LITTLE ROCK — Lineman couldn’t block out problem
Offensive linemen take pride in protecting their quarterbacks and making sure they are healthy and upright.
And with good reason, quarterbacks are the most important players on a team and often get a lot of the credit when their team plays well and most of the blame when their team doesn’t.
But what happens when a team has a quarterback who is ineffective and not getting the job done?
Former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown knows how to solve that problem.
Brown, in an interview with ESPN Radio’s Ryen Rusillo, said he purposely whiffed on a block on Green Bay defensive end SeanJones in 1994 so he could get quarterback Scott Mitchell out of the game and backup Dave Kreig into the lineup.
“We were playing Green Bay in Milwaukee,” Brown said. “We were getting beat, 24-3, at that timeand he just stunk up the place.
He’s throwing interceptions, just everything. So I looked at Kevin Glover, our All-Pro center and I said, ‘Glove, that is it.’ I said, ‘I’m getting him out the game.’ ... So I got the gator arms on the guy at the last minute, he got around me, he hit Scott Mitchell, he did something to his finger. ... and he came out the game. [Lions backup quarterback] Dave Krieg came in the game.”
The plan worked, Krieg started the last seven games of the year and the Lions went 5-2 with Kreig throwing 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions after the Lions went 4-5 with Mitchell, who completed 48.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Eighteen years after the fact, Brown shows no remorse, “As you can tell, I’m just not a big fan of Scott Mitchell. He’s just not on my Christmas list. He won’t be getting any Christmas presents from me this year.” Can’t get much worse
With the New York Jets eliminated from the playoffs and quarterback Mark Sanchez’s future in doubt, the website sportspickle.com asked whatwould other teams trade for the quarterback who has taken his team to two AFC Championship Games, but has struggled the last two years.
Some of the suggestions:
Denver Broncos: “Two free Papa John’s pizzas (cheese only).”
Arizona Cardinals: “John Skelton and Ryan Lindley.”
San Diego Chargers: “The Eli Manning Chargers 2004 draft jersey”
Green Bay Packers: “An expired block of cheddar.”
New York Giants: “One framed copy of the New York Times cover from the morning after the Giants’ latest Super Bowl title.”
Cleveland Browns: “Whatever is left in the fridge in Mike Holmgren’s old office.” They said it
Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald in Nebraska on a high school girls basketball game in Indianapolis that ended with a score of 107-2. “This is the biggest rout all year in Indianapolis not invovling a Bret Bielema-coached team.”
Dickson on the state of the Big East: “This is the time for huge crowds. Of course, I’m referring to the meeting of athletic directors leaving the Big East.”Quote of the day “He had a little bit
of buyer’s remorse in
talking with him there.” Arkansas Coach Brett Bielema on running back Knile Davis turning pro
Sports, Pages 26 on 12/23/2012