Fans of the New York Jets don't need any more angst, especially after the abysmal performance by rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez on Sunday. So, Jets fans, stop reading now because Brooks Bollinger, a former starter for Gang Green in 2005, has been a standout signal caller in the UFL.
Check Bollinger's numbers in two season-opening wins for the Florida Tuskers: 44-of-58, 535 yards, 7 TDs and 1 INT. Thanks in part to Bollinger, the Tuskers have scored 64 points and amassed 792 yards of total offense in those contests.
OK, masters of the obvious, success in the UFL doesn't equate to similar prowess in the NFL. It's the irony, however, that strikes us, as well as the opportunity for a social experiment.
Will New York fans second-guess anything, even if they are, in effect, second-guessing themselves?
For those of us who live in the Northeast, and within hailing distance of New York sports radio arguments and newspaper headlines, it's no secret that everyone from Derek Jeter to Rich Kotite has been questioned in the big city.
Starting quarterbacks, third-string point guards, back-up goalies, four-time champion managers and pinch-runners have been on the wanted list in NYC, where if you don't win, well, there has to be something wrong with you -- even if you were OK two days ago.
Just ask the two Joes, Girardi and Torre.
So, just weeks after being anointed New York's biggest star, Sanchez threw five interceptions in a loss -- a third straight defeat for the Jets -- against the dismal Buffalo Bills.
Those that had punched the rookie's ticket to Canton were wondering why he wasn't benched. New Yorkers memories are short, presumably even the guys who wanted to replace Bollinger with, well, anyone during his nine-game tour as the Jets' lead dog.
Let's hope that someone calls WFAN's Joe Benigno, the Jets' most visible diehard fan, and suggests that they sign Bollinger, whose season with the Florida Tuskers will be over no later than November 27 -- the date of the UFL's championship game.
For comedy's sake, it needs to happen. Bollinger, of course, will have to keep it up Thursday against the California Redwoods in Week 3 of the UFL's inaugural season.
If he can't, well, I told you he was a bum.Here are some other offensive standouts in the UFL:
Michael Pittman and Tatum Bell, RBs, Florida: Two recognizable names who have ignited the Tuskers this season and opened things up for Bollinger in the passing game. The duo has rushed for a combined 191 yards on 47 carries.
Cory Ross, RB, California: Ross played with the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-07. He has been a force in the backfield for Dennis Green's Redwoods, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. Still just 27 years old, the 5-7, 207-pounder may be proving to NFL teams that his lack of size is not an issue.
DeDe Dorsey, RB, Las Vegas: Dorsey proved himself a worthy candidate for an NFL roster spot during training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals while being featured on HBO's Hard Knocks. A speedy change-of-pace back with good hands, Dorsey has gained 91 yards on 17 carries, along with 66 yards on nine catches. He has one TD rushing and one receiving and a blocked punt that forced a safety.
Taye Biddle, WR, Florida: Another weapon for the aforementioned Bollinger, who has found Biddle nine times for 145 yards and two TDs. The slight but speedy 26-year-old wideout played in two games for the Carolina Panthers in 2006 after a solid college career at Mississippi.
