Thursday, December 8, 2011

Charlie Batch is still in the NFL?

When Ben Roethlisberger got hurt in tonight's game against the Browns, I was shocked to see that his backup is 37 year old Charlie Batch. Not being an avid Steeler fan I guess I just hadn't paid attention to the fact that he's been a Steeler for a decade now. It got me thinking though. With guys like Jake Delhomme and Jeff Garcia getting pulled off the couch to play for Houston, what other treasures are out there on the sidelines collecting paychecks as backup quarterbacks?
Photo Credit: mkrob.com
Here's my top 5.

Jon Kitna - Dallas Cowboys - Kitna is 39 years old now. Hard to believe that the formerly undrafted quarterback from Central Washington who began his professional career with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe is now a 15 year NFL veteran. When Tony Romo broke his collar bone last year, Kitna was called into action and threw for 2365 yards and 16 touchdowns starting the season's final nine games.
Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Sage Rosenfels - Minnesota Vikings - The 33 year old Rosenfels hasn't thrown a pass in a regular season game since 2008, but he's been on 3 teams this season going from the Giants to the Dolphins and then to the Vikings. He had his best season in 2007 when he threw for 1684 yards and 15 touchdowns including a 290 yard 4 touchdown game against Tennessee and a 3 touchdown game against the Buccaneers. The former 4th round draft pick is in his 11th NFL season and he's played for 5 different teams.
Photo Credit: nj.com

David Carr - New York Giants - Once upon a time (back in 2002) David Carr was the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Fresno State grad never really panned out as a starter for the Texans though throwing for over 3000 yards just once in 5 seasons. Since then he's bounced around as a backup going from Carolina to the Giants to the 49ers and then back to the Giants this season. Carr appeared in one game in 2010 for San Francisco coming on for an injured Alex Smith and was 5 for 13 for 67 yards and an interception.
Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Mark Brunell - New York Jets - Brunell, now 41 years old, was a three time Pro Bowl selection in his younger days, but to put things in perspective as to how long he's been around, his last Pro Bowl appearance was over a decade ago. Brunell appeared in two games for the Jets last year and in the season finale threw a pair of touchdown passes in a 38-7 win against the Bills.
Photo Credit: turnonthejets.com

Billy Volek - San Diego Chargers - Another Fresno State guy, Volek has basically been a backup his entire 12 year career. His best season came back in 2004 when he was with the Titans and Steve McNair was out for most of the season. Volek threw 18 touchdown passes that year and threw for 2486 yards including a 426 yard game 4 touchdown game against Chiefs and a 492 yard 4 touchdown game against the Raiders in back to back weeks. Volek also notably came on in relief for Philip Rivers in the 2008 AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Colts and led the Chargers to a come-from-behind win.
Photo Credit: zimbio.com

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