Columnist Sal DeFilippo: It’s no crime for NFL teams to call for backup

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Oct. 1, 1999 | 9:32 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at 259-4076 or sal@lasvegassun.com

It's generally accepted that the most important position on an NFL team is the quarterback.

He can single-handedly win games for you with clutch plays -- Brett Favre showed that last week -- or he can just as easily give games away with mistakes. See Trent Dilfer for details.

But what about the second-most important position on the field?

Running back? Wide receiver? Defensive end?

With all due respect to Terrell Davis, Jerry Rice and Bruce Smith, these days, times have changed. For many teams, the second-most important position is the same as the first.

Backup quarterbacks can make or break an NFL season. Long gone are the days where this player's most important responsibility is keeping the coach's headset cord untangled. In today's game, backup QBs practically have to remain in a three-point stance on NFL sidelines, ready to dart onto the field without warning.

Prior to the 1998 season, the Buffalo Bills signed Doug Flutie to back up Rob Johnson, the New York Jets signed Vinny Testaverde to back up Glenn Foley, and Randall Cunningham was signed to back up Brad Johnson for Minnesota. All three were pressed into action early in the season and became the permanent starter.

This season, for the most part, the reverse has been true. Testaverde's season-ending injury has forced the Jets to rely on Rick Mirer en route to their 0-3 start. Chris Chandler's pain have left the Falcons in the hands of Tony Graziani. Result: 0-3. John Elway's retirement left two backups -- Brian Griese and Bubby Brister -- left to handle the Broncos' offense. Three games, three losses.

The jury is still out on Jeff Garcia, who will start for San Francisco in place of injured Steve Young against another backup, Neil O'Donnell of Tennessee.

And despite two rushing touchdowns last week in a win over the Browns, Stoney Case's numbers for Baltimore weren't impressive. He's technically been named the starter after Scott Mitchell faltered, but nobody named Stoney can last that long as a starter. Ask Bubby.

One bright spot, however, has been Curt Warner. Trent Green's preseason injury had everyone convinced the Rams were in for a dismal 1999, but Warner, a former NFL Europe star, has thrown six touchdown passes in two victories for St. Louis.

But overall, it seems like NFL teams have to back up before they can go forward.

For the record

An 8-5-1 mark against the spread is a positive wave is a sea of negativity. Best bet San Francisco won and covered on Monday. Hopefully I can ride it for another week.

Top of the line: 1-2.

Against the spread: 18-25-1.

Over/unders: 22-21-1.

Straight-up: 27-17.

Top of the line

ARIZONA +7 at Dallas, over 42 -- The Cowboys are 9-0 within the division in the past two seasons, but that doesn't include a home playoff loss to Arizona last year. Jake Plummer rebounds after a tough Monday night, but a late field goal by Richie Cunningham wins the game for Dallas. Dallas 24, Arizona 22.

Other games

JACKSONVILLE -3 at Pittsburgh, under 42 -- This game marks the first time in the series history that these teams have played when neither was in first place. A loss would be Pittsburgh's fourth straight at home, the most since the Steelers moved into Three Rivers Stadium 29 years ago. Jacksonville has never won here, but Mark Brunell should rebound from last week's costly interception in the waning seconds against Tennessee. Jacksonville 23, Pittsburgh 7.

TAMPA BAY +7 at Minnesota, under 40 1/2 -- The Vikings' offense clearly isn't what it was last year, and the Buccaneers' defense is even better. Warren Sapp continues his assault on quarterbacks, which makes you wonder why he still hasn't attempted to sack Trent Dilfer. Tampa Bay 14, Minnesota 13.

ATLANTA -2 1/2 vs. Baltimore, over 36 1/2 -- Tony vs. Stoney? The Falcons should solve this Case. Atlanta 26, Baltimore 16.

NEW ENGLAND -11 1/2 at Cleveland, over 37 1/2 -- The Browns launched a new website for their crazed fans this week: lll.clevelandbrowns.com. They figure the Ws would be false advertising. New England 30, Cleveland 10.

PHILADELPHIA +9 1/2 at New York Giants, under 35 -- The Eagles scored three touchdowns in the opening quarter of the season, and have scored none in their past 11 quarters. Today, they break through for one score, which is enough to cover. New York Giants 13, Philadelphia 10.

CHICAGO +1 vs. New Orleans, under 37 -- New Orleans coach Mike Ditka is still loved in Chicago, where he coached the Bears for 11 seasons. Today, he gives fans more reason to love him. Curtis Enis sinks the Saints. Chicago 22, New Orleans 13.

ST. LOUIS -3 1/2 at Cincinnati, over 43 1/2 -- The magic number here is 100 -- the loser of this game will be the first team in the 1990s to reach the 100-loss plateau. The sad truth is that the team that avoids the distinction still won't have 50 wins in the past 10 seasons. The Rams give Cincinnati the honors. St. Louis 26, Cincinnati 20.

CAROLINA +8 1/2 at Washington, under 46 -- Now that they're finally out of Giants Stadium, the Redskins are vulnerable once again. Carolina is outclassed, but hangs close. Washington 24, Carolina 17.

DENVER -5 1/2 vs. New York Jets, under 40 -- Just as I expected before the season started -- the two defending AFC finalists meeting with the same record, each playing at about the same level as the other heading into the game, eager to prove that the other isn't quite as good as last year. Both succeed, at least in that regard. Denver 27, New York Jets 10.

SAN FRANCISCO -1 1/2 at Tennessee, under 40 -- Jeff Garcia, who I thought was the former lead singer of the Grateful Dead, played cautiously, but effectively, in the second half on Monday. Since 1995, San Francisco is 11-4 when Steve Young couldn't take the opening snap. The supporting cast steps it up a notch again. San Francisco 17, Tennessee 10.

KANSAS CITY -1 1/2 at San Diego, under 38 1/2 -- With the Chargers' brief stay atop the AFC West behind them, they can safely return to more familiar circumstances. Kansas City 17, San Diego 13.

OAKLAND +3 1/2 at Seattle, under 40 1/2 -- While an assistant coach at Green Bay, Jon Gruden used to drive Mike Holmgren to speaking engagements. On Sunday, the Raiders and their new coach make a statement of their own. Oakland 20, Seattle 16.

BUFFALO +5 at Miami, under 40 1/2 -- The Dolphins have won seven straight on Monday Night Football and are coming off a bye week. The Bills put up a fight, but fold late. Miami 19, Buffalo 16.