A Tribute To Vinny Testaverde
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by 09dillb
1987: Round 1 Pick 1- The Tampa Buccaneers select Vinny Testaverde
Vinny had huge expectations from the start, he was the Heisman Trophy from Miami.
First Season 1987- Vinny plays 6 games and throws 5 TD's, showing promise for the future.
Second Season- the Bucs say, "oh no, what have we done!!??" Vinny plays 15 games and throws a dissapointing 13 TD's. But that wasn't the worst part, Vinny threw 35 INTERCEPTIONS, 35!!!, Joey Harrington hasn't even done that.
Next 4 years- Still in Tampa Bay, Vinny puts together 4 mediocre seasons. The talent seems to be there, but he threw more interceptions than TD's in each of the 4 seasons. He had a poor Quarterback rating in this span, with an average of about 70. What did the future hold for Vinny, is it too soon to label him a bust?
1993-1995 The Cleveland Era- Vinny looks sharper, improved passer rating, threw more touchdowns than ints in 2 of the 3 seasons. Yet he still hadn't lived up to the lofty expectations.
1996-1997 The Baltimore Era- The change of venue from Cleveland to Baltimore (still the same franchise) seemed to spark a change in Vinny, He finally lived up to the long lost hype and threw 33 TD's and over 4,000 yards passing, in his first pro bowl season. The next season was good but wasn't anything compared to the previous one. At age 34, Vinny was considered to be on the decline, but he had only reached his apex the previous season.
1998-2003 The Jets Era- Vinny proved everyone wrong and turned out his second pro bowl season in the first year with the Jets. He threw 29 TD's and threw for over 3,250 yards. The next season he played in only one game due to injury. He turned out 2 more less than impressive seasons, only played in 5 games the next season, throwing for 3 TD's. In 2003 he played in 7 games and threw 7 TD's.
2004- The Cowboys- In his last full season, he showed that despite his age, he could still play. He threw for over 3,500 and tossed 17 TD's. Not bad for a 40+ year old guy!
2005- The return to the Jets- Played in 6 games, threw 1 TD, which most thought would be his last.
2006- The Patriots- He stepped into a 3rd string position, and had a few Doug Flutie-like cameo roles, minus the drop-kick extra point. 1 more Touchdown...most certainly his last, right?
2007- Vinny came from the couch, watching football, and a couple days later he was behind center once again. Old Man Testaverde throws for 200+ yards and 1 TD to Steve Smith (who was just 8 years old when Vinny was drafted), against the Arizona Cardinals, in a winning effort.
Vinny should be honored for hanging tough for 21 seasons at the most trying position in the game (Witness the 35 year old who plays in the local flag football league and throw 4 picks, and get flac from his teammates, who say he doesn't have a strong enough arm. The guy goes home and washes away his pain with a six pack, never to play QB again, not even with his son in the backyard).
Congrats on the win Vinny! I hope to see you play again!
Flash to 2033- 70 year old Vinny Testaverde (who has grandkids older than half the guys in the NFL), signs a 1 year deal with Detroit Lions who have extended their streak of winless seasons to 7. In desperate need of a Quarterback, they convince Vinny Testaverde to leave the Westington Village Nursing Home in South Carolina to give it one more shot. Vinny, who retired in 2030 because of injuries (Osteoprosis, Kidney Stones, and Alzheimer's), will step into the starting role for the Lions when the season kicks off in two and a half weeks.
