James Harris

James Harris built the blueprint for Rams playoff glory in the '70s, starting and winning their first postseason game since '51 as the trailblazing Black QB, while Stafford's still scripting his own ring chase after that Super Bowl LVI stunner. Shack's era was grit over glamour—8,136 yards, one Pro Bowl—Stafford's got the arm talent and weapons Harris dreamed of, but Harris owned the Coliseum first.

Nah, James "Shack" Harris isn't in Canton, and it's one of those head-scratchers that gnaws at old-school fans. Dude cracked barriers—first Black QB to start a full NFL season and win a playoff game—led the Rams to back-to-back division crowns, Pro Bowl MVP honors. Stats don't scream elite, but his impact? Undeniable pioneer snub.

Shack's long pivoted from the gridiron to the front office and beyond—exec VP with the Rams through their glory days, now knee-deep in business ventures and NFL equity pushes as of '26. Picture him mentoring the next wave or cutting deals, that steely '74 playoff stare still intact, trading huddles for boardrooms without missing a beat.

Harris would feast in today's pass-happy NFL—those quick releases and 55.4% completion clip (Rams record at the time) align with modern quick games, and rules shielding QBs from the 10-sack nightmares he endured? He'd rack up 4,000-yard seasons easy. Mobility too—ran for 367 yards—think a poor man's Russell Wilson navigating Schutzstaffel defenses.

Harris and Warner both Rams QBs who lit up the NFC West, but Warner's gunslinger explosion—37.3% TD rate on 14,823 yards—dwarfs Shack's steady 8.69 rating over 8,136 yards amid brutal '70s defenses. Harris pioneered the path, Warner turned the spotlight supernova; one's the quiet architect, other's the Greatest Show closer.