Krieg Measures Up Quarterback’s Numbers Compare Favorably With Those Of The All-Time Greats

In the pantheon of great NFL quarterbacks, the likes of Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Bart Starr, Sonny Jurgensen, Dan Fouts and Fran Tarkenton have something in common - other than the proximity of their busts in the Hall of Fame.

None could match the career of Dave Krieg.

Don’t revolt at the notion.

This is all from a statistical perspective.

In the course of 16 seasons, Krieg has somehow, steadily and unspectacularly, compiled a career quarterback rating of nearly 83 - the seventh-best of all time.

And his winning percentage as a starting quarterback (90 wins and 64 losses) roughly matches Steve Young’s and is better than Troy Aikman’s.

Still, Krieg’s admittance to the Hall of Fame will certainly require the purchase of a ticket.

But 16 years into a career that was never expected to materialize - seeing as he was an undrafted free agent from now-defunct Milton College - Krieg continues to perform passably.

“He’s always been a winner,” Arizona Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan said of his quarterback. “He’s taken every team he’s been with to the playoffs. He’s a pro as far as I’m concerned.”

That’s high praise from a coach whose team stands at 2-5 and has struggled mightily on offense.

“It’s not his fault that we’re not winning,” Ryan said. “He’s doing well, really. He’s run the offense; he’s had about four games where he’s had over 300 yards throwing.”

Krieg, now 37 and four seasons separated from the Seahawks, for whom he played 12 seasons, will compete against some of his former teammates Sunday at Sun Devil Stadium.

Both teams have 2-5 records.

After a ragged start in which he misfired with five interceptions in the season’s first six periods, Krieg has settled down.

He’s completed 62.5 percent of his passes and thrown seven touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

The difference, now, is that Sundays come around far too fast.

“The bumps and bruises don’t go away until Saturday and then you go out and on the field Sunday and start again,” Krieg said. “Wednesday and Thursdays are pretty tough days. Ten years ago, I was ready to play again on Wednesday.”

In the first year of a two-year, $3.6 million contract, Krieg said he’d like to coax another two years of play out of his body.

Despite the sluggish start, Krieg has been able to do something a trio of revolving quarterbacks wasn’t able to do for the Cardinals last season - quiet the bombastic Ryan.

“Buddy is a lot like Chuck (former Hawks’ coach Knox) in that they want you to go out and be a winner at your position and if you don’t do the job, he’ll find somebody who will,” Krieg said.

One not-so-subtle difference exists between Ryan and Knox, however.

“He always says what’s on his mind; whereas Chuck would bring the players in and tell them something privately, Buddy just says it publicly - that’s his style.”

In a touch of irony, Krieg will see a Seahawks starting quarterback wearing his old No. 17 - John Friesz.

Friesz gets the call this week instead of Rick Mirer, who has been inconsistent in seven games this season.

“I feel bad for Rick; I know that’s tough, no doubt about it,” Krieg said. “But it’s good for John. Sometimes this can help put things into perspective a little bit.

“Rick shouldn’t think it’s all his fault. This will be good for him if he takes it the right way.”

Krieg knows a great deal about the sublimation of ego for the team good.

He was benched several times with the Seahawks and then served as backup for Joe Montana with Kansas City for two seasons before coming on in dramatic relief of injured Detroit starter Scott Mitchell last season.

“I didn’t like it either; you try to take it constructively, but it’s a slap in the face and personally, it does hurt you,” Krieg said. “But it helps you relax a bit and it sure reminds you that you want to play well when you come back.”

Krieg recalled being set down by Knox midway through the 1986 season. He returned and the team won five in a row.

“I think what happens is that everybody sees that, hey, this guy is on the bench, it could happen to anybody,” he said.

Krieg, in particular, misses the guy who has rented his home in Woodinville the past three years - Hawks defensive tackle Joe Nash.

Last week, Nash set a team record by playing in his 201st game.

“I’m so darn happy and proud of that guy,” Krieg said. “I hope he gets all the recognition he can get; he deserves it.”

Krieg said Nash took it easy on him once when he had an open shot when Krieg was playing with the Chiefs.

“He was probably trying to get me to lower his rent,” Krieg said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo