NFL Jets bring back Testaverde as backup to third-stringer

Brooks Bollinger gets the start after the top two quarterbacks went down.
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- The desperate New York Jets brought back 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde Tuesday after starting quarterback Chad Pennington and his backup Jay Fiedler were lost for the season with shoulder injuries.
In turning to Testaverde, who played for the Jets from 1998-2003, the team hopes he can back up untested third-stringer Brooks Bollinger, who is scheduled to start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
"I'm excited, happy, nervous, anxious, all those feelings about playing for the Jets again," Testaverde said. "If I didn't have high expectations, I wouldn't come back here."
Out for season
Pennington and Fiedler were on the same flight to Alabama Tuesday to see Dr. James Andrews, the noted orthopedist who repaired Pennington's rotator cuff in February.
"I don't anticipate either of them being back this year," coach Herman Edwards said.
Pennington re-injured his right shoulder in the third quarter of Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to Jacksonville. Fiedler replaced Pennington, then went down early in the fourth period.
Edwards emphasized that Pennington's tear, revealed in an MRI exam Monday, damaged a different portion of his shoulder this time.
"It's tough, I anticipate he will be out for the season," Edwards said. "I've never been in the situation where you lose the No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks in a span of seven plays."
Felt bad for Pennington
Edwards felt particularly bad for Pennington because of what the quarterback went through earlier this year after playing injured for much of 2004.
"It is harder for me because we know all the work he has put into it," Edwards said. "The doctors had him on a schedule that got him back this season. What do you say to a guy about that?
"He'll do what he has to do to come back. But it is tough. He's a little down."
Testaverde, led the Jets to the 1998 AFC title game and was the starter before Pennington replaced him in 2002. He was with Dallas last year, but was not with any NFL team in 2005 -- until he called Edwards Monday, worked out Tuesday and was signed for the rest of the season.
"Vinny's a guy who has been here," Edwards said. "He's a good fit for us as far as he is in his comfort zone here, he knows me, we had a great relationship. He can throw the ball. He can get up at 3 in the morning and still throw an out [pattern] as well as anybody."
Looking for third QB
The Jets expected to sign a third quarterback later Tuesday.
Pennington's future might be in jeopardy after his career got off to such a promising start.
In 2002, Pennington replaced the ineffective Testaverde following a 1-3 start and led the Jets to the playoffs. Pennington led the NFL with a 104.2 passer rating and was on the fast track to revitalize a snakebitten franchise.
Then the injuries started. In 2003, he broke his wrist in the preseason and missed the first six regular season games. Nonetheless, the Jets gave him a $64 million contract before last season started, banking their future on him.
He hurt his shoulder in November, missed three games, but returned to lead the Jets back into the playoffs. Pennington played with the rotator cuff torn, and the team revealed the extent of the injury once the season ended.