Old Quarterbacks Experience Success
For parts of the 1990s, Doug Flutie, Randall Cunningham and Steve DeBerg all were out of the NFL. Last Sunday, Flutie, Cunningham and DeBerg all led their teams to victory.
Was that Roman Gabriel I saw warming up on the Rams sideline?
The Bills’ Flutie, 36, was gone from the NFL from 1990 to 1997, playing in the Canadian Football League. The Vikings’ Cunningham, 35, left the NFL in 1996 and spent one year as a TNT studio analyst. The Falcons’ DeBerg, 44, is the most unlikely comeback tale - he retired after the 1993 season and was out of football for four years before coming to Atlanta as a last-second backup quarterback this summer.
That is the football equivalent of Ronald Reagan running for president again in 2000 - and winning.
All three veterans have overcome perceptions of their supposed shortcomings: DeBerg’s too old, Flutie’s too short and Cunningham’s too Randall.
DeBerg’s so old, he rooms with Matlock.
But these days, old is good. Heck, if John Glenn can go into space, I guess Vinny Testaverde can go 3-0 as a starter. In fact, quarterbacks who are 30 years or older are 50-31 as starters this season, quarterbacks under 30 are 44-63. Future Hall of Famers John Elway, 38, Dan Marino, 37, Warren Moon, 41, and Steve Young, 37, all are still starting and still winning.
Experience counts. Quarterbacks are like political consultants - the longer they’re around, the longer they can fool those around them.
(A fan’s note: The Man had the opportunity to attend his first NFL regular-season game of the 1990s last Sunday Washington at Minnesota and soaked in all the wonderful atmosphere that comes with a big-time, live sporting event. Still, there was one thought I couldn’t shake for the 3 hours I was there: DOWN IN FRONT!)
(An expansion note: As NFL owners gather to decide on a 32nd franchise, let me briefly detail why Los Angeles does not deserve a team - bad air, bad traffic, bad bagels, body piercing parlors, Charlie Sheen, no stadium and no interest, plus this is where they make “Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place.”)
(A Cowboys note: Jason Garrett is a nice, smart kid, but he really should be at Goldman Sachs.)
(A midseason reminder note: Oilers have that Super Bowl look, no?)
As always, the following picks against the point spread are for recreational purposes only:
Ravens at Packers (-11)
I jetted in to Mt. Laurel, N.J., joined Ron Jaworski at NFL Films, broke down videotape deep into night and finally figured out why Brett Favre has thrown nine interceptions in his last three games - he’s using the same throwing motion as when he casts out for walleye… . Finding Ravens offense is the subject of this week’s “Blue’s Clues” on Nickelodeon. Pick: Packers.
Seahawks (-6-1/2) at Chargers
Animated locker room discussion of federal antitrust suit vs. Microsoft postponed Seahawks practice Wednesday… . Memo to Ryan Leaf: Learning quarterback from June Jones is like learning poker from the inmates in “Cuckoo’s Nest.” Pick: Seahawks.
Patriots at Dolphins (-1)
Last week’s coaching mismatch: Pete Carroll vs. Bill Parcells. This week’s coaching mismatch: Pete Carroll vs. Jimmy Johnson. Next week’s coaching mismatch: Pete Carroll vs. anybody. Pick: Dolphins.
Bills at Panthers (-2)
How can you be favored to win - as Carolina is - when you never win? Hey, I ain’t no Harvard man, but I can add two plus two and get pretty darn close to the right number. Pick: Bills.
49ers (-8-1/2) at Rams
At team’s weekly showing of “Casino” on Monday, several 49ers grumbled when sushi concession ran out… . 49ers management discussing new dropoff location to grease game officials. Pick: 49ers.
Steelers at Chiefs (-6)
I dropped a Sprint dime on Kordell Stewart the other day and told him if Monday night is not his best game of the season, the next time I call, it will be collect. Pick: Steelers.
Falcons at Jets (-4-1/2)
Much was made of the fact that Bill Parcells walked out of Jets practice last week to motivate team, but, in actuality, he was just going out to get donuts. Pick: Falcons.
Bears at Oilers (-6-1/2)
Only 33,288 showed up at Vanderbilt Stadium last Sunday despite Beanie Babies giveaway. This week’s Vanderbilt Stadium promotion: Minnie Pearl Teletubbies. Pick: Bears.
Buccaneers (-3) at Saints
Key factor: Buccaneers LB Hardy Nickerson will lack lateral mobility because of spittoon tied to ankle. Pick: Saints.
Bengals at Raiders (-3)
Kid coach Jon Gruden used Raiders bye week to check out job openings at Nike manufacturing plant in Jakarta. Pick: Bengals.
Jaguars at Broncos (-8)
Not sure whether to expect run or pass offense from Broncos, Jaguars used ultrasound Thursday. Pick: Jaguars.
Vikings (-6) at Lions
Randall Cunningham hooking up with Randy Moss is the best career move since James Brolin latched onto Barbra Streisand. Pick: Lions.
Last week: 8-3-1.
Season record: 50-36-7.*
(*-There are times when The Man simply looks in the mirror and says, “God, you’re not just good-looking, you’re also good!)