Injuries mar NFL quarterbacks - Part Two
While continuing our recap of beaten up quarterbacks, we absolutely have to mention the most quarterback unfriendly game this season, the Chicago Bears against the New York Giants. The Bears were on an unbeaten run in week four of the season when they had
the misfortune of clashing with the New York Giants. Not only did that flawless run come to a crashing end, New York’s defenders also unloaded a world of pain on Chicago’s quarterbacks. Yes that’s plural.
Giants took turns sacking the quarterbacks and it started right after the kickoff. In the third play, Giants took down Chicago’s starting quarterback, Jay Cutler. Cutler would be sacked again, many times. Osi Umenyiora was the first to sack the quarterback.
Chris Canty followed in Umenyiora’s footsteps and sacked Cutler again. So did Kevin Shaffer, Justin Tuck, Umenyiora again, Jonathan Goff, Barry Cofield, Justin Tuck again and finally Aaron Ross took his shot at Cutler.
In all, Cutler was sacked a mind boggling 9 times in two quarters. After the 9th sack, the one by Aaron Ross, Cutler had enough and did not return to the field. In the process of being thrown around like a rag doll by one defender after the other,
Cutler sustained a concussion. Although, he was back on the field a week later, the effects of the beating he took were starting to show. In his next time out, Cutler threw no touchdowns and in last week’s game, he threw an unimpressive 4 interceptions. The
Bears lost both games.
In the game against New York, Cutler wasn’t the only one getting beaten down. Backup, Todd Collins couldn’t come out of the game unscathed either. In the fourth quarter, with just four minutes remaining in the game, Todd too had to leave after a hit by linebacker,
Michael Boley. His injury was not serious either and he was able to return in the very next week. Collins, like Cutler, didn’t do well after returning to the field. Although, Bears won against the Carolina Panthers, Collins threw 4 interceptions in 16 attempts
without a touchdown. That was the only game that Bears have won since facing the Giants in week 4. They now stand at 4-3-0 on top of the NFC North.
The Philadelphia Eagles have also had a tough time as far as their quarterback situation is concerned. Their starting quarterback, Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion in the first week of the season. Just before the end of the second quarter in the Eagles vs
Packers game, Kolb took a hit from Clay Mathews and had to be replaced. He had to give up his starting position to Michael Vick. Although, the change was supposed to be temporary and last only until Kolb is up and running again, Eagle’s coach, Andy Reid loved
Vick so much that he gave him the starting Job.
Vick too would have a run in with injuries of his own. In the fourth week, when the Eagles faced the Washington Redskins, Vick had his ribs rearranged. At the very end of the first quarter of the game, Vick tried to rush through Washington’s defensive line.
He got through and went up 23 yards but then got crushed between Kareem Moore and DeAngelo Hall. He suffered a rib cartilage injury in the play.
By this time, Kevin Kolb was well enough to return and took over for Vick. Since he took over, the Eagles have won 2 of their three games. Kolb led Philadelphia to victory over San Francisco and Atlanta but lost against Tennessee. Coach Reid is now in a
unique situation. As soon as Vick is fit to play again, he would have two good and healthy quarterbacks to choose from. Although, Vick would start when he can, it's by no means a certain thing. Until Vick returns, Kolb has the chance to show that he deserves
the starting position. Kolb might take back the starting position the same way he lost it, because of an injury.
“When you're sitting here as a chubby head coach in the National Football League and you have two good quarterbacks, you're a happy guy. That's a positive thing”, said Reid.
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