Quarterbacks Are Fair Targets Bledsoe, Elway Say Pain Is Just Another Part Of The Game

When Drew Bledsoe looks across the line of scrimmage today he’ll see Denver Linebacker Bill Romanowski, who could be $20,000 poorer but is just as determined to get to the quarterback.

John Elway’s view would be no more pleasing. He’ll see an aggressive New England defense led by sack stars Willie McGinest, Chris Slade and Henry Thomas whose job is to pound him to the ground.

Two outstanding quarterbacks - Carolina’s Kerry Collins and Jacksonville’s Mark Brunell - already have been seriously injured in the exhibition season. Bledsoe and Elway know they could be next.

“I feel bad for Mark and Kerry Collins but that just comes with the territory,” said Bledsoe, who is expected to start and play into the third quarter when the Patriots face the Broncos. “When you play the quarterback position, sometimes you’re left in a vulnerable position.”

Collins certainly was when he suffered a broken jaw Aug. 9 when Broncos linebacker Romanowski hit him from his blind side. On Wednesday, the NFL fined Romanowski $20,000 for “ramming” Collins with his helmet. Romanowski said he will appeal.

That same day, Brunell suffered a knee injury against the New York Giants and is expected to miss at least four regular-season games. Collins likely will be sidelined six weeks.

Elway already has missed one game after rupturing his biceps tendon in the exhibition opener against Miami, but says he doesn’t feel any pain now and expects to play today.

His arm feels better than it has in “two or three seasons,” he said. “I’m like a little kid again.”

And he hopes to stay healthy.

“Quarterbacks are awfully vulnerable,” he said. “That shot Kerry took was unbelievable. It’s been a trend (to go after quarterbacks). I just hope I’m not in the trend.”

Elway missed one game last season with a sore left hamstring. Bledsoe played every game in 1996 and missed just one in 1995 when he suffered a separated left shoulder that bothered him for most of the season.

Bledsoe was sacked 30 times last season, the most in his career, but the Patriots strengthened their offensive line by signing free agent Zefross Moss, who played for Detroit last season.

The Patriots have added plays in which all the backs and receivers run pass patterns, making it essential for Bledsoe to throw quickly.

“I feel very comfortable with our team,” he said. “As long as I do my job correctly, our guys are going to keep me on the field.”

That means his handoffs must be precise and his passes on time. And when his receivers are covered, he must know when to duck or fling the ball out of bounds.

Today, he better watch out for Romanowski, who doesn’t intend to change his playing style.

“I play every play like it’s my last and you just hope that you don’t injure somebody,” he said.

Bledsoe played two series in a 7-3 loss to Green Bay and was on the field for all the Patriots’ first-half series except the last in a 16-10 win over Dallas. Coach Pete Carroll plans to use the first-string offense at least for one series of the third quarter.

“We are going to do what we have to do” without worrying about exposing Bledsoe to injury, Carroll said.

The Broncos are 2-1 after the 23-13 win at Carolina in which Jeff Lewis starting in place of Elway and Vaughn Hebron running for 62 yards and Terrell Davis gaining 51.