12/21/24
September 27, 2005
Testaverde Returns to Jets: Vincent Frank Testaverde, the last active player from the NFL/AFL Merger and the institution of the mandatory helmet rule, will sign with New York, desperate for a quarterback after losing starter Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler to injury.
Doesn't Carter have to serve a suspension or something? I agree that he does seem like a slightly more valid option than Testaverde. Then again, it's more likely that Testaverde will be devoured by the New England defense in some hilarious way... so I'm all for it! I think they'll probably try to start Bollinger first, though.
posted by selfnoise at 03:07 PM on September 27, 2005
YES! The return of Testaverde. The Jets just officially became the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NFL. Upon his first completion (may take 2 games) he should be fested with the slow clap - building around the stadium until it achieves a fever pitch. Just in time for the interception and horrible reminder that it is 2005 and this is Vinny Testaverde. He'll be injured within 2 weeks. Jets go 5-11. Rcade is QB by week twelve.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:09 PM on September 27, 2005
Meanwhile, both Ricky Ray and Jason Maas are diagnosed with laryngitis, believed to be caused by prolonged screams of anguish.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:15 PM on September 27, 2005
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Weedy. I will answer the call if it comes. Testaverde's been around so long that he played with a former teammate of Roman Gabriel.
posted by rcade at 03:19 PM on September 27, 2005
As a Jets fan, I wish it had happened around midseason when they were 1-7 or so, but now they're going to continue with the deluded thought that somehow they can make the playoffs. They'll finish around 5-11, thereby screwing themselves out of a chance to draft Matt Leinart. With the way the Jets' offensive line has played thus far, how long can Vinny POSSIBLY stay alive back there, if and when Bollinger gets creamed? Why is this sounding more and more like a World War II epic?
posted by ajaffe at 03:36 PM on September 27, 2005
now they can bust out that Vinny and the Jets song again. btw, it's Fiedler that's out. i think Feeley is still with Miami.
posted by goddam at 03:41 PM on September 27, 2005
Practically any team (only a few exceptions come to mind)loses it's starting QB during a season, it's pretty much over. The Jets can now start playing out the rest of the season. Vinny, Quincy, Jeff George (please!), Patrick Ramsey, Bollinger, whoever. They all are either over the hill, or just plain suck. Come to think of it, Pennington wasn't all that fantastic.
posted by dyams at 03:46 PM on September 27, 2005
btw, it's Fiedler that's out. Thanks. I got A.J. and Jay mixed up in the portion of my brain devoted to spares.
posted by rcade at 04:03 PM on September 27, 2005
I'm with ajaffe. The best thing the Jets could do is suck, and hard, for the rest of the year. Oh, well.
posted by chicobangs at 05:27 PM on September 27, 2005
why not quincy carter? he's waiting for an offer too. and he's, y'know, not a member of AARP- best statement I may of ever heard. Well Said. The Jets still have a small chance at making the playoffs, if they are willing to give up a pick or something for a decent QB. Maybe Tommy Maddox is available? Hes not good at all, but is still better than Vinny. Hell, Kevin Mawae is probaly better than Vinny. Oh Well.....looks like the Jets are screwed......
posted by redsoxrgay at 05:32 PM on September 27, 2005
Dyams, you do bring up an interesting name on your list of crappy QBs. Patrick Ramsey. I wouldn't even attempt to say that he is a good NFL quarterback, but I think not only is he better than their other options, he is good enough to give them a shot at making the playoffs. Ramsey had some success in Spurrier's offense in Washington, that is before he sent to the turf more often than any QB this side of David Carr. Yeah, he looked horrible in Joe Gibbs system, but Gibbs offense is old enough to make Clinton Portis look like Eddie George in a Cowboy uniform. That and he has experience throwing to the Jets best offensive weapon, LaColes. If the NYJ offensive coordinator (not even gonna try to spell his name) is as good as advertised Ramsey could produce enough big plays to allow Curtis Martin some running lanes. However putting testeverde in the starting lineup is sure to improve their 2006 draft position.
posted by bigrobbieb at 05:38 PM on September 27, 2005
why not quincy carter? he's waiting for an offer too. and he's, y'know, not a member of AARP Quincy got booted from the Cowboys for failing a drug test, rumored to be the nose candy. Even if he doesn't have a four game suspension to serve (which seems kind of up in the air from what I've heard) he may not pass a new one to get on the roster and is a pretty big risk. Maybe the Jets can wait for Drew Brees to gracefully exit San Diego after this season and sign him. Or Philip Rivers if Brees (somehow) re-signs with the Chargers. The only problem is, you don't really know how many years you have left in C-Mart and Ty Law.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:41 PM on September 27, 2005
Jets go 5-11. Rcade is QB by week twelve. Added bonus: RCade will not require a helmet as his hair is made of a metal/ceramic composite!
posted by billsaysthis at 06:41 PM on September 27, 2005
Gee, isn't Flutie available:-)
posted by drevl at 10:23 PM on September 27, 2005
I think Khari Jones is available now...
posted by grum@work at 12:39 AM on September 28, 2005
Babe Parilli. Just wanted to type a great-sounding name from yesteryear. Held for kicks in Super Bowl III and coached in the World Football League! Bring him back!
posted by ajaffe at 07:40 AM on September 28, 2005
< < practically any team (only a few exceptions come to mind)loses it's starting qb during a season, it's pretty much over.>> Yeah, I remember a few years back when Drew Bledsoe got hurt for the Patriots, they brought some guy, Brady, who stunk big time....
posted by gloglu at 07:42 AM on September 28, 2005
dyams: Practically any team (only a few exceptions come to mind)loses it's starting QB during a season, it's pretty much over. Yeah, but it's useful looking at the team that's provided us with the most remarkable exception in recent years, the '01-'02 New England Patriots. When their starter went out, they didn't go rummaging around in the remainder bin; they had a young healthy technically-not-a-rookie who'd thrown a total of three passes in his rookie year. Brady made out like gangbusters, but in order to do so, he obviously had to already be in the pipe, part of the organization and literally on the sidelines ready to go. So I'd amend your statement to say that any team that loses its starter and has to go shopping for a replacement is almost certainly hosed. drevl: Gee, isn't Flutie available:-) No, he's got a job.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:42 AM on September 28, 2005
Just for the hell of it: Ryan "I suck? Fuck you , you don't know football!" Leaf.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:43 AM on September 28, 2005
Yeah, I remember a few years back when Drew Bledsoe got hurt for the Patriots, they brought some guy, Brady, who stunk big time.... Did you overlook the phrase "a few exceptions come to mind"? Brady's a counterexample, as is Kurt Warner in St. Louis. But in most situations, teams are hosed when the backup must become the starter early in the year. How many backups in the league today are good enough to lead their team and are knowledgeable in its offensive system? I think the Jags have one in David Garrard, but most of the time, you end up scrambling for a spare like Testaverde.
posted by rcade at 08:07 AM on September 28, 2005
Thanks for pointing out what I was trying to say, rcade. There's always exceptions when talking about dozens of NFL teams. Many times when a starting quarterback goes down and a team doesn't seem to take any dramatic step backwards it's due to the fact the starter probably wasn't that spectacular to begin with. Tampa Bay comes to mind. Griese can be decent, but if he went down it wouldn't take that much to come in and perform in a similar fashion. Sometimes the very good teams can still manage to win games during the season with a backup, but if they qualify and head into the playoffs with that same sub, the ride usually ends.
posted by dyams at 08:38 AM on September 28, 2005
OK - I have watched quietly for a while to these posts, but fely COMPELLED to chime in here for this one....The Pats success is NOT due to Brady, but to a TEAM concept, take a look at his #'s....CLOSELY - U will see he is a decent QB...it is the TEAM that surrounds him that makes him special. For THAT, you need a good management, scouting, and TEACHERS of the scheme...while I give him ALL THE CREDIT HE DESERVES (Pats fan for life), I also know that the defense had not only got them to their first SB, it won it for them too...
posted by sinisterfoot at 08:54 AM on September 28, 2005
The Pats success is NOT due to Brady Name all of the other current QBs who would have been as successful. I appreciate the value of the system and think Belichick is a demigod, but this is a different team the day Doug Flutie or Matt Cassell has to step in.
posted by yerfatma at 09:39 AM on September 28, 2005
DIFFERENT YES...but, I don't see them falling to pieces either....just simply play to Cassell or Fluties strengths, cover their weaknesses (ever see Brady throw an ACCURATE deep ball? - Me either....the recievers get TO the ball, not the ball getting to the reciever)....just like they have done defensively for two+ years.....
posted by sinisterfoot at 10:11 AM on September 28, 2005
Hey, I think that the system for the Pats is great - but give Brady a little credit here. I mean, if a guy goes 6 for 6 on a game ending drive more than a few times, you have to acknowledge that maybe he has a little to do with the success of the team - not just a spoke in the wheel, that one. Hey, Joe Horn said in no uncertain terms that Tom Brady is the best QB in the NFL. Joe Horn certainly can tell you what a bad QB looks like.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:33 AM on September 28, 2005
Tom Brady showed why he's the best quarterback in football right from the start, on the league's biggest stage: The Super Bowl versus the Rams. With time running out, everyone expected the team would have the young quarterback simply run out the clock and go to overtime. Even John Madden said that would be the game plan at that point. Brady proceeds to take the team down and into field goal range, kick good, game over, Patriots the Champs!! (a statement heard two out of the next three years). He's the best because he produces during the big games without making the big mistakes. Manning has more flare and all-out talent, but he's never, ever shown the ability to direct his team in the big games (college or pro). And, yes, I do agree the Pats entire organization has been rock solid, not just Brady. But it's impressive to see a guy completing passes in the playoffs to players in HIS team's jerseys, not to guys on the other team (Brett Favre?).
posted by dyams at 12:00 PM on September 28, 2005
ever see Brady throw an ACCURATE deep ball? - Me either You must have missed last year or the year before (e.g., the pass to Troy Brown to win in Miami in OT). Also, the system you praise doesn't call for a downfield passer. So what's your point? Brady is a good QB who fits a good system. Not sure why only one deserves credit.
posted by yerfatma at 12:04 PM on September 28, 2005
Can we please take this back to how rotten the Jets are going to be?
posted by ajaffe at 12:05 PM on September 28, 2005
If they have Testicali at the helm, do when even have to discuss how awful they are?
posted by wfrazerjr at 12:24 PM on September 28, 2005
Can we please take this back to how rotten the Jets are going to be? Yes. The discussion of Brady is closed to new comments.
posted by yerfatma at 12:31 PM on September 28, 2005
why not quincy carter? he's waiting for an offer too. and he's, y'know, not a member of AARP