Because David Carr is apparently hobbling around like an old man after injuring his back last week, the Panthers went out and signed an old man to back him up.

Vinny Testaverde's back, folks. And he may start for the Panthers on Sunday against the Cardinals. I'm not joshin' you either. We may have a matchup of Vinny Testaverde vs. Kurt Warner.

If Vinny gets hurt, who are the Panthers going to bring in next? Doug Flutie?

Few adages are more true than the old one that says the backup quarterback is the most popular guy on the team. Unless he’s the backup for Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, of course, and then no one knows who he is.

 

Who the hell are these guys?

 Whenever an NFL team drafts a great college prospect or signs a hot free agent, fans are quick to call for the head of their starter, even if that starter is a Pro-Bowler who has led their team to a Super Bowl in the past five years.

 Carolina Panther fans are no exception.

From the moment David Carr signed with the Panthers, many Carolina fans have been clamoring for Carr to start over Jake Delhomme. If you read any message boards, or even the comments at the bottom of foxsports.com articles, you’ve seen these rabid Panthers fans calling for Delhomme to be benched. 

 Personally, I believe this to be unfounded. Sure, Delhomme makes bad decisions at times. Sure, he tries to force it and often throws interceptions. But Delhomme is the leader of his team and as such has led them to two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl since taking over for Rodney Peete in 2003.  

And besides, this is David Carr we’re talking about, people. The same David Carr who has more career interceptions (67) than career touchdowns (61). The same David Carr who has more career sacks (254) than interceptions and touchdowns combined. The same David Carr who led the Texans to absolutely nothing. The same David Carr who the Texans didn’t even bother trading when they signed Matt Schaub; they just let him go. 

David Carr isn’t, at this point in his career, a legitimate starting quarterback. It’s not like the Panthers have Kurt Warner back there. It’s David Carr. You know what Carr’s best at, other than lying underneath a defender after a sack? Standing on the sidelines with his impeccably groomed hair. 

 

David Carr doing what he does best

 

But, these are many of the same people who called for Chris Weinke last season. How well did Weinke do when Delhomme went down with a thumb injury? And again, these fans are going to get what they wished for. Jake Delhomme has decided to undergo elbow surgery, ending his season. Get ready Panther fans, because you’re about to see a lot of David Carr.

Sure, the Panthers beat the Saints this week, but I’m pretty sure the Pittsburgh Panthers could beat the Saints right now. And how much of that victory can we attribute to Carr? His numbers weren’t terrible, going 10 for 17 for 119 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. But he’s not exactly lighting up the scoreboard, is he?  

And more importantly, he’s not doing what any successful Panthers quarterback must do: get the ball to Steve Smith. In the past two games combined, Smith has had nine receptions for 79 yards and one score. Not bad, but not Steve Smith good, either. 

Making things even better, turns out that Carr got hurt last week. Won’t it be great, Panthers fans, if you need a backup for your backup. The guy below David Carr. And who would that be, exactly? Matt Moore. Who’s that? Yeah, you got me too. 

The bright side for Panthers fans: If Carr continues to be Carr, you’ll be in a better position now to draft one of the hot quarterbacks out of Kentucky. But, knowing the Panthers, you’ll probably go with a linebacker.  

 

Quick thoughts on the NFL

Speaking of the Delhomme injury. How many quarterbacks are out now this season? Matt Leinart is being placed on IR today. Trent Greene’s career is likely over. Trent Edwards showed flashes of decency last night in the spotlight, filling in for J.P. Losman. I’m sure there are others I’ve forgotten. Bottom line: good time to be a backup. 

Speaking of the Bills. Last night, Ron Jaworski asked, “What do the Bills need to do to win this game?” I don’t know, score some offensive points perhaps? The Bills had every opportunity to put Dallas away last night, and they failed every time. 

Speaking of Monday Night Football. I watched the first quarter, and then turned my attention to other matters. When I turned it back on in the fourth, I saw Terrell Owens wearing a rally cap. “Can this be,” I thought, “has T.O. really turned into a team player?” I was about to go flush my toilet just to make sure the earth’s polarity had not reversed. And then on the next position, Tony Romo threw his fifth interception, and T.O. went right back to the sideline and started yelling at everyone he could and throwing a general tantrum. And I knew that all was right in the world.