Daily Dawg Tags: Who the heck was Terry Luck?

The Cleveland Browns are known for cycling through multiple quarterbacks. Some have made a more memorable impression than others over the years.

If you spend more than a few minutes talking with someone about the Cleveland Browns it is inevitable that the topic of the quarterback position will quickly arise.

By now everyone should be familiar with the fact that the Browns have started 29 different quarterbacks since returning to the NFL in 1999. (And if you are not, there is someone out there who will be more than happy to tell you all about it.)

While the issue has been more pronounced over the past 18 seasons, the truth is that the Browns, like every other real NFL team, has had its share of quarterbacks move in an out of the lineup. Some have made an indelible mark on franchise history – like Kelly Holcomb or David Mays – while others have gone by the wayside with nary a second thought.

It is that second category that caught our attention on Monday while checking out a Tweet from Funhouse (via Uni Watch) showing a Browns game from Dec. 11, 1977, against the Houston Oilers. At one point during the clip, running back Greg Pruitt is seen taking a handoff from quarterback Terry Luck.

Wait, who?

Of all the quarterbacks that have come and gone over the years, we have no recollection of Terry Luck playing for the team, and probably for good reason.

Luck was signed by the Browns on May 26, 1976, as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, where he played three years for the Cornhuskers. The following season, his only one in the NFL, Luck appeared in four games for the Browns, making just one start, which came in the season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

Cleveland Browns

As for the game against the Oilers, which the Browns lost 19-15 as part of a losing streak that marked the end of head coach Forrest Gregg’s time in Cleveland, Luck came into the game in relief of Mays in the second quarter. Luck would finish the game 16-of-27 for 188 yards, one touchdown (on a three-yard pass to Gary Parris with a little more than three minutes remaining) and two interceptions.

Luck got the starting nod the next week against the Seahawks, but in a scene familiar to Browns fans today, could not lead the club to a season-ending win. The Browns blew a 16-7 halftime lead to fall to the Seahawks, 20-19, and finish the season by losing six of their final seven games.

While Luck would finish that game just six-of-15 for 105 yards and four interceptions, he did open the scoring by catching a four-yard pass from Pruitt.

For his brief career, Luck was 25-of-50 for 316 yards, just that lone touchdown pass to Parris, and seven interceptions.

He may not have a place on the Browns quarterback jersey, but at least now you know who that quarterback was wearing No. 7 in that video clip.

Cleveland Browns news:

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DPD Podcast: Doom and gloom at 0-14

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Browns sticking with Kizer as the starting quarterback (ohio.com)

"Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer usually plays well every other game, and coach Hue Jackson is betting the trend will continue. During a conference call Monday, Jackson said Kizer will start Sunday when the Browns (0-14) face the Chicago Bears (4-10) at Soldier Field."

NFL news:

LA Rams historic 2017 NFL turnaround (ESPN)

"We might be approaching one of the most unlikely NFL playoff brackets in recent memory. As of right now, eight of the 12 teams that made it to the 2016 postseason won’t be making a return trip to the playoffs this season. The Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs and Falcons are currently penciled in for meaningful football after New Year’s Eve, and Atlanta is one loss away from being in a four-way tie for the sixth seed in the NFC. So we might even see nine fresh faces this January."

Carolina’s Thomas Davis suspended two games for hit (NFL.com)

"Green Bay Packers wideout Davante Adams wasn’t happy with Sunday’s hit to the head from Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Neither was the NFL."

John Fox says Mitch Trubisky had ‘arguably his best game’ vs. Lions (Chicago Sun-Times)

"Based on yardage alone, Mitch Trubisky had the best game of his young NFL career Saturday against the Lions. The Bears rookie quarterback fired 46 passes and completed 31 — both season highs — for 314 yards and a touchdown. Problem was, Trubisky completed three of his attempts to Lions defenders and took two sacks. It all added up to a 66.8 passer rating in a 20-10 loss to the Lions."