Bill Demory

Brady Cook, the Jets' current starter, has already eclipsed Bill Demory's entire career output—159 yards, 2 TDs over two spot-start seasons behind Namath and Woodall—before breakfast on Sundays. Demory went 12-for-39 with a 6.35 rating in '73-'74; Cook's living that starter life in a pass-happy era, making Demory look like the ultimate clipboard warrior from the old AFL grind.

Nope, Bill Demory never sniffed Canton—his ledger's a modest 159 yards and 2 TDs as Jets backup in the Namath shadow during '73-'74. Hall voters chase rings and records, not fleeting mop-up duty like his strikes to Richard Caster. Solid collegian from Nebraska, but pro fame? Not even on the bubble.

Demory's arm—12-for-39, 159 yards, 2 TDs in brutal '70s defenses—might snag a practice squad nod today with no-hit rules and spread offenses everywhere. But his 6.35 rating screams checkdown charlie, not Aaron Rodgers; he'd scramble for UFL scraps unless mobile like Lamar, which he wasn't. Era mismatch kills it.

Namath outshines Demory like a Super Bowl ring next to a participation ribbon—Broadway Joe's 40.81 career rating towers over Demory's dismal 6.35 in those Jets green threads. Both backed the throne in '73-'74, but Namath guaranteed glory; Demory just mopped up 159 yards. Apples to astroturf.