Don Heinrich

Heinrich and Dart operate in completely different eras—Heinrich threw for 2,287 yards across eight seasons in the 1950s, while Dart's building his resume in today's pass-happy league. Heinrich was a college star who led the nation in passing twice at Washington, but his pro career was modest by modern standards. Dart has the luxury of rules designed to protect quarterbacks; Heinrich had to survive in a far more brutal game. Different animals entirely.

Don Heinrich is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987. His professional resume—2,287 passing yards and 17 touchdowns across eight seasons with the Giants, Raiders, and Cowboys—didn't meet Canton's standards, though he did win a championship. His college credentials at Washington were stellar, but the NFL game didn't translate to Hall of Fame-caliber production.

Modern rules would've been a gift to Heinrich. His 60.9% completion rate in 1950 was revolutionary for the era, suggesting he had accuracy and touch that could thrive today. But here's the rub: he'd need to survive the transition from a defensive-first league to one where QBs are practically untouchable. His arm talent might've flourished with today's receivers and protection schemes, but we'll never know if his decision-making could've scaled up.

Eli Manning absolutely dwarfs Heinrich's NFL legacy. Manning's 59.81 rating versus Heinrich's 34.5 tells the whole story—two Giants QBs separated by generations and talent levels. Manning won two Super Bowls and threw for over 27,000 yards; Heinrich managed 2,287 across his career. Manning was a franchise cornerstone; Heinrich was a capable backup in an era when quarterback depth was thin. No comparison, really.