You will start at quarterback this Sunday for a stumbling New York Jets team in dire need of an offensive jump-start. Head coach Herm Edwards, who listed you ahead of Brooks Bollinger on the depth chart Wednesday, said he now wants you to work with the first-team offense. “At this point, I feel that we need a change as far as making some plays in the passing game. I think you can provide that,” Edwards told you Wednesday. “Brooks did a good job for us, but at the end of the day, when he can’t make plays passing the ball, it’s tough. So I decided that it’s for the best interest of this football team that we go with you this week.”

You will become the third different starter this year for the Jets, who already lost No. 1 quarterback Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fieldler for the year to injury. Bollinger started in last week’s 13-3 loss at Baltimore, which dropped the team to 1-3. While you come with some drawbacks — notably a lack of mobility and a propensity for turnovers — you may be a good fit for an offense installed by new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger because it calls for a more vertical passing game, which favors your solid arm strength. It is likely that you, signed yesterday and given a cram course in the offense, will remain the starter for the rest of the season, barring injury.

ORIGINALY PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 6, 2005 IN VOLUME 3 ISSUE 28