By Darin Hayes In a unique episode of the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, host Darin Hayes and guest Ed Kleese dove into the archives to draft the greatest quarterbacks of the 1980s and 1990s. Driven by Ed Kleese’s passion for any draft, the segment became a lively debate over which legends truly defined the two-decade golden age of the passing game.
The ground rules were firmly established: to be eligible, a quarterback had to have played at least five years in either the 1980s or 1990s. Additionally, players drafted after 1995 or those whose careers primarily started before 1975 were excluded, ensuring the focus remained squarely on the players who made their significant mark during those 20 years.
Drafting Philosophy and Early Picks
Ed Kleese, who won the coin flip, shared his criteria: he prioritizes the “total package,” looking for the quarterback he’d want for one season with an average NFL roster at his peak. Darin Hayes, in contrast, favored a statistical, analytical approach, valuing championships, passing yards, MVPs, and All-Decade Team selections as objective measures of greatness.
Ed Kleese’s Selections (Picks 1, 3, 5, 7):
- Joe Montana: The consensus number one pick was a no-brainer for Ed. Citing his numbers, rings, wins, and impressive longevity spanning the late 70s into the mid-90s, Montana represented the ultimate “total package.”
- John Elway: Ed’s second pick was heavily motivated by Elway’s exceptional durability and the way he “carried” the Broncos for over a decade, often without an elite supporting cast, until securing two Super Bowl victories late in his career.
- Steve Young: Ed called Young his “most exciting” pick and a “historically underrated” talent. He emphasized Young’s incredible peak (five times leading the league in completion percentage, two-time MVP) and his status as a trustworthy dual-threat precursor to modern quarterbacks, despite a late start to his career as a full-time starter.
- Joe Theismann: Ed finished his first half with a “homer pick” but justified it by highlighting Theismann’s clutch performances and his role in dramatically improving the Washington Redskins’ offense after becoming a full-time starter.
Darin Hayes’ Selections (Picks 2, 4, 6, 8):
- Brett Favre: Hayes’s first selection was driven by his statistics-first philosophy. He pointed to Favre’s impressive volume (over 71,000 career yards), Super Bowl win, MVP award, and All-Decade Team selection. Kleese, however, pushed back on this pick, citing Favre’s tendency for “horrible, backbreaking, game-losing plays.”
- Dan Marino: Despite zero championships, Hayes took the Western Pennsylvania legend for his sheer statistical dominance. He credited Marino’s quick release, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to elevate his supporting cast, noting that a lack of an elite defense and supporting staff contributed to his underwhelming Super Bowl total.
- Warren Moon: Hayes continued his theme of late bloomers and non-traditional paths by selecting Moon. He lauded Moon’s over 50,000 career passing yards and nine Pro Bowls, achieved after beginning his career in the CFL. Kleese conceded the pick but questioned Moon’s lack of postseason success.
- Dan Fouts: Hayes closed the first half with Fouts, calling him a consistent, durable, and highly decorated Hall of Famer. Fouts’ selection was strongly supported by Kleese, who considered him a great value, citing his dominance in the early 1980s and his induction into the All-Decade Team.
A Clash of Eras and Ideologies
The draft created two distinct rosters, reflecting a fascinating ideological split: Ed favored “winners” and players who demonstrated elite performance in key moments, while Darin leaned heavily on statistical accumulation and career longevity. With four picks left on each side, the debate was set to continue, inviting listeners to decide whose eight quarterbacks ultimately formed the more potent lineup.