Minnesota Vikings: Top 10 QBs in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
Aug 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Minnesota Vikings helmet on the field before a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
10. Gary Cuozzo
Cuozzo played for the Vikings from 1968-1971 as an on-again/off-again starter.
In 1970 Cuozzo helped the Vikings go 10-2 and make the playoffs. He started eight games in 1971, going 6-2 and again helping the Vikings to a postseason berth.
Cuozzo’s overall record as a starter for Minnesota was 16-5. Of course in those days the Vikings were a defensive juggernaut and didn’t ask a whole lot of their quarterbacks.
Cuozzo’s best single game came in 1970 when he led the Vikings to a win over the Chiefs in a Super Bowl “rematch” and was given NFC Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
If Cuozzo is remembered at all today, it’s as the QB who helped bridge the gap between the Joe Kapp era and the second Fran Tarkenton era.