Has Chris Redman Ressurrected His Career?

That's a question worth pondering right now. Having to step in for injured Matt Ryan, Redman has shown many of the physical tools he displayed in his stellar college career. Those tools resulted in his being selected 75th overall in the 2000 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He left college throwing and completing more passes than anyone in NCAA Division I history. 

A recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award and Conference USA Player of the Year, his skill set was determined. He was a fantastic passer. He started six games in three years with the Ravens and managed seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

During those three seasons, Redman had severe back problems. He was injured his rookie season and was never the same.

He bounced from team to team afterwards eventually signing with the Arena Football League before a phone call came in from then Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino.

With time during the season to support his family, he went into the insurance business. He kept his arm warm and persisted with his dream to play football as a career. That phone call from Petrino changed his life.

"After a couple of years you have your doubts. I didn't know if I was going to play this game again," Redman said. "But I think that was a good thing for me. Now I don't take anything for granted. Everything that happens I look at as a blessing."

"Last year at this time, I think this very day, I was cold-calling a plumbing company -- walking into a place I had no clue about trying to sell somebody insurance," he said. "Now I get a chance to play. It definitely was a big change."

So Redman was back in the NFL. His wounds had been given time to heal and he was prepared to do whatever it took to hold on to his dream.

If nothing else, he has an interesting story for Hollywood some day. As a result of the Falcons trade of Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans, Redman was given another chance in the league. Overshadowed by the trade, the eventual indictment of Michael Vick and cowardly departure of Bobby Petrino, Redman is still a Falcon. And he's playing like a man fighting for his place in the sport he loves.

He finished the final four games of 2007 with the Falcons and posted some pretty impressive results. During that time he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and ended the season with a 90.6 passer rating.

When now head coach Mike Smith took over coaching duties, he retained the veteran as the backup and mentor to his rookie selection Matt Ryan. Once again, Redman was cast in the shadows. Certainly he was a capable quarterback, but Matt Ryans only come around so often. Management decided to gamble on Ryan rather than address the more pressing defensive needs and it paid off.

But where did that leave Redman? Would he play out his two-year contract and once again disappear into obscurity? Did he keep that insurance license as a back-up plan?

"I don't have to help [Ryan]," Redman said, "but it's the way I am. If a young guy comes in, you help him. I was fortunate to have good quarterbacks when I was in Baltimore. Trent Dilfer helped me out a bunch. It was just the way that I was coached."

People often credit those in command for the success of others. Last season, the press laid praise for the maturity and poise of Rookie of the Year winner Matty "Ice" Ryan on GM Thomas Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and even quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave. A very impressive list of people that all had an impact of the success of Ryan, but how much praise should be attributed to Redman?

"Matt's unbelievable," Redman said. "I think he's a Hall of Famer.

So reality has to have set in for Redman. He would never be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. He admits Ryans upside makes him the face of the franchise. So where did that leave him?

But in 2009, with Ryan struggling through his sophomore season, he got another chance to make a name for himself.

In week 12 against the Buccaneers, Ryan was injured on the Falcons first possession and since that time Redman has raised questions of his value. He finished that game by tossing the winning touchdown to Roddy White in the final seconds. The spotlight shown on his face once again. Finally, he was gaining praise with his peers and getting noticed.

Redman was in, and he could win!

That's when the wheels came off of this feel good story. The following week, the Falcons hosted the Philadelphia Eagles and the return of number one disappointment of the Falcons franchise, Michael Vick. Vicks' story is on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Given more chances than he admittedly deserved, he returned and it once again cast Redman into the shadows. The crowd made their choice and rallied more around the opposing quarterback based on his story. A story of deception, destruction, and murder.

I won't pretend I understood the emotions of a hard working misfit who's back injury almost ended his career. I would imagine it was a euphoria of being named the starter to being disappointed that no one really cared. He trotted out on the field and faced a defense that was determined to exploit his rust and lack of weapons.

There was no Michael Turner, the Pro Bowl running back that in 10 games scored 10 touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards a carry. The offensive line was short due to injuries to both left tackle Sam Baker and reigning meanest man in football, right guard Harvey Dahl.

It was like watching a man bring a knife to a gun fight. Still, Redman managed modest stats, but his two key interceptions resulted in 14 Philadelphia points. With the game in hand, Philly coach Andy Reid put in the man the Georgia Dome was waiting to see in Michael Vick. He played the entire fourth quarter and was cheered for his efforts where as Redman was surrounded by the jeers of the crowd.

The following week was an even greater challenge. The undefeated New Orleans Saints came to town and by all laws of logic, the Falcons were in serious trouble. A win would keep them in the hunt for the playoffs and a loss would all but end those dreams. It was on Redman to lead the team to victory against all possible odds.

To the surprise of many, Redman played well. Very well in fact. Without his power running back, he led the team into the red zone three times only to come away with nine points for the trouble. Once one of the best red zone teams in the NFL, they found themselves struggling to push those extra few yards for the score.

With the game tied and his chance to make a statement for the franchise, Redman came on the field in a 2nd-and-22 situation. The prior play was a botched wildcat formation that left Redman on the sidelines watching. He took the snap, underthrew his pass, and it was intercepted. Regardless of his 300 passing yards it's that throw that will be remembered.

When you take everything into perspective, Redman is truly a feel-good story that has snake bitten written all over it.

Having fewer starts in his career than week 15 opponent Mark Sanchez, a rookie, he is now relied upon to keep the Falcons dreams of back to back winning seasons as well as their playoff hopes alive. As a Falcon fan I will be cheering for the underdog to succeed. Not merely because of the team, but because I believe hard work and perseverance will be rewarded.

I have your back, Chris Redman. I hope when time reflects back on your life the story has a happy ending.