Bengals QB history

[KA14_HOF]

Over the last couple of years I've scoured Media Guides, Game Note sheets, newspaper archives (Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Post, Dayton Daily News, etc.), YouTube videos, message boards and photo websites (like Getty Images) in an effort to identify every QB that has ever donned a Bengals jersey since Paul Brown traded for John Stofa back in December of 1967.

 

I don't have Instagram/Facebook/whatever accounts, so it's very possible I'm missing assorted treasure troves of info & photos.

 

As I went along, my investigation gradually deepened and as I became more knowledgeable, I found I wish I'd been more thorough in my earliest research. My goal was, for each QB, to identify:

1. When he arrived and when he departed

2. How far he progressed in his Bengals career, from draft pick that never showed up to actually taking a snap during the regular season.

3. What jersey number(s) he wore.

4. Photographic evidence of his Bengaldom.

 

If you see any gaps or inaccuracies, please definitely point those out. If you find a particular QB's status to be rather dubious, feel free to call it out. I'll be happy to share what I know and try to give you an accurate gauge of how confident I am in my info. If you know of any photos that are better than the ones I post, or know of sites that might be repositories of archived Bengals photos that I could search, I'd be grateful for any help or direction that can be offered.

 

I'll create separate posts for each season, so hopefully that will make it easier to locate any QB you may want to check and also to reply with specific info for a particular season. It'll take a while to post everything, but I'll chip away, starting with 1968. After mid-August I'll have more time to devote to getting it all posted.

 

Here are the various stages I ended up measuring the QBs by:

1. Acquired (via Draft or Free Agency) but never suited-up.

2. Rookie/Training camp only. (cut before pre-season)

3. On the roster for Exhibition/Pre-season games.

4. Brought in for a mid-season tryout, but was not signed.

5. Made the Practice Squad (aka, cab/taxi squad or developmental squad)

6. Served as an Emergency (#3) QB while playing another position.

7. Made the roster, but never got into a game.

8. Played in a regular season game as the Bengals QB.

 

I only recently discovered the Bengals' approach to bringing in local players who either played their High School or College ball in the area for pre-draft workouts. I started to keep track of those as I came across them, but was not as aggressive in identifying them since, whether they did well or poorly, they wouldn't be signed or cut after their workout.

 

Again, if you know of any QB that met any of these criteria, in any particular season, that I have not accounted for, please point them out and I'll gladly add them.

 

[KA14_HOF]

1968

ARRIVED:

#15 - John Stofa (Buffalo) - Acquired 12/26/67; started Bengals 1st exhibition game vs Chiefs; was 2-5 in 7 starts during regular season; went 85-of-177 for 896 yards, 5 TDs & 5 INTs in regular season.

 < exhibition game vs Chiefs (NOT their reg. season game)

 

#17 - Gary Davis (Vanderbilt) - Drafted in 3rd Round; retired 8/6/68 after exhibition game #1 vs Chiefs. (did not play)

 < 1968 rookie camp  < college photo

 

#16 - Dewey Warren (Tennessee) - Drafted in 6th Round; was 0-4 in 4 starts, including 1st official game in Bengals history; nicknamed "Swamp Rat"; went 47-of-80 for 506 yards, 1 TD & 4 INTs.

 

 

#14 - Sam Wyche (Furman) - Jan./Feb. '68 tryout; signed to taxi squad 9/17/68; activated 10/31/68; was 1-2 in 3 starts; went 35-of-55 for 494 yards, 2 TDs & 2 INTs.

 

#17 - Charlie Green (Wittenberg) - Acq. 8/13/68; released 8/27/68 after exhibition game #4 vs Stealers. First name sometimes misspelled "Charley". Played in exhibition game #4 vs Stealers at the end of the game, but did not attempt a pass.

 

NEED:

* Photos of Gary Davis and Charlie Green in their Bengals jerseys.

[Le Tigre]

1 hour ago, KA14_HOF said:

#15 - John Stofa

Guy was an incredible amateur golfer as well. He was a club champion at Jefferson CC in Gahanna OH for eons after he retired. 
 

(very nice roundup of the QB’s BTW)

[KA14_HOF]

1969

RETURNING:

#15 - John Stofa (Buffalo) - waived to taxi squad 8/2/69; did not play in any exhibition games; activated 10/3 after Cook injury, but did not play; back to taxi squad; traded to Dolphins 12/1/69.

 

#16 - Dewey Warren (Tennessee) - waived 8/1/69.

 

#14 - Sam Wyche (Furman) - was 0-3 in three starts (Weeks 4, 6 and 7); went 54-of-108 for 838 yards, 7 TDs & 4 INTs.

 

ARRIVED:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - Drafted in 1st Round (5th overall); was 4-6-1 in 11 starts, including Week 1; went 106-of-197 for 1,854 yards, 15 TDs & 11 INTs. Named Rookie of the Year. Suffered career-altering shoulder injury in Week 3 vs Chiefs. Cook's father was killed in a car accident on 10/20/68.

 

#13 - Ken Riley (Florida A&M) - Drafted in 6th Round; started training camp practicing with QBs; moved to DB on "2nd or 3rd day", as per Mike Brown's recollection. (a photo of Riley throwing during those 1st practices would be the Holy Grail of QB pics)

  .....    < QB in college

 

[New Jersey Bengal]

1 hour ago, KA14_HOF said:

1969

RETURNING:

#15 - John Stofa (Buffalo) - waived to taxi squad 8/2/69; did not play in any exhibition games; activated 10/3 after Cook injury, but did not play; back to taxi squad; traded to Dolphins 12/1/69.

 

#16 - Dewey Warren (Tennessee) - waived 8/1/69.

 

#14 - Sam Wyche (Furman) - went 54-of-108 for 838 yards, 7 TDs & 4 INTs.

 

ARRIVED:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - Drafted in 1st Round (5th overall); went 106-of-197 for 1,854 yards, 15 TDs & 11 INTs.

 

#13 - Ken Riley (Florida A&M) - Drafted in 6th Round; started training camp practicing with QBs; moved to DB on "2nd or 3rd day", as per Mike Brown's recollection. (a photo of Riley throwing during those 1st practices would be the Holy Grail of QB pics)

  .....    < QB in college

 

The Rattler!!!

[KA14_HOF]

19 minutes ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

The Rattler!!!

You didn't happen to work at the Toys R Us HQ in Wayne back around 2009/2010, did you?

[New Jersey Bengal]

9 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

You didn't happen to work at the Toys R Us HQ in Wayne back around 2009/2010, did you?

No sir

[KA14_HOF]

Okay, thought I'd ask. Having lived in Northern NJ almost all my life, I never actually met another Bengals fan until I saw a co-worker drive into the TRU parking lot with a Bengals bumper sticker back around 2009. I lost track of him after I left in 2010.

[New Jersey Bengal]

2 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

Okay, thought I'd ask. Having lived in Northern NJ almost all my life, I never actually met another Bengals fan until I saw a co-worker drive into the TRU parking lot with a Bengals bumper sticker back around 2009. I lost track of him after I left in 2010.

Been a fan for 52 years

[New Jersey Bengal]

18 minutes ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

Been a fan for 52 years and do not live in NJ anymore

[KA14_HOF]

1970

RETURNING:

#14 - Sam Wyche (Furman) - started Weeks 1 thru 3, going 1-2; went 26-of-57 for 411 yards, 3 TDs & 2 INTs for the year.

 

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - placed on "unable to perform" list on 8/13/70; has shoulder surgery on 8/17/70 and ruled out for season.

 

ARRIVED:

#15 - Dave Lewis (Stanford) - signed as rookie free agent Punter/Quarterback on 7/15/70; played QB in 4 of 6 exhibition games, starting game #3 vs Cardinals; went 3-of-4 for 39 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs for season; also played in Divisional Playoff game vs Colts, rushing 3 times for 10 yards. Named All-Pro as punter.

  .....    < 1971 at Oilers 

 

#20 - Jim Del Gaizo (Syracuse/Tampa) - signed as rookie free agent 7/15/70; waived 7/23/70; re-signed to taxi squad 8/20/70; released 9/1/70. (did not play in any exhibition games)

 < training camp   ..... 

 

#___ - Onree Jackson (Alabama A&M) - claimed 8/12/70 from Falcons; arrived at camp 8/17/70; released 8/18/70 after 1 practice. (did not play in any exhibition games)

  < college photo

 

#20 - Rick Norton (Kentucky) - arrived at camp 8/17/70 after being waived by Dolphins; released 8/21/70. (did not play in any exhibition games)

  .....  

 

#___ - Bob Davis (Virginia) - claimed 8/26/70 from Giants; waived 8/31/70 and cleared waivers; reactivated 9/1/70; waived 9/3/70. (did not play in any exhibition games) Would later be the starting QB for the WFL's Florida Blazers in World Bowl '74.

 

#11 - Virgil Carter (BYU) - acquired 8/26/70 from Bills; played in final 2 exhibition games; went 143-of-278 for 1,647 yards, 9 TDs & 9 INTs. Named starting QB in Week 4, finishing with a 7-4 record; started Bengals 1st ever playoff game at Colts.

 

#___ - Kay Stephenson (Florida) - claimed 9/1/70 from Raiders; signed to taxi squad; waived 9/3/70. (did not play in any exhibition games)

  < with Chargers in 1967

 

NOTES:

There were conflicting reports as to how many QBs Paul Brown actually went through trying to replace Greg Cook...

> The Journal Herald (Sep. 2, 1970) - "In all, nine candidates have applied for the job."

> Cincinnati Enquirer (Sep. 2, 1970) - "Stephenson is the 11th quarterback in the Bengal camp so far this season."

> Dayton Daily News (Sep. 7, 1970) - "Eight different signal callers have been given a chance to win the job."

 

So it's possible that I'm missing up to 2 more QBs. In any event, going through the newspapers day-by-day as training camp unfolded in 1970 underscored the lengths Paul Brown went to scrambling to replace Cook. The fact that this team eventually won the AFC Central Division is nothing short of miraculous, and IMO, does not get enough attention either nationally or locally. Someone seriously needs to write a book about the 1970 season.

 

NEED:

* Possible IDs of up to 2 heretofore unidentified QBs.

* Jersey #'s worn by Onree Jackson, Bob Davis and Kay Stephenson.

* Photos of Jackson, Davis and Stephenson in their Bengals uniforms. (and a better photo of Del Gaizo)

[Le Tigre]

2 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

 

#??? - Bob Davis (Virginia) - claimed 8/26/70 from Giants; waived 8/31/70 and cleared waivers; reactivated 9/1/70; waived 9/3/70. (did not play in any exhibition games) Would later be the starting QB for the WFL's Florida Blazers in World Bowl '74.

The one and only WFL. Bob in World Bowl ‘74 ( the one and only World Bowl)

 

[KA14_HOF]

1971

RETURNING:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - after another shoulder surgery, and trying to return during the pre-season, Cook was placed on the "unable to perform" list on 9/13/71 without playing in any exhibition games. Eventually was ruled out for the season without appearing in any games.

 

#15 - Dave Lewis (Stanford) - continued as punter; didn't play QB in any exhibition games; played QB at Raiders & at Oilers; went 3-of-10 for 18 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs.

 

#11 - Virgil Carter (BYU) - started Week 1; was 4-6 in 10 starts; went 138-of-222 for 1,624 yards, 10 TDs & 7 INTs.

 

ARRIVING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - was 0-4 in 4 starts; went 72-of-131 for 777 yards, 5 TDs & 4 INTs.

 

[Griever]

I don't mean to break up this thread, but just wanted to say what a great thing this is that you are putting together. These are the types of history lessons I'm into. Thanks!

[KA14_HOF]

1 hour ago, Griever said:

I don't mean to break up this thread, but just wanted to say what a great thing this is that you are putting together. These are the types of history lessons I'm into. Thanks!

Thank you. I'm happy to share it, and am glad there are others who find this as interesting as I do. All feedback and input is more than welcome, especially from people as knowledgeable as the members on this board.

[KA14_HOF]

1972

RETURNING:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - had shoulder surgery again in Feb. '72; did not play in any exhibition games; ruled out for season without appearing in any games.

 

#15 - Dave Lewis (Stanford) - continued as punter; did not play QB in any exhibition games; was emergency #3 QB, but did not play QB in any regular season games.

 

#11 - Virgil Carter (BYU) - was 1-0 as starting QB (at Bears); went 47-of-82 for 579 yards, 3 TDs & 4 INTs for season.

 

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started Week 1; was 7-6 in 13 starts; went 171-of-301 for 1,918 yards, 7 TDs & 7 INTs.

 

 

ARRIVING:

#?? - James Hamilton (Arkansas St.) - Drafted in 13th Round; released 5/19/72 after failing weigh-in on Day 2 or rookie mini-camp.

  < college photo

 

#10 - Ron Maciejowski (Ohio St.) - arrived as free agent for rookie camp on 5/18/72; released 8/18/72; did not play in first 2 exhibition games.

 

#10 - Mike Taliaferro (Illinois) - pronounced last name as "Toliver"; claimed 8/17/72 from Bills; played in exhibition game #6 vs Falcons; released 9/14/72 just before start of season.

  < Taliaferro (left) with Virgil Carter & Ken Anderson

 

NEED:

* Jersey # worn by James Hamilton.

* Photo of Hamilton in Bengals uniform.

[Le Tigre]

Speaking of Mace (Maciejowski), here is a snippet with some of his recollections in Cincinnati:

 

https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/article/ohio-state-has-had-2-former-qbs-taken-in-the-same-nfl-draft-before-74994165/

 

[KA14_HOF]

Just as a reminder, here is the color-coded key to each QB's status/progress for any given season:

 

1. Acquired (via Draft or Free Agency) but never suited-up.

2. Rookie/Training camp only. (cut before pre-season games)

3. On the roster for Exhibition/Pre-season games.

4. Brought in for mid-season tryout, but was not signed.

5. Made the Practice Squad (aka, cab/taxi squad or developmental squad)

6. Made the roster, but never got into a game.

7. Played in a regular season game as the Bengals QB.

 

Additional classifications:

* Served as Emergency (#3) QB while playing another position.

* Injured/out for season

* Participated in pre-draft workout for Bengals

[I_C_Deadpeople]

4 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

1971

RETURNING:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - after another shoulder surgery, and trying to return during the pre-season, Cook was placed on the "unable to perform" list on 9/13/71 without playing in any exhibition games. Eventually was ruled out for the season without appearing in any games.

 

#15 - Dave Lewis (Stanford) - continued as punter; didn't play QB in any exhibition games; played QB at Raiders & at Oilers; went 3-of-10 for 18 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs.

 

#11 - Virgil Carter (BYU) - started Week 1; was 4-6 in 10 starts; went 138-of-222 for 1,624 yards, 10 TDs & 7 INTs.

 

ARRIVING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - was 0-4 in 4 starts; went 72-of-131 for 777 yards, 5 TDs & 4 INTs.

 

That Anderson guy looks familar, did he work out as a QB in the league?

[KA14_HOF]

1973

RETURNING:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - quit training camp 7/27/73; returned to team ~9/2/73; did not play in 6th exhibition game vs Packers; played Week 1 at Broncos, going 1-of-3 for 11 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs, moved to taxi squad 9/26/73.

 

#11 - Virgil Carter (BYU) - broke collar bone in 6th and final exhibition game vs Packers; out for the season; traded to Chargers on 1/24/74 for QB Wayne Clark.

 

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started all 14 games, going 10-4; went 179-of-329 for 2,428 yards, 18 TDs & 12 INTs.

 

ARRIVING:

#___ - Edward "Ted" McNulty (Indiana) - Drafted in 15th Round; apparently never made it to rookie camp; never played in NFL; killed in single-car accident 1/14/82 (decapitated) just 1 day before turning 31.

  < college photo

 

#10 - Wayne Estabrook (Whittier) - Drafted in 17th Round; played in 2nd exhibition game vs Eagles, throwing 1 incomplete pass; released 8/27/73 after 4th exhibition game.

  .....    < college photo

 

#___ - Phil Redrow (Wilmington Coll.) - arrived for try out at rookie camp 5/18/73; medically disqualified 7/14/73 at beginning of training camp.

 

#___ - Don Gault (Hofstra) - tried out at rookie camp 5/18/73; not signed.

  < #11 for Browns before trying out for Bengals

 

#___ - Randy Mattingly (Evansville) - older brother of New York Yankees All-Star first-baseman Don Mattingly; claimed as rookie free agent 9/7/73; not sure if he ever actually made it to Cincinnati, but 1 report suggested he worked out at Spinney Field on 9/8/73; did not play in 6th exhibition game vs Packers on 9/8/73; released 9/10/73.

  < college photo

 

#17 - Tim Van Galder (Iowa St.) - signed 9/10/73 after being cut by Cardinals; did not play Week 1 at Broncos 9/16; released 9/20/73.

 

#17 - Mike Ernst (Cal. St.-Fullerton) - signed 9/20/73; played 1 series vs Cardinals in Week 11 after Bengals final TD in blowout win, recording no stats.

  .....    < vs Dolphins, 1973 Divisional Playoffs

 

NEED:

* Jersey #'s for Ted McNulty (if assigned one), Phil Redrow, Don Gault and Randy Mattingly (if assigned one).

* Photos of McNulty, Wayne Estabrook, Redrow, Gault, Mattingly and Van Galder in their Bengals uniform.

[claptonrocks]

5 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

Thank you. I'm happy to share it, and am glad there are others who find this as interesting as I do. All feedback and input is more than welcome, especially from people as knowledgeable as the members on this board.

Truly outstanding effort.

Much appreciated..

[KA14_HOF]

1974

RETURNING:

#12 - Greg Cook (Cincinnati) - left training camp 7/15/74; eventually claimed by Chiefs on 7/9/75; waived by Chiefs 8/28/75, ending Cook's NFL career. (unknown if Cook played in any of the Chiefs' 1975 exhibition games)

 

#13 - Ken Riley (Florida A&M) - emergency back-up QB for Week 14 game at Stealers; with 3rd-string QB Ernst having been cut and 1st-string QB Anderson injured, if 2nd-string QB Wayne Clark got hurt, Paul Brown said that he would move Riley from DB and "let him try to guide the offense."

 

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started first 13 games, going 7-6; went 213-of-328 for 2,667 yards, 18 TDs & 10 INTs for season; led NFL in Passer Rating (95.7) and Passing Yards.

 

#17 - Mike Ernst (Cal. St.-Fullerton) - played in 2nd exhibition game vs Eagles; 3rd-string QB in regular season, did not play in any games; busted for cocaine after Week 7 game vs Oilers on 10/27/74; released on 10/28/74.

 

ARRIVING:

#11 - Wayne Clark (Miami, FL) - acquired from Chargers for Virgil Carter on 1/24/74 prior to NFL Draft; played in 6 games, starting 1 in Week 14 at Stealers, going 0-1; went 9-of-22 for 98 yards, 0 TDs & 3 INTs for the season; traded to Eagles on 6/29/75 for John Reaves.

 

#___ - Mike Boryla (Stanford) - Drafted in 4th Round in case the Carter-for-Clark trade was nixed by the NFL; traded to Eagles on 3/8/74 for future 1st and 6th Rd picks; likely never suited up for Bengals, nor assigned a jersey number.

 

#___ - Clint Longley (Abilene Christian) - Selected in Supplemental Draft (date unknown); traded to Cowboys on 7/3/74 for 5th Rd pick; may never have suited up for Bengals, nor been assigned a jersey number.

 

NOTES:

* Taxi squads were eliminated from 1974-76 forcing teams to choose between either carrying a 3rd QB on the roster or going with only 2 QBs for the season.

 

NEED:

* Date of 1974 NFL Supplemental Draft.

* Jersey #'s (if assigned) for Mike Boryla and Clint Longley.

* Photos of Boryla and Longley in their Bengals uniforms (if they ever joined the team).

[KA14_HOF]

1975

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started 13 games, going 10-3; went 228-of-377 for 3,169 yards, 21 TDs & 11 INTs. Led NFL in Passer Rating (93.9), Passing Yards and Yards/Attempt (8.4). Named to Pro Bowl. (should have been named MVP over Tarkenton...see Note #2 below)

 

ARRIVING:

#15/#12 - Gary Sheide (BYU) - Drafted in 3rd Rd; played in 3rd and 5th exhibition games (at Bills, at Eagles); began pre-season wearing #15 jersey, ended pre-season wearing #12; released 9/15/75 after pre-season.

  ..... 

 

#17 - Tom Shuman (Penn St.) - Drafted in 6th Rd; played in 4th and 5th exhibition games (vs Packers, at Eagles); released 9/3/75 after 5th exhibition game.

  < college photo

 

#27 - Ricky Davis (Alabama) - Drafted in 8th Rd; played as defensive back; emergency #3 QB, but did not play in any games as QB; when asked who the #3 QB was, Paul Brown said, "Ricky Davis - a rookie defensive back who played quarterback in high school and at Alabama - is No. 3." Then with a smile added, "And I'm No. 4." Davis was selected by the Buccaneers in the expansion Allocation Draft at the end of May 1976.

  ..... 

 

#11 - John Reaves (Florida) - acquired from Eagles on 6/29/75 for QB Wayne Clark; started Week 11 vs Oilers; went 25-of-51 for 297 yards, 2 TDs & 3 INTs for season.

  .....  

 

NOTES:

* Paul Brown said he decided to go with only 2 QBs for the first time in years "because the contribution of a 3rd is so little, it doesn't merit the spot it takes on the overall roster."

 

* Ken Anderson threw for more yards (3,169 to 2,994) and had a higher Passer Rating (93.9 to 91.8) than Fran Tarkenton, who was named League MVP after breaking Johnny Unitas' career TD pass record of 290. The '75 Vikings played one of the weakest schedules (.332 win %) in NFL history, They faced only 2 teams with a winning record, losing to the 8-6 Redskins and beating the 8-6 Bills in the season finale after the Bills had already been eliminated. Nine of their opponents finished with 4 or fewer wins. They split with the 7-7 Lions. Meanwhile, Anderson put up his superior numbers vs a schedule featuring 4 teams with double-digit wins, beating the 11-3 Raiders and the 10-4 Oilers, while losing twice to the 12-2 Stealers. Anderson also lit up the 8-6 Bills in an epic Monday Night Football performance. Anderson should have been named League MVP, not Tarkenton. He had a better year vs vastly superior competition.

 

NEED:

* Photos of Gary Sheide and Tom Shuman in their Bengals uniforms.

[KA14_HOF]

1976

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started all 14 games, going 10-4; went 179-of-338 for 2,367 yards, 19 TDs & 14 INTs. Named to Pro Bowl.

 

#11 - John Reaves (Florida) - played in 3 games; went 8-of-22 for 76 yards, 2 TDs & 1 INT.

 

ARRIVING:

#18 - Bob Bateman (Vermont/Brown) - Drafted in 7th Rd; did not play in any exhibition games; released 9/6/76 after final exhibition game.

 

#12 - Lynn Hieber (Indiana-PA) - Drafted in 15th Rd; did not play in any exhibition games; released 8/10/76 after 2nd exhibition game.

 

NOTES:

* Once again, with no taxi squad, the Bengals decided to go with only 2 QBs on the roster.

 

NEED:

* Photos of Bob Bateman and Lynn Hieber in their Bengals uniforms.

[KA14_HOF]

1977

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started 13 games, going 7-6; went 166-of-323-for 2,145 yards, 11 TDs & 11 INTs. Injured in Week 5 loss at Stealers (knee/thigh); played hurt in loss to Broncos in Week 6; came off the bench in Week 7 to lead game-winning drive in OT vs Oilers.

 

#11 - John Reaves (Florida) - started 1 game, Week 7 vs Oilers; went 24-of-59 for 383 yards, 0 TDs & 5 INTs for the season.

 

ARRIVING:

#15 - Tommy Duniven (Texas Tech) - Drafted in 6th Rd; played in first 2 exhibition games at Packers and vs Buccaneers; was one of the final roster cuts after the pre-season on 9/12/77; Bengals intended to keep Duniven on the newly-reinstated 2-man taxi squad if he cleared waivers, but the Oilers claimed him on 9/13/77.

 

#15 - Mike Wells (Illinois) - signed 9/15/77 as free agent just before Week 1; was emergency #3 QB but only played on Special Teams.

  .....  

 

NOTES:

* Mike Brown admitted that Cincinnati may have "pressed their luck" carrying only 2 QBs the previous 2 years before signing Wells and after losing Duniven to Oilers.

 

NEED:

* Photo of Tommy Duniven in his Bengals uniform.