Jason Whitlock and Jeff George go way back. High school teammates at Warren Central in Indianapolis, they took separate paths after graduation (Whitlock to Ball State, and later sports journalism; George to the University of Illinois before being the first-overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft). But through it all, Whitlock has been one of George's loudest -- and most persistent -- supporters.
Take this Page 2 column from October 2002 that begins: "Being Jeff George's No. 1 fan is perhaps the most emotionally draining job in sports." There are other examples, of course, which help paint a portrait of a man who really loves George. So much, in fact, that in his most recent Kansas City Star column, Whitlock lobbied for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to sign his former high school teammate. And he wasn't kidding.
Bill, I'm not crazy. Yes, I'm in the tank for Jeff George. We grew up together on the east side of Indianapolis, and we take loyalty very, very seriously.Here's the thing -- and I can't believe I'm about to write this -- but it's not a completely insane idea. I mean, yeah, I could see how signing a 40-year-old quarterback to replace a guy destined for the Hall of Fame seems like something a mental patient might come up with, but we're talking about Belichick.
He's not perfect. He mishandled his career and talent. But the dude is 40 now and still wants to play. He can get the ball to Randy Moss and stretch a defense.
Matt Cassel can't carry you for a full season. You need a veteran backup who can fill in when Cassel struggles or carry the load for a game or two.
You know, the same guy who brought us Doug Flutie and Vinny Testaverde. Flutie was signed to back up Tom Brady who, prior to last Sunday, had starting 128 consecutive games.Testaverde was an '05 midseason backup-to-the-backup quarterback acquisition; in both cases, save mop-up duty, there was no real chance either would've played in critical situations.
But the point remains: Dougie was, as they say, "a play way" from finding himself under center. (And Vinny was a play way from finding himself holding Matt Cassel's clipboard, which might be a more jolting experience.) So in that sense, Belichick had enough confidence in their abilities to entrust them with the possibility of taking over in an emergency.
Now that chore falls to Cassel, a four-year vet who last started a football game that counted in the 1990s. Who knows how this turns out, but New England is clearly much worse off without Brady.* The question is whether Cassel can still get them to the playoffs, or if somebody else -- a veteran, perhaps -- would be better suited for the task. And since Brett Favre ain't walkin' through that door, Jeff George is the most obvious guy for the gig. Obvious to Jason Whitlock, anyway.
* This sentence has been nominated for Understatement of the Decade
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-12-2008 @ 12:55AM
Tim said...
How come no one is talking about Duante Culpepper? He obviously has great chemistry with Randy Moss from their Vikings days and with a decent offensive line in New England, this appears to be a no brainer.
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9-12-2008 @ 4:56PM
fenderbass said...
totally agree.
9-12-2008 @ 12:54AM
STI said...
You're half right: Flutie was signed to be Brady's backup in 2005.
In 2006, however, the Patriots felt confident enough of Cassel's skills that they had no other backups to start the season. They signed Testaverde midway through, but he was the emergency QB, not the backup. (He had to be, since Cassel inherited the holder's job midway through the season.)
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9-12-2008 @ 6:37AM
ryan said...
STI,
Thanks for pointing that out. Fixed above.
9-12-2008 @ 1:48AM
Murph said...
Jason Whitlock has to be one of my favorite writers of all time. He always tells it like it is. Never pulls a punch. When my friends and I were chanting "STEROIDS" at the TV every time big Mac came up to bat the only person who was actually writing about it was Whitlock. i still think he lost his Job at ESPN over calling out the steroid junkies when the rest of the media world was turning a blind eye to it.. My point is Mr Whitlock is a man of deep convictions and I admire him, and I’m envious of Jeff George. Because I truly wish I had a friend as loyal
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9-12-2008 @ 5:35AM
John Gray said...
Drew Bledsoe would be a better solution since he at least has experience with the offense and only been out of foot ball a year
Regardless, the Patriots are not making the playoffs.
Lucky to win 5-6 games and could finsh the rest of the year winless. Fortunately, they have at least one win.
Can only look forward to Brady's return in 2009 since this year is lost.
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9-12-2008 @ 11:17AM
Cray said...
Culpepper to Moss, Does that sound familiar to anyone?
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9-12-2008 @ 11:31AM
Janine said...
Come one people...lets see what Cassel can do this week frist before we go dogging him and replacing him. He did after all win last weeks game.
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9-12-2008 @ 12:01PM
ric said...
'REMEMBER 2001'
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11-04-2008 @ 12:44AM
Dan Brancheau said...
While I like Jeff, and would really want his input in the NFL as a consultant or a coach, I feel his playing days are over. I saw his days at Warren Central, and his passing ability was better than any quarterback in Marion County- before or since. On a Monday Night Football game with Washington against Dallas analyst Dan Fouts said Jeff has one of the best arms in the game but his inability to read a defense will be the reason he won't be staying long! (Please understand I am paraphrasing and my memory isn't as sharp!) Enough said.
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