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NFL Backup Quarterbacks Leave Much To Be Desired In Week 9

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Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Does anyone in the NFL have a decent backup quarterback? The names on the field Sunday were almost embarrassing in Brandon Weeden, Michael Vick and Mark Sanchez. This follows backups who have hit the field earlier this year like Colt McCoy, Mike Glennon and Drew Stanton. I’m not looking for perfection, but it seems like no one has a very reliable backup. Austin Davis and Kyle Orton seem to be the cream of the crop for backups so far this year!

The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the best teams in the NFL this year, yet they have no protection at quarterback behind a frail Tony Romo. They started Cleveland Browns cast-off Weeden on Sunday, and I was almost certain Dez Bryant was going to punch him after catching zero passes in the first three and a half quarters of play. He finally caught two balls late in the game, including a TD, but the game was already decided at that point. Weeden went 18-of-33 for 183 yards, a garbage time TD and two interceptions. The Cowboys lost 28-17.

The New York Jets are such a mess; they benched Geno Smith, who also has an injury, for good old Michael Vick. Vick looked slow and never really found any rhythm. There was also a real shocker: Vick got hurt during the game. It forced the Jets to turn to Matt Simms for a few plays. Vick returned to the game and ended up throwing for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets were never in the game. The Kansas City Chiefs were up 14-0 by the time Vick and the Jets accumulated much of any offense. He had well under 100 yards at halftime. Vick also rushed for a whopping 18 yards, a far cry from his glory days.

Nick Foles was hurt in the first half of the Philadelphia Eagles game against the Houston Texans. The Eagles had to turn to the former Jets train wreck in Sanchez. Out of all the backups who played on Sunday, he seemed to at least have a pulse. Sanchez completed 15-of-22 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw the typical two interceptions Sanchez is known for. At least he was able to lead Philadelphia to a win against the Texans.

I don’t expect every backup to put up big numbers, but guys like Weeden never gave their team a chance to win. He was considering stepping away from football altogether, so why did anyone bring him back? Is it too much to ask for around 60 respectable NFL QBs so everyone has a decent starter and backup? Just look at how many college quarterbacks there are to pull from every year — hundreds in Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 football. These days, NFL teams seem to prefer to recycle some terrible passers, thinking they will somehow be better in another city.

I would much rather see an unproven rookie come into the game as a backup QB; at least it would provide some intrigue and excitement.

Nate Vandergrift is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter@natevandergrift, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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