Jets Sign O'Brien, Todd and RyanBreaking news: Jets sign veteran QBs Ken O'Brien, Richard Todd and Pat RyanHEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 4 - New York Jets head coach Herman Edwards announced Tuesday that starting quarterback Brooks Bollinger had sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and will likely miss the rest of season and backup quarterback Vinny Testaverde had dislocated his left hip. Both players are down in Alabama getting second opinions from Dr. James Andrews.
Edwards also announced that the Green & White signed veteran quarterbacks Ken O'Brien and Richard Todd, who will rotate as the starting quarterback in this week's game against Tampa Bay. Veteran quarterback Pat Ryan will backup O'Brien and Todd.
"There were some guys we brought in earlier in the day and we worked them out," Edwards said. "However, Jesse Palmer, Tim Couch and Doug Johnson all declined to sign contracts with us after learning that Jason Fabini will be starting at left tackle again this week."
The Jets next option, Quincy Carter, who served as the Jets backup quarterback last season and started three games for the team, called Edwards from a New Jersey crackhouse, but was told that at this time, the Jets were headed in another direction. Carter was told, however, to "stay in game shape" should the Jets call on him.
Following a night's rest, Edwards decided to give O'Brien and Todd a call.
"I called Ken and Richard this morning and told them that I needed them to get over here and that I had to talk to them. They both had a great conversation with [offensive coordinator] Mike Heimerdinger. We signed them this afternoon. Neither can play for very long without a power nap, so they will rotate in and out the game. Pat Ryan will be our third quarterback. Pat's a good fit, he can help Ken and Richard if they are too tired to play."
"12 games left, we gotta go play, get a little spirit now. I know these guys, we're gonna go now, we're gonna go, we have no choice," Edwards continued.
When asked whether the Jets would be best off losing the rest of their games and drafting USC quarterback Matt Leinart, Edwards responded testily: "You play to win the game. Understand? You play to win the game!"
When asked whether his offensive line was to blame for the loss of four Jets quarterbacks, Edwards shook his head, saying that the injuries were all "freak accidents."
Todd, 52, played in the NFL from 1976-1985, throwing for more than 20,000 yards and leading the Jets to the playoffs in 1981 and 1982. O'Brien, 45, the Jets first round pick in 1983, tossed 128 touchdown passes and passed for more than 25,000 yards in a ten year career. Ryan, 50, played for the Jets from 1978-1989, serving as the backup to Todd and then O'Brien. Ryan led the Jets to a playoff victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 1986.
posted on 9/27/2005
