How Many Quarterbacks Are Enough?

Up until he hurt his elbow, early in the 1st quarter, San Francisco quarterback phenom Brock Purdy was passing successfully 100% of the time.  He ended the game the same way he started it, stats wise.  3 for 3 for 22 yards.  

For those who haven't been following the made-for-tv-movie that has been the 49'ers' season.  Brock Purdy was the very last player chosen in last year's NFL draft.  That earned him the title of Mr. Irrelevant. He sat on the bench, watching 2021's third round pick, Trey Lance start..... for exactly two games..... when an ankle injury sent him to the hospital.

Jimmy Garoppolo, the handsome, merely-adequate, former 49er's starter, came back to the lead the team,  and did a stellar job ...... until he injured his foot in week 13.... in the middle of a game.... in which the 9'ers were behind.  

Enter Mr. Irrelevant, a 4-year starter at Iowa State.  He led the team to victory after victory after victory - seven in a row - until, in the NFC Championship game today, he hurt his elbow and had to leave the game.

They were down to Josh Johnson, a 36 year old journeyman quarterback, who lasted until the start of the second half when, unprotected once again, his head hit the turf and the concussion protocol sent him to the bench, too.

And then there were none.

Running back Christian McCaffrey was fitting a helmet that could receive the signals from the sidelines as Brock Purdy took his unable-to-throw self back onto the field, finishing a game that should've been called for who-wants-to-watch-this-reasons alone when Purdy went down.  

It was an ugly way to end a promising season.  My boys were delighted that their team had reached this game; they would have been satisfied with a well-fought loss.  Instead, Big Cuter turned off his tv and went for a walk, which was exactly what I suggested to his father five seconds before the kid called to prove that the mother-son bond is unbreakable.... and that a change of venue was the only way to salvage the afternoon.

I mean, really, how many back up quarterbacks does one team need?