Vinny up to his old tricks(and I do mean OLD..lol)

Vin · Nov 17, 2006

Vinny still up to his old tricks

By GREG COTE
gcote@MiamiHerald.com

I covered Vinny Testaverde during his University of Miami career several centuries ago, when a future in pro football became a given. Once, late in his 1986 senior year, when the Heisman hype and his status as a likely No. 1 overall draft pick were fully grown, Vinny's father was down from Long Island watching the Canes practice.

Al Testaverde was an Italian man large of both personality and girth. When he talked about Vinny, he couldn't stop smiling. I asked him what he hoped for his son's future in the sport.

''I don't think about money or awards or the rest of it,'' I recall him saying simply. ``I just want for him a long NFL career.''

If you only knew, Big Al. If you only knew.

Vinny was into his 13th season, his father's wish already accomplished, when Mr. Testaverde's heart failed him and he passed on in August 1999. The son is still at it, seven years later.

The Energizer Bunny has slowed to a stop and is gasping for air, hands on knees, looking up to see Vinny Testaverde passing him, going on and on and on and on.

The Patriots signing him this week as their third quarterback meant Testaverde is in the NFL for a 20th consecutive season. He just turned 43. His career has been flat-out remarkable.

He had been tossing a football in the backyard with his 10-year-old boy, Vinny Jr., when the Patriots called, looking for an emergency third QB to back up Tom Brady and young Matt Cassel. Big Al's son never hesitated. After all, he wasn't retired. In his mind, he was just between jobs.

''I just love being around football,'' he told reporters this week. ``I enjoy it. I feel like I can still do it, so I'll milk it to the very end.''

Funny how football players can view their livelihood so differently. The Giants' Tiki Barber, in his prime at age 30, plans to get out after this season. You get the feeling Vinny would be a latter-day George Blanda, playing at 50, if someone would have him.

I doubt Testaverde ever will be even seriously considered for the Hall of Fame in Canton, O., let alone get in, which is too bad, and odd. Detractors will point to his mere two Pro Bowls, or the fact he never was the greatest QB of his time in an era that saw him overshadowed by the Marinos, Montanas and Elways.

Consider the positives, though. The 45,252 passing yards (sixth all-time). The 269 TD passes (eighth). The longevity, too.

He never won a ring. But that hasn't kept people out. As for his 261 career interceptions, well, some Hall of Fame QBs had more picks than TDs, and way more. A guy named Joe Namath was one. As for never being the best in his time, neither was any receiver who played when Jerry Rice did.

I'd not propose that Testaverde should be a lock for induction, only that he has earned an open-minded look, not a rote dismissal.

One more thing. Al Testaverde would be very proud today. And have every right.
Click to expand...

Well whomever it was that said that Vinny was scratching his balls while sitting on a couch and throwing nerf-balls through the kitchen window was pretty close. :lol:

Vinny in Canton?? Sure......as soon as he buys a ticket like everyone else.

gmalz · Nov 17, 2006

vinny has OK numbers, but hall of fame, I don't think so. his numbers are ok,
because he played for so many years. He never showed he could win the big game!

nyjunc · Nov 18, 2006

I appreciate what Vinny did here but he's not a HOFer, not evn close. he has compiled some nice #s but he didn't have enough '98 seasons and that was his only real HOF caliber season.

TheBlairThomasFumble · Nov 18, 2006

I'll always have a soft spot for Vinny for the way he led us in 98. All Pats-hatin' aside, I'm happy for the guy. Let him live his dream a bit longer, hopefully on the field if Brady can't go one week.

TBTF

Vinny up to his old tricks(and I do mean OLD..lol)

Vin Banned

gmalz New Member

nyjunc 2008 TGG Bryan Cox "Most Argumentative" Award Winn

TheBlairThomasFumble Active Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Vinny up to his old tricks(and I do mean OLD..lol)

Vin Banned

gmalz New Member

nyjunc 2008 TGG Bryan Cox "Most Argumentative" Award Winn

TheBlairThomasFumble Active Member

Share This Page