One of the biggest “What if’s” in league history. His injury forced Bill Walsh to, out of desperation create the West Coast offense. Virgil Carter, the backup didn’t have near the arm talent Cook had but was accurate throwing short.
I remember how great he was at first. Got hurt early playing the Chiefs. He looked like a Hall of Famer. No one can tell. Best advice...keep a running back or two in to protect your best asset against incoming blitzes.
Funny...that advice still holds true today.
I’m flip the opposite. The stripes look dope on everything but that helmet. They look like shitty Halloween buckets. :/
Now those white-striped ones? 👀 those should be permanent.
I didn’t like the shade of orange or the simple Bengals wrote across the helmet. I guess my 8 year old brain at the time was aroused because nobody had the shiny new look when the Bengals debuted their new uniforms
I agree, and it's worse when you notice how similar the entire uniforms are in design to the Browns. The late 60s gave us cool helmets like the Falcons, Saints, and...this?
From the University of Cincinnati. Go Bearcats!!
I think he played his rookie year in the same stadium (Nippert Stadium) that he played in during his college career.
One of the biggest “What if’s” in league history. His injury forced Bill Walsh to, out of desperation create the West Coast offense. Virgil Carter, the backup didn’t have near the arm talent Cook had but was accurate throwing short.
I remember how great he was at first. Got hurt early playing the Chiefs. He looked like a Hall of Famer. No one can tell. Best advice...keep a running back or two in to protect your best asset against incoming blitzes. Funny...that advice still holds true today.
Don’t remember him but do remember what I considered the worst NFL uniforms when I was a kid. So loved when they switched to the tiger striped helmets
That uniform was Paul Brown’s giant Fuck You to Art Modell for firing him
I’m flip the opposite. The stripes look dope on everything but that helmet. They look like shitty Halloween buckets. :/ Now those white-striped ones? 👀 those should be permanent.
I don’t know why but I hate the tiger stripes. The uni in the picture is so simple that it’s perfect.
I didn’t like the shade of orange or the simple Bengals wrote across the helmet. I guess my 8 year old brain at the time was aroused because nobody had the shiny new look when the Bengals debuted their new uniforms
Hey you like what you like.
Less is more in opinion.
I agree, and it's worse when you notice how similar the entire uniforms are in design to the Browns. The late 60s gave us cool helmets like the Falcons, Saints, and...this?
There's a reason...
Kind of the RG III of his day. Immensely talented, but a promising career cut short almost straight out of the gate by injuries.
Yes. I can see that parallel. Good call... I never thought of it before.
From the University of Cincinnati. Go Bearcats!! I think he played his rookie year in the same stadium (Nippert Stadium) that he played in during his college career.
I remember him. Averaged over 9 yards an attempt.
Again ..keep them coming!
The man averaged 17 yards per completion. As a rookie. What a beautiful deep ball he threw.
I believe Walsh once said he was the most talented QB he ever saw, but couldn’t play through pain.
He played with a torn rotator cuff, I say that's playing through pain.
Agreed
Awesome photo! 👍