Regardless, it was obvious that the team was much, much better with a normal quarterback in the game. The plays to Schillens, Higgins, DHB, and then DHB again on the drop/pick are plays we just don’t typically see this year. And we definitely don’t see a critical scramble for nine yards.

I would have loved to see our team all year with a QB like that. The development of the receivers would be better, and my guess is that our won-loss would be 3-6 or 4-5. No, we likely wouldn’t be a playoff team. But we would compete and we would be respectable. And for those of us still paying attention, we would be much more fun to watch.

I was there yesterday, and you can tell that the diehards know the with Russell you don’t have any shot other than to get lucky on a big play. Sustained drives—forget it. No chance. So these fans take absolutely no joy when our offense is on the field. When Gradkowski is out there, we have a shot.

I hope he starts against Cinci with a week of practice. It will be interesting to see what we’re like with a below average or average quarterback rather than with one of the worst quarterbacks in the history of the league.