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The leading NFL quarterback in victories in his first 50 starts is New England’s Tom Brady. Which means the photo research department at elliottharris.com should be scurrying to find a photo of his wife, model Gisele Bundchen, to accompany this item.
A photo of Tom Brady or Gisele Bundchen? Decisions, decisions.
OK, back to figures of a different kind.
Baltimore’s Joe Flacco is to make his 50th start Sunday against Tennessee. If the Ravens beat the Titans, he will tie San Diego’s Philip Rivers at 34 for the fourth-most victories among active QBs. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan also is at 33 (in 47 starts).
Active QBs with most victories in their first 50 starts:
Tom Brady: 38
Ben Roethlisberger: 36
Tony Romo: 35
Philip Rivers: 34
Donovan McNabb: 31
Michael Vick: 31
Speaking of Gisele’s husband, Brady passed for 517 yards, fifth-most in NFL history, in the season opener. He is one of only 11 QBs to have 500 yards in a game. The QB who passed for the most yards after a 500-yard game is New Orleans’ Drew Brees (349).
THE 500-YARD CLUB
Yards: Quarterback, team, season (following game)
554; Norm Van Brocklin, L.A. Rams, 1951 (129)
527: Warren Moon, Houston Oilers, 1990 (288)
522: Boomer Esiason, Arizona, 1996 (260)
521: Dan Marino, Miami, 1988 (266)
517: Tom Brady, New England, 2011 (???)
513: Phil Simms, N.Y. Giants, 1985 (196)
510: Drew Brees, New Orleans, 2006 (349)
509: Vince Ferragamo, L.A. Rams, 1982 (227)
505: Y.A. Tittle, N.Y. Giants, 1962 (172)
504: Elvis Grbac, Kansas City, 2000 (276)
503: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh, 2009 (259)
The state of the NFL? Try California. Certainly as far as the number of players on opening-day rosters this season are concerned. California has 226 players in the league. The city of the NFL? Miami leads the way.
STATES WITH MOST NFL PLAYERS
California: 226
Florida: 184
Texas: 183
Georgia: 90
Ohio: 85
Pennsylvania: 57
Louisiana: 53
New Jersey: 53
Virginia: 47
Alabama: 46
South Carolina: 45
Michigan: 43
North Carolina: 43
Illinois: 41
HOMETOWNS WITH MOST NFL PLAYERS
Miami: 27
Houston: 24
Los Angeles: 18
Dallas: 15
Cincinnati: 13
Detroit: 13
Jacksonville: 12
New Orleans: 11
Tampa: 11
Cleveland: 10
Indianapolis: 10
Pittsburgh: 10
Sacramento: 9