Quarterbacks Running for More Than Just Cover

Either by design or by sheer forces of fear induced by a fast-pursuing 350-pound lineman, plenty of NFL quarterbacks had their running shoes on Sunday.

In what is becoming a far more common sight, teams are demanding the use of a quarterback’s lower extremities to pave a path to victory.

And many are responding to the call.

Miami Dolphin quarterback Jay Fiedler proved to be one of the best examples in a thrilling 18-15 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Both of the Dolphins’ touchdowns--the second with five seconds to play--came courtesy of Fiedler’s scrambling legs.

Said Fiedler: “I saw that patch of grass in front of me, and I knew I could make it.”

A simple philosophy that could become the battle cry for quarterbacks everywhere.

But Fiedler wasn’t alone.

From rookies (Carolina’s Chris Weinke and Atlanta’s Michael Vick) to established stars (Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning) to those looked on as nondescript (San Francisco’s Jeff Garcia) to those thought of as retreads (Cincinnati’s Jon Kitna) to those considered the future at the position (Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb), quarterback rushing touchdowns came from all directions Sunday.

Even some of those who didn’t score had an impact on the ground, evidenced by Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper with 42 yards in eight carries and Buffalo’s Rob Johnson, who led the Bills with 63 yards in five carries.

Fiedler had 34 yards in eight carries, Manning had 26 yards in seven carries and Jacksonville’s Mark Brunell finished with 19 yards in six carries, one yard less than No. 1 running back Fred Taylor had before leaving because of an injury (see below).

Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck didn’t do much right in the Seahawks’ 27-3 home loss to the Eagles, but the quarterback had 31 yards rushing in four carries.

Better reload those sideline oxygen tanks.

Friends to the Bitter End

Even if it seems like Ty Detmer can’t throw a ball straight, he should take comfort knowing he still has plenty of friends on the Cleveland Browns.

And it’s not just because the first-year Detroit Lion quarterback threw a whopping seven interceptions Sunday in a 24-14 loss to the Browns.

“It hurts that it’s Ty,” said former teammate and Brown safety Percy Ellsworth, who had one of the seven picks.

“I’d be partying all night long if it wasn’t Detmer. I’m happy for us and our fans, but I didn’t know I had as much respect for Ty until this very moment.”

Detmer earned that respect by being the consummate team player after losing his job to Tim Couch in 1999 and missing the entire 2000 season because of injury.

Detmer, traded to Detroit earlier this month, came within one interception of tying the NFL record of eight in a game, set by Jim Hardy of the Chicago Cardinals in 1950 against Philadelphia.

Detmer’s seven interceptions were the most in a game since Steve DeBerg threw seven for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 7, 1986.

After the game, Couch talked to Detmer, his mentor and close friend.

“I knew he was hurting,” Couch said. “I felt bad. I’m thrilled to get our first win, but there’s a part of me that feels bad for Ty.”

Offense Out in the Cold

A year ago, Culpepper, the Vikings’ quarterback, was beginning a season that would take him to the Pro Bowl--a season in which he accounted for 40 touchdowns and 4,407 yards passing.

Times have changed for Culpepper and Minnesota, which finds itself 0-2 for the first time since 1984 after losses to Carolina and Chicago, leaving many to wonder what has happened to one of the league’s most potent offenses.

“I think I was in the seventh or eighth grade the last time I caught one pass in a game,” wide receiver Randy Moss told the Minneapolis Star Tribune while reflecting on his total against Carolina in Week 1. “I don’t believe it will happen again.”

Moss was right--at least for this week--as he caught five passes for 81 yards but he wasn’t the factor that he normally is.

Little else went right for the Vikings, who continue to fail to capitalize on opportunities and have scored only 23 points in two games.

“Every time there is a play that doesn’t go well, it doesn’t mean it is always the quarterback’s fault,” Viking Coach Dennis Green said in leading up to the game.

“What we know is that Daunte knows he can play better.”

But with each week, the chance for those memories to fade increases.

Walking Wounded

Apparently, bad luck in training camp wasn’t enough for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

An injury list that, in the last month alone, has included Fernando Bryant, Keenan McCardell, Jimmy Smith, John Wade, Tony Boselli, Tony Brackens, Kyle Brady, Eric Westmoreland and Donovin Darius grew by one Sunday.

Taylor, the team’s leading rusher the last three seasons, strained his left groin against Tennessee.

Taylor, who has struggled with injuries during his four-year career, lost a fumble as he fell to the ground without contact in the second quarter.

The severity of the injury won’t be known until today at the earliest.

After five minutes, Taylor was helped off by two Jaguar trainers, putting no weight on his left leg.

“I thought, ‘Here we go again,”’ said Taylor, who left the stadium on crutches after the game. “But like always, I’m not going to let it get me down.”

*

Compiled by Jim Barrero