10 Reasons Browns backup Jacoby Brissett can win it all

9. Roger Staubach, Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys had had the foresight to draft Roger Staubach in the 10th round of the 1964 NFL draft even though they knew he was going to be a Naval officer for four years after a brilliant career at the US Navy Academy. At the time, it was thought to be a stupid idea. 1969 might never happen, and he might forget how to play football in four years. But the Cowboys were happy to sign Ensign Staubach, and eventually, 1969 did happen.

The Cowboys were rich in talent with Browns nemesis Dandy Don Meredith and gunslinger Craig Morton already waiting in the wings. But Meredith, after three straight Pro Bowls, inexplicably retired after the 1968 season and Morton took over with Staubach as the backup.

Meredith would go on to even greater fame as the color announcer for Monday Night Football, where he was famous for lowering the boom on bombastic Howard Cosell. Everybody loved to hate Howard for his know-it-all attitude and nasal delivery, but every kid loved to imitate his voice and delivery.

Morton led the NFL in yards per passing attempt in 1969 and 1970. Nevertheless, Landry made the decision to replace Morton with Staubach and was rewarded with 10 straight wins. In the playoffs, the Doomsday Defense gave up 12, three, and three points. Staubach wasn’t obliged to do very much in his first Super Bowl, other than not screw it up and let the defense win the game.  He threw for a non-amazing 321 yards. That’s not his total for one game, but for three playoff games.

The Cowboys had several players who would later become Browns — Calvin Hill, Reggie Rucker, and Gloster Richardson. Future Hall of Famers included Staubach, receivers Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth, tight end Mike Ditka, offensive linemen Forrest Gregg and Rayfield Wright, defensive lineman Bob Lilly, and cornerbacks Mel Renfro and Herb Adderley. That’s nine Hall of Famers.

So we can state the general trend as follows: if your team has nine or more future Hall of Famers, they might win the Super Bowl with a backup quarterback.