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| No. 17 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1958-10-20)October 20, 1958 (age 67) Iola, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 193 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | D.C. Everest(Schofield, Wisconsin) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Milton (1976–1979) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1980: undrafted | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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David Michael Krieg (/ˈkreɪɡ/KRAYG; born October 20, 1958) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aquarterback in theNational Football League (NFL). He attendedMilton College in his home state ofWisconsin and made theSeattle Seahawks as anundraftedfree agent. In his 18-year NFL career, Krieg played for the Seahawks (1980–1991),Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993),Detroit Lions (1994),Arizona Cardinals (1995),Chicago Bears (1996), andTennessee Oilers (1997–1998).
Kreig playedcollege football atMilton College, a now-defunct smallprivate college inMilton, Wisconsin. He began as the 7th-string quarterback for his school'sNAIA team, theWildcats. Given the opportunity to play in the fourth game of his freshman season, hecompleted four passes, three of them fortouchdowns and continued to play well enough to start for the rest of his college career.[1] He andDave Kraayeveld (who also played for the Seattle Seahawks) are the only NFL players to have attended Milton College.[2]
In 19 seasons, Krieg played in 213 games, and completed 58.5 percent of his passes (3,105 of 5,311) for 38,147 passing yards, 261 touchdowns, 199interceptions and an 81.5 rating. He also had 417 rushing attempts for 1,261 yards and 13 touchdowns and 3 passreceptions for 10 yards. His regular seasoncareer win–loss record is 98–77.
Dave Krieg played in 12postseason games (9 as astarter), and completed 51.1 percent of his passes (144 for 282) for 1,895 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 70.86 rating. He also had 17 rushing attempts for 20 yards and 1 touchdown.
Undrafted in1980, Krieg tried out for the Seahawks and caught on as a third-string quarterback. He saw the field only once, taking a fewsnaps with two incompletions in the final game in1980,[3] the Seahawks' ninth straight loss in a disappointing 4–12 season in which they lost all eight home games.[4]
By the middle of the1981 season, Krieg overtookSam Adkins on thedepth chart to become the Seahawks' second-string quarterback. When injuries sidelinedJim Zorn late in the season, Kriegstarted the last three games and played well, helping the team record two of its six wins that year.[5] In his first NFL start against theNew York Jets on December 6, Krieg ran for one touchdown and threw for two others, including a 57-yard game-winning completion toSteve Largent.[6][7][8][9]
Krieg began thestrike-shortened1982 season as the Seahawks' starting quarterback and played respectably until a thumb injury sidelined him for several weeks.[9] Zorn reclaimed his former role, but played inconsistently. When Zorn continued to struggle in the final game of the season,[10] CoachMike McCormack inserted Krieg, who rallied Seattle to a victory over theDenver Broncos.[11]
Returning to the bench at the outset of the1983 campaign, Krieg remained there until Zorn's performance faltered in midseason. At that point, head coachChuck Knox named Krieg the Seahawks' new starting quarterback. The Milton product's consistent play complemented the considerable talents ofAll-Prowide receiverSteve Largent andPro Bowlrunning backCurt Warner, allowing the Seahawks to make theplayoffs for the first time in the team's eighth season. Krieg played brilliantly in thewild card round of the playoffs, helping his team routSteve DeBerg and the Broncos in theKingdome. The next week, Krieg's steady performance helped the Seahawks upsetDan Marino and theMiami Dolphins on the road. However, Krieg and Seahawks offense were overwhelmed by the aggressive defense of theL.A. Raiders in theAmerican Football Conference Championship Game. Knox replaced Krieg with Jim Zorn to finish out the game as the visiting Seahawks lost to the Raiders, who went on to winSuper Bowl XVIII.[12]
Despite a prodigious effort by Mike McCormack to recruitWarren Moon to join the QB ranks in Seattle, Krieg resumed his starting role1984 after Moon declined Seattle's offer and chose to play for theHouston Oilers instead. In the year's first game, a knee injury sidelined the Seahawks' star running back Curt Warner for the rest of the season, forcing Coach Knox to discard his run-oriented "Ground Chuck" offense and adopt a new, more pass-intensive philosophy "Air Knox." Rising to the occasion, Krieg threw for 3,671 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading his team to a 12–4 record and another wild card playoff appearance. In recognition of this impressive performance, Krieg's NFL peers named him to his firstPro Bowl. Moreover, his steady play helped the Seahawks eliminate the reigning Super Bowl championRaiders in a wild card showdown in the Kingdome. Krieg also played well in Miami the following week, but theDolphins defeated the Seahawks and went on to loseSuper Bowl XIX.[13]
Krieg's inconsistency contributed to the mediocrity of the Seahawks in1985. In the team's eight victories, Krieg's passer rating averaged more than 114—an excellent mark—but in their eight losses, his rating hovered just above a dismal 40.[14]
In1986, Krieg played well initially, leading the Seahawks to a 5–3 record. However, he faltered in midseason, so Coach Knox benched him in favor ofGale Gilbert. When that remedy failed to avert a four-game losing streak, Knox gave Krieg another chance. Nicknamed "Mudbone" by his Seattle teammates,[15] Krieg led the Seahawks on five-game winning streak to finish the season, during which his passer rating exceeded 126.[16] That December, Krieg was named AFC Player of the Month.[9] However, the 10-6 Seahawks failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Despite a brief midseason slump, Krieg played more consistently during thestrike-shortened1987 season. In the year's first game, Krieg set a team record by throwing his 108th touchdown;[9] in less than four years as a starter, Krieg had broken a record Zorn had compiled over more than seven starting seasons. Krieg proceeded to lead the Seahawks to another playoff appearance, but Krieg's performance failed to prevent a narrow loss on the road in the first round against theHouston Oilers.[17]
During the offseason, the Seahawks acquiredKelly Stouffer from thePhoenix Cardinals, and began to groom him as thefranchise quarterback of the future.[18]
Perhaps due to this increased competition, Krieg's consistency increased further in1988. Although he missed seven games with aseparated shoulder, his excellent play helped propel the Seahawks to their firstAFC West Division Championship. In the regular season finale, Krieg dissected theRaiders' secondary, throwing for 410 yards and four touchdowns, thereby securing the division title at 9–7 and relegating the Raiders to a wild card berth. However, Krieg's pedestrian performance on the road in theplayoffs contributed to the Seahawks' swift elimination at the hands of the top-seededCincinnati Bengals.[19] Nevertheless, Krieg's strong regular season showing earned him another Pro Bowl appearance.
In the spring of 1989, Krieg competed inNBC's prestigiousSuperstars competition, a series of physical challenges pitting athletes from various sports against one another. Krieg placed third overall, behindWillie Gault andHerschel Walker. He placed first in thebasketball androwing events, beating athletes including Gault, Walker,Randall Cunningham,Evander Holyfield, andCarl Lewis.[20]
In1989, Krieg struggled to lead an offense depleted by injuries. All-Pro Steve Largent missed several games because of a fractured elbow. The running game sputtered as injuries slowed Curt Warner, and the agingoffensive line struggled to open holes for him. Krieg came to rely onfullbackJohn L. Williams after Largent retired that season. Although the Seahawks managed only a 7–9 record, Krieg played well enough to earn a return trip to the Pro Bowl, where he performed impressively, helping lead the AFC to victory.[21]
Krieg's burden grew heavier in1990, with the retirement of Largent and the continued decline of the offensive line and the running game. Consequently, inconsistency again plagued Krieg. His play ranged from awful (2 games with passer ratings below 15) to mediocre (5 games in the 50s and 60s) to good (4 games in the 70s, 80s, or 90s) to brilliant (5 games with ratings over 100). In the most memorable game of the season, on November 11, the Seahawks made their annual visit toArrowhead Stadium, where they had not won since 1980. TheKansas City Chiefssacked Krieg 9 times, including an NFL-record 7 sacks bylinebackerDerrick Thomas. However, on the last play of the game, as time expired, Thomas closed in for yet another apparent sack, but Krieg eluded the linebacker and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverPaul Skansi for the win. Krieg's leadership helped the Seahawks compile a respectable 9–7 record in 1990, but they again missed the playoffs.
In the1991 NFL draft, the Seahawks used their first-round pick on another quarterback of the future,Dan McGwire.
After breaking his thumb in the season opener, Krieg missed six games in1991. Without a strong supporting cast, Krieg turned in another inconsistent year. The Seahawks finished a disappointing 7–9, leading to the resignation of Coach Knox. SeattleGeneral ManagerTom Flores decided to retain Stouffer and McGwire, and to let Krieg become a free agent. That decision helped doom the Seahawks to several seasons of misery and mediocrity under a succession of uninspired quarterbacks.[22] Despite having an outstanding defense in1992, their overall record of 2–14 (.125) remains the worst in franchise history.
Krieg signed with the Seahawks' division rivals, theKansas City Chiefs, and started for them throughout1992, leading his new team to a 10–6 record, including two victories overSeattle. However, Krieg's poor performance in the playoffs on the road contributed to thewild-card Chiefs' swift elimination by theSan Diego Chargers.[23]
In the offseason, the Chiefs signedJoe Montana and made him their starting quarterback. However, Krieg still saw substantial action in1993, relieving Montana in six games, and starting five games for the oft-injuredHall of Famer. Together, Montana and Krieg led the Chiefs to an 11–5 record and an AFC West Championship. In thewild-card round of the playoffs, when the Chiefs hosted thePittsburgh Steelers, an injured Montana briefly left the game. In relief, Krieg threw just one pass, a 23-yard touchdown.[24] Two weeks later, at theAFC Championship Game in Buffalo, Montana sustained aconcussion and left the game in the third quarter. Krieg led a 90-yard touchdown drive to bring the Chiefs within 7 points, but theBuffalo Bills scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to qualify fortheir fourth straight Super Bowl appearance.
In 1994, Krieg signed with theDetroit Lions to back upScott Mitchell. Although Mitchell's erratic play contributed to the team's poor 4–5 start,[25] coachWayne Fontes stuck with the young quarterback as his starter until an injury sidelined him in mid-season.[9] Krieg came off the bench and ignited a dynamic offense showcasing the talents of running backBarry Sanders and wide receiverHerman Moore. Statistically, the 1994 season was the best of Krieg's career: Krieg completed 61.8% of his passes and threw 14 touchdowns versus only 3 interceptions, for a passer rating of 101.7. Moreover, Krieg's leadership rallied the Lions to a 5–2 regular season finish and a wild card playoff berth. Despite Krieg's solid play, the visiting Lions lost narrowly to theGreen Bay Packers in the first round of the playoffs.[26] Although Krieg had set Detroit Lions regular-season records for fewest passes intercepted (3) and highest passer rating (101.7), the team decided to stick with Mitchell and let Krieg become a free agent.
TheArizona Cardinals rewarded Krieg for his 1994 performance by signing him to be their starting quarterback in 1995. However, operating behind a porous offensive line, Krieg had another inconsistent year. Again, his passer rating told the tale: 3 horrible games (below 50), 4 mediocre ones (50s and 60s), 5 good efforts (70s and 80s), and 4 outstanding performances (90s or better). However, even Krieg's good games rarely resulted in Cardinals victories.[27] The team went 4–12, which resulted in head coachBuddy Ryan and Krieg losing their jobs.[28]
In 1996, theChicago Bears signed Krieg to back upErik Kramer. Although Kramer's poor play contributed to the Bears' feeble 1–3 beginning, CoachDave Wannstedt allowed him to continue starting until an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Krieg – by then 38 years old – came off the bench and helped rally an injury-wracked Bears team to a respectable 6–6 finish.[29] Statistically, Krieg's performance was inconsistent: his passer rating ranged from subpar (4 games below 60) to mediocre (2 games in the 60s) to good (3 games in the 80s and 90s) to outstanding (3 games over 100).[30]
Dave Krieg finished his career with theTennessee Oilers, backing up the seldom-injuredSteve McNair in 1997 and 1998. Even when the young starter played poorly,[31] coachJeff Fisher declined to insert Krieg. On rare occasions, Krieg would mop up ingarbage time ortake a knee at the end of a game.[32]
However, in the1998 season opener in Cincinnati, McNair exited the game with a bruised elbow. Krieg—by then nearly 40 years old—came off the bench to rally the Oilers to victory, going 7-of-13 for 129 yards.[33] Although McNair recovered from his injury and could have re-entered the game, the team let Krieg finish. "Dave was in the zone", McNair explained. "He was doing a great job moving the team up and down the field. It's a matter of doing what's right (for the team). At that time, what was right was letting Dave stay in."[34]
Later that month, theJacksonville Jaguars knocked McNair out of a game, but Krieg's comeback effort failed. He went 1-of-3 for 10 yards while being sacked twice. He appeared in two other games, going 3-of-3 for 57 yards in relief during a 44–14 blowout of Cincinnati and going 1-of-2 for 3 yards in a loss to the Jets. His final completion was toMike Archie, done in the final quarter.[35][36]
Krieg was released by the rechristened Tennessee Titans in July 1999 after the team signed Neil O'Donnell to backup McNair. Krieg was not in training camp that season, but intended on playing a 20th NFL season. He wouldn't make his retirement official until 2000 after no takers emerged for his services. He retired as a Seahawk, and held his press conference in Cheney because it was the site of his first camp in 1980. Head coach Mike Holmgren said of Krieg, "I always wanted him to play for me, but he was way too expensive every year."[37]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Pro Bowl selection | |
| Led the league | |
| NFL record | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Sacked | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Lng | Rtg | Sck | SckY | ||
| 1980 | SEA | 1 | 0 | − | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 | 1 | 6 |
| 1981 | SEA | 7 | 3 | 2−1 | 64 | 112 | 57.1 | 843 | 7.5 | 7 | 5 | 57 | 83.3 | 11 | 85 |
| 1982 | SEA | 3 | 2 | 0−2 | 49 | 78 | 62.8 | 501 | 6.4 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 79.1 | 16 | 117 |
| 1983 | SEA | 9 | 8 | 5−3 | 147 | 243 | 60.5 | 2,139 | 8.8 | 18 | 11 | 50 | 95.0 | 38 | 279 |
| 1984 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 12−4 | 276 | 480 | 57.5 | 3,671 | 7.6 | 32 | 24 | 80 | 83.3 | 40 | 314 |
| 1985 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 8−8 | 285 | 532 | 53.6 | 3,602 | 6.8 | 27 | 20 | 54 | 76.2 | 52 | 448 |
| 1986 | SEA | 15 | 14 | 10−4 | 225 | 375 | 60.0 | 2,921 | 7.8 | 21 | 11 | 72 | 91.0 | 35 | 281 |
| 1987 | SEA | 12 | 12 | 7−5 | 178 | 294 | 60.5 | 2,131 | 7.2 | 23 | 15 | 75 | 87.6 | 27 | 247 |
| 1988 | SEA | 9 | 9 | 6−3 | 134 | 228 | 58.8 | 1,741 | 7.6 | 18 | 8 | 75 | 94.6 | 12 | 92 |
| 1989 | SEA | 15 | 14 | 7−7 | 286 | 499 | 57.3 | 3,309 | 6.6 | 21 | 20 | 60 | 74.8 | 37 | 289 |
| 1990 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 265 | 448 | 59.2 | 3,194 | 7.1 | 15 | 20 | 63 | 73.6 | 40 | 360 |
| 1991 | SEA | 10 | 9 | 4–5 | 187 | 285 | 65.6 | 2,080 | 7.3 | 11 | 12 | 60 | 82.5 | 32 | 216 |
| 1992 | KC | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 230 | 413 | 55.7 | 3,115 | 7.5 | 15 | 12 | 77 | 79.9 | 48 | 323 |
| 1993 | KC | 12 | 5 | 3−2 | 105 | 189 | 55.6 | 1,238 | 6.6 | 7 | 3 | 66 | 81.4 | 22 | 138 |
| 1994 | DET | 14 | 7 | 5−2 | 131 | 212 | 61.8 | 1,629 | 7.7 | 14 | 3 | 51 | 101.7 | 14 | 100 |
| 1995 | ARI | 16 | 16 | 4–12 | 304 | 521 | 58.3 | 3,554 | 6.8 | 16 | 21 | 48 | 72.6 | 53 | 380 |
| 1996 | CHI | 13 | 12 | 6–6 | 226 | 377 | 59.9 | 2,278 | 6.0 | 14 | 12 | 53 | 76.3 | 14 | 104 |
| 1997 | TEN | 8 | 0 | – | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 56.2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | TEN | 5 | 0 | – | 12 | 21 | 57.1 | 199 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 89.2 | 2 | 15 |
| Career | 213 | 175 | 98−77 | 3,105 | 5,311 | 58.5 | 38,147 | 7.2 | 261 | 199 | 80 | 81.5 | 494 | 3,794 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Lng | Rtg | ||
| 1983 | SEA | 3 | 3 | 2−1 | 30 | 50 | 60.0 | 404 | 8.1 | 4 | 4 | 41 | 79.1 |
| 1984 | SEA | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 24 | 45 | 53.3 | 304 | 6.8 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 89.5 |
| 1987 | SEA | 1 | 1 | 0−1 | 16 | 38 | 42.1 | 237 | 6.2 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 80.7 |
| 1988 | SEA | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 24 | 50 | 48.0 | 297 | 5.9 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 56.8 |
| 1992 | KC | 1 | 1 | 0−1 | 16 | 34 | 47.1 | 233 | 6.9 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 45.3 |
| 1993 | KC | 3 | 0 | − | 17 | 30 | 56.7 | 221 | 7.4 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 77.2 |
| 1994 | DET | 1 | 1 | 0−1 | 17 | 35 | 48.6 | 199 | 5.7 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 75.8 |
| Career | 12 | 9 | 3−6 | 144 | 282 | 51.1 | 1,895 | 6.7 | 11 | 9 | 56 | 72.3 | |
For many years Krieg held the NFL record for most career fumbles, a result of both a lengthy career at quarterback and unusually small hands for the position. Krieg has now been surpassed by bothBrett Favre andWarren Moon for career fumbles.[41]
Krieg long kept the origin of his nickname, "Mudbone", a secret.Jim Zorn outed him. His nickname was nominated by teammateByron "Bones" Walker, and overwhelmingly voted in by his team. The name comes from theRichard Pryor characterMudbone.[42]
Krieg is now amotivational speaker andreal estate investor inPhoenix, Arizona.[43]
Krieg was a color commentator for the NFL on FOX from 2001 to 2002.
He was inducted into theSeattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2004.[15]
Krieg also became part owner of theaf2'sGreen Bay Blizzard in 2007 along with former Green Bay Packer linebackerBrian Noble.
In January 2017, Krieg raised the 12 Flag atop theSpace Needle a few days before the Seahawks defeated the Detroit Lions, 26–6, in an NFL Wild Card playoff game.[44]