Testaverde goes from couch to QB in 2 weeks

If he'd gone much longer without a team, the former Buc says, he'd have retired. But he'll start Sunday against Tampa Bay.

By RICK STROUD
Published October 6, 2005

	[AP file photo]
	Vinny Testaverde was the Bucs' No.1 draft pick in 1987. He played for six seasons in Tampa Bay before departing for the Cleveland Browns.

Vinny Testaverde stood on the basketball court in the backyard at his home in Oyster Bay, N.Y., firing footballs into a net covering the fence. He did this twice a week, making about 50 throws each time, just to keep his arm loose in case his NFL career wasn't over.

"In the netting fence, I would have pockets, if you could imagine throwing balls into pockets where they would actually catch the ball," Testaverde said Wednesday.

On Sunday, the 41-year-old Testaverde will take aim at the New York Jets receivers.

Ironically, his start will come against the Tampa Bay Bucs, a franchise that made him the No.1 overall pick 19 seasons ago.

Jets coach Herm Edwards announced his decision Wednesday to elevate Testaverde, with just three practices under his belt, to the No.1 quarterback ahead of third-year pro Brooks Bollinger.

"He still has a great arm, he really does, he can still throw the football," Edwards said. "He played last year for Dallas and had a pretty good year. He kind of sat around this year just kind of waiting to see if someone was going to get hurt or if he was going to have another opportunity. And lo and behold, he's getting another opportunity here."

Testaverde will be the third quarterback to start for the Jets, who lost Chad Pennington to a season-ending rotator cuff injury and backup Jay Fiedler (shoulder) within a span of seven snaps in the Jets 26-20 loss at Jacksonville.

In fact, Testaverde happened to be watching that game on television and wondered if the Jets would suddenly call.

"After that had happened, I thought maybe there's a chance I'm going to get a call tomorrow, meaning Monday, but that didn't happen," Testaverde said. "So I thought, well, it's probably not going to happen if it didn't happen by 5 or 6 o'clock. That's when I thought to myself, hey, maybe I should give Herm a call because I left there wanting to go to Dallas, maybe they think I don't want to be part of the organization. So, just let me give them a heads up and tell them if there's any way I can help out, I'd be glad to.

"I was staying in decent shape, I was throwing twice a week, lifting some weights, doing a little running just in case I got a call, not knowing when or if it would come. But I just felt like in another few weeks, probably four or five more weeks, I would've felt like the door had closed and probably would've just retired. But that's not the case and here I have another opportunity and hopefully I can make the best of it."

Certainly, the Jets (1-3) are desperate. In his first career start, Bollinger completed 14-of-28 passes for 148 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and was sacked five times in a 13-3 loss at Baltimore. The Jets offense, which ranks 28th in the league, has not scored a touchdown in its last 19 possessions.

But turning to Testaverde, who turns 42 next month, might not be the answer, either. He is 8-18 in his last 26 starts with the Cowboys and Jets. He started 15 games for the Cowboys and played the second half of another. The Cowboys went 6-10 while Testaverde threw 17 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Testaverde lacks mobility in the pocket, but he still can throw one of the prettiest footballs in the league.

"Vinny is a guy we feel if we can bring him in and he can do some things, maybe he can help us offensively and maybe move the ball down the field," Edwards said of Testaverde, the fourth-oldest quarterback to start a game in the Super Bowl era behind Steve DeBerg, Warren Moon and Doug Flutie.

Testaverde, who spent his first six NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, is 2-0 lifetime against the Bucs. Although he has not played against his former team since 2000, he still has some fond memories of his career here.

"I always think about the fact that if I haven't played in Tampa Bay, I probably wouldn't have played for 19 seasons," Testaverde said. "Because that experience taught me a lot, both how to become a tougher player, both mentally, physically, emotionally - everything about it."

Having to play against the league's No.1 defense would seem to be tall order for any quarterback, let alone Testaverde. But Bucs coach Jon Gruden says he still poses a threat.

"I've seen enough in this league to know that Testaverde can play just about anywhere for anybody in any kind of offense," Gruden said. "He can throw the hell out of the football. He's going to be a guy that we've got to contest with, man. He's one of the most prolific passers in the history of this league. And they do have weapons."

It's likely Testaverde, who was given a crash course in Mike Heimerdinger's offense, will remain the Jets starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. In fact, in his second stint with the Jets, he might be a better fit in Heimerdinger's offense, which forces the ball downfield.

"I'm sure (Testaverde's) happy. He's overjoyed. He wants this challenge. Who wouldn't? I'm sure he's dreaming big. I'm sure he threw ten touchdowns in his dreams. But sometimes, reality changes a dream into a nightmare," Bucs defensive lineman Simeon Rice said.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:14:18]