The Hunt Down

Name: Brooks Bollinger Preface: as has been discussed in this space before, very few athletes are more popular in Minnesota than the 2nd-string quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. One of those select few is, naturally, the 3rd-string quarterback, as his flaws and inexperience are even more unknown to the public-at-large, which means that HE MAY BE THE ONE THAT WILL GET US TO THE SUPER BOWL FIRE CHILDRESS NOW. So, before the "Hey, let's see what Joe Webb can do" sentiment leads to the dangerous thinking that was decisively disproven by the Spergon Wynn Fallacy ("If two opposing forces meet head-on, and your best option at quarterback is Spergon Wynn, you are galactically screwed"), let us remember another 3rd-string QB of more recent vintage. Claim to Fame, Minnesota: Bollinger was acquired via trade from the New York Jets in 2006, and he was reunited with his offensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin, Brad "Fire" Childress "NOW," and he entered the 2007 season as the 3rd-string QB behind Tarvaris Jackson and Kelly Holcomb. He got the chance to just let Brooks Bollinger be Brooks Bollinger against the Packers in Week 10 that season. As this Strib game story from current ESPN writer Kevin Seifert notes, the results were lacking in consistency, constancy or visible order. Wait a Minute, We're Playing the Packers This Week, and It's Our 10th Game: You see where I'm going with this? But It's Really Week 11, So FIRE CHILDRESS AND START JOE WEBB ONWARDS TO VICTORY: sigh. Let's just move on. Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: Bollinger grew up on the mean streets of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and was the starting quarterback for that city's Central High School, perhaps best known for its student newspaper, the Centralian, and the many fine editors it has had over the years. He would go on to be a four-year starter for the Badgers and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1999. Where He Is Now: after being cut by the Lions before the 2009 season, he caught on with the UFL's Florida Tuskers, leading them to the UFL title game, and becoming the league's inaugural MVP. This year, the Bollinger-led Tuskers are sitting at 4-3, and looking to lock down a spot in their second consecutive title game by defeating Jeff Garcia and the Omaha Nighthawks on Friday night. You don't just go into Rosenblatt Stadium and beat the Nighthawks when they're playing Nighthawks football, so it should be a good one. Is He On Twitter: no. Glorious Randomness: the Tuskers roster is brimming with ex-Vikings, as Bollinger is joined by Patrick Chukwurah, Maurice Hicks, J Leman, Darrion Scott, and Jermaine Wiggins.