http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/newstest.aspx?id=4199839
Hall of Shame: Detroit sets dubious mark
12/28/08
Green Bay, WI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions finished their 2008 season the way they finished every week of this season, with a loss, and became the first team in NFL history to finish a campaign 0-16.
Just one season after New England became the first NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season, Sunday's 31-21 loss for the Lions, at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, handed Detroit the first winless non-strike season since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0-14 in 1976, the expansion club's initial season.
It is appropriate that Detroit ended its lost season at the Packers, as its current run of 17 straight losses began in Green Bay on the last week of last season.
The Lions came into Sunday's contest with hope, given that the team had played the Packers tight during a Week 2 loss at Ford Field. In that game, the Lions took a 25-24 lead with 7:41 to play after Jon Kitna and Calvin Johnson connected on a 47-yard score, but Green Bay scored 24 unanswered points and Jon Kitna was picked off three times on the final three drives, with the last two being returned for touchdowns in a 48-25 loss.
The team had a four-week stretch in which it lost by eight points or less, including a 12-10 loss at Minnesota in Week 6, but was beaten by at least 20 points in five games this season and lost by double-digits in 10 games.
The Lions now join the 1962 New York Mets (40-120), the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers (9-73) and the 1974-75 Washington Capitals (8-67-5) as the owner of the worst season in their respective sports. However, the Mets and Capitals were both expansion teams when they set their marks.
Despite Sunday's history, this was not the first time Detroit went winless in a season. The 1942 Lions finished the 1942 campaign at 0-11 in a season that saw the war-depleted Lions outscored by a total of 263-38.
The Achilles' Heel of this team was its defense. Going into Sunday's action, the Lions were last in the league in the following defensive categories: total defense (399.1 yards per game), scoring defense (32.4 points per game), rushing defense (169.5 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (59), rushing touchdowns allowed (30), yards allowed per rush (4.99), rushes allowed of 20 yards or longer (23), and interceptions recorded (4).
The team gave up a total of 517 points on the season, which is the second-most in the history of the league, and just 16 points fewer than the 1981 Baltimore Colts, who gave up 533 points.
The offense hasn't been much better, but the team did have two outstanding players in wide receiver Calvin Johnson (78 receptions, 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns) and rookie running back Kevin Smith (238 carries, 976 yards and eight touchdowns). In addition, kicker Jason Hanson was his usual effective self as his only missed field goal attempt of the season was a block, and he went 8-for-8 from 50-plus yards. Hanson, who also had an extra-point attempt blocked, finished the season with 88 points.
That being said, one of the biggest problems of the offense was that it used five different quarterbacks during the campaign: Kitna, Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton and Drew Henson.
Rod Marinelli, who could lose his job in the coming days, and his club have not won a game since a home win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Dec. 23rd, and are 1-23 in their past 24 games overall, in addition to a a 12-game losing streak as the visitor since notching a win at Chicago last Oct. 28.
Showing posts with label Tampa Bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tampa Bay. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2009
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Phillies close out Rays, earn World Series title
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=281027122
Lidge and the Phillies close out Rays, earn World Series title
10-29-8
PHILADELPHIA -- Save the jokes, the taunts and all those insults about the losingest team in sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies just won themselves a World Series.
If that sounds strange, it was strange.
Nearly 50 hours after Game 5 started but was stopped by rain, Brad Lidge and the Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint Wednesday night.
"It was a crazy way to win it with a suspended game, but we did and it's over," 45-year-old Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer said. "It has been a long wait, but it's worth it."
Left in limbo by a two-day storm, the Phillies seesawed to their first championship since 1980. Pedro Feliz singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and Lidge closed out his perfect season to deliver the title Philly craved for so long.
Cheesesteaks, on the house.
"Who's the world champion?" manager Charlie Manuel asked the gleeful crowd during a 90-minute postgame ceremony that lasted longer than Wednesday night's action.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that President Bush talked to David Montgomery, the Phillies' president, on Thursday morning. She said he "offered his congratulations and said how exciting it must be for him, the team, and for all of the fans."
Perino said that Bush also noted that Manuel had brought some of the players by the White House last year, and said he was "really impressed" by them. She said Bush asked Montgomery "to give Charlie and the entire organization his best."
Bundled in parkas and blankets, fans returned in force to Citizens Bank Park and saw the city claim its first major sports championship in 25 years. No more references needed to those sad-sack Phillies teams in the past and their 10,000-plus losses.
"They could taste it just as much as we could," Series MVP Cole Hamels said.
It was among the wackiest endings in baseball history, a best-of-seven series turned into a best-of-3 1/2 showdown when play resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning tied at 2.
Home Sweet Home
The Phillies became the fifth team to come home tied 1-1 and go on to win the World Series by taking three straight in their own park. The Cardinals were the last to do it, in 2006 against the Tigers. Here's a look:
Year Team
2008 Phillies
2006 Cardinals
1984 Tigers
1974 Athletics
1969 Mets
How bizarre? Hamels was a star in Game 5 -- and the ace never stepped on the mound Wednesday night; Two Rays relievers warmed up to start, and there was a pinch-hitter before a single pitch; "God Bless America" was sung rather than the national anthem, and it was quickly followed by the seventh-inning stretch.
All because the game was suspended Monday night after rain made the field into a quagmire, washing out the foul lines, creating a puddle at home plate and turning every ball an adventure. Commissioner Bud Selig eventually called it -- fans booed loudly when he presented the MVP trophy to Hamels.
For Philly, it was more than a World Series win. Got the whole city off the hook, actually.
Finally, long after Julius Erving led the Sixers to the 1983 NBA title, something to celebrate.
How much did Philly fans want a champion to call their own?
Well, the sports hero they point to with the most pride isn't even a real person -- Rocky Balboa.
Yo, Adrian ... the Phillies did it!
"It's over," shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. "It's over, man."
Fast Facts
• The Phillies scored two runs in the resumed portion of Game 5 to clinch their first World Series title since 1980 and second in team history.
• The win gives the city of Philadelphia its first major sports championship since 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title.
• The Phillies go 7-0 at home in the postseason. Since 1995, only the Phillies and 1999 Yankees have gone unbeaten at home in postseason and won the World Series.
• The Phillies closed the season hot. Including the postseason, they won 24 of 30 to end the year.
Lidge went 48-for-48 on save chances this year, including two this week. He retired two batters with a runner on second, striking out pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to end it.
Lidge jumped in front of the mound, landing on his knees with arms outstretched. Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out to grab him, and teammates sprinted to the mound to join them as towel-waving fans let loose.
"At first, I couldn't believe it. And then the gravity of what happened hit me," Lidge said.
A generation ago, it was Tug McGraw who went wild when the Phillies won their first title. A few days after country singer Tim McGraw scattered his dad's ashes on the mound, it was Lidge's turn to throw the final pitch.
Popular broadcaster Harry Kalas, in his fourth decade of doing Phillies games, serenaded the festive fans with a chorus of "High Hopes."
Despite low TV ratings and minus the majors' most glamorous teams, fans will always remember how this one wrapped up. And for the first time in a long while, kids saw a World Series champion crowned before bedtime.
"I believe this firmly, our guys are not going to be satisfied without playing in October from now on," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "And that's a good thing. And that's all because of this group of people this year."
Reliever J.C. Romero got the win, his second of the Series.
Hamels went 4-0 in five postseason starts, beating the Rays in Game 1 and pitching six sharp innings in the rain during Game 5. He was set to be the first batter when the game resumed, and was immediately pulled for a pinch-hitter.
While former NL MVPs Ryan Howard and Rollins drive the Phillies, it was their less-heralded teammates who helped win it on this chilly night. Closing It Out
Phillies closer Brad Lidge was 41-for-41 on save opportunities in the regular season. He stayed perfect in the postseason and equaled the NL record for saves. Here's a look:
Most Saves by NL Pitcher
Single Postseason Year, Player Team Saves
2008, Brad Lidge* Phillies 7
2002, Robb Nen Giants 7
2007, Manny Corpas Rockies 5
1996, Mark Wohlers Braves 5
*Won the World Series
Tied at 3, Pat Burrell led off the seventh with a drive off the center-field wall against J.P. Howell. Chad Bradford relieved and one out later Feliz singled home pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett.
Rocco Baldelli's solo home run off Ryan Madson made it 3-all in the top of the seventh. The Rays almost got more, but All-Star second baseman Chase Utley alertly bluffed a throw to first on a grounder over the bag and instead threw out Jason Bartlett at the plate.
Pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins, the first batter Wednesday night, doubled and later scored on Jayson Werth's bloop single.
In all, there were six new pitchers, three pinch-hitters and two pinch-runners when play restarted.
Manuel, whose NL East champions clinched a playoff spot in the final week, guided the Phillies' second overall championship in six World Series tries. The Phils helped themselves by going 7-0 at home this postseason, beating Milwaukee and the Dodgers in the NL playoffs and then defeating the Rays.
"I always thought we'd win the World Series. I knew we could beat anyone in the league," Manuel said.
Once known as a city of champions, Philadelphia saw its sports teams fall on hard times after Erving and Moses Malone led the Sixers to that 1983 title.
Since then, the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers made it to the championship game or round -- seven times, in total -- and lost all of them.
The city became so starved for a crown that it was ready to throw a parade down Broad Street for a horse. But local colt Smarty Jones lost, too, in his bid for the Triple Crown.
Now, all those people can gather for the celebration Friday -- it's Halloween, and fans can dress up as champions for Halloween.
"People enjoy being associated with winning and a world championship is the ultimate," Mike Schmidt, MVP of the Phillies' other championship, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press this week. "It unites a town behind one team."
Tampa Bay did itself proud, too, until this final week. Baseball's best success story this season, the worst-to-first Rays played like the downtrodden Devil Rays from the past decade.
Even so, the gap between the Phils and Rays wasn't enormous. Had Evan Longoria's late, long drive off Moyer in Game 3 not been blown back by the wind, the teams might still be playing.
Game notes
The World Series failed to make it to a Game 6 for the fifth straight year, the first time that's happened. ... Burrell went 1-for-14 in the five games. ... Howell put down the first sacrifice bunt of his career.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Lidge and the Phillies close out Rays, earn World Series title
10-29-8
PHILADELPHIA -- Save the jokes, the taunts and all those insults about the losingest team in sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies just won themselves a World Series.
If that sounds strange, it was strange.
Nearly 50 hours after Game 5 started but was stopped by rain, Brad Lidge and the Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint Wednesday night.
"It was a crazy way to win it with a suspended game, but we did and it's over," 45-year-old Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer said. "It has been a long wait, but it's worth it."
Left in limbo by a two-day storm, the Phillies seesawed to their first championship since 1980. Pedro Feliz singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and Lidge closed out his perfect season to deliver the title Philly craved for so long.
Cheesesteaks, on the house.
"Who's the world champion?" manager Charlie Manuel asked the gleeful crowd during a 90-minute postgame ceremony that lasted longer than Wednesday night's action.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that President Bush talked to David Montgomery, the Phillies' president, on Thursday morning. She said he "offered his congratulations and said how exciting it must be for him, the team, and for all of the fans."
Perino said that Bush also noted that Manuel had brought some of the players by the White House last year, and said he was "really impressed" by them. She said Bush asked Montgomery "to give Charlie and the entire organization his best."
Bundled in parkas and blankets, fans returned in force to Citizens Bank Park and saw the city claim its first major sports championship in 25 years. No more references needed to those sad-sack Phillies teams in the past and their 10,000-plus losses.
"They could taste it just as much as we could," Series MVP Cole Hamels said.
It was among the wackiest endings in baseball history, a best-of-seven series turned into a best-of-3 1/2 showdown when play resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning tied at 2.
Home Sweet Home
The Phillies became the fifth team to come home tied 1-1 and go on to win the World Series by taking three straight in their own park. The Cardinals were the last to do it, in 2006 against the Tigers. Here's a look:
Year Team
2008 Phillies
2006 Cardinals
1984 Tigers
1974 Athletics
1969 Mets
How bizarre? Hamels was a star in Game 5 -- and the ace never stepped on the mound Wednesday night; Two Rays relievers warmed up to start, and there was a pinch-hitter before a single pitch; "God Bless America" was sung rather than the national anthem, and it was quickly followed by the seventh-inning stretch.
All because the game was suspended Monday night after rain made the field into a quagmire, washing out the foul lines, creating a puddle at home plate and turning every ball an adventure. Commissioner Bud Selig eventually called it -- fans booed loudly when he presented the MVP trophy to Hamels.
For Philly, it was more than a World Series win. Got the whole city off the hook, actually.
Finally, long after Julius Erving led the Sixers to the 1983 NBA title, something to celebrate.
How much did Philly fans want a champion to call their own?
Well, the sports hero they point to with the most pride isn't even a real person -- Rocky Balboa.
Yo, Adrian ... the Phillies did it!
"It's over," shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. "It's over, man."
Fast Facts
• The Phillies scored two runs in the resumed portion of Game 5 to clinch their first World Series title since 1980 and second in team history.
• The win gives the city of Philadelphia its first major sports championship since 1983, when the 76ers won the NBA title.
• The Phillies go 7-0 at home in the postseason. Since 1995, only the Phillies and 1999 Yankees have gone unbeaten at home in postseason and won the World Series.
• The Phillies closed the season hot. Including the postseason, they won 24 of 30 to end the year.
Lidge went 48-for-48 on save chances this year, including two this week. He retired two batters with a runner on second, striking out pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to end it.
Lidge jumped in front of the mound, landing on his knees with arms outstretched. Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out to grab him, and teammates sprinted to the mound to join them as towel-waving fans let loose.
"At first, I couldn't believe it. And then the gravity of what happened hit me," Lidge said.
A generation ago, it was Tug McGraw who went wild when the Phillies won their first title. A few days after country singer Tim McGraw scattered his dad's ashes on the mound, it was Lidge's turn to throw the final pitch.
Popular broadcaster Harry Kalas, in his fourth decade of doing Phillies games, serenaded the festive fans with a chorus of "High Hopes."
Despite low TV ratings and minus the majors' most glamorous teams, fans will always remember how this one wrapped up. And for the first time in a long while, kids saw a World Series champion crowned before bedtime.
"I believe this firmly, our guys are not going to be satisfied without playing in October from now on," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "And that's a good thing. And that's all because of this group of people this year."
Reliever J.C. Romero got the win, his second of the Series.
Hamels went 4-0 in five postseason starts, beating the Rays in Game 1 and pitching six sharp innings in the rain during Game 5. He was set to be the first batter when the game resumed, and was immediately pulled for a pinch-hitter.
While former NL MVPs Ryan Howard and Rollins drive the Phillies, it was their less-heralded teammates who helped win it on this chilly night. Closing It Out
Phillies closer Brad Lidge was 41-for-41 on save opportunities in the regular season. He stayed perfect in the postseason and equaled the NL record for saves. Here's a look:
Most Saves by NL Pitcher
Single Postseason Year, Player Team Saves
2008, Brad Lidge* Phillies 7
2002, Robb Nen Giants 7
2007, Manny Corpas Rockies 5
1996, Mark Wohlers Braves 5
*Won the World Series
Tied at 3, Pat Burrell led off the seventh with a drive off the center-field wall against J.P. Howell. Chad Bradford relieved and one out later Feliz singled home pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett.
Rocco Baldelli's solo home run off Ryan Madson made it 3-all in the top of the seventh. The Rays almost got more, but All-Star second baseman Chase Utley alertly bluffed a throw to first on a grounder over the bag and instead threw out Jason Bartlett at the plate.
Pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins, the first batter Wednesday night, doubled and later scored on Jayson Werth's bloop single.
In all, there were six new pitchers, three pinch-hitters and two pinch-runners when play restarted.
Manuel, whose NL East champions clinched a playoff spot in the final week, guided the Phillies' second overall championship in six World Series tries. The Phils helped themselves by going 7-0 at home this postseason, beating Milwaukee and the Dodgers in the NL playoffs and then defeating the Rays.
"I always thought we'd win the World Series. I knew we could beat anyone in the league," Manuel said.
Once known as a city of champions, Philadelphia saw its sports teams fall on hard times after Erving and Moses Malone led the Sixers to that 1983 title.
Since then, the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers made it to the championship game or round -- seven times, in total -- and lost all of them.
The city became so starved for a crown that it was ready to throw a parade down Broad Street for a horse. But local colt Smarty Jones lost, too, in his bid for the Triple Crown.
Now, all those people can gather for the celebration Friday -- it's Halloween, and fans can dress up as champions for Halloween.
"People enjoy being associated with winning and a world championship is the ultimate," Mike Schmidt, MVP of the Phillies' other championship, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press this week. "It unites a town behind one team."
Tampa Bay did itself proud, too, until this final week. Baseball's best success story this season, the worst-to-first Rays played like the downtrodden Devil Rays from the past decade.
Even so, the gap between the Phils and Rays wasn't enormous. Had Evan Longoria's late, long drive off Moyer in Game 3 not been blown back by the wind, the teams might still be playing.
Game notes
The World Series failed to make it to a Game 6 for the fifth straight year, the first time that's happened. ... Burrell went 1-for-14 in the five games. ... Howell put down the first sacrifice bunt of his career.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Indianapolis lands 2012 Super Bowl
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=414004
Indianapolis lands 2012 Super Bowl
May 20, 2008
Sporting News staff reports
The Indianapolis Colts will have home-field advantage should they make it into Super Bowl 46.
Overshadowed by the labor vote, NFL owners also voted Tuesday to grant the 2012 Super Bowl -- if there's no work stoppage -- to Indianapolis. Arizona and Houston were the other finalists in a competition that usually goes to warm-weather cities. The next two Super Bowls are in Tampa and in South Florida.
Indianapolis narrowly lost a bid last May to host the 2011 Super Bowl. Indianapolis will be the fourth Super Bowl in a cold-weather city. Detroit has hosted two Super Bowls, and Minneapolis has hosted one.
Part of the Indianapolis' bid includes a pledge by the city to build a practice facility downtown that will be left in place for local residents to use.
Associated Press contributed to this report
Indianapolis lands 2012 Super Bowl
May 20, 2008
Sporting News staff reports
The Indianapolis Colts will have home-field advantage should they make it into Super Bowl 46.
Overshadowed by the labor vote, NFL owners also voted Tuesday to grant the 2012 Super Bowl -- if there's no work stoppage -- to Indianapolis. Arizona and Houston were the other finalists in a competition that usually goes to warm-weather cities. The next two Super Bowls are in Tampa and in South Florida.
Indianapolis narrowly lost a bid last May to host the 2011 Super Bowl. Indianapolis will be the fourth Super Bowl in a cold-weather city. Detroit has hosted two Super Bowls, and Minneapolis has hosted one.
Part of the Indianapolis' bid includes a pledge by the city to build a practice facility downtown that will be left in place for local residents to use.
Associated Press contributed to this report
Friday, February 22, 2008
With the roof closed
http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/02/with-the-roof-c.htmlFebruary 19, 2008
With the roof closed
The Tampa Bay Rays released a new image of their proposed $450-million waterfront ballpark with the roof closed. Critics of the proposal had been pushing a picture with a yellow roof. The Rays response is a translucent white.
-- Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Testaverde says goodbye in Tampa
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071231/COLUMNIST20/712310592/1006/SPORTS
Dec 31, 2007
Doug Fernandes
Testaverde says goodbye in Tampa
TAMPA
The game was nearly over. One take-a-knee later, a football life well spent most certainly was.
With 35 seconds left Sunday, the top statistical quarterback in Tampa Bay Bucs history trotted onto the field to a nice ovation from what remained of a Raymond James Stadium crowd.
Frank Vincent Testaverde wasn't asked to do much. Just accept the snap from his Carolina Panthers center, drop to one knee, hang out until the scoreboard clock clicked zero.
The end to a meaningless game. The end to a meaningful career.
In the city where it all started, 21 years ago.
"It's the least we could do," Panthers head coach John Fox said.
It's called symmetry.
"I think the last time I was here, it was a little more booing," said the 44-year-old one-time Heisman Trophy winner, the anticipated savior of a troubled franchise who couldn't quite save enough.
"They were cheering a little bit for me today and I appreciate it. It's a great way to go out, a great way to end your career."
As a boy, growing up in Brooklyn. Vinny Testaverde played football in his back yard. In those games with his neighborhood chums, he dreamed he was Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw and "Mean Joe" Greene.
"It's hard to believe that that's what I became," he said, "and it's even harder to believe that I played for so long."
So long leading up to Sunday's official "so long." Testaverde started playing when a former actor occupied the White House, the Berlin Wall was still a wall, a cell phone was the approximate size of a brick.
Twenty-one years, covering seven teams, two Pro Bowl appearances, more than 46,000 yards passing, more than 270 touchdown throws, more than 3,700 completions.
Right up there among the league's all-time top 10. Right up there with guys named Marino, Elway and Favre.
In Vinny's prime, he could throw a football as well as guys named Marino, Elway and Favre.
But this season wasn't his prime, and when a bum Achilles' led to back problems, the oldest starting quarterback ever to win a game realized it was time to stop flipping over the hourglass.
"I just feel at 44 years old, the body is not holding up like it used to," he said. "I had a couple of nagging injuries this year, and just mentally and physically, I felt it was time.
"I'm at peace with myself that I am retiring. I'm happy that I was able to play so long and a little bit sad because I'm giving up doing what I did for so long and something I loved doing for so long."
Testaverde didn't love doing it all the time. Couldn't have, because he wasn't good doing it all the time.
Rewind to Tampa Bay and all those crummy teams, all those 5-11 records.
Rewind to a head coach, Ray Perkins, either unwilling or incapable of nurturing the young Vinny. Nearly four seasons performing in a no-hug environment.
And you know what? Vinny said all those tough times forged a tough quarterback. And man.
"I probably wouldn't have played as long," he said. "I learned a lot. I learned how to be tough, and that's what this game needs. I appreciate going through it. I think I became a better player for it, and certainly a better person."
Testaverde played in Tampa without worrying about fulfilling the expectations placed upon him by others. He remembered what one of his former head coaches, Bill Parcells, said about pressure.
"People react to pressure either negatively or positively," he said. "I felt like when the pressure was on, I reacted in a positive way, for the most part. Otherwise, I feel like I wouldn't have been here for so long, playing this game."
Now that he won't be playing, Testaverde will have time to fill. A move back to Tampa with his wife and three children will take up some. Days on the golf course will occupy more. Happily so.
Eventually, he'd like to work with athletes and fitness. Help them improve in whatever their chosen sport.
If his football life is any indication, Vinny Testaverde is destined for a lengthy second career.
Dec 31, 2007
Doug Fernandes
Testaverde says goodbye in Tampa
TAMPA
The game was nearly over. One take-a-knee later, a football life well spent most certainly was.
With 35 seconds left Sunday, the top statistical quarterback in Tampa Bay Bucs history trotted onto the field to a nice ovation from what remained of a Raymond James Stadium crowd.
Frank Vincent Testaverde wasn't asked to do much. Just accept the snap from his Carolina Panthers center, drop to one knee, hang out until the scoreboard clock clicked zero.
The end to a meaningless game. The end to a meaningful career.
In the city where it all started, 21 years ago.
"It's the least we could do," Panthers head coach John Fox said.
It's called symmetry.
"I think the last time I was here, it was a little more booing," said the 44-year-old one-time Heisman Trophy winner, the anticipated savior of a troubled franchise who couldn't quite save enough.
"They were cheering a little bit for me today and I appreciate it. It's a great way to go out, a great way to end your career."
As a boy, growing up in Brooklyn. Vinny Testaverde played football in his back yard. In those games with his neighborhood chums, he dreamed he was Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw and "Mean Joe" Greene.
"It's hard to believe that that's what I became," he said, "and it's even harder to believe that I played for so long."
So long leading up to Sunday's official "so long." Testaverde started playing when a former actor occupied the White House, the Berlin Wall was still a wall, a cell phone was the approximate size of a brick.
Twenty-one years, covering seven teams, two Pro Bowl appearances, more than 46,000 yards passing, more than 270 touchdown throws, more than 3,700 completions.
Right up there among the league's all-time top 10. Right up there with guys named Marino, Elway and Favre.
In Vinny's prime, he could throw a football as well as guys named Marino, Elway and Favre.
But this season wasn't his prime, and when a bum Achilles' led to back problems, the oldest starting quarterback ever to win a game realized it was time to stop flipping over the hourglass.
"I just feel at 44 years old, the body is not holding up like it used to," he said. "I had a couple of nagging injuries this year, and just mentally and physically, I felt it was time.
"I'm at peace with myself that I am retiring. I'm happy that I was able to play so long and a little bit sad because I'm giving up doing what I did for so long and something I loved doing for so long."
Testaverde didn't love doing it all the time. Couldn't have, because he wasn't good doing it all the time.
Rewind to Tampa Bay and all those crummy teams, all those 5-11 records.
Rewind to a head coach, Ray Perkins, either unwilling or incapable of nurturing the young Vinny. Nearly four seasons performing in a no-hug environment.
And you know what? Vinny said all those tough times forged a tough quarterback. And man.
"I probably wouldn't have played as long," he said. "I learned a lot. I learned how to be tough, and that's what this game needs. I appreciate going through it. I think I became a better player for it, and certainly a better person."
Testaverde played in Tampa without worrying about fulfilling the expectations placed upon him by others. He remembered what one of his former head coaches, Bill Parcells, said about pressure.
"People react to pressure either negatively or positively," he said. "I felt like when the pressure was on, I reacted in a positive way, for the most part. Otherwise, I feel like I wouldn't have been here for so long, playing this game."
Now that he won't be playing, Testaverde will have time to fill. A move back to Tampa with his wife and three children will take up some. Days on the golf course will occupy more. Happily so.
Eventually, he'd like to work with athletes and fitness. Help them improve in whatever their chosen sport.
If his football life is any indication, Vinny Testaverde is destined for a lengthy second career.
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