It's the classic dilemma coaches love to face. Two players at the same position, each with superfluous merits to start. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
In the next few weeks, two coaches of teams on the playoff bubble will square down this problem. It has already started in Boston, as the New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichek has to decide on a quarterback.
Almost the entire city has jumped on the Tom Brady bandwagon, as he has been at the helm for all five of the Pats wins. Under Brady, New England has gone 5-2, and under three-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Pats were 0-2.
Before now, there was no controversy. Bledsoe suffered a "sheared" blood vessel in his chest cavity after a hit he endured in the second game of the season against the New York Jets, and was on the sidelines for the past seven games.
But he's been cleared to play by the New England medical staff, which means Belichek has a decision on his hands as the team gets set to host the St. Louis Rams on national TV Sunday night. He has decided to put off the controversy for at least a week, announcing that he will start Brady this Sunday in one of the most important games the team will play this season.
The real debate will start on Monday morning. There are a number of scenarios for Belichek to consider before deciding who will start the following week. There is something to be said for sticking with the hot player, and Brady has been that.
The second-year man out of Michigan hasn't put up Kurt Warner level numbers, but he's getting the job done. He's thrown for 1426 yards in just over seven games, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Four of those picks came in the fourth quarter of one of his losses - to the Denver Broncos.
There's also something to be said for not losing your job to injury, which is what Bledsoe is undergoing. Though most of the region has turned against the veteran, his numbers haven't been as porous as most sports-talk callers would declare. Bledsoe completed nearly 60 percent of his passes despite being chased most of the time. He was sacked 44 times last year, but still threw for over 3,000 yards. His 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions ratio is below average, but again, not as bad as many claim.
The fact of the matter is that Bledsoe is still one of the top throwers in football. He may not have the versatility of a Donovan McNabb, but he never has, and for that matter, neither does Brady. For now, Brady is the man, but if the team is going to make a serious push at the playoffs, it might have to be with Bledsoe. But if they do put him back in the huddle, the Pats need to be sure to design their offense for his strengths. He can't be allowed to hold the ball too long in the pocket and he should be encouraged to use the speed of his receiving corps.
Belichek has it much tougher than Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who will have to make a choice between two running backs in a few weeks. At least Holmgren can play both at once, if he wants. Veteran Ricky Watters is the only player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season with three different teams. Watters was on his way to another solid season, rushing for 191 yards in the first two games of the season, before injuring his shoulder early in the third contest.
Two years ago, Seattle drafted Shaun Alexander out of Alabama with the idea of grooming him for a few years until Watters retired. It appears Alexander has been groomed enough. He has filled in for Watters and become one of the top backs in the NFL.
In his first performance as a starter he went for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, he rushed for 266 yards and three scores. The 266 yards are the fourth most ever in an NFL game.
So what does Holmgren do?
It is a hard read. Early in the season, Holmgren's quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, got injured and was replaced by Trent Dilfer, who won the Super Bowl last year with the Baltimore Ravens. Dilfer enjoyed success, but as soon as Hasselbeck was healthy, he was inserted back in the lineup. The move paid off, as Hasselbeck looked good in Seattle's win over the Oakland Raiders last Sunday night.
But Alexander is not as easily replaceable. Like Hasselbeck, Alexander represents the future of this organization. The two of them, plus young receivers Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson, could end up being one of the best offenses in the league in a few years. And if Alexander is effective now, it makes sense for the Hawks to ride his shoulders the rest of the season.
That will be a tough sell to a proud veteran like Watters, though.
It's a problem coaches love to have, but it's still a problem.
The good
Three players scored three touchdowns each on Sunday, which was good for both their teams and fantasy football owners. Aside from Alexander's 266 and three, Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 174 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, the league's top running back, New York Jets' Curtis Martin dashed for 113 yards and three touchdowns.
Each player is crucial to his team's success the rest of the season. Alexander is doing a yeoman's job filling in for Watters, Harrison is now the Colts' best offensive option since running back Edgerrin James is out for the year, and Martin is the only offense the Jets have.
The bad
Bad news for the Colts is the health status of James. The Pro-Bowl running back tore ligament in his left knee two weeks ago, and will be out for at least two more weeks. Sources close to the team, though, worry that his services might be lost for the season.
To add injury to injury, quarterback Peyton Manning broke his jaw in last Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. He's tough, though, and won't miss a shift.
The ugly
Billy Joel. Great musician, but he's kind of short, fat, and bald.
