Bengals QB history

[KA14_HOF]

1978

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - broke his hand in final exhibition game at Packers, did not return until Week 5 at 49ers when he cut the cast off his hand in an effort to help save HC Bill Johnson's job. (Johnson resigned after losing the game); started 12 games, going 4-8; went 173-of-319 for 2,219 yards, 10 TDs & 22 INTs.

 

#11 - John Reaves (Florida) - played in 9 games, starting the first 4, going 0-4; went 74-of-144 for 790 yards, 3 TDs & 8 INTs.

 

#15 - Mike Wells (Illinois) - released 7/5/78.

 

ARRIVING:

#16 - Rob Hertel (USC) - Drafted in 5th Rd; appeared in 3 games, accumulating stats only in Week 3 vs Stealers; went 1-of-4 for 9 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs. 

  ..... 

 

#___ - B. J. Dailey (Dayton) - came to rookie camp 5/11/78; released 5/13/78 after rookie camp.

 

NEED:

* Jersey # worn by B. J. Dailey.

* Photo of Dailey in his Bengals uniform.

[KA14_HOF]

1979

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started 15 games, going 4-11; went 189-of-339 for 2,340 yards, 16 TDs & 10 INTs. Did not play Week 4 vs Oilers due to back problems. Was sacked (45 times) more than any other QB in the NFL and yet still finished with the 5th-best Passer Rating. (80.7)

 

#11 - John Reaves (Florida) - released 7/13/79.

 

#16 - Rob Hertel (USC) - released 7/13/79.

 

ARRIVING:

#12 - Jack Thompson (Washington St.) - Drafted in 1st Rd. (#3 overall); nicknamed the "Throwin' Samoan"; played in 9 games, starting Week 4 vs Oilers; went 39-of-87 for 481 yards, 1 TD & 5 INTs.

 .....

 

#11 / #28 - Scott Burk (Oklahoma St.) - Drafted in 9th Rd.; started rookie camp at QB, wearing #11; by 7/26/79 he was practicing as a DB and holder, wearing #28; did not play QB during pre-season; Emergency #3 QB during season, while playing mostly on Special Teams; played safety in Week 11 vs Chargers.

 .....  < see Note 1 below  ..... 

 

 .....  < Cincinnati Post,9/19/79  <on Spcl. Teams

 

#9 ? - UNKNOWN - with Ken Anderson out for Week 4 vs the Oilers, Jack Thompson started, with Scott Burk ostensibly moving up from Emergency #3 QB to back-up, especially as he had been modeling a flak jacket, similar to what Dan Pastorini had popularized in Houston. However, instead of acting like the back-up on the sidelines, Burk was playing on Special Teams. (see Burk photo #7 above) These factors led me to wonder if the player I spotted on the sidelines during the Week 4 game vs Houston wasn't actually a QB that was brought in as an emergency back-up. Unfortunately, I could find no record or suggestion of the Bengals bringing in any QBs after Anderson was injured in Week 3. The following pics of this mystery player are from the Week 4 Oilers game:

 < appears to be #9 >      

 

NOTES:

* The 2nd photo of Burk was ID'd as him by the publishing newspaper, however it appears to show a single-digit jersey, not #11. No player is on record as having worn a single-digit # in 1979. In fact, other than Monk Williams (#6) in the Bengals first 2 games in 1968, no Bengal had ever played in a single-digit jersey until Jim Breech (#3) and Boomer Esiason (#7) in 1984.

 

* The official NFL Game Summary‡ notes for the Week 4 game vs Houston would likely shed light on who was/wasn't on the sidelines for Cincinnati that day, and might either confirm or dispel the idea that Homer Rice brought in a QB. Anderson returned for Week 5, through the end of the season, and the mystery #9 was never seen again. The fact that Burk was playing on Special Teams vs Houston makes it look like he was still the emergency #3 QB instead of the back-up for that game. Which means there would be 1 QB that is unaccounted for in Week 4. The only indication that there was no #9 on the Cincinnati sidelines for this game is that, after the game, HC Homer Rice said, "We had no intention of using Kenny unless Jack got hurt." This would imply that if Thompson had gotten hurt, Rice may have called on Anderson. But if the mystery #9 player wasn't a QB, who was he?

 

‡ Here is a portion of a sample NFL Official Game Summary sheet (Bengals-Dolphins game from 11/23/83):

 

NEED:

* Is Burk photo #2 really Burk? If so, did he wear a single-digit jersey number after using #11 but before using #28? If not, could this be a QB that was later brought in for the Week 4 game vs Houston?

 

* Identity of mystery player wearing, what appears to be, #9 on Bengals' sidelines during 9/23/79 home game vs Houston.

 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

I always forget about the “Throwing Samoan”

[UncleEarl]

2 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

I always forget about the “Throwing Samoan”

 

I always wonder what would have happened if Thompson was healthy when Anderson threw those 3 picks in the first quarter of that first game in 1981.  Would Anderson gotten another chance, or would have Thompson been given the starting job?

[KA14_HOF]

2 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

I always forget about the “Throwing Samoan”

Forgot to include that. Thanks! (just added it)

[|High School Harry|]

2 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

I always forget about the “Throwing Samoan”

And don't forget the same year they drafted his cousin, Samoa Samoa

no 

[Bleeds Orange]

2 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I always wonder what would have happened if Thompson was healthy when Anderson threw those 3 picks in the first quarter of that first game in 1981.  Would Anderson gotten another chance, or would have Thompson been given the starting job?

 

Based on what we saw from Thompson before and after that, I don't think he would have held onto it long. He was the opening day starter in 1980 against Tampa Bay and lost the job the next week, and then didn't show much as the Buccs QB after he left the Bengals.

 

The David Klinger and Akili Smith picks seem to be most-remembered in Bengals QB draft lore, but the pick of Thompson at #3 overall stings badly. HOF Dan Hampton went to the Bears with the very next pick and Joe Montana went to SF in the third round. Imagine if they'd given Bill Walsh the head coaching job before he had a chance to leave town and drafted Montana in 1979?

[UncleEarl]

33 minutes ago, Bleeds Orange said:

 

Based on what we saw from Thompson before and after that, I don't think he would have held onto it long. He was the opening day starter in 1980 against Tampa Bay and lost the job the next week, and then didn't show much as the Buccs QB after he left the Bengals.

 

The David Klinger and Akili Smith picks seem to be most-remembered in Bengals QB draft lore, but the pick of Thompson at #3 overall stings badly. HOF Dan Hampton went to the Bears with the very next pick and Joe Montana went to SF in the third round. Imagine if they'd given Bill Walsh the head coaching job before he had a chance to leave town and drafted Montana in 1979?

 

Yeah, promising the job to Bill Johnson was one of Paul Brown's biggest mistakes. 

[KA14_HOF]

1980

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started 12 games, played in 13, going 5-7; went 166-of-275 for 1,778 yards, 6 TDs & 13 INTs. Anderson was injured during final pre-season game vs Lions; re-injured knee, carted off field Week 3 vs Stealers; re-re-injured left knee Week 6 at Stealers; injured ankle Week 14 vs Colts; came off bench late in Week 16 finale vs Browns.

 

#12 - Jack Thompson (Washington St.) - started 4 games (Weeks 1, 4, 15 and 16), played in 14, going 1-3; went 115-of-234 for 1,324 yards, 11 TDs & 12 INTs.

 

#28 - Scott Burk (Oklahoma St.) - after rookie camp, on May 11, 1980 the Cincinnati Enquirer reported (regarding draftee Mike Wright competing for the #3 QB position), "The only other declared candidate for the No. 3 quarterback spot is second-year man Scott Burk, who played quarterback at Oklahoma State and made the roster last year as a defensive safety." Burk was released 6/19/80.

 

ARRIVING:

#15 - Mike Wright (Vanderbilt) - Drafted in 12th Rd after having played 2 years in the Detroit Tigers farm system; during training camp, also saw time at fullback  and punter; played in first 2 pre-season games at Broncos (1-of-2 for 8 yards, 0 TD & 0 INT) and vs Bears (no stats); released 8/20/80 prior to 3rd pre-season game.

 ..... 

 

#15 - Pete Woods (Missouri) - claimed 8/20/80 after having played against Cincinnati for the Broncos in pre-season game #1, going 6-of-8 for 77 yards, 0 TDs & 1 INT; did not play in pre-season game #3 at Buccaneers; released 8/26/80 prior to pre-season game #4.

 

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - claimed 8/26/80; did not play in pre-season game #4 vs Lions; made roster as #3 QB, but did not play in any games.

 .....  < 1980 

 

NOTES:

* In pre-season game #2 vs Bears, on final TD drive in 21-3 victory, guard Glenn Bujnoch caught a 20-yard pass from holder/WR Mike Levenseller after the snap on a 38-yard FG attempt was high. Levenseller was not under center in the role of QB, so I don't count this or other gadget plays where a non-QB throws a pass.

 

NEED:

* Photo of Mike Wright in his Bengals uniform.

[KA14_HOF]

1981

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started all 16 games, going 12-4; went 300-of-479 for 3,754 yards, 29 TDs & 10 INTs; got benched in Week 1 vs Seahawks after falling behind 21-0, going 5-of-15 for 39 yards, 2 INTs. Led NFL in Passer Rating (98.4) by wide margin (Fouts' 90.6 was 2nd). Named League MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.

 

#12 - Jack Thompson (Washington St.) - played in 8 games, going 21-of-49 for 267 yards, 1 TD & 2 INTs. Was injured in final pre-season game vs Broncos; returned for Week 6.

 

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - played in 4 games, going 10-19 for 166 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs; came off bench in Week 1 to help Bengals overcome 21-0 deficit.

 

ARRIVING:

#11 - Mark O'Connell (Ball St.) - Drafted in 12th Rd; also used as punter after having doubled as a place-kicker in college; played in pre-season game #2 at Lions; released 2 days later on 8/17/81.

 < college photo

 

NOTES:

* In 3 post-season games, Ken Anderson went 53-of-77 for 653 yards, 5 TDs & 2 INTs (105.6 QPR), while Jack Thompson went 1-of-1 for 14 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs (118.7 QPR)

 

NEED:

* Photo of Mark O'Connell in his Bengals uniform.

[|High School Harry|]

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - played in 4 games, going 10-19 for 166 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs; came off bench in Week 1 to help Bengals overcome 21-0 deficit.

The Turk Lurks... 

 

[KA14_HOF]

1982

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started all 9 games of strike-shortened season, going 7-2; went 218-of-309 for 2,495 yards, 12 TDs & 9 INTs; Led NFL in Passer Rating (95.3). Set NFL record by completing 70.6% of his passes, breaking Sammy Baugh's 37-year-old record. Set NFL record by completing 20 consecutive passes in 35-27 win at Houston. Named to Pro Bowl.

 

#12 - Jack Thompson (Washington St.) - played in 1 game without recording any stats. At the conclusion of the player strike (Sep. 21 - Oct. 27), claimed that the Bengals were in breach of contract and basically went AWOL thereafter, never playing another down for Cincinnati.

 

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - played in 2 games, went 1-of-1 for 6 yards, 0 TDs & 0 INTs.

 

ARRIVING:

#11 - Dan Feraday (Toronto) - drafted in 12th Rd; played in preseason game #1 at Chiefs, going 1-of-1 for 18 yards; released 8/30/82 after preseason game #3.

 < college photo 

 

#86 - Steve Kreider (Lehigh) - played WR for Bengals from 1979 through 1986, but in first 2 games after the '82 strike, given Thompson's absence, was made the Emergency #3 QB at Eagles and vs Raiders, but did not play in either game as QB. (Kreider had played QB during his freshman year at Lehigh)

 < in practice 

 

#11 - Mike Ford (SMU) - claimed 12/1/82 from Buccaneers to be third-string QB; on roster for games at Colts, vs Browns and at Chargers, but did not play in any games; released prior to 12/26 game vs Seahawks to make room on roster for a defensive player returning from injury.

 < at Baltimore  < at San Diego

 

NOTES:

* While Ken Anderson broke Sammy Baugh's completion % record in a strike-shortened, 9-game season, Anderson actually attempted 125 more passes in 1982 than Baugh did in 1945 during a 10-game season.

 

* Bengals intended to re-sign Dan Feraday in 1983, but as per NFL rules had to expose him to waivers first, whereupon he was claimed by Kansas City.

 

NEED:

* Photo of Dan Feraday in his Bengals uniform.

[claptonrocks]

KA..

You've brought forth Bengal QBs from the past I've never heard of.

Been an exciting journey with your endeavors in this..

 

Props my man .and tks...

[KA14_HOF]

10 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

KA..

You've brought forth Bengal QBs from the past I've never heard of.

Been an exciting journey with your endeavors in this..

 

Props my man .and tks...

 

Thank you kindly. It's my pleasure.

[|High School Harry|]

On 7/30/2024 at 8:05 PM, KA14_HOF said:

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.

1968...

How about Mike Brown who played quarterback at Dartmouth?

[KA14_HOF]

3 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

1968...

How about Mike Brown who played quarterback at Dartmouth?

 

Nice. It'd be cool to see a photo of him in action, though it's possible I might have to settle for a cave drawing.

[|High School Harry|]

1 hour ago, KA14_HOF said:

 

Nice. It'd be cool to see a photo of him in action, though it's possible I might have to settle for a cave drawing.

 

https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/bengals/mike-browns-forgotten-playing-days/

Top row, center... Number 16

 

 

[Cricket]

37 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

 

https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/bengals/mike-browns-forgotten-playing-days/

Top row, center... Number 16

 

 

Wow. Great job, HSH! 
 

[|High School Harry|]

13 minutes ago, Cricket said:

Wow. Great job, HSH! 
 

Thank you but easy Yahoo search engine hit.

The story isn't bad, either.

And I apologize for the digression from Mr _HOF's amazing research and article.

[KA14_HOF]

4 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Thank you but easy Yahoo search engine hit.

The story isn't bad, either.

And I apologize for the digression from Mr _HOF's amazing research and article.

 

Great photo and a great read, too. Thank you for posting that.

[KA14_HOF]

This is the closest thing I could find that might qualify as an action photo of Mike in college...

 

 

I suspect the best way to get photos would be to crack open either the 1956 or 1957 "Aegis", Dartmouth's annual yearbook. I found the 1955 Aegis, when Mike would've been a sophomore, but while it did mention him throwing a couple of TD passes, it didn't show him in the team photo or any of the game photos for the 1954 season.

[|High School Harry|]

And of course...

[KA14_HOF]

1983

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - started 13 games, going 5-8; went 198-of-297 for 2,333 yards, 12 TDs & 13 INTs. Led NFL in Completion Percentage (66.7%).

 

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - played in 9 games, starting 3, going 2-1; went 92-of-156 for 1,159 yards, 2 TDs & 5 INTs.

 

ARRIVING:

#11 - Jeff Christensen (E. Illinois) - Drafted in 6th Rd; played in 1 game, the Bengals' 55-14 blowout of the Oilers, but did not attempt a pass.

 ..... 

 

#___ - Bert Vaughn (Michigan St.) - brought in 7/11/83; failed physical (leg injury) and was released 7/18/83.

 < college photo

 

NOTES:

* After beginning the Bengals' Week 6 game vs Pittsburgh (on MNF) 5-of-5 for 60 yards, Ken Anderson suffered a severe neck sprain when DE Keith Gary pulled Anderson down by his facemask, in one of the most egregious facemask penalties in NFL history. Anderson missed the remaining 3 quarters in the Bengals' 24-14 loss, and subsequently missed the next 3 games. Anderson was also forced out of the Bengals 23-10 win at Pittsburgh with an injured left hand. He returned the following week vs the Lions, but was knocked unconscious by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the 2nd quarter, forcing him from the game.

 

NEED:

* Bert Vaughn's Bengals jersey #.

* Photo of Vaughn in his Bengals uniform.

[|High School Harry|]

16 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

This is the closest thing I could find that might qualify as an action photo of Mike in college...

 

 

I suspect the best way to get photos would be to crack open either the 1956 or 1957 "Aegis", Dartmouth's annual yearbook. I found the 1955 Aegis, when Mike would've been a sophomore, but while it did mention him throwing a couple of TD passes, it didn't show him in the team photo or any of the game photos for the 1954 season.

Mike Brown was also on the Bowling Team.

[KA14_HOF]

1984

RETURNING:

#14 - Ken Anderson (Augustana) - in his final season as Bengals' primary starting QB, started 9 games, going 3-6; went 175-of-275 for 2,107 yards, 10 TDs & 12 INTs; suffered separated left shoulder Week 11 vs Stealers and was out for next 3 games. Returned for Week 16 finale vs Bills, registering the final great outing of his career, gong 17-of-23 for 206 yards, 3 TDs & 0 INTs (140.6 QPR) in 52-21 win.

 

#15 - Turk Schonert (Stanford) - started 3 games (Weeks 12-14), going 2-1; went 78-of-117 for 945 yards, 4 TDs & 7 INTs; injured Week 14 at Browns and was out for the year.

 

#11 - Jeff Christensen (E. Illinois) - traded to Rams 7/25/84.

 

ARRIVING:

#12 / #7 / #17 - Boomer Esiason (Maryland) - drafted in 2nd Rd; started 4 games (Weeks 6-8 and 15), going 3-1; went 51-of-102 for 530 yards, 3 TDs & 3 INTs. Initially listed in Bengals 1984 Media Guide as wearing #12 (on page 48), and then listed as wearing #7 for Training Camp (on page 55). In a December practice in the snow, wore #17 practice jersey.

 .....  .....  < Dec. '84 practice 

 

 < 1984 Media Guide, pg. 48

 

 < 1984 Media Guide, pg. 55

 

#16 - John Vernasco (Evansville) - came to voluntary mini-camp as a free agent 4/14/84; released 7/19/84.

 < college photo

 

#11 - Bryan Clark (Michigan St.) - with Schonert out for the year, signed 12/5 prior to Week 15; played in 1 game for 1 play, taking the final snap of the season, handing off to end the Week 16 blowout of the Bills. Traded to Miami 5/6/85.

 .....  < with 49ers  < vs Bills

 

NOTES:

* In one of Sam Wyche's first mini-camp sessions (pictured below), one player wore #17. There is no record of any player wearing #17 for Cincinnati at any point in 1984. I have to wonder if this wasn't Boomer Esiason, especially given his later donning the #17 for a practice later in the season. But I can't conclusively say who this actually was.

 

* Cincinnati drafted QB Wayne Peace (Tampa Bay Bandits) in the USFL Supplemental Draft on 6/5/84, but Peace was not released by Tampa Bay until early 1985.

 

NEED:

* Further evidence that Boomer Esiason was ever officially assigned the #12 jersey after he was first drafted.

 

* Confirmation of the identity of whoever wore #17 in the early mini-camp.

 

* Photo of John Vernasco in his Bengals uniform.