By Ivette Ricco
The NFL is known for its Cinderella stories
and underdog stories, two reasons for the NFL’s
wild popularity and football fans’ addiction
to the sport.
But keeping up with the ever-changing names and faces on the 32 teams has become a challenge, even for the stat geeks amongst us.
This season seems more extraordinary than ever as the most important position in the NFL, the quarterback position has become a wildly spinning carousel ride or in some cases a parlor round of musical chairs.
The men, most young, and some not so young,
who are now taking the snap from center in week
nine, are a group of “Who Dey?”
Week 11 Fearless Femmefan
Picks Follow at bottom
Who are you? Who-Who-Who-Who?
Tampa Bay – Brian Griese was finally playing as many had expected from him when he was knocked out for the season. Enter newbie Chris Simms, son of former NY Giants quarterback Phil Simms. The fair-faced Simms had not acquitted himself very well on the field until week ten. Former 49er Tim Rattay waits in the wings and is likely next quarterback in this musical chair session in Tampa.
NY J-E-T-S – Vinny Testaverde was home watching the game when he saw Chad Pennington hit the turf. The 43-year-old quarterback got back in the saddle but after a disappointing outing and a minor injury Vinny is back on the bench and it is Brooks Bollinger taking the reins for the J-E-T-S.
Baltimore Ravens – This was the year Kyle Boller was going to finally play like an NFL quarterback, according to Brain Billick.
In his third season the former Cal Bear was struggling to find his way in the NFL when he went down with an injury, giving way to 
Anthony Wright. Now that Boller is healthy he has the unenviable task of taking over the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense.
Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings have had a very rocky voyage this season. To make matters worse, maybe, they lost Daunte Culpepper for the season. Enter Brad Johnson who took the Bucs to a Super Bowl and is now Mr. Backup in Minnesota. Luckily for the Vikes Johnson has the ability to make things happen and has his keister firmly planted in the quarterback’s chair and is leading the Vikings out of football purgatory.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben Roethlisberger is very much in command of the Steel City’s offense. However, the big man took a hit and has been sidelined for the last two weeks. Tommy Maddox took over for one game and was ineffective and was replaced by Charlie Batch. BUT in this week’s game against the Browns Batch broke his throwing hand and was replaced by Maddox. Anyone dizzy yet?
St. Louis Rams – St. Louis Blues. Meet me in St. Louis where their coach Mike Martz may have coached his last game with the Rams. The to make things even more schizophrenic in St. Louis Mark Bulger was sidelined and replaced by replaced by Jamie “Who He” Martin.
Detroit Lions– Another season, another reason to dump on Joey Harrington.
Steve “Mooch” Mariucci didn’t exude confidence when it came to Joey Harrington this season and so he signed Jeff Garcia as the backup, sure, back-up my arse. Mooch fully expected to use Garcia as the starter. He didn’t have to wait long to make the switch, but then Garcia was hurt and Harrington was back in. Round and round we go.
Washington Redskins – Joe Gibbs announced his starting quarterback this season was Patrick Ramsey. That didn’t last long. Mark Brunnel has revived the offense and is firmly seated at the head of the table.
Buffalo Bills – Mike Mularkey had his starting quarterback all set for the season. He anointed young J.P. Losman as his starting QB for the 2005 season.
But he was supplanted by Kelly Holcomb who seems to have gained control at the position.
This week, after spending four weeks of reflection on the bench, J.P. Losman who replaced the injured Kelly Holcomb late in the second quarter against Kansas City, gave Buffalo a spark in the Bills' 14-3 defeat of the Chiefs.
Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals signed Kurt Warner to “mentor” young prospect Josh McCown. But things aren’t going as expected and the musical chair game is in full swing in Arizona.
Chicago Bears – Rex Grossman was expected to lead the revamped Chicago Bears offense after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. The Bears have very little depth at quarterback. Going into the season the second stringer was unproven journeyman Chad Hutchinson. The third stringer was rookie Kyle Orton. But these Bears are winning on defense and Kyle Orton is playing better than anyone expected. This is one carousel that is spinning in the right direction.
San Francisco Forty Niners – This is the mother of all out of control carousels!
The Niners named Tim Rattay as the starter entering the 2005 campaign, but after winning the first game against the Rams, Rattay began to falter. Mike Nolan benched Rattay in favor of first round pick Alex Smith. Then Rattay was traded to the Bucs. The carousel continued to spin out of control as Alex Smith struggled in his two starts and then went out with a knee injury. He was replaced by Ken Dorsey who played three quarters before going out with an ankle injury. Ken Dorsey was replaced by Cody “The Cowboy” Pickett. The Niners are on their fourth quarterback and leading the NFL in only one category, the musical chair contest.
Twelve out of the 32 teams have had a dizzying ride on the quarterback carousel.
The results? Well they vary wildly.
The Nifty Dozen as of Week 10
1. Indianapolis (9-0): Tony Dungy just might get that Super Bowl ring.
2. Denver (7-2): After further review, it is undeniable; Jake the Snake is a slick dude.
3. Pittsburgh (7-2): Great running, good D and a healthy Big Ben will get the Steelers into the playoffs.
4. Cincinnati (7-2): Marvin Lewis has done what others were not able to do, make the Bengals a real team!
5. Seattle (7-2): Finally Big Mike Holmgren has a team playing like a true contender.
6. N.Y. Giants (6-3): The G-Men have had the Big Apple buzzing but this Sunday the Vikings took it to the G-Men with a perfect return trifecta, a punt return, kickoff return and a interception for touchdowns. Eli will have to rebound.
7. Carolina (7-2): Steve Smith is the highlight reel player of the year.
8. Atlanta (6-3): Michael Vick is the catalyst but the D has got to stop the run.
9. Chicago (6-3): Da Bears and The Windy City. The D is making this team a real factor in the NFC. Even the gusty winds couldn’t stop the Bears.
10. Jaguars (6-3): The Jags are in stealth mode.
11. Dallas (6-3): Amazing cardiac boys do it again.
12. San Diego (5-4): This is a very good team in a tough division. They are going to have to win all their games to stay in the playoff chase.
WEEK 10
Week Ten Upsets
Vikings shock the G-Men
The Vikings became the first team in NFL history to return a punt, kickoff and interception for touchdowns, then their offense came to life long enough to set up kicker Paul Edinger’s 48-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in a 24-21 win over the New York Giants.
"It was a very poor performance by our team," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin. "We fumbled the opening kickoff, had a punt returned against us for a touchdown, a kickoff returned, an interception when we were knocking on the goal line. It's beyond belief that we would play that poorly."
Packers run over the Falcons
The Packers and Brett Favre-lous needed a win, badly. They got it with a 35-25 victory over the Falcons and Michael Vick. Favre completed 26 of 39 passes and Samkon Gado (who he?) rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns giving the Packers just their second win this season.
Bucs gamble pays off in wild win over the Redskins
Mike Alstott's run for a two-point conversion with 58 seconds left gave the Buccaneers a stunning 36-35 victory over the Redskins, who blocked a potential game-tying extra point, only to be penalized for being offside on the previous play.
Week Ten Scores
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KC can’t afford to lose many more. |
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Niners defense holds up.
The answer my friends, is blowing in the wind. |
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Joey Harrington has his way. |
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Broncos do it to the Radazz again. |
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Bucs fantastic winning gamble. |
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Steelers dominate. |
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Monday Night Football – A Good One!
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Mon, Nov. 14 |
Dallas 21 |
Philadelphia 20
Eagles were fired up for this game.
They clearly meant to make a No Mo TO
statement and they had their way with the Boys for
almost four quarters with the lead at 20-7.
Then the Boys scored twice in
the last 3 minutes of the game .
McNabb was hurt and the game was on the line with under
2 minutes to play on the last Eagle possession
Journeyman quarterback Mike McMahon took over with the
score Cowboys 21 Eagles 20. With 4 seconds left the Eagles sent David Akers
out for a 61 yard field goal. |
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Results of Week Ten Picks
Week Ten Record 10-4
Season Record 90-54
Fearless Femmefan Picks
- Week 11
Rams over the Cardinals
Panthers over the Bears
Cowboys over the Lions
Jaguars over the Titans
Dolphins over the Browns
Patriots over the Saints
Raiders over Redskins (Upset Picks)
NY Giants over Eagles
Falcons over the Bucs
Steelers over the Ravens
Niners over Seattle (You gotta be kidding pick)
Colts over the Bengals (Must See TV)
Chargers over the Bills
Broncos over the Jets (Is Herm on his way out?)
Chiefs over Texans
Packers over the Vikings (Could be a very close
game)
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