JEFF GEORGE

Following their historic 15-1 season in 1998, the Vikings reshuffled their quarterback depth chart.  Brad Johnson, the starter at the beginning of the '98 season, lost his job when he went down with an early injury and a resurrected Randall Cunningham turned in an All-Pro year.  Johnson was traded to Washington in the off-season.  The Vikings used their first pick that year on QB-of-the-future Daunte Culpepper.  Meanwhile, veteran big-armed enigma Jeff George was brought in to backup Cunningham.

Sure enough, the Vikes scuffled to a 2-4 start under Cunningham.  In full panic mode, George was given the next start.  He tossed three touchdown passes, leading the team to a 40-16 beatdown of the 49ers, and never looked back.  George went 8-2 as a starter for the 1999 Vikings, tossing 23 TD passes.  His 94.2 QB rating was a career best and he led the NFL in yards per completion.

Arguably the finest season of Jeff George's 12 year career, 1999 was his only season in purple.  In 2000, the Vikings handed the reigns over to Culpepper.  George signed with Washington (to back up Johnson) and went 1-6 as a starter over his final two NFL seasons.