Tyler Palko is currently the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs. Please understand that, in this instance, currently is a fleeting term. As I type, Palko is in the midst of a three turnover (two interceptions, one fumble) performance in the first half of the Chiefs' battle against the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the newly-acquired Kyle Orton waiting in the wings, Palko has a shorter leash than any other "starting" quarterback in the NFL. I have "starting" in quotes because he's only the starter as a result of the season-ending injury to true No. 1 Matt Cassel.
Shane Falco, on the other hand, is the fictional starting quarterback of the Washington Sentinels from The Replacements. Fans across the globe have been buzzing about the errie similarities. Are these two QBs actually the same guy?
Shane Falco, on the other hand, is the fictional starting quarterback of the Washington Sentinels from The Replacements. Fans across the globe have been buzzing about the errie similarities. Are these two QBs actually the same guy?
Coincidences...Or Are They?
1. Their names.
Tyler Palko and Shane Falco? Really? You must've already noticed that.
Both names have 10 letters that are distributed equally into five-letter, first and last names. If that isn't enough, their last names legitimately rhyme. Palko and Falco; it really is pretty funny.
2. Their handedness.
Both Palko and Falco are left-handed quarterbacks, which is interesting because they are especially rare in today's NFL.
3. Their football situations.
Palko became the starter in Kansas City because the man in front of him (Cassel) went down. His opportunity hatched from someone else's absence.
The same can be said of Falco, who took over as the Sentinels' starting quarterback when No. 1 gunslinger Eddie Martel (played by Brett Cullen of Lost and The West Wing) went on strike along with the rest of Washington's top tier players. Freaky.
4. Their styles of play.
Neither Palko or Falco can be considered a pure pocket passer. Both lefties like to roll out and attempt to make plays on the run. Neither quarterback is known for stretching the field with regularity; they are more likely to connect on intermediate routes.
So what does all this mean? You wonder.
Well, it means exactly what you think it means...
The Kansas City Chiefs, a professional football franchise in the middle of a fight for the AFC West division title, have decided that a fictional quarterback played by a well-known actor with no real football experience gives them the best opportunity to win in the absence of starter Matt Cassel.
When Keanu Reeves declined the real-life role as Falco, the Chiefs handed the keys over to the closest thing, Mr. Palko.
Needless to say, it's not working out very well. I think I'd rather have Willie Beamen of the Miami Sharks.
(John Frascella is the author of Theo-logy: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land, the first book centered on famous GM Theo Epstein. If you are a website looking for contributions from John, please contact him at john.frascella@gmail.com.)
"went on strike along with the rest of Orlando's top tier players."
ReplyDeleteThey are from Washington. Who did the research for this? Was it the BULLDOG?
Lol thanks Meyer. Already updated that. It said Washington the first time. Orlando from Orlando Jones' name seeped into my subconscious.
ReplyDelete