I confess: I’ve been looking for an excuse to run this vintage orange-creamsicle Bucs photo of Vinny Testaverde again.

I thought I’d have a chance a few weeks ago, when the modern-day Yuccaneers were 0-4 and looking likely to extend that to a fifth loss, thus bringing to mind the dismal Bucco Bruce days. But then, improbably, they edged out a 14-13 win over Cincinnati, and spoiled my planned glee. The Buccaneers are still sucking well enough at 2-7; but at this point, the moment to evoke the Testaverde Era in Tampa Bay has pretty well passed.

Thankfully, today brought a more fitting reason to dredge up the photo. Two days after his 43rd birthday, Testaverde signed with the New England Patriots to spend the rest of the season as their emergency third-string QB.

He’ll likely never step onto the field this year. If the Pats should win the Super Bowl, I’m not sure if he’ll be eligible to get a ring; hopefully he would be. In any case, it’s good to know he’s back in the game. I contend that, had it not been for all those INTs he stockpiled while wearing Florida orange, he’d be a legitimate Hall of Fame candidate.