Michael Vick wasn’t the only backup quarterback who played well on Sunday — even in Detroit, where Shaun Hill passed for more yards (335) and just as many touchdowns (2). With teams all over the NFL dipping into the well, here are five others who might succeed (pun intended):
5. Jimmy Clausen, Carolina » The highly projected Notre Dame product was the forgotten man at the 2010 NFL Draft, taken well into the second round (48th overall) by the Panthers. But he’ll make his first start Sunday in place of Matt Moore.
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4. Bruce Gradkowski, Oakland » The Raiders benched Jason Campbell at halftime — so much for his fresh start on the West Coast — and Gradkowski went on to lead Oakland to three scoring drives and a 16-14 victory over St. Louis. And now Raiders head coach Tom Cable has a decision on his hands.
3. Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh » The backup to injured backup Dennis Dixon, who had backed up Byron Leftwich — who got cut after getting hurt himself. The AARP-eligible Batch (OK, he’s only 35) didn’t have to do much playing caretaker for the Steelers.
2. Kerry Collins, Tennessee » Speaking of elderly quarterbacks, 37-year-old Collins promptly got intercepted immediately and later fumbled after replacing Vince Young, but was still a potential game-tying touchdown catch away from completing an improbable comeback.
1. Tavaris Jackson, Minnesota » C’mon, you had to know this was coming, especially when one pundit after another said Brett Favre looked like a dead man walking on the way in to the game against Miami. When will the career “projected starter” get another shot?
