Ex-Cards QB Blake feels joy, sorrow

Scott MS

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Ex-Cards QB Blake feels joy, sorrow

Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 24, 2005 12:00 AM

PHILADELPHIA - Jeff Blake stood at his locker, shaking his head in wonder.

He had spent much of his career drowning in the NFL's Bermuda Triangle, playing for the Bengals, the Saints and the Cardinals.

And now, in the twilight of his career, he's going to the Super Bowl.

"It's really strange, man," Blake said. "I feel joy and I feel sorrow. I feel joy because, after 13 years in the league, I'm going to the biggest game in football. And I feel sorrow, a sense of sadness, because of all I've been through, all the years I spent trying to get to this moment. I feel exhausted, to be honest."

After his release from the Cardinals, Blake, 34, was signed as a free agent by the Eagles last May. He was brought in only as an insurance policy for starting quarterback Donovan McNabb, and Blake appeared in just three games during the regular season. He threw one touchdown pass and one interception.

Tabbed as Jake Plummer's successor in Arizona before the 2003 season, Blake signed a three-year deal for $7.5 million, but fit in like a square peg in a round hole.

After boldly declaring it "Blake time" in Arizona, the organization quickly lost faith in him.

With his ability to deflect blame, teammates privately called him "Leon," in reference to the beer-commerical character. He was benched in favor of Josh McCown in the final three games of the 2003 season.

When Dennis Green took over in Arizona, one of his first personnel maneuvers was to terminate the final two years on Blake's contract.

Now, Blake is the longest-tenured player on the NFC champions, and a journeyman that has played for six NFL teams could end up with a Super Bowl ring.

Even if he never leaves the bench.

"I couldn't be happier," Blake said. "You can have all that (stuff) in Arizona. Nothing changes there."


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0124nfcside0124.html
 

SuperSpck

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Sure, he could have been eating the remains of a small lost child while he gave the interview. That would be worse.
 

john h

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Scott MS said:
Ex-Cards QB Blake feels joy, sorrow

Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 24, 2005 12:00 AM

PHILADELPHIA - Jeff Blake stood at his locker, shaking his head in wonder.

He had spent much of his career drowning in the NFL's Bermuda Triangle, playing for the Bengals, the Saints and the Cardinals.

And now, in the twilight of his career, he's going to the Super Bowl.

"It's really strange, man," Blake said. "I feel joy and I feel sorrow. I feel joy because, after 13 years in the league, I'm going to the biggest game in football. And I feel sorrow, a sense of sadness, because of all I've been through, all the years I spent trying to get to this moment. I feel exhausted, to be honest."

After his release from the Cardinals, Blake, 34, was signed as a free agent by the Eagles last May. He was brought in only as an insurance policy for starting quarterback Donovan McNabb, and Blake appeared in just three games during the regular season. He threw one touchdown pass and one interception.

Tabbed as Jake Plummer's successor in Arizona before the 2003 season, Blake signed a three-year deal for $7.5 million, but fit in like a square peg in a round hole.

After boldly declaring it "Blake time" in Arizona, the organization quickly lost faith in him.

With his ability to deflect blame, teammates privately called him "Leon," in reference to the beer-commerical character. He was benched in favor of Josh McCown in the final three games of the 2003 season.

When Dennis Green took over in Arizona, one of his first personnel maneuvers was to terminate the final two years on Blake's contract.

Now, Blake is the longest-tenured player on the NFC champions, and a journeyman that has played for six NFL teams could end up with a Super Bowl ring.

Even if he never leaves the bench.

"I couldn't be happier," Blake said. "You can have all that (stuff) in Arizona. Nothing changes there."


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0124nfcside0124.html

I wish few people in this life ill will. Blake was here because we brought him here. If he failed it was not from a lack of trying. I am happy to see him going to the Super Bowl. He has paid his dues playing with three losers. If he is so terrible how come the superbowl bound Eagles have him as the backup. I am sure they had other choices. Airizona has been QB hell over the past decade or more. It still is until someone proves otherwise.
 

Jersey Girl

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I thought this would said that he feels joy for going, but sorrow for knowing he won't even play.
 

azdad1978

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That joy will tun into sorrow after Belichick and Patriots hands them their butt on a platter. :)
 

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Leon ??? somebody should make sure he is practicing and not shooting any tv commercials during superbowl week.
 

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john h said:
I wish few people in this life ill will. Blake was here because we brought him here. If he failed it was not from a lack of trying. I am happy to see him going to the Super Bowl. He has paid his dues playing with three losers. If he is so terrible how come the superbowl bound Eagles have him as the backup. I am sure they had other choices. Airizona has been QB hell over the past decade or more. It still is until someone proves otherwise.

I agree with the above. He was very nice in person and tried to play his best with what he had around him. However, why did he have to throw Arizona in there and say it's never going to change? I'm tired of people using the Cardinals then talking bad about this place. :mad:
 

LVCARDFREAK

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This team would have won more than 6 games with Blake as QB I will tell you that. He wasnt a long term answer but he is more accurate than McCown and didnt dance around all day long in the pocket.

Oh well, he is gone now so who cares. :shrug:
 

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Jeff 'teflon' Blake. He was great at hitting the ground right at the feet of our receivers, or throwing it high enough that NOBODY could catch it.

But Bickley is taking liberties with the truth again in an effort to slam the Cardinals.

"He had spent much of his career drowning in the NFL'S Bermuda Triangle, playing for the Bengals, Saints, and the Cardinals."

Blake played 2 years with the Jets.
6 years with the Bengals.
2 years with the Saints.
1 year with Baltimore.
1 year with Arizona.
1 year with Philadelphia.

As you can see, Blake played ONE year of his thirteen year career in AZ. But Bickley doesn't have to be correct, he's just a columnist writing opinions.

Since Pete Kendall is no longer in the playoffs, Bickley needed a new jock to sniff.
 

joeshmo

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LVCARDFREAK said:
This team would have won more than 6 games with Blake as QB I will tell you that. He wasnt a long term answer but he is more accurate than McCown and didnt dance around all day long in the pocket.

Oh well, he is gone now so who cares. :shrug:

Did you just call Blake the more accurate passer. I would say they are almost identical.

56.7% while here in 2003(367 attempts, 69.6 passer rating)
48.6% with 37 attempts this year.
56.3% career

Josh's numbers:

57.2% in 2003(started 3 , appeared in 8, 166 attempts, 70.3 passer rating)
56.6% this year
Career 56.6
 

joeshmo

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john h said:
If he is so terrible how come the superbowl bound Eagles have him as the backup. I am sure they had other choices.

He isnt the backup he is the 3rd stringer. Koy Detmer is the backup. The only reason Blake even got playing time this year is becuase the Eagles were in a blowout situation and let Blake get some time on monday night football becuase he has never played on monday night football before.

What other better choices did they have to play 3rd string QB. Plus the Eagles paid him the league minimum of 760,000 but he only counts 400,000 against the cap becuase he is a vested vet.
 

LVCARDFREAK

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joeshmo said:
Did you just call Blake the more accurate passer. I would say they are almost identical.

56.7% while here in 2003(367 attempts, 69.6 passer rating)
48.6% with 37 attempts this year.
56.3% career

Josh's numbers:

57.2% in 2003(started 3 , appeared in 8, 166 attempts, 70.3 passer rating)
56.6% this year
Career 56.6

You forgot that Blake has been in the league, what? 13 years? Everyone knows the more attempts you have the less your completion % will be. Just like baseball, the more at bat's you have the less likley you are to keep a higher average.

I think Blake is NOT a much better QB than McCown but as witnessed last year, Quan put up special numbers with Blake throwing him the ball. Blake obviously does not have a great career completion percentage but he also has 3200 career attempts to McCowns 590.
 

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Scott MS said:
Ex-Cards QB Blake feels joy, sorrow

Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 24, 2005 12:00 AM

PHILADELPHIA - Jeff Blake stood at his locker, shaking his head in wonder.

He had spent much of his career drowning in the NFL's Bermuda Triangle, playing for the Bengals, the Saints and the Cardinals.

And now, in the twilight of his career, he's going to the Super Bowl.

"It's really strange, man," Blake said. "I feel joy and I feel sorrow. I feel joy because, after 13 years in the league, I'm going to the biggest game in football. And I feel sorrow, a sense of sadness, because of all I've been through, all the years I spent trying to get to this moment. I feel exhausted, to be honest."

After his release from the Cardinals, Blake, 34, was signed as a free agent by the Eagles last May. He was brought in only as an insurance policy for starting quarterback Donovan McNabb, and Blake appeared in just three games during the regular season. He threw one touchdown pass and one interception.

Tabbed as Jake Plummer's successor in Arizona before the 2003 season, Blake signed a three-year deal for $7.5 million, but fit in like a square peg in a round hole.

After boldly declaring it "Blake time" in Arizona, the organization quickly lost faith in him.

With his ability to deflect blame, teammates privately called him "Leon," in reference to the beer-commerical character. He was benched in favor of Josh McCown in the final three games of the 2003 season.

When Dennis Green took over in Arizona, one of his first personnel maneuvers was to terminate the final two years on Blake's contract.

Now, Blake is the longest-tenured player on the NFC champions, and a journeyman that has played for six NFL teams could end up with a Super Bowl ring.

Even if he never leaves the bench.

"I couldn't be happier," Blake said. "You can have all that (stuff) in Arizona. Nothing changes there."


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/0124nfcside0124.html
Wow....alot of "I" this and"I" that in this article....guess DG was right to cut him and go with the younger qb.
 

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LVCARDFREAK said:
You forgot that Blake has been in the league, what? 13 years? Everyone knows the more attempts you have the less your completion % will be. Just like baseball, the more at bat's you have the less likley you are to keep a higher average.

I think Blake is NOT a much better QB than McCown but as witnessed last year, Quan put up special numbers with Blake throwing him the ball. Blake obviously does not have a great career completion percentage but he also has 3200 career attempts to McCowns 590.

Blake's best year passing was barely over 60%. The years he had more then 10 games starting he had %'s of 57.5, 56.1, 58.0, 55.3, 60.9, 55.9, 56,7. So having more attempts has nothing to do with it but his inaccuracy over the years does.

As for Quan getting special numbers from Blake what does that have to do with accuracy. It just means Blake targeted Boldin more then the other guys and for good reason. Boldin could have had an even better year if Blakes accuracy wasnt the 24th worst in completion % out of the 32 starting QB's in the league in 2003.

He isnt an accurate QB, he has never been know to be an accurate QB. If you think we would have one more games with Blake the McCown you could have used longer throws, less fumbles, ect, but not accuracy beucase it just isnt true.
 

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joeshmo said:
Blake's best year passing was barely over 60%. The years he had more then 10 games starting he had %'s of 57.5, 56.1, 58.0, 55.3, 60.9, 55.9, 56,7. So having more attempts has nothing to do with it but his inaccuracy over the years does.

As for Quan getting special numbers from Blake what does that have to do with accuracy. It just means Blake targeted Boldin more then the other guys and for good reason. Boldin could have had an even better year if Blakes accuracy wasnt the 24th worst in completion % out of the 32 starting QB's in the league in 2003.

He isnt an accurate QB, he has never been know to be an accurate QB. If you think we would have one more games with Blake the McCown you could have used longer throws, less fumbles, ect, but not accuracy beucase it just isnt true.

Disagree, isn't hitting a guy in stride a sign of accuracy? check out Quan's yac numbers in 2003 when Blake was the QB and when Josh was the QB, hell you don't even have to look at YAC just look at yards per catch, he lost nearly 3 YPC with Josh at QB. And Josh threw the ball to him MORE than Blake did so the idea that blake just singled out Quan loses validity, clearly Sullivan figured out how good Quan was compared to his teammates and built the passing game around Quan.

not a high % passer I'd agree, Blake threw the ball downfield a lot more in his career than the typical QB of his era, and was inaccurate on short passes.

Not a great QB but if Josh had been our opening day starter in 2003 I shudder to think how bad we'd have looked.
 

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Leon wants to know what lense you're using on that camera?
 

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Russ, what about the fact that Boldin switched postions?
 

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All the more reason to root for New England.This guy has been a loser from day1 and thinks he's owed something.
 

Russ Smith

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Redsz said:
Russ, what about the fact that Boldin switched postions?

I was talking about 2003, Quan's YPC number fell dramatically when Blake was benched and Josh started, because Josh didn't hit him in stride.
 

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Lol........Blake still being Blake!!

Although I'm not sure what he gained from saying things in Arizona not changing.

But that Leon thing gets old when his teammates in Phillie are lobying Coach Reid to let Blake take a few snaps in a game played on MNF, and Coach Reid let him play.

That type of accomidation and support from teammates for a 3rd string Qb is usually not given to "Leon-type NFL player."

Blake is not as good as he say he is, nor is he as bad as some Cards fans believe he is.
 

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3rd string on a Superbowl bound team.Congratulations Jeff they coulden't have got there without ya.;)
 

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