Los Angeles (AFP)
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 37, season ended; Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), 40, unavailable two months for thumb injury; 38-year-old Eli Manning (New York Giants) relegated to substitutes: veteran quarterbacks have a hard time in the NFL.
The National Football League, which celebrates its 100th season, would have been great to see his great figures still in activity, mostly irremovable holders of their franchise, to fall on the field of honor one after another.
After only two days, no less than five teams are without the services of their star QB.
For the time being, only Tom Brady, who is still as strong and 42-year-old with the New England Patriots, seems to be spared by this slaughter that reminds how much this sport, which is so passionate in the United States, can be violent for the organizations.
The defending champion's strategist, the NFL's "Benjamin Button" (character created by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who has been rejuvenating over the years) appears in top shape and is always adroit and decisive in pitching. Witness the five touchdowns offered to his receivers against Pittsburgh (33-3) and Miami (43-0).
He will try on Sunday to confirm this excellent disposition against the New York Jets, a training currently lacking quarterback holder Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) and his lining Trevor Siemian, package for the season due to an injury to ankle. They now rely on the inexperienced Luke Falk, who played his first professional minutes Monday on the back in Cleveland.
- Alternatives -
Other clubs must find alternatives, like Pittsburgh who lost his "Big Ben", Roethlisberger, right elbow injured in the loss to Seattle.
In search of a first success this season, the Steelers now entrust the keys of their game to the unknown Mason Rudolph. "I totally trust myself," wanted to reassure his 24-year-old, before moving to San Francisco with undefeated 49ers.
New Orleans, who has lost the iconic Drew Brees, hopes his Teddy Bridgewater lining will show as much assurance. Counting, before this blow, among the favorites for the title, the Saints especially hope the return of their strategist for November.
Eli Manning is not in the infirmary but on the Giants' bench. The New York franchise, which began with two defeats, he prefers for the moment the rookie Daniel Jones. "In a way, I signed up for that, that's what happens when you recruit young quarterbacks, I have to live with that and make the most of it," he said, disappointed, before moving to Tampa Bay.
- Kaepernick is stamping -
The Carolina Panthers in turn fear that they will have to do without their QB, given the uncertainty surrounding Cam Newton. The league MVP in 2015 is suffering from an ankle and had to cut training this week.
While all these QB are on the flank, impatient to be able to return to the game: Colin Kaepernick. But the former star of the 49ers has been without a club for three years and the boycott movement of the American anthem he had launched in protest against police violence against blacks.
The 31-year-old who led San Francisco to the final in 2013 spent the summer training hard and recently said he was fit and fit. Its agents have come into contact with franchises, according to the US press, but none seems to want to recruit the one that was heavily attacked by Donald Trump in 2017.
For his friend and former teammate Eric Reid, Kaepernick was "blackballed" by the NFL. "Roethlisberger is out for the season, Brees for a long time and we do not know what's going on for Newton.Every year they get the guys out of retirement.These guys, who said: + I do not want more playing football +, have received calls and not Colin. "
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