Rich Gannon retires

[Don Wassall]

Gannon was an outstanding quarterback when he finally got an opportunity to become a starter. He was a very fast runner and smart as they come. He had some great seasons with the Raiders. If he had been utilized from the beginning as an "athletic" QB what a career he could have had.


What I liked the most about him was his work ethic and leadership. He was all business, and didn't take anything from any of his teammates. He didn't shy from giving it to them, white or black,when they made stupid mistakes. He was, sadly, pretty much a throwback that way.

 

[IceSpeed2]

Gannon was underrated as a competitor. He was an elite
quarterback, but more importantly, and elite football player. He
combined athleticism with strategy. He was able to use his speed
and arm to dominate on swing passes and roll outs. He'd roll out,
run hard, and then dump a 6 yard swing pass to a back. I believe he was
originally drafted as a wide receiver or skill player. I hope he
makes the Hall.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Those reasons are why I drafted him on my fantasy team, looks like I'll take a hit for that, of course, I still have Big Ben and Josh McCown. Maybe it won't hurt me too. I hate to see him go as a real player though.

 

[Trainer]

I can't see Rich Gannon making the Hall of Fame.

He was a very capable QB when given the chance to start in the right system.

Gannon put up some awesome numbers around 99-02...a quick stretch of very productive seasons there.

But nowhere enough for Hall status.



I remember when he was a young journeyman trying to find his niche in
the league. kind of floundered around and not given the proper chance
but seemed to be a 'late bloomer' who took the Raider to the Super Bowl
with the high octaine offense.



Gannon was very intelligent and used his head as he picked up the
intracacies of the pro game later in his career. Will be a wonderful
announcer, put him on NFL2night and never let mildly retarded Brian Cox
anywhere near a microphone again.



A solid career for Rich Gannon....will be missed by NFL fans I'm sure.

 

[Kaptain]

I have been a huge Rich Gannon fan since I seen him at a passing scrimmage in the Metrodome his rookie season with the Vikings. He had two runs of about fifty yards and his scrambling ability reminded me of Tarketon. I bought about 20 of his rookie cards for 19cents each after that scrimmage. I have no idea where they are now of course. Gannon was drafted out of little Delaware by the Patriots. The pats wanted to change him to a defensive back but Gannon would have none of it and he was dealt to Minnesota. He waited years before he finally got a shot at starting and quickly became known as a winning quarterback. His coach, however, at that time was none other than Dennis Green and at the first sign of struggle he was benched for Sean Salisbury!!! Right before the playoffs. The Vikes lost the playoff game. Salibury, of course, had no business being a starting QB and was replaced by Warren Moon the next year. It all was a perfect scheme for Denny Green to get his black quarterback.


Gannon bounced to Washington where he saw little actionand took an entire year off after having shoulder surgery. He came back with Kansas City Chiefs and again toiled behind the starter Elvis Grbak. Gannon played well whenever he got the chance and became a fan favorite in KC.In his last season with the chiefs their season appeared to be over as they had a losing recordwhen Grbak went out with an injurywith five games left. Gannon led the team to 5 straight victories and into the playoffs, but went back to the bench for the playoff game as Grbak was suddenly heathy. They, of course, lost the game. Gannon then finally got his chance with the Raiders the following year and everyone knows that story.


While in Minnesota Gannon metand married Bill Brown's daughter. Bill Brown wasa great white Viking running back in the 60's. He still has his home in Minnesota.


Colonel Reb, I was planning on drafting him but you beat me to it. I've had him on my fantasy team for years. He was really a great player. If he had gotten a fair shot earlier in his career or just stayed injury free he may have been a HOF candidate. I hope he goes into coaching - maybe he will replace Mike Tice.

 

[foreverfree]

I've never lived in Delaware but have spent much time shopping, vacationing and working there (and occasionally visiting the UD campus in Newark, even to the point of attending a Blue Hen football game in 1995 [against Villanova, where I attended grad school a decade earlier]) in my 44 years and for that reason I have semi followed the career of Rich Gannon off and on. I thought the Vikes not the Pats drafted him.

I tend(ed) to call Gannon "Gannon the Cannon." Is/was that an accurate nickname?

John Edited by: foreverfree

 

[KD52171]

Will be a wonderful announcer, put him on NFL2night and never let mildly retarded Brian Cox anywhere near a microphone again.

 

[surfsider]

Everyone has said pretty much what I would say. Became a fan of his when he came here to KC. Man, was it tough living through the coaches fixation on Grbac. Gannon's toughness stood in stark contrast to Grbac's inability to remain upright if a defensive lineman got within a yard and a half of him.