Testaverde says he's returning for 21st season

Jul/19/07 12:53 PM

Although there has been no confirmation from New England officials, quarterback Vinny Testaverde said during a national radio appearance Friday that he will sign with the Patriots during training camp, and return to the NFL for a 21st season.

Testaverde, 43, signed a one-year contract with the Patriots last November and played in three games, completing two of three passes for 29 yards, with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. He has spent this spring and summer as an unrestricted free agent, but took part in the Pats' passing camps and in the three-day minicamp last month.

"After two-a-days are over, I'll go back and sign my contract," Testaverde told Sporting News Radio. "I'll wait until then."

If a deal is consummated, it would likely be a one-year contract for the minimum base salary of $820,000, and it would come as no surprise. Coach Bill Belichick, who is on vacation, is an admirer of Testaverde, and the team has maintained his locker in the offseason.

Vinny Testaverde Update

Jun/06/07 09:36 AM

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde was on the field again yesterday with the Patriots, although he remains unsigned by the team. The 20-year veteran spent the second half of last season as the Pats’ third quarterback, and got to extend his league record for consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass when he connected with Brown against Tennessee in the regular-season finale. Belichick was mum on Testaverde’s future with New England: “He’s an unrestricted free agent who is participating in our offseason program,” he said.

(boston.com)

Patriots Notebook: Testaverde not retired yet

May/31/07 10:13 AM

Vinny Testaverde is taking part in the Patriots passing camp this week, and it's not merely for kicks or to help out coach Bill Belichick.

According to Mike Azzarelli, a close friend and associate of the quarterback, the 43-year-old Testaverde has not hung up his cleats, nor does he have any plans to do so. He's looking for work. He's looking to add a 21st season to his distinguished resume.

``He's not retired. I doubt he'd be hanging out,'' Azzarelli said when asked about Testaverde's appearance in Foxboro this week participating in passing camp, which is part of the team's Organized Team Activities.

``He's intent on playing.''

Was anything in the works in terms of a contract?

``I can't comment on that,'' said Azzarelli, who had previously served as Testaverde's agent. Azzarelli is no longer an agent, per se, but continues to work for Testaverde.

Testaverde plans to play

May/23/07 09:56 AM

Vinny Testaverde is taking part in Patriots [team stats] passing camp this week, not merely for kicks or to help out coach Bill Belichick.

According to Mike Azzarelli, a close friend and associate of the quarterback’s, the 43-year-old Testaverde has not hung up his cleats, nor does he have any plans to do so. He’s looking for work. He’s looking to add a 21st season to his distinguished resume.

“He’s not retired. I doubt he’d be hanging out,” said Azzarelli when asked about Testaverde’s appearance in Foxboro this week. “He’s intent on playing.”

Vinny Testaverde Update

May/22/07 09:02 AM

Veteran free agent quarterback Vinny Testaverde was spotted yesterday at Gillette Stadium, and while he has not signed with the team, he apparently plans to spend the next few weeks with the club. Testaverde, who joined the Patriots last November, still had his locker at Gillette Stadium as of last week. Testaverde's presence is likely tied to the fact the Patriots are holding Organized Team Activities over the next two weeks. They have three quarterbacks on the roster: Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and rookie free agent Matt Gutierrez.

(boston.com)

One for the ring for Testaverde

Jan/21/07 04:45 PM

INDIANAPOLIS - After 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Vinny Testaverde has a rather modest goal for tonight's game.
"I'd love to take a knee. I wouldn't need to do anything more."

Take the snap from center Dan Koppen, drop his knee, count his blessings and try not to smile too broadly behind his facemask.

Take a knee and watch the scoreboard clock in the RCA Dome count off the final seconds to tonight's AFC championship game. Take a knee and watch the celebration on the New England sideline. The game has been won.

Take a knee and realize for the first time in a very long career that he's going to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady may throw the winning touchdown pass or Corey Dillon could run in the winning touchdown.

Vinny’s game contribution is ’priceless’

Jan/20/07 11:43 AM

The NFL’s oldest quarterback, Vinny Testaverde [stats], will see some action during tomorrow’s big game - about 30 seconds of action.

MasterCard plans to break a new television commercial featuring the backup quarterback fetching snacks for an unnamed coach during the AFC Championship faceoff between the New England Patriots [team stats] and the Indianapolis Colts.

In the humorous ad, Testaverde, in full uniform and carrying his helmet, is sent on a mission to get nachos, peanuts and soda from a concession stand inside a stadium. Turning to leave, he gets a call from his coach asking him to pick up ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. As he heads off, he gets another call to pick up a cheeseburger and a diet soda.

Vinny having a Super time

Jan/19/07 08:15 AM

FOXBOROUGH - Vinny Testaverde has been chasing the dream for nearly half his life, and now he's only one win away from reaching it - the Super Bowl.

"I watch it every year, and every year I think, 'It got away from me again,'" Testaverde said yesterday in front of his locker at Gillette Stadium. "Hopefully, this year will be a little different."

If the Patriots defeat the Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, Testaverde, 43, will reach the Super Bowl for the first time in his 20-year career. He came close in 1998, falling to the Broncos in the AFC title game - a game the Jets led in the third quarter. The loss still haunts him.

Testaverde suiting up for 1 more shot at first Super Bowl

Jan/18/07 11:16 PM

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -The clock ticks down to zero, confetti falls, the Super Bowl trophy is hoisted overhead by some other quarterback and Vinny Testaverde clicks off the television.

"Every year I watch it and I think, 'It got away from me again,''' the New England Patriots' third-string QB said Thursday as he prepped for the AFC championship game against Indianapolis. "I've always been on the outside, looking in. I've always wondered what the players went through. I think I'd enjoy that experience.''

Let others complain about the distractions and hype surrounding the Super Bowl. Testaverde would just like a chance to see what it's like after failing to make it to the NFL title game, so far, during an otherwise distinguished 20-year career.

VINNY GETS SHOT AT RING

Jan/15/07 02:51 PM

January 15, 2007 -- SAN DIEGO - Vinny Testaverde is 60 minutes away.

For the second time in his 19-year career, and first time since the 1998 AFC Championship game, Testaverde is 60 minutes from a shot at that elusive Super Bowl victory.

"I'm just excited; my whole deal coming back was an opportunity to hopefully win a ring, and we're one step closer," Testaverde said after Patriots 24, Chargers 21. "It's just a chance to enjoy an experience that I never had to enjoy."

Testaverde will be on the sidelines in the RCA Dome Sunday hoping Tom Brady can outduel Peyton Manning and can get him to Miami.

"You dream about it as a kid, and you have an opportunity to play in the NFL and that's your goal," Testaverde said. "Haven't had a lot of opportunities . . . the ones I have had have come up short, and right now this is the best chance I have."

VINNY'S TIME

Jan/08/07 07:06 PM

Former Jets starter Vinny Testaverde was given the honor of taking the final snap for the Patriots. Though designated the emergency quarterback, the 43-year-old veteran of 20 seasons came on for the game's final play, taking a knee at the Jets' 46-yard line.

(app.com)

Vinny violates his won Patriot 'Act'

Jan/07/07 01:53 PM

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Apparently, Bill Belichick doesn't hold grudges against everyone with a New York Jets association, past or present.

Take Vinny Testaverde, for instance. Belichick did just that when no one else wanted the 43-year-old avowed Jets fan who proudly wore the green-and-white for six seasons.

"One day, when I do retire, it'll be as a Jet. That's not a secret," Testaverde said this week. "But I enjoy playing the game and Bill and the Patriots have given me an opportunity to come here. My loyalty is to them this week and for the rest of the season."

Testaverde always a Jet at heart

Jan/07/07 01:48 PM

FOXBORO - To listen to Vinny Testaverde talk about his football career is to be reminded of a line from “West Side Story.”

“When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way . . .”

While Testaverde will be the Patriots [team stats]’ No. 3 quarterback in Sunday’s playoff showdown against the Jets at Gillette Stadium, the 20-year NFL veteran made it known yesterday that the Jets will always be near and dear to his heart.

“One day when I do retire, it will be as a Jet,” said Testaverde, who grew up on Long Island and played parts of seven seasons with the Jets. “That’s no secret.”

Vinny on mark: Late TD adds to record

Jan/01/07 12:16 PM

The Patriots [team stats] coach inserted 43-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde [stats] into a 33-23 game with two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the ball at the Tennessee 36-yard line. He then called three straight pass plays, enabling Testaverde to extend his own little piece of history.

Testaverde followed a 23-yard strike to Chad Jackson with a 6-yard score to Troy Brown [stats], giving Testaverde a touchdown pass for an NFL-record 20th straight season.

“That’s not why I came here,” Testaverde said. “I didn’t come here to throw another touchdown. I came here to get a ring.”

His teammates and coaches seemed pretty excited about the score. In a scene reminiscent of Doug Flutie’s dropkick during last year’s finale, the Patriots streamed onto the field following Testaverde’s toss. Belichick thrust both arms over his head.