Sports Careers That Might Have Been

Steve Young: Quarterback, Chicago Bears (1986-2002). Considered one of the biggest steals in NFL Draft history. The Bears' ninth-round pick in the 1984 NFL draft (Ditka said he took him because Jim McMahon "wouldn't shut up about the guy") ended up becoming the NFL's all-time leader in passer rating. Helped the Bears win five Super Bowl championships (XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXV, XXVI).

So how that one work, Steve name appared in the draft board when he was with the express but when USFL Collapse, just like jim kelly Chicago keeps their rights and when Mcmahon goes out in 1986 season Steve was ready to be the new 'hero' poor jim, he drafted his own sucessor, what did happened to him?
 
Rafa Benitez:

Manager: Valencia (2001-2009)

When Rafa Benitez arrived at Valencia CF, they had played in the last two UEFA Champions League finals and were doing very well in La Liga, but they had not won a title in ages. During the summer he got a transfer which would change the fortunes of Valencia. For 6 million Euros, Valencia signed the Brazilian prodigy Ronaldinho. With Ronaldinho, Benitez would win the league twice in the next three years and the UEFA cup in 2004. In the summer of 2004, he would buy Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Ajax and Ricardo Quaresma from Barcelona and would thus fashion an attacking trio that troubled defences in both Spain and Europe. Benitez and Valencia would win 3 consecutive league titles (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08) and the Copa Del Rey in 2008. But the greatest moment for the team would be in 2006 in the Champions League final in Paris, where they would beat Arsenal FC of England 3-1 in the final. But the following season cracks started to appear in the team due to the egos of Ibrahimovic and Quaresma and Ronaldinho's party life and while they won the League in 2007, they would finish 4th the next season and finished a distant 3rd the season after that. With the departure of a struggling Ronaldinho (2008) and Ibravhimovic (2007) to Milan and Inter, Benitez would leave the club in 2009.

Manager: Milan (2009-2013)
Benitez's next assignment was Milan. There he replaced popular manager Carlo Ancelotti who had left for Chelsea in England. During his first season, he finished in 3rd place in the Serie A. The next season, he reunited with Ibrahimovic, who came on loan from Barcelona in 2010-11 season. With an impressive squad at his disposal, he would win the next two league titles. But after Milan's financial problems came to about in 2012, Milan were forced to sell top players such as Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato and also let a lot of senior players go. In 2012-13, Milan would finish 4th with a depleted squad and Benitez was fired for not qualifying for the Champions league.

Manager: AS Moanco (2013-Present)
Benitez was appointed at AS Monaco, where he replaced Claudio Ranieri who had brought Monaco back to Ligue 1. In his first season at the Club, with players such as Falcao, James Rodriquez and Joao Moutinho, he would finish 2nd behind PSG. During his second season, he would buy rising French stars Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba while selling James Rodriquez and Falcao. With PSG beginning the season slowly, Benitez's Monaco would take the lead and would end up winning the league by 3 points from PSG. In 2015-16, he would finish in 2nd place 5 points behind PSG but 29 points ahead of 3rd placed Lyon. During both season in the Champion's League, Monaco would be eliminated by Juventus at the Quarter Final stage.

Interesting. If Benitez never joins Liverpool, do Chelsea win the Champions League in 2005 and/or 2007?
 
Merlin Olsen-- Defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos from 1962 until 1976. Known as the Beast of the Backfield, Olsen was one of the few bright spots for the early Broncos. Known for his career ending sack of Joe Namath, his veteran leadership late in his career helped to finally turn the Broncos into winners, cumulating in their victory in Superbowl X (his last game).

After retirement, Olsen became the radio voice of the Broncos and a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
 
So how that one work, Steve name appared in the draft board when he was with the express but when USFL Collapse, just like jim kelly Chicago keeps their rights and when Mcmahon goes out in 1986 season Steve was ready to be the new 'hero' poor jim, he drafted his own sucessor, what did happened to him?

Pretty much - albeit there was less of a controversy. McMahon actually takes the time to heal instead of rushing back, largely because Young more than holds his own in 1987. McMahon only plays eight games, but the Bears win Super Bowl XXII. In 1988, McMahon starts the season, gets hurt in the New England game as in OTL, and Young takes over, winning Super Bowl XXIII. McMahon stays healthy in 1989 and plays well, but after the sub-par season, he is traded to the Chargers with linebacker John Roper for Chicago's 1st-round pick in 1992 for the Chargers' first-round picks in 1990 and 1991 and their second-round picks in 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1995.

The McMahon trade, while not on par with the Herschel Walker trade, netted the Bears linebacker Junior Seau and defensive tackle Fred Washington (killed in an auto accident) in 1990, offensive tackle Pat Harlow in 1991 (the Bears used their own first-round pick to draft defensive tackle Ted Washington), safety Darren Woodson in 1992, kick returner Glyn Milburn in 1993 (their own second-round pick was used on defensive end Michael Strahan), and the #2 overall pick in 1996 (by trading the Chargers pick and the #52 overall pick in the draft to Jacksonville), linebacker Kevin Hardy.
 
Anything that saves his life, let alone career, is a wonderful change. Now for something slightly different:

Philip Neville: One of the illustrious Neville siblings, his elder brother Gary was captain of both Manchester United and England's national football teams, and Phil's twin sister Tracey an England Netball international. Not to be outdone, Philip decided against a life playing alongside his brother, pursuing his other passion: cricket. While Phil was a gifted footballer, by the age of fifteen, he had broken records by gaining entry into Lancashire's second XI, as well as captaining England's Under-15s. A long and successful career followed, for both Lancashire and England. A talented all-rounder, his medium-paced seam deliveries often managed to catch the new ball with a wicked reverse swing, confounding batsmen across the world; while his batting prowess saw Neville deployed at number five for England, a linchpin of the middle order. The highlight of Neville's career, of course, is the Test Series simply known as "Neville's Ashes". In one of the most widely followed cricket series in recent history, Britain stood entranced as Michael Vaughan, England's captain faced Ricky Ponting's Australians in a thrilling five game encounter. Recovering from a superb Australian performance in the First Test, England, led by their talisman Neville, fought back. An agonising draw in the Second Test was followed by a rain affected Third, in which Neville took the wicket of final batsman Brett Lee with only three balls left in his over, with the light fading fast. The last two days of the Fourth Test, in which Neville and best friend, Lancashire team-mate Andrew Flintoff saved a collapsing top order to steady a severely wobbling England, was the innings that catapulted Neville from "Gary's little brother" to "England superstar". After Flintoff fell to Shane Warne, the spinner's 600th career wicket, Neville carried the tail order through the day, with partner Steve Harmison, of all people, scoring the winning runs. The fifth and final Test, with the country at a standstill, saw Neville take his tally of wickets up to twenty, posting his second century of the series before it ended in a draw, with England as victors by two tests to one. This, the first Ashes victory for England since 1989, and the last to be shown live on terrestrial television, captured the public imagination like none since, and will always be known by the name of the sporting hero who brought the urn back home: Neville's Ashes.

Now retired, Neville is a commentator on BBC Radio 4's Test Match Special, and an avid supporter of Bury Football Club.


AN: This was prompted by an interview with Flintoff, who claimed that Neville could have kept him out of both Lancashire and England's first teams, had he not chosen football instead. I didn't want to do that to Freddy, but Phil is now the star of the 2005 Ashes Series. Another footballer who could have made it as a cricketer? Joe Hart, who was a very gifted bowler.

Who does he replace in 2005? Bell, Strauss, Tres? Batting at 5 seems a bit high, also he's only 39 so should be still playing even if one dayers or T20.
 
Who does he replace in 2005? Bell, Strauss, Tres? Batting at 5 seems a bit high, also he's only 39 so should be still playing even if one dayers or T20.
In my mind, I had him replacing Bell in that Test Series. I didn't think beyond that.

I meant to retire him from international cricket, but have him playing for Lancashire, moonlighting as an occasional guest on TMS, but forgot that bit when I got to the end of the post.
 
In my mind, I had him replacing Bell in that Test Series. I didn't think beyond that.

I meant to retire him from international cricket, but have him playing for Lancashire, moonlighting as an occasional guest on TMS, but forgot that bit when I got to the end of the post.

He could still have a few years in the IPL
 
He could still have a few years in the IPL
Indeed, but I quite like the idea of him slowing down a bit, having a bit of cake with Aggers and the gang. Plus, I get the impression he's a bit of a home lad. When he finally left Old Trafford, he essentially stayed as close as possible by going to Everton. I'm not sure a cricket career would change that.
 
Pretty much - albeit there was less of a controversy. McMahon actually takes the time to heal instead of rushing back, largely because Young more than holds his own in 1987. McMahon only plays eight games, but the Bears win Super Bowl XXII. In 1988, McMahon starts the season, gets hurt in the New England game as in OTL, and Young takes over, winning Super Bowl XXIII. McMahon stays healthy in 1989 and plays well, but after the sub-par season, he is traded to the Chargers with linebacker John Roper for Chicago's 1st-round pick in 1992 for the Chargers' first-round picks in 1990 and 1991 and their second-round picks in 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1995.

The McMahon trade, while not on par with the Herschel Walker trade, netted the Bears linebacker Junior Seau and defensive tackle Fred Washington (killed in an auto accident) in 1990, offensive tackle Pat Harlow in 1991 (the Bears used their own first-round pick to draft defensive tackle Ted Washington), safety Darren Woodson in 1992, kick returner Glyn Milburn in 1993 (their own second-round pick was used on defensive end Michael Strahan), and the #2 overall pick in 1996 (by trading the Chargers pick and the #52 overall pick in the draft to Jacksonville), linebacker Kevin Hardy.

Yeah and seems with young and still in his primer Payton in the offense, chicago keep in making their defense and creating a O-Line to cover Young, yeah, did they won Superbowl XX as OTL? that would make the Bears the Dinasty of Dinasties.
 
Greg Cook: Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals 1969-1982, San Francisco 1983-1986
Despite a promising 3-0 start to his career, in week 4 of his rookie campaign, Cook was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff and ruled out of the season, missing the entire 1970 season because of an overly cautious rehabilitation process. Returning in 1971, Cook flourished in Paul Brown and Bill Walsh's offense, leading the league with 3132 yards, 23 TDs and 13 interceptions. While considered a top quarterback during the first half of his career, Cook's career reached new heights in 1976, when recently promoted head coach Bill Walsh took advantage of the league's rule changes that allowed for a more open passing game. Although many scoffed at the 'nickle and dime' nature of Cook's campaign, the Bengals went 12-2 behind Cook's league-leading 4122 yards, 32 TD and 11 interceptions. The team's success continued into the playoffs, where they went on to beat Minnesota in Super Bowl XI, 34-17. Cook and Walsh would go on to win Super Bowl XVI, before being controversially traded by Walsh days before the 1983 NFL draft to San Francisco for their first round picks in the 1983, 1984, and 1985 drafts, as well as a variety of mid-round picks, which became the foundation for Walsh's dominate Bengals teams of the 80s.

As a long term football fan, I enjoyed reading this, but I am uncertain if Greg Cook was surrounded by enough talent in Cincinnati to win Super Bowl XI. The Raiders, who won the Super Bowl that year in OTL, were pretty good and so were the Steelers. How did the Bengals get by both those teams in 1976 when they could not in 1975 with an already very good Ken Anderson at quarterback? In 1975, Anderson put up similar numbers that you attribute to Cook for 1976 - 60% completion percentage, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a QB rating of 93.9 - yet that was not good enough to get a solid 11-3 Bengals team past the first round of the playoffs (losing to Oakland 28-31).

Actually, it was 1978 and not 1976 in which the leagues changed rules to open up the passing game. So attributing Cook with 4122 yards, 32 TDs and 11 interceptions is generous considering the rules were in favor of the defense in the mid-seventies. Actually, no QB in the leagues was putting up numbers like that at the time- it was not until the early 80s that you began to see QB's pass for over 4000 yards and over 30 TDs (noting the 'Air Coryell' Charger teams led by Dan Fouts).
 
Yeah and seems with young and still in his primer Payton in the offense, chicago keep in making their defense and creating a O-Line to cover Young, yeah, did they won Superbowl XX as OTL? that would make the Bears the Dinasty of Dinasties.

They did, same 15-1 record.
 
Arvydas Sabonis: Center, Portland Trail Blazers, 1990-2001

The Blazers drafted the Lithuanian in the second round of the 1986 draft, but because of political considerations, he wasn't able to come over to Portland until 1990.
An injury limited him somewhat the previous year, but by the summer of 1990, he was ready to go. The Blazers promptly signed him to a five-year deal.

Sabonis became the final piece for a Trail Blazer team that had just lost to Detroit in the NBA Finals. In his first year (1990-91), he helped Portland win 71 games in the regular season, and their first title since 1977 (a sweep over MJ and the Bulls).

The next year, they repeated over the Bulls in five games. Sabonis was named Finals MVP (Drexler won it the year before). They also went back to the Finals in 93, beating the Knicks in five games (in this world, Chicago isn't quite as clutch without their titles, so Ewing finally gets by MJ after losing in the playoffs to him three times).

However, in 93-94, Sabonis missed the last two months of the season, and age started to catch up with Buck Williams and Clyde Drexler (who would still be traded to Houston). That led to an era of re-tooling that lasted about four seasons (Blazer GM Bob Whitsitt would still add guys like Rasheed, Mighty Mouse, Brian Grant, and Steve Smith).

By 1997-98, Portland was back in the Western Conference elite. They lost to the Lakers and Spurs in the 98 and 99 Playoffs, but by 2000, they were able to make the finals (since the Bulls don't have as much success as in OTL, Jackson doesn't go to the Lakers in 1999-00), beating Indiana in six games (who dethroned the defending East Champ Bulls. Jordan, Jackson, Pippen, etc... left or retired after that). After a little more re-tooling (losing Brian Grant, trading Jermaine O'Neal for Dale Davis), the Blazers repeat as champs. After the series, Sabonis retires with five championship rings to his credit.

I lived in Portland, Oregon in the early 90's and was a huge fan of the Clyde Drexler led Blazer teams of the time. I find this analysis spot on in that I always wondered 'what if' the Blazers had managed to sign Sabonis starting in 1990. Without doubt, he would have started at Center, which leaves one wondering about the fate of Kevin Duckworth. Looking back, I recall reading at the time the reason the Blazers never pursued Sabonis in the early 90s was the fact they already had Duckworth at Center. Yes, 'Duck' had a soft touch for a big man but also had his limitations-I always felt that his meltdowns in the 90 WCF was one of the big reasons the Blazers lost to the Lakers. Obviously, Sabonis makes the difference in this scenario. I see the Blazers actually trading Duckworth for front court depth, perhaps sending him to the Phoenix Suns for someone along the lines of Mark West or Andrew Lang to back up Sabonis.

71 wins in 90-91 might be a bit generous in that the Blazers in OTL with Duckworth actually won 63. Probably around four or five more wins might be more realistic in that I do not feel the Blazers had the experience at the time to approach 70 wins. But yes, a team with Sabonis at Center surrounded by Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Drexler and Terry Porter (with Danny Ainge, Cliff Robinson and West or Lang coming off the bench) could easily beat a Jordan led Bulls team that did not have championship confidence at the time. Perhaps with more experience and confidence the Blazers might have achieved 70+ victories in the 91-92 season, providing everyone stays healthy. Again, good read.
 
By the way, I can just see the hockey rink for the Toronto Maple Leafs named Eric Lindros Rink in 2020 because Lindros was such a important figure in turning around the fortunes of the Maple Leafs.

Not quite, but both Toronto, its suburb of Oshawa (for leading the OHL Generals to their first Memorial Cup in 1990) and his hometown of London, Ontario all have Eric Lindros Road as a road in the city. The Leafs' home arena is the Air Canada Centre, and every player that plays for the Leafs has a banner of his (or hers) in the arena's public areas. Their training facility is the Conn Smythe Training Centre in the Etobicoke district of the city.

The 'Legends Era' Leafs have retired numbers 4 (Scott Stevens, 1990-2004), 13 (Mats Sundin, 1994-2007), 17 (Wendel Clark, 1985-2000, 2001-02), 20 (Vladislav Tretiak, 1986-93), 21 (Borje Salming (1973-93), 30 (Martin Brodeur (1995-2015), 88 (Eric Lindros (1999-2007, 2010-15), 93 (Doug Gilmour (1991-1998, 2003-04) and 99 (Wayne Gretzky (1988-1998), as well as putting in the 'Legends Row' jersey list numbers 8 (Mark Recchi, (1994-2004, 2009-11), 11 (Saku Koivu, 1994-2005), 15 (Tomas Kaberle 1996-2007, 2011-2013), 25 (Dave Andreychuk, 2000-2004), 27 (Ron Hextall, 1999-2003), 29 (Felix Potvin, 1991-2005) and 94 (Brendan Shanahan, 1997-2007). Honored numbers hang from the rafters but are allowed to be worn by players if they desire (but any player that does choose that number had best do a good job....) but the use of a retired number has to be approved by the legendary player that wore it, which does happen - the 2015-16 Leafs do have a #4 (Shea Weber), a #21 (James Van Riemsdyk), and while #99 has been retired league-wide since Gretzky's retirement in 2000, few ex-Leafs legendary players have a problem with a worthy player taking over a number, sometimes even using the number as a bargaining chip - during a highly-publicized attempt to acquire Jakub Voracek in 2015-16, Doug Gilmour publicly offered Voracek the ability to continue wearing the #93.

Lindros today is a very good friend of Daniel Alfredsson, the captain of the arch-rival Ottawa Senators during the Battle of Ontario years, and when Alfredsson's #11 was retired by the Ottawa Senators before the first game of the 2014-15 season Lindros was invited, a courtesy returned when Lindros retired at the end of that season and his #88 was retired by the Leafs. (Alfredsson is regarded by Senators fans in about the same way Lindros is by Leafs fans, and while the fans of one team tended to hate the others' captain, today what's left is mutual respect, and both teams are real contenders in modern times.) Most of the players today of that era thoroughly enjoy reliving those times, and even today any Toronto-Ottawa game is viewed with some love by fans of both teams. Indeed, the 2020 Hockey Hall of Fame Class was the "Battle of Ontario" class - Eric Lindros, Daniel Alfredsson, Martin Brodeur, Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi and Chris Pronger, along with Jacques Martin in the coaches category - Chara two years early simply to allow the legendary Slovakian defenseman (two-time Norris Trophy winner and one of the biggest-ever NHL players at 6'9" and 270 lbs) to enter the Hall at the same time as his Ottawa teammates.
 
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Archie Manning, QB, Steelers: 1971-84

In 1970, the Steelers lost the coin flip with the Bears. As a result, Pittsburgh (who had no interest in QB Mike Phipps) traded the #2 overall pick to New Orleans for the 10th overall pick, 1971 first-round pick, 1970 third-rounder, and 1972 second-rounder.

The Saints drafted Mike Phipps #2 overall, the Fins drafted WR Ken Burrough #3 overall, and the Steelers took G Doug Wilkerson with the 10th overall pick.

The next year, the Steelers (who would finish 3-11 in this world with no Bradshaw) end up with the second and third overall picks, and they draft Manning and DE Richard Harris.

The Steelers finish 5-9 in 1971 with Manning being brought along a little slower (although he starts the last 10 games), and he gets help the next year with the addition of Franco Harris.

After losing to Miami in the 1972 and 73 AFC Title Games (they go further that year with Manning because he was more stable than Bradshaw), Manning takes them all the way the next two years. Then, after being slammed by Joe Jones, he misses several games in 76, but the Steelers still are able to get to the AFC Title Game where they lose to Oakland.

Then, after losing to Denver in 77, Manning leads the Steelers to SB titles in 78, 79, and 82. He retires after the 1984 AFC Title Game loss to the Dolphins (after the game, he acknowledges a changing of the guard at midfield by congratulating Marino and wishing him luck), and is elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
 
Archie Manning, QB, Steelers: 1971-84

In 1970, the Steelers lost the coin flip with the Bears. As a result, Pittsburgh (who had no interest in QB Mike Phipps) traded the #2 overall pick to New Orleans for the 10th overall pick, 1971 first-round pick, 1970 third-rounder, and 1972 second-rounder.

The Saints drafted Mike Phipps #2 overall, the Fins drafted WR Ken Burrough #3 overall, and the Steelers took G Doug Wilkerson with the 10th overall pick.

The next year, the Steelers (who would finish 3-11 in this world with no Bradshaw) end up with the second and third overall picks, and they draft Manning and DE Richard Harris.

The Steelers finish 5-9 in 1971 with Manning being brought along a little slower (although he starts the last 10 games), and he gets help the next year with the addition of Franco Harris.

After losing to Miami in the 1972 and 73 AFC Title Games (they go further that year with Manning because he was more stable than Bradshaw), Manning takes them all the way the next two years. Then, after being slammed by Joe Jones, he misses several games in 76, but the Steelers still are able to get to the AFC Title Game where they lose to Oakland.

Then, after losing to Denver in 77, Manning leads the Steelers to SB titles in 78, 79, and 82. He retires after the 1984 AFC Title Game loss to the Dolphins (after the game, he acknowledges a changing of the guard at midfield by congratulating Marino and wishing him luck), and is elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Nice for Papa Manning at least got a far better carrer in OTL, how it will affect the career of his child(baring the obvious butterflies besides some birthday dates), maybe peyton or equivalent decided to go to college in Philadelphia(pittsburgh panthers or Penn Litanny Lions?)
 
Terry Bradshaw, QB, Bears: 1970-85

After the Bears won the 1970 flip with the Steelers, they took the blonde bomber from Shreveport, LA (and Louisiana Tech) first overall. Then, later that day, they traded second-year QB Bobby Douglass to the Browns for a second-round draft pick.

Veteran QB Jack Concannon played virtually all the games that year, as the rookie Bradshaw waited his turn. Then, the next year, Bradshaw opened the season against rookie Archie Manning and the Steelers at Soldier Field. The Bears won that day, 21-14, and then Bradshaw led them from behind the next week in Minnesota, 24-17.

The Bears went 7-7 that year, their last win being at Denver in Week 12 on a Bradshaw to Richard Gordon TD pass. As a result, HC Jim Dooley's job was saved, but Gordon, a Pro Bowl WR, signed with the Rams, and the Bears were given a 1974 first-rounder as compensation.

Gordon's departure deprived Bradshaw of his #1 WR. Also, Gale Sayers retired after the 1971 season, and Dick Butkus would retire after the 1973 season. Bradshaw missed eleven games due to injury in 1973 and 74 combined as a result of running more than he should and a poor offensive line.

However, Jim Finks would arrive in 74, and he would start to assemble a good team around Terry. In the 1975 draft, the Bears selected a franchise RB in Walter Payton, and they also got a steal in the 17th round in FB Roland Harper. The Bears were also starting to assemble a line around Terry with guys like Lionel Antoine and Noah Jackson. 75 was also the year that ex-Redskin Jack Pardee would take over.

In 1976, the Bears would win nine games, missing the playoffs by one game. Then, starting in 1977, they would win three straight division titles, and go to SB XIV where they would lose to Archie Manning and the Steelers.

In 1980 and 81, though, Bradshaw missed eight combined games due to injury, and the Bears missed the playoffs. In addition, their coach (Neill Armstrong) lost the locker room by being too nice. He was replaced by Mike Ditka in 1982, and slowly but surely, the Bears would be rebuilt.

Bradshaw led them to the NFC Title Game in 1983, where they lost to the Redskins. Then, after being hurt and missing the playoffs in 84 (where they lost to SF), Terry came back in 1985 to team up with an epic defense. The Bears won the SB, and Bradshaw retired after the game and went into TV.
 
Bobby Douglass, QB, Bears (1969), Browns (1970-81)

In 1969, the Bears selected QB Bobby Douglass out of Kansas in the second round. He had just led the Jayhawks to what would be their last Orange Bowl appearance for almost 40 years.

His first year in Chicago, he started 7 games. He threw for only 773 yards, 5 TD's, and 8 INT's.

Then, after the Bears won the coin flip for Bradshaw, Douglass would be on to another new location. The Browns were looking for a QB to eventually replace Bill Nelsen (who had bad knees). They wanted to trade up for Mike Phipps, but when the Steelers traded down with the Saints (and NO took Phipps), they had to consider other options.

They thought about drafting San Diego St. QB Dennis Shaw, but since the Bears got Bradshaw, they felt that Douglass was an intriguing enough prospect that they could groom for a few years before handing him the job.

Douglass mostly sat the bench and learned for the next two years while he worked on his accuracy and other points of QB. Bill Nelsen, a future QB coach, helped him greatly.

By the time 1972 rolled around, Douglass was named the starter. He would be behind a better O-line than he had during his rookie year in Chicago. He also had support from future HOF players Paul Warfield (they don't trade him in this world) and Leroy Kelly, as well as guys like RB Ron Johnson (he also isn't traded in this reality), TE Milt Morin, and WR Frank Pitts.

By trusting in his three-pronged running attack (Kelly, Johnson, and FB Bo Scott) and Warfield, Douglass was able to lead Cleveland to a 10-4 record while putting up a modest stat line (2,035 yards passing, 15 TD's, 12 INT's, 500 yards rushing). However, against Miami, his two INT's were costly, and the Super Bowl bound Fins were able to pull out a 21-14 win in the AFC Divisional Round.

The next year, Cleveland finishes 9-5, but misses the playoffs by one game. Then, in 1974 and 75, they finish 6-8 and 5-9 as Bobby Douglass misses several games due to injury. As a result, though, a guy named Brian Sipe shows his potential by pulling out a few comeback wins. So, in 1976, they decide to trade Sipe to the Broncos for a second-round pick (Sipe leads them to three AFC West Titles and five playoff appearances, including an appearance in SB 12. In 1984, he decides to sign with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL, leaving the job to a young John Elway).

Douglass does a decent job the next few years, but in a division with the Bengals, the Oilers, and the Steelers, playoff appearances turn out to be impossible to come by, especially due to the fact that HOF WR Paul Warfield retired after 1976, and RB Ron Johnson retired after 1979.

In 1980, after the failured HC tenure of ex-ASU coach Frank Kush (he took over for Nick Scorich after the 1975 season. Forrest Gregg went to GB to be one of Bart Starr's assistants in this world), the Browns hire Sam Rutigliano. After an 8-8 year with Douglass at QB, he drafts Neil Lomax in the 1981 draft. Douglass stays on for one more year before retiring.
 
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