Just when you think this string of Super Bowl era players could come to an end...it does. I toyed all day yesterday with the notion of a sentimental favorite of mine: Steve Cox.

He kicked and punted (I know...why the distinction?). He was brought in for long-yardage field goals and owns one of the six field goals ever made from beyond 60 yards. That's right...a dude who packed serious power between the pipes using a straight-ahead style and who regularly hung his balls in the air for record times also had a fantastic porn name.

But as hard as I tried, I could not get past a certain #12 that will always have a place in our hearts. I would never forgive myself if I let #12 go by without properly paying tribute to Mr. Concussion himself, Gus Frerotte. He was our Joe Everyman who came from the depths of the same draft as a more touted player who shall remain anonymous...let's call him Heath S. No wait, that's too obvious, let's call him H. Shuler. The 7th rounder who beat out the 1st rounder.

#12

Gus Frerotte

via www.geocities.com

I was at the headbutt game. It was a Sunday Night Football game. It was cold, windy, even a little rainy at times (ok, I am only like 50% sure any rain fell, but whatever the case was, it was miserable.) I was still in college and my father and I got two tickets to go so I drove down to DC. The tickets were (and this part I am not making up) in the tippy-top row directly behind the uprights, on the band side. They had yet to put the FedEx wind guards in at that point and let me tell you it blew (that is how I tell the story--no wind guards--so if you have any evidence to the contrary, please destroy said evidence.)

It was a freaking puntfest. People mistakenly called it a defensive battle, but like I said before, I was there. Ken Harvey was a beast in that game to be sure, and clearly both defenses made stops. But it was definitely more the offenses struggling than the defenses shining. If Frerotte had stayed in the game who knows if we could have taken advantage of the young Giants roster.

It was also the game that Westbrook may have cost us with his helmet removal in OT. I am happy to lay the blame on Westbrook. But let's not forget that Hostetler had TWO INT's and a fumble...in overtime. Jebus...I still can't believe that freaking game. I am glad I went though. I bought a tee-shirt in the parking lot that read:

"In Gus We Trust"

#12

Gus Frerotte

I know there are some Gus fans out there. Get on the comment board. I could use your help for the next handful of numbers.