Weinke, who finished his Florida State career with a 32-3 record as a starter, leading the Seminoles to a national championship in 1999 and, at age 28, becoming the oldest player in history to win the Heisman Trophy, has heard the latest -- and most powerful -- criticism directed at FSU head coach Bobby Bowden.
"My hope is that it doesn't end ugly," Weinke told FanHouse Tuesday afternoon.
"That's my worst nightmare. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly. I understand [the fans] frustration, but at some point you have to take a step back and look what this individual guy has done for the university. That's the way I feel, and I am going to always feel, and nobody is going to change my mind. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly -- it's not right."
Cretin-Derham Hall has produced a number of amazing athletes over the years, from baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor to Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke to first overall major-league baseball selection Joe Mauer of the hometown Minnesota Twins.
There's another superb athlete in the pipeline at the small, private school in St. Paul, Minn. Say hello to Seantrel Henderson, a 6-foot-8, 315-pound junior offensive tackle who is considered the top prep football player in the country by two different scouting services.
The Green Bay Packers added some depth to their secondary on Friday, agreeing to terms with free agent safetyAnthony Smith. A former 2006 third-round pick, Smith was a tremendous disappointment with the Steelers, and was not tendered a contract offer this offseason as a restricted free agent.
He's talented, sure, but he's the football equivalent of a million-dollar arm and a 10-cent head. His claim to fame as an NFL player is his foolish guarantee of a win against New England back in 2007, when the Patriots were on their way to an undefeated regular season.
As the Detroit Lions gird up their loins to hit the field of battle on another turkey day, they face quite a daunting task. No team in the history of the NFL has ever lost 16 games in the regular season. That's probably because they only play 16. You have to be a really, horrifically brutal football team to finish 0-16, which is why no one has accomplished that feat before.
A peek at the Lions schedule from here on out shows their task. Any win for an 0-11 team would be an upset, but this is a stout group left on the docket for Detroit. They play the Titans (10-1), Vikings (6-5), and Saints (6-5) at home, while traveling to face the Colts (7-4) and the Packers (5-6). The most winnable game would seem to be Green Bay, but beating the Packers in Lambeau on December 28th isn't an easy task for a team used to the indoors.
The San Francisco Chronicle's Gwen Knapp points to some striking similarities between the 2007 versions of the 49ers and the Browns. Both fired former Miami Hurricane head coaches three years ago and brought in NFL-weathered defensive coordinators. Both teams also have young quarterbacks, although their careers appear to be going in different directions.
[Although he spent all but one month of the season out of football] ... Weinke didn't look any worse than [Alex] Smith had early in the season, before his separated shoulder. Numbers barely begin to explain NFL performances, but for the record, Weinke's passer rating Sunday was 86.2, a sliver below Smith's high of 86.9, against St. Louis in Week 2.
Knapp also notes that the 49ers missed undrafted free agent Shaun Hill's energy before adding, "How weird is it that an undrafted, third-string quarterback seems to vital to the team?"
So are the 2008 49ers just a competent quarterback away from becoming the 2007 Browns? Well, it all starts with the head coach, and unlike Romeo Crennel, who is seemingly loved throughout Cleveland (winning solves a lot of problems, apparently), Nolan can't even get along with Smith, the alleged face of the franchise.
San Francisco 49ers 5-10 (4th in NFC West) Cleveland Browns 9-6 (2nd in AFC North)
Last Game:
49ers 21, Bucs 19 Bengals 19, Browns 14
When the Niners have the ball: They'll run the ball with Frank Gore, and stick to short -- and I mean short -- passes. Chris Weinke will be getting the nod at QB, making him the 4th quarterback to start for San Francisco this year. The Niners don't have many play-making receivers to begin with, and it's not like they're going to ask Weinke to make big plays in his first start for them. They'll keep it simple and run the ball.
When the Browns have the ball: They'll employ their hearty balance of Jamal Lewis and their aerial attack. Derek Anderson had a slow day last week throwing four interceptions against the Bengals to blow Cleveland's chance at locking up a playoff spot. He'll most certainly look to rebound, as long as the weather permits him to throw several passes. You can bet they'll be looking in Braylon Edwards' direction considering he's averaged a touchdown a game this year.
The 49ers are down to quarterback No. 4. Week 1 starter Alex Smith was placed on injured reserve earlier this season because of a balky shoulder; backup Trent Dilfer has missed the last several games with a concussion; and now, San Francisco's most exciting weapon since Ken Dorsey patrolled the sidelines, Shaun Hill, will likely be sidelined with back spasms for the season finale.
Which means ... Chris Weinke time! Yep, it's come to that. Hill hasn't been ruled out against the Browns, but after the beating he took against the Buccaneers last Sunday, he could be a game-time decision.
Weinke ... had not been on an NFL roster this season until the 49ers signed him Dec. 12 ... [He] last played with the Carolina Panthers in 2006, taking over when Jake Delhomme was injured. He completed 56 of 96 passes for 625 yards and two touchdowns, with four interceptions.
"It took a little time to shake the rust off," he said after Wednesday's practice. "I had fun out there. I still think I have something to offer a team. I don't think my playing days are done."
And if, God forbid, Weinke can't go? It'll be up to the only other quarterback in the building, Drew Olson, who currently resides on the practice squad.
Given the time of year and the 49ers record, this isn't such a big deal. If nothing else, though, it could've given San Francisco coaches one more extended look at Shaun Hill. Now they'll have to pay to see him again.
How bad has it gotten in San Francisco? QB Alex Smith was officially placed on injured reserve today ... and the team signed Chris Weinke to take his roster spot. Despite not really having much of a career ... it has been interesting.
While a member of the Carolina Panthers, Weinke holds the record for most consecutive losses by a starting quarterback with 15 ... and he had a personal 17 game losing streak (which is the second longest streak ever). He has a career NFL record of 2-18. In a weird twist of irony, he also holds the Carolina Panthers record for passing yards in a game with a 423 yd effort against the Giants last year. Despite the record and throwing the ball 61 times, Weinke helmed a loss.
Two weeks later, he got his 2nd career win ... ending that 17-game losing skid ... by leading Carolina to a win over Atlanta. In that game, Weinke threw just 7 passes. Yes! Seven passes. He completed four of them for a total of 32 yards.
He is also the oldest man to win a Heisman Trophy. He was 28 years old when he won the award back in 2000.
When initially discussing the injury, coach John Fox said the injury "won't require surgery, it's a rehab situation."
However, one source with knowledge of the situation said the possibility of surgery down the line may be more real than the team's stance might indicate, and that there are concerns coming back too quickly could put Delhomme at risk of a greater injury.
It's not clear whether Delhomme might be able to play through the injury and put off surgery until the off-season, but it is beginning to sound as though David Carr is going to be the Panthers' quarterback for longer than was first realized.
If the Panthers want to add another quarterback to the roster, Chris Weinke is available.
There are, give or take a few, maybe 90 jobs available in the NFL for quarterbacks. So if you're maybe the 100th best quarterback in the world, you're going to fall just short of getting a job.
That's where Chris Weinke is right now. Weinke, the Florida State Heisman Trophy winner, played three games for the Panthers last year, which was his sixth season with the team. But when the Panthers brought in David Carr as Jake Delhomme's backup, there was no room for Weinke.
Still, Weinke wants to keep playing. So when Bills quarterback J.P. Losman got hurt, Weinke saw his opportunity and got in touch. The Bills brought him in for a workout but ultimately signed Craig Nall instead. That hasn't deterred the 35-year-old Weinke, though. He says he is continuing to work out and hoping he'll get a chance.
And I'm betting he will. Weinke might only be the 100th best quarterback in the world right now, but there will be more injuries this season, and some team will give him a call. His career isn't over yet.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Chris Weinke is fearful.
Cretin-Derham Hall has produced a number of amazing athletes over the years, from baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor to Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke to first overall major-league baseball selection 
The Green Bay Packers added some depth to their secondary on Friday, 
To get you ready for week 17, 
How bad has it gotten in San Francisco? QB 
The injury suffered to the throwing elbow of Panthers quarterback 
There are, give or take a few, maybe 90 jobs available in the NFL for quarterbacks. So if you're maybe the 100th best quarterback in the world, you're going to fall just short of getting a job.
