In all of world sport, what is the toughest gig? Australian cricket captain? Siberian beach volleyballer? American Samoa goalkeeper?
Bzzzz wrong!
The most difficult sporting role is being a backup NFL quarterback.
On the outside these guys have it made, as their job primarily involves getting paid handsomely to flip through an oversized display folder on the sideline and trying to look energetic when the coach walks past to grab a Gatorade.
In reality however the Matt Saracen’s of the world have an extraordinarily stressful job, as they can go from secretly studying poetry to running a highly technical football offence in front of 80,000 frothing lunatics in the space of a torn ligament.
It is the sporting equivalent of being a security guard, with months of soul crushing monotony being intersected with minutes of pure terror, knowing that your professional career most likely rests on seven minutes of snaps in rubbish time.
Every year in the NFL the story of the backups is played out like a subtle sub plot of the NFL season proper.
Some suck, some are silently traded and a rare few become superstars.
The 2013 NFL season is fast becoming the year of numero duos as a number of underperforming sides throw caution to the wind in order to try to pull the next Colin Kaepernick.
But what does the future likely hold for these brazen backups?
Let’s gaze into the crystal Duke and see for seven shall we?
Mike Glennon (Tampa Bay)
After incumbent Josh Freeman was dumped for missing the team photo, rookie Glennon was shoved into the hot seat at the underperforming Bucs.
Perhaps largely due to the fact that he looks like the token nerd from a cheesy high school TV show, Glennon has recently struggled and looks set to be dumped himself.
But, the fact he has an above league average completion rating and the fact Tampa has nothing else going for them should see him ‘saved by the bell.’
Geno Smith (NY Jets)
We may never know if Smith was going to ever play back-up to Mark Sanchez, which is interesting because as much as Jets fans hated old Dirty, Geno has had his own fair share of Bronx cheers from the Jets faithful.
Loves to throw an intercept, but thankfully Eli Manning is taking the heat off him in the big apple on this front and Smith should be around for a while yet.
Matt Cassel (Minnesota)
Considering all the Viking quarterback has to do is hand off the ball to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota have made a tough fist of things this season, using three different quarterbacks.
Is Cassel the answer? No probably not. I suppose they can always thaw out Favre…
Nick Foles (Philadelphia)
Started the season as the underdog behind Michael Vick but since taking the top job hasn’t looked back, even getting within one touchdown of the record 20 straight touchdown passes and zero interceptions to start a season before being forced to play at the North pole the other week.
Let’s all hope Vick has something more productive to do in his post NFL career.
Josh McCown (Chicago)
Despite being 76 years old, having played in more clubs than Lucky Starr and needing to take a day off from his high school football job to play for the Bears, McCown’s fine form has endeared himself to fans.
Or, maybe that was just because he’s not regularly seen looking surly with a bunger hanging out of his mouth like regular quarterback Jay Cutler.
Will most likely be back at school next year doing his best Eric Taylor, but don’t be surprised if he gets some more games this season.
Kirk Cousins (Washington)
The Redskins have turned off MTV and put on a James Taylor VHS with the promotion of Cousins for the ‘injured’ RG3.
The Redskins owners will admit their nickname is a touch controversial before they get rid of Griffin, but if Cousins keeps up his solid performances expect Cousins to pop up elsewhere (Cleveland? St Louis?) as the ‘skins look to trade him for a high draft pick.
Matt Flynn (Green Bay)
Matt Flynn’s haircut is a number two, he is personally sponsored by Avis and quite likely his favourite song is Blur’s Song 2.
This man was born to back up and after being the first reserve at four different clubs is back where it all started backing up Aaron Rogers in Green Bay. And, considering he threw for 299 yards and four touchdowns on the weekend maybe Lambeau is where he belongs.
Even if it is just waiting around for Rogers to slip over in the car park.
Tim Tebow (no fixed address)
Hey, a man can dream can’t he?
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