Thursday, August 11, 2022

Here Is A Story about A Record That Never Was But It Almost Was and If It Was It Would Be Unbreakable

Some of you don’t care about Football and because you don’t care about Football you may be tempted to not read this Blog Posting but if you are intrigued by What If’s read on because this is a Great What If.

This Blog Posting is about a Football Touchdown Passing Record that could have been, and if it had been, it would be Unbreakable because it would be Unbreakable.

First, let’s talk about the record that is not a What If Record but an Actual Existing Record.

Drew Brees holds the NFL record (54 games) for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass. He set the record on October 7, 2012, when he surpassed the streak of 47 consecutive games by Johnny Unitas which had stood since December 11, 1960. Yes, Unitas had held the record for nearly 52 years after surpassing Cecil Isbell's streak of 23, which had been established as the record in 1942. Brees' record streak ended on Thursday November 29, 2012.

Tom Brady, at 52 games, is in 2nd place. Brady was in 2nd place to several Brees’ records (Brady was drafted 1 year before Brees). Now that Brees has retired and Brady is still playing that is changing.

Here are some interesting facts about the game where Drew Brees came up short which is something that did not happen to him very often...

Ø Brees almost had it to 55 games in a row late in the second quarter.

Ø He connected with Darren Sproles for a touchdown pass that would have pulled the Saints within three points at the half.

Ø Instead, tight end Jimmy Graham drew a penalty for offensive pass interference that negated that touchdown.

Ø Lance Moore was known as a Sure Handed Receiver.

Ø Moore had a very good game that day (7 receptions for 123 yards with the ball being thrown to him 11 times).

Ø Moore led all Saints in receiving that game.

Ø Moore’s 123 receiving yards was a season-high and just his third 100-yard game of the season. 

Ø  In the 4th quarter Moore was wide open and uncovered when Brees threw him a short pass for what looked to be a sure touchdown but Moore Dropped the Ball!

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That’s the end of the Record that is the Record. Now I am going to tell you about the Record that isn’t a Record...

Ø The next game that the Saints played Drew Brees started a New Completion Streak.

Ø This streak lasted from December 9, 2012 through November 29, 2015.

Ø I save you the trouble of trying to figure out how many games that was...This streak was 45 games!

The bottom line is, if Sure Handed Lance Moore had not dropped that short pass in the end zone while he was uncovered, Brees’ Consecutive Regular Season Games with a Touchdown Pass Record would be 55 Games plus 45 Games or an Even 100 Games!

Now do you understand why I said above that Drew Brees would be holding a record that would be acknowledged as an Unbreakable Record for the very good reason that it would be an Unbreakable Record!

Where is Tom Brady in all of this? He is still in second place at 52 Games.

If you are one that has no interest in Football, Football Records, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, the NFL or even Johnny Unitas, I am sorry you read this Blog Posting. Go back to the top of this Blog Posting and not read what you just read and that will make it all better and save you a lot of time...Or will it?

Would I kid u?

Smartfella

 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I loved Johnny Unitas. There were great QBs before him, but he set a higher standard and was the pattern for all that followed. Not every great QB was a mold of Johnny U., but the quick release the precision sideline passes, his style was unique. Each generation of QBs get better and better. Now you have rookies who can start in the NFL. Not sure Johnny U. could start in the NFL now, but Brees and Brady could have started in any era. Those pioneers in football, basketball, baseball led the way for superior performance to become standard.