam had no problem catching Fran Bombs.
During his first hitch with MN he was forced to run for his life. He used to get sacked for some tremendous losses, but he was as entertaining as any QB ever has.
@@markgardner9460 Maybe it would've been better if the Dutchman gave Fran some protection and some weapons to work with.
They had Paul Flatley, but other than that it was a lot of swing passes to Bill "Boom Boom" Brown.
Yes, and defenders often double teamed Homer Jones (45) and he still caught a lot of bombs. Fran used TE Aaron Thomas (88) a lot. As you mentioned, the Giants run game never posed a significant threat, with Tucker Fredricksen (24) and Ernie Koy (23) often playing hurt and Joe Morrison (40) had a lot of mileage on him when Fran arrived in NY. The late 60’s Giants just never took off. But Fran was very popular with the NY fans - even with that other guy in Queens winning the Super Bowl in ‘68.
Ron Johnson turned around the Giants running game. He was a super solid RB. Not too many had (2) 1,000 yard rushing seasons back then.
Another great set. I was too young to remember Tark on the Giants, but I remember being crushed when Staubach threw the hail mary pass to defeat the Vikings, to go to the Superbowl. 1975, I believe. Today I call it the Super Bore of which I am the same age being born in 1966. Great video. Thanx.
Thank you! I remember that NFC Divisional Playoff Game like it was yesterday. I can only imagine how much that day stung Tarkenton. His team lost the game, then in the locker room he was told that his Dad had just died.
@@markgardner9460 Thats right! I forgot about that. I've heard that his Dad died because of the excitement of that play, but I've also heard that his heart attack was unrelated. Still....My friend and I were total Steelers fans so I was looking forward to a repeat Superbowl. So, I was bummed when Staubach threw that pass. The next year they lost their 4th Superbowl. Unrelated, I have a picture of Jim Kelly giving the victory fist. You can see all 4 of his fingers and the caption reads, "Hey Jim, Show us your Superbowl rings". LOL
I heard that the heart attack was unrelated to the game.
@@markgardner9460I heard the same thing.a very dark day in Vikings history but , obviously much worse for Fran! I was 16 and I remember that game as well! And not fondly!
Great video as always ! Loved watching him when I was a kid. I was a late bloomer and small until I hit my Sophomore year of HS. I loved watching this tiny guy drive defenses nuts with his scrambling. I hated that he never got a ring...it baffles me how great some of those Viking teams he played on were without winning at least ONE ring ! I mean he had Yary, White, Tinglehoff, Foreman, Rashad, Lash, Voight and that Defense...Marshall, Eller, Page, Siemon, Hilgenberg, Krauss. Fran was definitely one of my all time favorites. He guest hosted SNL once and was even really good one that !
That's awesome about hosting SNL. I should check if it's on TH-cam! Thanks for the heads up, Keith.
@@markgardner9460 I'm sure it is somewhere. He became an entreprenuer after football. I remember he also did one of the first infomercials.
Number 40 Joey Morrison one of the greatest player on the giants not real big or fast but could always get open and had great hands
He got the job done, no matter the job. Every team needs a player like Morrison!
Agreed! Morrison was extremely solid!
He was a perfect RB for Fran, in that he was both a capable rusher and receiver.
I always thought it was Frank not Fran. You learn something new everyday
That's right. In my business I learn dozens of things every day. The key is to remember it.
Great film, again. Gracias. Always admired Mr. Tarkenton. Took those hits and never missed a quarter? Great passes - and good receptions.
Glad you enjoyed it! Yep, Tark didn't miss a quarter due to injury until November 1977 when he broke his leg just above the ankle.
Quarterbacks who started a Super Bowl after playing for the Giants: Earl Morrall, Fran Tarkenton, Craig Morton, Kurt Warner.
I did not think of Warner. Thanks for the list!
I BELIEVE, THEY ALL LOST!!
@@mrtnt3462 Morrall relieved Unitas in SB 5 & Colts won, though offense played terribly. Was Warner the starter when Rams beat Titans?
Yes, but I think @matthewbrotman2907 was referring to QB's who played in a Super Bowl after playing with the Giants.
I guarantee you any reporter that questioned Fran Tarkenton's arm strength would have walked away shaking his head, and his broken hand, if Fran ripped one at him from 20 yards.
I have to ask,,,,,are you the son of the Giants former GN Raymond J. Walsh ??
@@giantobsession3993 Oh, no sir. Just coincidence. I am the son of SP4 Allan Ray Walsh, door gunner, 71st Air Assault Co., born 3/8/45, KIA Chu-Lai Vietnam 10/2/68.
@@raywalsh9152To your father ( much too late!) Thank you for your service!RIP,sir!
Another great video Mark. When my book comes out I hope to turn out a video for each of the 35 quarterbacks in the study. I would love to find out from you how to get all the amazing footage that you put up. If I find out how to get it to you I would like to send you a copy of the book, I am sure you will love it. I am retiring in November and should have the book done within a few weeks of the Super Bowl in 2025. I know you are aware of this but for your subscribers I will share my findings in regard to Fran.
My formula compares all the great quarterbacks since 1947 to the average quarterback and find out how far above average they are. I use 16 different statistical categories to accomplish this. The 5 quarterbacks who were the farthest above average as of 2021 are as follows. #5 Y. A. Tittle, #4 Johnny Unitas, #3 Drew Brees, #2 Peyton Manning and the real GOAT is Fran Tarkenton. Rodgers may be #5 by now but I have not recalculated him since 2021. For those who are curious Brady is currently #6 or 7 depending on Rodgers.
Thanks, Bryan! You may contact me at my email address - I think it's in located in the "About" section of my TH-cam HomePage.
So Fran is #1 - Nice! He gets overlooked, so I'm glad that you will be shedding light onto the subject in detail.
He made a ton of plays..but damn; those Super Bowls..
His teams were outclassed in each one. When you get pulled from a Super Bowl like he did against Oakland, you know you're having a bad day.
There was a bit of a rhythm to his shift in passing range that could be predictable and his superbowl rivals made a point to study that and it made those unchanging tactics, no matter who the opposition was, pretty readable by the end of season championship.
Yes Mark is back!
One of my favorite quarterbacks at the time i started watching football in the mid-70’s. My first was Roger Staubach but i really liked the Vikings style of play and scramblin Fran the man Tarkenton. Always exciting to watch. He was amazing in his years with the Giants. He was a winner on a team that was mediocre. After the big push in 76-77 to get to the Super Bowl that was pretty much it, he had played a lot of years by then. I was really rooting for them to get the Super Bowl in 77 but the Raiders weren’t having it.
I had his jersey as a kid - wore the heck out of it. Fran The Man. There will never be another!
@@markgardner9460 Ha, I had it too. I asked for it and got it for Christmas in 77. My favorite shirt for a year. It was the Holy Grail.
Fran tossed 4 TD passes against Green Bay in the 42-40 victory in 1971 opening day but the season went south quickly! The Giants only won 3 more games and Fran only threw 7 more touchdown passes! As a Viking fan I'm extremely happy that he was angry at Giants management! He came back to Minnesota!
And the best player the Giants got? The excellent Brad Van Pelt ( wore #10!)
Interesting comment by Alan Page and Jim Finks at the end of the video! I thoroughly enjoyed it,Mark but I always liked Sir Francis!
Looks like Tarkenton did the Vikings a HUGE favor just by demanding to be traded (to the Giants). And the Giants would get the receiving services of Bob Grim a few years later.
Ed White and Ron Yary were terrific for a long time!
Great stuff, as always. As I watch these old clips, I often wonder how many of the blocks we see would be illegal today? I see a lot of blockers target the legs, for example.
Yes, there were a lot of those blocks, as well as the old high/low blocks executed by 2 offensive linemen. Crackback blocks were common back then, too.
I still have a '68 Sport magazine with Tarkenton on the cover I got autographed years ago...Van Brocklin I think really got tired of third-and-25 situations with Tark and forced a trade.
I have that ussue, too. What a great magazine that was!
Had RB Ron Johnson been a team member for Fran '67-'71 they might have won the division in 1970. In '71 the year Johnson was injured (not on the field) I met him in Troy, NY as a kid (St. Mary's School). Still have the autographed booklet.
Ron Johnson had a huge year in '70 for the Giants when he rushed for 1,027 yards which was second best in the NFL. He was a good combination of speed and power.
@@markgardner9460 The 9-5 Giants should have won the division in 1970 over the weak 10-4 Cowboys. The Giants went 1-1 against Dallas who beat up on the Redskins, but got blown out twice versus the Cards. The Giants beat the Cards 35-17 and 34-17 (you will never see scores like that again - I'm good with numbers) yet faltered against the lowly Bears and Saints. Should have gone 11-3. Would have kept Fran in NY.
Didn't know he played 18 years wow
1970, had there only been the Wild Card system in use today!
Wearing my Ken Anderson Bengals jersey for this one
I need to get either his or Isaac Curtis or Bill Bergey!
Ken is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in history, along with Fran. My formula, that compares a quarterback to the average quarterback of their era before comparing those numbers to all the other greats, finds Anderson as the 15th greatest quarterback since 1947 and Fran is the GOAT with only Peyton Manning close.
He should have been elected into the Hall of Fame 35+ years ago. Like Tark, he was incredibly accurate.
It's absolutely ridiculous that Ken Anderson isn't in Canton?
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Fran as he tried in vain to rundown a guy who had picked him off for a pick six! I’m sure that was one of a multitude of reasons why Tarkenton wanted out from the Giants.
Most, if not all QB's would just run to the sidelines, but not in Fran's era!
It is so weird that I was watching a video about the WFL and saw Tarkenton playing remembering how good he was on his feet. And A few minutes later a video on Fran Tarkenton shows up at the top of my fee. He was not the subject of the earlier video and I had not searched for any info on him. Does You Tube employ remote mind reading AI?
Thanks for the painful memories (lol). I’m a little disappointed I didn’t see one Homer Jones spike.
Boy, those Giant teams were about as bad as this recent Giant Team has been.
Sure wish the Giants had an - in his prime - Tarkenton around now.
Tark had to light up the scoreboard frequently because the Giants' defense leaked big time.
"Thats Incredible"
I usually took the opportunity/ to watch this guy whether he played for NY or Minnisota. Early in his career he'd have me laughing at being chased all over the damned place often getting off a completed pass after. I know his adversaries understood they were entertaining people at their expense and I'm sure they hated that.
It was almost comical how he'd snake farther and farther behind the line of scrimmage in an attempt to elude pass rushers. He's get sacked for huge losses. Of course he made his share of spectacular plays by scrambling, too. He's a one of a kind!
Made the giants an exciting team to watch in 1970 they almost won the east division
Watching Fran roll out & throw on the run was worth the price of admission, along with his scrambling.
And motivational speaker Tony Robbins helped Fran kick his chewing tobacco habit. Anyone remember that infomercial from the 90's?
I had no idea that he chewed.
@@markgardner9460 Oh yeah. He gave a testimonial about Robbin's "Power Talk" system changing his mind about tobacco. This was back in the heyday of late night infomercials.
Did he use Replacement Thinking, I wonder. Hopefully he didn't drop one habit just to pick up another bad one. You know, "I stopped cigarette smoking, but now I don't have any fingernails and I eat a pound of chocolate every day."
@@markgardner9460 Apparently Fran came out of it for the better. He even does an "interview" with Robbins for an "Personal Power" infomercial. It's even on TH-cam.
I may check that out. Thanks!
What a shame that he didn't stay on the Giants longer
The only Hall of Famer I can think of who was traded from, and returned to, his original team. If only he was a Viking his entire career.
Chris Doleman did the same thing with the Vikings.
I remember many years ago I saw on TV once Fran Tarkenton say he played on some untalented teams when he was with the Giants.
Yes, the Giants defense was quite porous during most of his Giants tenure plus they didn't have much of a running game either.
Tarkenton and the Giants destroyed the Cardinals and their playoff chances in 1970.winning 34-17 and 35-17 St Louis was 8-3-1 against everyone else and Tarkenton was 29-39 with 522 yards,8 touchdown passes 0 intercepted and a rushing TD so he totally dominated!. accounted for 9.touchdowns!
Wow! Tark had the Cards number! GREAT stats!!!
He was really good in 1967 , first year with Giants because he had Homer Jones to throw to
13 td's and a 24.7 YPC in 1967 was amazing, as was his 1,209 receiving yards.
I don't appreciate him doing my Steelers like that. Great player.
Oh, man! He did appear to really paste the Steelers, eh? Of course, that's true of most of their opponents back in late '60s!
0:56 - Those clear plastic face masks--when and how long were they in use?
On November 15, 1953, Otto Graham first wore a Plexiglass facemask but it was already in use by at least one other player - 49ers Linebacker Hardy Brown. I don't know when he started wearing it. He was a rookie in 1948. The NFL banned these Lucite facemasks by the end of the '50's due to their propensity to shatter.
Mark , how about a segment on the best NFL assistant coaches?. Although there might not be much footage!
Yeah, I think that would be challenging to make an exciting video with that subject matter, although Ditka footage would be cool.
@@markgardner9460 Yeah my ideas need work I guess!
@@markgardner9460 I'm laughing at your comment on the last video when I said I was looking forward to your next video ,and you said " It just rolled out!" Perfect segue for Tarkenton!
Another video just rolled out and would ya believe that Tark as a Giant makes a special guest star appearance?
I remember thinking he was a small skinny guy because he was so quick and fidgety...I was shocked when I saw how tall he actually was
I think he's 6 feet tall.
He was listed at 6 feet some people think it's closer to 5'10 or 11 but he was a incredible QB no matter what!
There's a lot of 1967 footage against the expansion Saints.
Big #81 Doug Atkins - Defensive End...as nasty and mean as any player.
If it werent for Tarkenton Doug Flutie would've been laughed out of Boston College.
The Bass player in the music is fantastic...Who is it?
I'm not sure. The songs are from different bands. I think I know which player you're talking about though - he really stands out, but I don't know his name.
Yes you always have excellent background music!
@@stevenzimmerman4057 One of them sounds like a (Yes), “Roundabout” infringement.
Merlin Olson said after chasing Fran around the field for 60 minutes you would lose 10 pounds
At least - on those hot days, the defensive linemen dreaded facing a scrambling QB. Thanks for commenting!
Fran the scram gave my rams fits. I couldn’t stand him. But he was great. Wanker.
Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen hated chasing him all over the field all day in a hot afternoon in L.A.
@@markgardner9460Jones said that the one QB he really wanted to nail was Tarkenton for exactly that reason!
@@markgardner9460 "I Always Hated Tarkenton...I Really Did...That Little Wimp Would Run Around Out There For Hours and Hours and Hours" Merlin Olsen
Great quote!
@@lsw6292 You almost never heard Merlin Olson say anything like that! Classic!
Tarkington was tough rascal
He could take a lickin', but keep on tickin'!
in 1987 Mavericks and Misfits Tarkenton says his GIANTS years was the WORST COLLECTION OF TALENT HE EVER PLAYED WITH
Well, his early years with the Vikes were just as bad, in my opinion. The offensive line was so bad that he had to run for his life.
That was a stupid trade by the Vikings. Even though they got Fran back later.
Van Brocklin actually left the Vikings before Tarkenton did, but Fran was stubborn and continued with his trade request.
Ron Yary HoF, Ed White were a solid part of the o line that took them to 4 SBs.
Take a guess who Fran Tarkington’s idol was?Johnny Unitas!
I read that it was Y.A. Tittle. Maybe he had two.
@@markgardner9460Tarkenton I believe in the mid 80 also went to International Falls Minnesota to meet Bronco Nagurski...
I think he rn a gas station.
@@markgardner9460 Tarkenton is a man who reveres the old time coaches and players! I have seen clips where he speaks about them.. and what he said about Bud Grant's passing was very moving and heartfelt!
Fran Tarkenton the only weaker arm in the history of the NFL was Bernie Kosar
Jim McMahan couldn't break a window pane when he quarterbacked the Vikings.
I believe Chad Pennington had much weaker arm strength than Tarkenton. Also if memory serves me correct Drew Brees had very comparable arm stregnth to Tarkenton.
Fran tarkenton was an above average qb on a very bad team in NY. An above avg qb can do great things on a vg team like minn. Phil simms is another. Archie manning, we dont really know if he was great, vg, or just good becuase of his perdicament in NO. Tark was very popular in his day. A hard core self promotor who was constantly pushing the tarkenton brand on 1970s tv. So no hes not forgotton. Just not relevant. After football he attempted football media like most of these one trick ponies who dont have any skills or smarts outside football (like bradshaw). He then gravitated onto the motivational speaker circuit where he marketed some sort if positive thinking bs. A vg qb like john brody.i will give him credit however for having the decency of removing himself from the public eye unlike many others who are too dense to realize their 15 minutes have expired. Thanks Fran.
Thank you for your comments. I especially enjoyed the Manning ones. For obvious reasons, today's media attempts to portray him as an incredible QB who happened to be stuck on a bad team. I do not gravitate towards that. I think that he had incredible skills, but was only a good QB. I'm not sure that I would rate him as being very good because it seems to me that he did not make his receivers better. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Those fans spelled Nitschke wrong
They may have had something to drink
@@markgardner9460😅
Was that Brig Owens trying to "tackle" Fredrickson at 11:17? Lame effort!
Mike Bass. Pathetic display!
@@markgardner9460 Thanks for correcting me!
No problem - you've done it many times for me.
No it was Owens, wasn't it? #23? Bass is #41.
@@robd2721 Yeah I know! I had brain freeze!
Nah...Ya think??? GREENBAY & MINNESOTA...cold ...need "antifreeze " to sit out there
That's what my grandfather used to bring to the games. Come to think of it, it didn't need to be a cold weather game either!
Ahmad Rashad made a comment after he came to the Vikings that the Bills had one venue that they dreaded because it was so cold! The Met in Bloomington Minnesota! Imagine players from Buffalo thinking somewhere else is cold!
Your comments reminded me of a Bud Grant quote in response to why he didn't allow any heaters on the sidelines: "We generate our own heat"
@@markgardner9460 I absolutely remember that!
Larry Wilson being a jerk at 2:48
Yo franny was great with n.y. Giants
He moved the chains in rapid fire.
Francis Asbury Tarkenton. Not a big QB at 5'11' and 190 pounds. GM Jim Finks built the great 1980's Bears teams that won the SB in 1985.
Yes, Finks built the Vikings, Bears and Saints teams into winners.