Joe Namath

New York Jets

Despite the fact the shaggy-haired, wobbly-kneed wonder has not put together a full year in two seasons, Joe Namath remains No. 1- so good, in fact, that he is close to being the ideal.

In assessing Namath in the files seen by Pro Quarterback, at least one of the scouts rated him a 5 in every department except leadership.

And when the reports were all in, Namath had 23.5 out of a possibly 25 points and perfect marks for reaction under pressure, set-up speed and throwing ability, falling short of perfection only in leadership and reading defenses.

It is certain that no current quarterback comes as close to the prototype of what a quarterback should be and doubtful that many, except possibly those in Unitas' class, have come close in the past to receiving grades as high as those given Namath.
 

Possibly the most surprising of those marks was the 5 awarded by every scout in reaction under pressure, considering that with his bad knees Namath cannot scramble out of trouble.

It also should be remembered that the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, who will be in his eighth year in 1972, will only be 29, with the potential for five more years at the top if his knees can take it. Only those knees and Namath's own decision to keep playing or retire can dislodge him during that time.
 

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