It Gets Uglier for Aikman

Troy Aikman threw five interceptions Sunday for the first time in his career.

Now he’s in more unfamiliar territory.

The Dallas quarterback has the lowest passer rating in the NFL.

Aikman’s 38.5 rating ranks last among 32 quarterbacks who qualify.

That’s one spot below injured San Diego Charger quarterback Ryan Leaf (40.0).

In fact, even if you add the rating of Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb (78.8) to Aikman’s, you still don’t reach top-rated Kurt Warner (117.5) of the St. Louis Rams.

Aikman, 33, has won three Super Bowls, but the last time Dallas won, he threw only seven interceptions the entire 1995 season.

He already has thrown nine in 96 pass attempts this season, missing two games because of the latest in a series of concussions.

The Cowboys--from running back Emmitt Smith to owner Jerry Jones--are forming a huddle around Aikman as cries for him to be benched in favor of Randall Cunningham get louder.

Cunningham, 37, hasn’t played enough to qualify for the passer rankings, but would have a rating of 91.6 after passing for 563 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.