John Navarre
It says on Rivals that John Navarre is a "recently retired" NFL quarterback. Did anyone think John Navarre was going to be good in the NFL? I remember Lloyd always panning Navarre's critics and saying how he would prove people wrong at the next level, but I didn't see it happening, and it hasn't.
The one word I would use to describe Navarre's career at Michigan.
there was cautious optimism from the cardinals staff (and many Michigan fans) that Navarre would prove to be one of those diamonds in the rough. Blame Henson for the "agony" of those years, as Navarre was never intended to be anything other than a backup. Of course, without Navarre, we'd be left without the stunning memory of The Play against Minnesota in 2003 where rumbled down the sideline for a TD on a lateral to Stevie B who passed back to Navarre.
Brian has named this play the "Buffalo Stampede".....you must use this phrase if you intend on discussing this particular moment in Michigan Football history.
He had more victories over OSU than Chad Henne.
His senior year was his best. But come on, the guy had the mobility of a tree, had every other pass batted down at the LOS (he was 6-6 for Christ's sake). He had some good games in '03, but overrall the guy was rough to watch. I actually felt bad for him in that Rose Bowl. Got sacked nine freakin' times. Ouch.
half the time he just threw it into the back of the OL's helmet
John Navarre was a legitimately good QB his senior year. Is it his fault that Henson bailed and left him as the only viable QB on the roster well before he was ready? No.
was alright for the Cardinals, better than I thought he would be. What do you want from a 3rd string 7th rounder who was forced into early action do to injuries.
He was alright in 2002, and he was good his in '03, plus he beat OSU so despite his being debacled in his younger days he is OK and my book, also buffalo stampede.
I don't know that Navarre was only intended to be a backup. He just wasn't intended to start as a freshman or sophomore. And really, it's his play in those two years that's caused him to seem so bad in a lot of fans' eyes. As a junior, he was respectable, and as a senior he was legitimately very good. (As for him getting sacked a lot in the Rose Bowl, didn't the exact same thing happen to Henne when we returned there?)
Even in the 2001 OSU game, when Navarre's first half was one of the worst ever . . . if a wide-open Marquise Walker hangs on to that pass, it just might have been our biggest comeback win ever. (We lost by six.)
... no one has a chance of becoming good there. He wasn't great, but he wasn't bad, either. He really never had a chance either at UM(fans) or In Phx(team).
And, the Buffalo Stampede was awesome.
the 2002 osu fumble was the worst
Fuck you haters, I loved John Navarre and wear my #16 jersey proudly still.
I will never forget going to Ford Field to watch John get his first NFL start, and wanting to fist fight the hillbilly Lions fan behind me who spent the whole game screaming at the top of his lungs "WOOOORSSSTTTT MICHIGAN QB EVEEERRR" and "JOHHNNN NAVARREEE ISSS HORRRRRRRRRIBLLLLE".
I mean, he did throw like 5 INTs and have two more called back on penalties, but fuck that dude.
I prefer the Navarre years to the Henne years, by a very wide margin. Is it fair to blame Henne for 2005? Not really. Is it fair to blame him for the Horror? Partly, because he sucked hard in that game. But I did not come here to bury Chad Henne but to praise John Navarre. 2003 was the best season in the aughts and he was the last QB to beat OSU. So, if you want to enjoy Navarre getting cut from the NFL because you were right (woo hoo he suxors!) and Carr was wrong, be my guest. I will not be joining you.
To be fair, it's not even "you're right and Lloyd Carr is wrong". Lloyd Carr didn't anoint him starter of an NFL team.
Who was Carr supposed to start? GUUUUTZ? He had a reason for starting Navarre.
Denny Green, on the other hand, didn't really have an excuse.
I still rock my Navarre for Heisman shirt. Ironic? Of course, no one ever thought he was Heisman caliber. Hate #16? No way, loved the years he was around.
I still think Navarre was a good, not great QB (in College). The Water Buffalo Stampede is one of my favorite Michigan moments and the fact that Navarre (oh, and some guys named Braylon and Perry) were the last to deliver us a W vs. tOSU cannot be forgotten. Plus I don't think many of us thought Navarre would be a good NFL QB regardless.