Dear Gus, Please be Good – But Not Too Good

A few hours left until preseason game #3.  I can’t say my heart is pounding with anticipation, but at least there’s a sense of mild intrigue surrounding this particular contest.  The starters will likely play into the third quarter, giving us our best look yet at the revamped defense.  And we’re going to get a really long look at second-string QB Gus Frerotte, who is expected to start in place of injured Tarvaris Jackson.

Not that we don’t already know Gus – he was here before, he played well, he is widely credited with helping Daunte Culpepper.  But, in another sense, we don’t know Gus.  This is Gus a few years along the road after all.  The fact is, we don’t know how much Gus has left.  Tonight may give us a hint.  If his performance indicates that the sun is indeed setting on his career, then we have reason to worry.  Cause T-Jack is clearly fragile – in body and possibly in head (his refusal to slide during a preseason game does not speak well of his ability to learn).  And what if T-Jack does more than just sprain a ligament the next time?  What if he cracks his head open or tears up his knee?  Gus is all we have behind Jackson – and for all we know Gus is washed up.

So, I will watch tonight’s game with this mainly in mind:  I sure as hell hope Gus Frerotte looks good.  But not too good.  Cause the last thing we need now is a QB controversy.  Let Gus be just good enough to reassure us that we have a capable backup, but not so good that the dump Tarvaris lobby will have more ammo.  It would not be good for T-Jack’s confidence to have someone more established breathing down his neck.  All the Favre rumors were bad enough.  He doesn’t need to be glancing over his shoulder at the guy who’s supposed to be mentoring him and helping bring him along.  And besides, even if Gus does have something left, he’s old and is not the answer.  Tarvaris is the long-term answer.  The best thing for this franchise would be for Tarvaris Jackson to mature into the kind of QB you can go to war with for the next 5-7 years.  Let Gus have a nice little game for himself – but that’s all.