Chiefs *** The Definitive Gannon vs. Grbac DEBUNKED Thread ***

htismaqe · 01-02-2014, 01:07 PM

It's time.

The common urban legend perpetuated amongst Chiefs fans is that we would have won that 1997 playoff game with Rich Gannon because he was clearly so much better than Grbac when in reality, that wasn't at all the case.

Let's start with wins and losses.

Code:

	Wins	Losses	Win %
Grbac	8	2	0.800
Gannon	5	1	0.833

Very similar. Let's look at a sample of passing stats now.

Code:

	Pass TD/Game	INT/Game	Passing YPG	YPA	Rating			
Grbac	1.1		0.6		195		6.2	79.1
Gannon	1.16		0.67		127		6.5	79.8

Again, this cross section points to them being remarkably similar. They ran fewer pass plays with Gannon at the helm so therefore appeared to be slightly more efficient but overall, the offensive output was very similar, regardless of who was under center.

Now, let's look at a couple of key defensive stats, since I think we all agree that the 1997 team was driven largely by the defense. This is where things get interesting.

Code:

	Def YPG	Def TO/Game
Grbac	335.4	1.9
Gannon	254.3	2.5

It's pretty clear what drove the Chiefs winning streak down the stretch - the defense got A LOT better as the season went on. In fact, the defense allowed LESS THAN 300 yards in only 2 of Grbac's starts, whereas that same defense allowed only one team to gain more than 300 yards while Gannon was under center.

Hammock Parties · 01-02-2014, 01:10 PM

What about points per game?

**LoneWolf** · 01-02-2014, 01:10 PM

Cool thread, bro.

**wazu** · 01-02-2014, 01:11 PM

I'm looking forward to your next thread: "Why Lin Elliot deserves zero blame".

KCFaninSEA · 01-02-2014, 01:13 PM

Grbac hadn't played in weeks and the team seemed to be hitting their stride at the right time. Grbac gets healthy and a huge change was made. I still contend that if Gannon played that game we go on to win the whole thing.

BlackHelicopters · 01-02-2014, 01:14 PM

17years later and we are still debating this. Time to (mercifully) move on.

**Bowser** · 01-02-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

I'm looking forward to your next thread: "Why the kicker that shall go unnamed deserves zero blame".

**Bowser** · 01-02-2014, 01:16 PM

I remember Gannon playing dink and dunk a ton when he was in, with just a few shots down the field. I wonder if that was by design or by limitation?

FloridaMan88 · 01-02-2014, 01:19 PM

Chiefs couldn't run the ball worth shit that game. I think they maybe had 60 yards rushing.

That was supposed to be Denver's achilles heel… rush defense and the Chiefs couldn't exploit it.

htismaqe · 01-02-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

What about points per game?

With Grbac, 19.3/game points scored, 14.3/game against.

With Gannon, 28.5/game points scored, 10.83/game against.

That's just raw points. Grbac was the starter for the 19-3 loss at Denver to start the season and Gannon was the starter for 44-9 game against SF. Those are the two statistical outliers really.

htismaqe · 01-02-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

17years later and we are still debating this. Time to (mercifully) move on.

You'd think so, but apparently not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCFaninSEA

Grbac hadn't played in weeks and the team seemed to be hitting their stride at the right time. Grbac gets healthy and a huge change was made. I still contend that if Gannon played that game we go on to win the whole thing.

FloridaMan88 · 01-02-2014, 01:23 PM

Grbac had 260 yards passing in that playoff loss… second most passing yardage of any Chiefs QB during the current playoff losing streak (Montana had 314 yards passing in the Wild Card loss to Miami in December 1994).

KCFaninSEA · 01-02-2014, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

You'd think so, but apparently not.

I have definitely moved on, just sharing my opinion.

Dayze · 01-02-2014, 01:26 PM

Grbac sucks.

end of argument.

htismaqe · 01-02-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

Grbac sucks.

end of argument.

So we can safely assume that Gannon sucks too then, right?

01-02-2014, 01:07 PM
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	* The Definitive Gannon vs. Grbac DEBUNKED Thread * It's time. The common urban legend perpetuated amongst Chiefs fans is that we would have won that 1997 playoff game with Rich Gannon because he was clearly so much better than Grbac when in reality, that wasn't at all the case. Let's start with wins and losses. Code: Wins Losses Win % Grbac 8 2 0.800 Gannon 5 1 0.833 Very similar. Let's look at a sample of passing stats now. Code: Pass TD/Game INT/Game Passing YPG YPA Rating Grbac 1.1 0.6 195 6.2 79.1 Gannon 1.16 0.67 127 6.5 79.8 Again, this cross section points to them being remarkably similar. They ran fewer pass plays with Gannon at the helm so therefore appeared to be slightly more efficient but overall, the offensive output was very similar, regardless of who was under center. Now, let's look at a couple of key defensive stats, since I think we all agree that the 1997 team was driven largely by the defense. This is where things get interesting. Code: Def YPG Def TO/Game Grbac 335.4 1.9 Gannon 254.3 2.5 It's pretty clear what drove the Chiefs winning streak down the stretch - the defense got A LOT better as the season went on. In fact, the defense allowed LESS THAN 300 yards in only 2 of Grbac's starts, whereas that same defense allowed only one team to gain more than 300 yards while Gannon was under center.
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01-02-2014, 01:10 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4710478	What about points per game? __________________ Chiefs game films
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01-02-2014, 01:10 PM	#3
LoneWolf Constable of Untruths Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $1731084	Cool thread, bro.
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01-02-2014, 01:11 PM	#4
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2202295 VARSITY	I'm looking forward to your next thread: "Why Lin Elliot deserves zero blame".
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01-02-2014, 01:13 PM	#5
KCFaninSEA Starter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Casino cash: $10005813	Grbac hadn't played in weeks and the team seemed to be hitting their stride at the right time. Grbac gets healthy and a huge change was made. I still contend that if Gannon played that game we go on to win the whole thing. __________________ Stop corporate Greed!!!!!
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01-02-2014, 01:14 PM	#6
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2710588	17years later and we are still debating this. Time to (mercifully) move on. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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01-02-2014, 01:16 PM	#8
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3441616	I remember Gannon playing dink and dunk a ton when he was in, with just a few shots down the field. I wonder if that was by design or by limitation?
Posts: 100,682

01-02-2014, 01:19 PM	#9
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $3162906	Chiefs couldn't run the ball worth shit that game. I think they maybe had 60 yards rushing. That was supposed to be Denver's achilles heel… rush defense and the Chiefs couldn't exploit it.
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01-02-2014, 01:23 PM	#12
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $3162906	Grbac had 260 yards passing in that playoff loss… second most passing yardage of any Chiefs QB during the current playoff losing streak (Montana had 314 yards passing in the Wild Card loss to Miami in December 1994).
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01-02-2014, 01:26 PM	#14
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5179358	Grbac sucks. end of argument. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
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