OT - Tough word puzzle

[Solecismic]

Here's a challenge for those of you who enjoy puzzles. I'll hold off on hints for awhile and hope you impress me...

Tell me about some truly wonderful gentlemen. They are the keys to a very complex puzzle. These aren't quite the stories told during their college years, but that's where we start.

37112576
98072179
52101069
115021473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts off of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

33102362 76100578 98031372 69102178 72090271

389092172 39062880 72090271 99030870 98031372 134122971 11070970

8032474 18123072 79021476 78073177 328080172 30082980 101022470

85041478 106012877 110031970 19011579 73122779

[ahbrady]

Wow, I don't have a clue where to even begin.

[Dutch]

37112576
98072179
52101069
115031473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

Well, I wanted to work these as dates.

November 25, 1976
July 21, 1979
October 10, 1969
March 14, 1973
and
April 22, 1981

But couldn't figure out how to work the prefix numbers in. Ouch...but I think they should work into the alphabet somehow....ah screw it, who am I kidding? This makes no sense to me at all.

EDIT: Actually all the bottom numbers seem to work into dates also.

[TazFTW]

37112576
98072179
52101069
115031473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

Well, I wanted to work these as dates.

November 25, 1976
July 21, 1979
October 10, 1969
March 14, 1973
and
April 22, 1981

But couldn't figure out how to work the prefix numbers in. Ouch...but I think they should work into the alphabet somehow....ah screw it, who am I kidding? This makes no sense to me at all.

EDIT: Actually all the bottom numbers seem to work into dates also.


Did a quick check on that April 22, 1981 date and that's when Fernando Valenzuela threw his 3rd shutout in his 4th start, so the 34 looks good from that standpoint.

[Fonzie]

2/3

[AnalBumCover]

the first few digits may be of importance to those dates.

i.e. #37 is important to November 25, 1976 (or 1876, 1776, etc)

[Maple Leafs]

These aren't quite the stories told during their college years, but that's where we start.The awkward turns of phrase about college must be hints of some sort.

[AnalBumCover]

This might be easier to read.37,11/25/76
98,07/21/79
52,10/10/69
115,03/14/73
34,04/22/81

33,10/23/62 76,10/05/78 98,03/13/72 69,10/21/78 72,09/02/71

389,09/21/72 39,06/28/80 72,09/02/71 99,03/08/70 98,03/13/72 134,12/29/71 11,07/09/70

8,03/24/74 18,12/30/72 79,02/14/76 78,07/31/77 328,08/01/72 30,08/29/80 101,02/24/70

85,04/14/78 106,01/28/77 110,03/19/70 19,01/15/79 73,12/27/79

[Solecismic]

The phrasing is intended to be a clue to the answer, though not an obvious one and no help at this point in the game.

I'll leave this up for a little while longer. And leave the puzzles to Quik in the future.

[Draft Dodger]

"03/14/73" coincidentally, I'm sure, but March 14th is the 73rd day of the year.

[Draft Dodger]

Did a quick check on that April 22, 1981 date and that's when Fernando Valenzuela threw his 3rd shutout in his 4th start, so the 34 looks good from that standpoint.

Fernando WORE #34.

shirt of their backs - a memorabilia reference?

[Draft Dodger]

going on a similar vein - Bret Farve was born on 10/10/69

[Draft Dodger]

Donovan McNab on 11/25/76...

[Dutch]

Hmmm, you might be on to something!

[Maple Leafs]

David Carr was born July 21, 1979.

[Draft Dodger]

so, lets throw this theory out -

37 11/25/76 (Donovan McNab)
52 10/10/69 (Bret Farve)

so, do we apply the initials to the two numbers on the left? 3=D 7=M 5=B 2=F?
that would help explain the 115 03/14/73 - someone who goes by initials, like JJ Stokes (who was not born on 3/14).

[Draft Dodger]

David Carr was born July 21, 1979.

so 9=D also, 8=C

[Maple Leafs]

April 22, 1981 could be Ken Dorsey. Which would suggest we're looking at college accomplishments more than NFL.

[Draft Dodger]

April 22, 1981 could be Ken Dorsey. Which would suggest we're looking at college accomplishments more than NFL.

and QB's, of course.

[Draft Dodger]

"And last, but not least by any means" refers to Dorsey. was he would be the youngest of the bunch so far...was he the "last" of them to accomplish something?

37112576 - Donovan McNabb
98072179 - David Carr
52101069 - Bret Farve
115031473
34042281 - Ken Dorsey

still looking for the 03/14 guy.

[Maple Leafs]

and QB's, of course.Although unless I'm missing something, that path seems to go dry for March 14, 1973.

Edit: Only March 14, 1973 football player I can find is Chris Sullivan.

[Draft Dodger]

it's too much to be a coincidence. maybe it's a college QB that isn't in the NFL?

going to lunch. back in 30. McNair is Feb 14, 73 - could there be a typo?

[Dutch]

so, lets throw this theory out -

37 11/25/76 (Donovan McNab)
52 10/10/69 (Bret Farve)

so, do we apply the initials to the two numbers on the left? 3=D 7=M 5=B 2=F?
that would help explain the 115 03/14/73 - someone who goes by initials, like JJ Stokes (who was not born on 3/14).

(14 mar) Chris Sullivan defensive end (New England Patriots) is the only guy I've found so far on with 14 March 73 as a birthday.

[Dutch]

Damn, ML is all over it....maybe it is a typo on McNair.

[Solecismic]

it's too much to be a coincidence. maybe it's a college QB that isn't in the NFL?

going to lunch. back in 30. McNair is Feb 14, 73 - could there be a typo?

Sorry about that. No other typos among the numbers.

[Dutch]

33102362 = Doug Flutie - ? - Boston College
76100578 = ? - ? - Florida
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
69102178 = Joey Harrington - Detroit Lions - Oregon
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA

389092172 = John Kitna - Cincinatti Bengals - Central Washington
39062880 = Michael Vick - Atlanta Falcons - Virginia Tech
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA (our first double)
99030870 = ? - ? - Hawaii
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
134122971 = Jay Fiedler - Miami Dolphins - Dartmouth
11070970 = Trent Green - Kansas City - Indiana

8032474 = ? - ? - Virginia
18123072 = Kerry Collins - Free Agent/NY Giants - Penn State
79021476 = ? - ? - South Carolina
78073177 = Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns - Kentucky
328080172 = Todd Bowman - New Orleans Saints - Saint Cloud State
30082980 = Chris Simms - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Texas
101022470 = Jeff Garcia - Cleveland Browns - San Jose State

85041478 = Louisiana State
106012877 = Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings - Central Florida
110031970 = ? - ? - Notre Dame
19011579 = ? - ? - Pennsylvania
73122779 = ? - ? - Southern California

[Draft Dodger]

Sorry about that. No other typos among the numbers.

maybe if you beta tested your damn puzzles from now on...
:p

[Draft Dodger]

37112576 - Donavon McNabb
98072179 - David Carr
52101069 - Brett Farve
115021473 - Steve McNair

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281 - Ken Dorsey

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

33102362 (Doug Flutie )76100578 (Jessie Palmer) 98031372 (Dilfer) 69102178 (Harrington) 72090271 (Maddox)

389092172 (Kitna) 39062880 (Vick) 72090271 (Maddox) 99030870 (Mirer) 98031372 (Dilfer) 134122971 (Feidler) 11070970 (Green)

8032474 18123072 (Collins) 79021476 (Wright) 78073177 (Couch) 328080172 (Bownmann) 30082980 101022470

85041478 106012877 (Culpepper) 110031970 19011579 (Brees) 73122779

[Draft Dodger]

so, any guesses on what we are doing with all these names?

[jetpunk2000]

so, any guesses on what we are doing with all these names?

Maybe it's a secret code with the release date of TCY 2!!!!!! :p

[Solecismic]

8032474 = ???


I have two conflicting sources on this one. I think the more prevalent would be 1976.

But there's a faster way to look these up.

[Vince]

Maybe someone wants to fire up FOF and recommend QBs of different ages?

[Dutch]

DD - Not yet. But I'm sure you'll think of something. :)

[Draft Dodger]

79021476 = Drew Bledsoe - New England Patriots - Washington State

Bledsoe was born 2/14/72.
I know this because my wife was born the same day.

[Draft Dodger]

I guess we're well beyond the "hey, what a coincidence, all those dates are birthdays of NFL QB's" stage

[Dutch]

Draft Dodger - you do see my list up there right? It's slow going but it is updating.

[Draft Dodger]

Draft Dodger - you do see my list up there right? It's slow going but it is updating.

I did, after I found several on my own. The Bledsoe thing is wrong - either its another guy, or another typo.

[Solecismic]

79021476 = Drew Bledsoe - New England Patriots - Washington State

Bledsoe was born 2/14/72.
I know this because my wife was born the same day.

But that wouldn't explain the 79. Let's assume there are no mistakes other than the one typo, and the birthday that showed up as 3/24/74 on NFL.com a couple of years ago.

[Draft Dodger]

But that wouldn't explain the 79. Let's assume there are no mistakes other than the one typo, and the birthday that showed up as 3/24/74 on NFL.com a couple of years ago.

so, it's not Bledsoe?

[Dutch]

From the Player Editor, sorry for the length.


Use the following numbers to represent colleges (Column M) in the player file, (Column G in the draft file):

1 - Clemson
2 - Duke
3 - Florida State
4 - Georgia Tech
5 - Maryland
6 - North Carolina
7 - North Carolina State
8 - Virginia
9 - Wake Forest
10 - Illinois
11 - Indiana
12 - Iowa
13 - Michigan
14 - Michigan State
15 - Minnesota
16 - Northwestern
17 - Ohio State
18 - Penn State
19 - Purdue
20 - Wisconsin
21 - Colorado
22 - Iowa State
23 - Kansas
24 - Kansas State
25 - Missouri
26 - Nebraska
27 - Baylor
28 - Oklahoma
29 - Oklahoma State
30 - Texas
31 - Texas A&M
32 - Texas Tech
33 - Boston College
34 - Miami, Florida
35 - Pittsburgh
36 - Rutgers
37 - Syracuse
38 - Temple
39 - Virginia Tech
40 - West Virginia
41 - Boise State
42 - Idaho
43 - Nevada
44 - New Mexico State
45 - North Texas
46 - Utah State
47 - Cincinnati
48 - East Carolina
49 - Houston
50 - Louisville
51 - Memphis
52 - Southern Mississippi
53 - Tulane
54 - Akron
55 - Ball State
56 - Bowling Green
57 - Central Michigan
58 - Eastern Michigan
59 - Kent
60 - Marshall
61 - Miami, Ohio
62 - Northern Illinois
63 - Ohio
64 - Toledo
65 - Western Michigan
66 - Arizona
67 - Arizona State
68 - California
69 - Oregon
70 - Oregon State
71 - Stanford
72 - UCLA
73 - Southern California
74 - Washington
75 - Washington State
76 - Florida
77 - Georgia
78 - Kentucky
79 - South Carolina
80 - Tennessee
81 - Vanderbilt
82 - Alabama
83 - Arkansas
84 - Auburn
85 - Louisiana State
86 - Mississippi
87 - Mississippi State
88 - Brigham Young
89 - New Mexico
90 - Rice
91 - Southern Methodist
92 - Texas Christian
93 - Tulsa
94 - Utah
95 - Texas - El Paso
96 - Air Force
97 - Colorado State
98 - Fresno State
99 - Hawaii
100 - San Diego State
101 - San Jose State
102 - UNLV
103 - Wyoming
104 - Arkansas State
105 - Army
106 - Central Florida
107 - Louisiana Tech
108 - Navy
109 - Louisiana - Monroe
110 - Notre Dame
111 - Louisiana-Lafayette
112 - UAB
113 - Buffalo
114 - Middle Tenn. St.
115 - Alcorn State
116 - Appalachian State
117 - Ark. - Pine Bluff
118 - Austin Peay
119 - Bethune Cookman
120 - Boston University
121 - Brown
122 - Bucknell
123 - Butler
124 - Cal. - Northridge
125 - Cal. - Poly SLO
126 - Cal. - Sacramento
127 - Canisius
128 - Central Connecticut
129 - Charleston Southern
130 - Colgate
131 - Columbia
132 - Connecticut
133 - Cornell
134 - Dartmouth
135 - Davidson
136 - Dayton
137 - Delaware
138 - Delaware State
139 - Drake
140 - Duquesne
141 - Eastern Illinois
142 - Eastern Kentucky
143 - Eastern Tenn. St.
144 - Eastern Washington
145 - Elon College
146 - Evansville
147 - Fairfield
148 - Florida A&M
149 - Fordham
150 - Furman
151 - Georgetown
152 - Georgia Southern
153 - Grambling
154 - Hampton
155 - Harvard
156 - Hofstra
157 - Holy Cross
158 - Howard
159 - Idaho State
160 - Illinois State
161 - Indiana State
162 - Iona
163 - Jackson State
164 - Jacksonville State
165 - James Madison
166 - Lafayette
167 - La Salle
168 - Lehigh
169 - Liberty (Va.)
170 - Maine
171 - Marist
172 - Massachusetts
173 - McNeese State
174 - Alabama St.
175 - Miss. Valley St.
176 - Monmouth, NJ
177 - Montana
178 - Montana State
179 - Morehead State
180 - Morgan State
181 - Murray State
182 - Nicholls State
183 - New Hampshire
184 - Norfolk State
185 - North Carolina A&T
186 - Northeastern
187 - Northern Arizona
188 - Northern Iowa
189 - NWestern St., La.
190 - Pennsylvania
191 - Portland State
192 - Prairie View A&M
193 - Princeton
194 - Rhode Island
195 - Richmond
196 - Robert Morris
197 - Sam Houston State
198 - Samford
199 - San Diego
200 - SE Missouri St.
201 - Siena
202 - South Carolina St.
203 - South Florida
204 - Southern University
205 - Southern Illinois
206 - Southern Utah
207 - St. Francis, Pa.
208 - St. John's, NY.
209 - St. Mary's, Cal.
210 - St. Peter's, NJ.
211 - Stephen F. Austin
212 - SW Missouri St.
213 - SW Texas St.
214 - Tenn. - Chattanooga
215 - Tennessee - Martin
216 - Tennessee State
217 - Tennessee Tech
218 - Texas Southern
219 - The Citadel
220 - Towson
221 - Troy State
222 - Valparaiso
223 - Villanova
224 - VMI
225 - Wagner
226 - Weber State
227 - Western Carolina
228 - Western Illinois
229 - Western Kentucky
230 - William & Mary
231 - Wofford
232 - Yale
233 - Youngstown State
234 - Sacred Heart (Conn.)
235 - Alabama A&M
236 - Jacksonville
250 - Small College
251 - No College
252 - Livingstone
253 - Winston Salem
254 - Virginia Union
255 - Bowie State
256 - Fayetteville St.
257 - Johnson C. Smith
258 - N. Carolina Central
259 - Virginia State
260 - Elizabeth City St.
261 - Albany
262 - S. Connecticut St.
263 - LIU/C.W. Post
264 - Pace
265 - Stony Brook
266 - Bentley
267 - American Interntnl
268 - Merrimack
269 - Mass. - Lowell
270 - Stonehill
271 - Assumption
272 - West Georgia
273 - Delta State
274 - Southern Arkansas
275 - North Alabama
276 - Arkansas Tech
277 - Central Arkansas
278 - Valdosta State
279 - West Alabama
280 - Henderson State
281 - Ark. - Monticello
282 - Central Oklahoma
283 - Northeastern St, Ok.
284 - Harding
285 - SE Oklahoma St.
286 - Ouachita
287 - East Central (Okla.)
288 - SW Oklahoma St.
289 - Tx. A&M - Kingsville
290 - West Texas A&M
291 - East New Mexico
292 - Angelo State
293 - Abiline Christian
294 - Tarleton State
295 - Tx. A&M - Commerce
296 - Midwestern State
297 - NW Missouri St.
298 - Emporia State
299 - Central Missouri St.
300 - Pittsburg State
301 - Truman State
302 - Missouri Western
303 - Washburn
304 - Missouri Southern
305 - Southwest Baptist
306 - Missouri - Rolla
307 - Grand Valley State
308 - Saginaw Valley
309 - Indianapolis
310 - Ashland
311 - Northwood
312 - Northern Michigan
313 - Findlay
314 - Mercyhurst
315 - Ferris State
316 - Michigan Tech
317 - Hillsdale
318 - Westminster
319 - Wayne State (Mich.)
320 - St. Francis (Ill.)
321 - Northern Colorado
322 - Nebraska - Omaha
323 - North Dakota
324 - North Dakota State
325 - South Dakota
326 - South Dakota State
327 - Minn. St. - Mankato
328 - St. Cloud State
329 - Augustana
330 - Morningside
331 - Winona State
332 - Northern State
333 - Bemidji State
334 - Minnesota - Duluth
335 - Southwest St., Minn.
336 - Minnesota - Morris
337 - Moorhead State
338 - Millersville
339 - West Chester
340 - Bloomsburg
341 - Kutztown
342 - East Stroudsburg
343 - Cheyney
344 - Mansfield
345 - Slippery Rock
346 - Indiana Univ., Pa.
347 - Shippensburg
348 - Lock Haven
349 - Edinboro
350 - California, Pa.
351 - Clarion
352 - Chadron State
353 - Western State
354 - N. Mexico Highlands
355 - Nebraska - Kearney
356 - Fort Hays State
357 - Adams State
358 - Mesa State
359 - Colorado Mines
360 - Fort Lewis
361 - Carson-Newman
362 - Presbyterian
363 - Catawba
364 - Gardner-Webb
365 - Newberry
366 - Wingate
367 - Lenior-Rhyne
368 - Mars Hill
369 - Tusculum
370 - Tuskegee
371 - Fort Valley State
372 - Albany State
373 - Kentucky State
374 - Savannah State
375 - Lane
376 - Clark Atlanta
377 - Miles
378 - Morris Brown
379 - Morehouse
380 - Shepherd
381 - Fairmont State
382 - Glenville State
383 - W. Vir. Wesleyan
384 - West Virginia State
385 - West Liberty State
386 - Concord State
387 - West Virginia Tech
388 - California - Davis
389 - Central Washington
390 - St. Joseph's, Ind.
391 - New Haven
392 - Western Washington
393 - Quincy University
394 - Humboldt State
395 - Gannon
396 - Kentucky Wesleyan
397 - Panhandle State
398 - West New Mexico
399 - Wayne State (Neb.)

Abbreviated to save room....I don't think we need #400 on...

[Solecismic]

There are four mistakes in Dutch's current list. Two are only spelling errors.

[Draft Dodger]

hmmm Ramsay, McNair and Bledsoe are ALL Valentine's Day babies. Means nothing, but I find it kind of interesting.

[Draft Dodger]

ok

37112576

37 is the college (Syracuse)
11/25/76 is the birthday (Donovan McNabb)

so, what do we do for the middle part?

[Solecismic]

hmmm Ramsay, McNair and Bledsoe are ALL Valentine's Day babies. Means nothing, but I find it kind of interesting.

Of the seven 2003 NFL players with that birthday, five are quarterbacks. I wonder how someone would find that information so quickly.

[Draft Dodger]

Of the seven 2003 NFL players with that birthday, five are quarterbacks. I wonder how someone would find that information so quickly.

sounds like someone just has too much free time on their hands...

[Draft Dodger]

Of the seven 2003 NFL players with that birthday, five are quarterbacks. I wonder how someone would find that information so quickly.

ok, I'll bite - is this info available in the game somehow?

[JeeberD]

79021476=Anthony Wright

[Draft Dodger]

79021476=Anthony Wright

well, there goes the "it's all NFL QB's" theory. :D

(was actually waiting for Quincy Carter's name to toss this joke, but Wright will suffice)

[JeeberD]

I also see Rick Mirer as 110031970, not as 99030870 like DD has...

"Rick Mirer, QB, 6-3, 210, March 19, 1970"

[Solecismic]

ok, I'll bite - is this info available in the game somehow?

There's a link to a database in SkyDog's thread. I figured someone would load up that .csv when the link to NFL players was made.

[Draft Dodger]

37112576 - Donavon McNabb
98072179 - David Carr
52101069 - Brett Farve
115021473 - Steve McNair

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281 - Ken Dorsey

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

33102362 (Doug Flutie )76100578 (Jessie Palmer) 98031372 (Dilfer) 69102178 (Harrington) 72090271 (Maddox)

389092172 (Kitna) 39062880 (Vick) 72090271 (Maddox) 99030870 98031372 (Dilfer) 134122971 (Feidler) 11070970 (Green)

8032474 18123072 (Collins) 79021476 (Wright) 78073177 (Couch) 328080172 (Bownmann) 30082980 101022470

85041478 106012877 (Culpepper) 110031970 19011579 (Brees) 73122779

[JeeberD]

73122779 is the right birthdate for CB Nate Clemens, but obviously the wrong position...

[Draft Dodger]

Missing:
99030870
8032474
30082980
101022470
85041478
110031970
73122779

[Draft Dodger]

There's a link to a database in SkyDog's thread. I figured someone would load up that .csv when the link to NFL players was made.

It's Saturday. All the smart people are off.

[Dutch]

33102362 = Doug Flutie - ? - Boston College
76100578 = Jesse Palmer - ? - Florida
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
69102178 = Joey Harrington - Detroit Lions - Oregon
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA

389092172 = John Kitna - Cincinatti Bengals - Central Washington
39062880 = Michael Vick - Atlanta Falcons - Virginia Tech
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA (our first double)
99030870 = ? - ? - Hawaii
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
134122971 = Jay Fiedler - Miami Dolphins - Dartmouth
11070970 = Trent Green - Kansas City - Indiana

8032474 = Aaron Brooks - New Orleans Saints - Virginia
18123072 = Kerry Collins - Free Agent/NY Giants - Penn State
79021476 = Alexander Wright - Dallas Cowboys - South Carolina
78073177 = Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns - Kentucky
328080172 = Todd Bowman - New Orleans Saints - Saint Cloud State
30082980 = Chris Simms - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Texas
101022470 = Jeff Garcia - Cleveland Browns - San Jose State

85041478 = Louisiana State
106012877 = Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings - Central Florida
110031970 = Rick Mirer - ? - Notre Dame
19011579 = Drew Brees - San Diego Chargers - Purdue (190 is Penn..my error)
73122779 = Carson Palmer - Cincinatti Bengals - Southern California

[Draft Dodger]

76100578 = ? - ? - Florida

Jesse Palmer

[Draft Dodger]

8032474 = ? - ? - Virginia
Aaron Brooks

[JeeberD]

110031970 = ? - ? - Notre Dame

Rick Mirer, like I said before...

[Draft Dodger]

79021476 = ? - ? - South Carolina

Wright

[Draft Dodger]

19011579 = ? - ? - Pennsylvania

Brees, but Brees didn't go to Penn, he went to Purdue

[Draft Dodger]

73122779 = ? - ? - Southern California
Carson Palmer

[Draft Dodger]

which brings us to:
99030870 = ? - ? - Hawaii

Jason Elam.
I think Elam did go to Hawaii...but he's a kicker.
Was he a QB in college?

[JeeberD]

73122779 = ? - ? - Southern California

Carson Palmer

[JeeberD]

which brings us to:
99030870 = ? - ? - Hawaii

Jason Elam.
I think Elam did go to Hawaii...but he's a kicker.
Was he a QB in college?

I don't know if he was ever a QB, but that's certainly the right date and school...

[Draft Dodger]

other Hawaii NFLers, none QBs...

Lelie Ashley
Ulbrich Jeff
Elam Jason
Klemm Adrian
Manuwai Vince
Tinoisamoa Pisa
Forney Kynan
Fenderson James

[Draft Dodger]

why do I get the feeling we still have a long way to go...

so, the fact that there is one non-QB in there is kind of odd. I wonder still what we are doing with all this.

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC


"Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts of their backs."

I still say jersey numbers has an impact here, but I still don't get how.

[Passacaglia]

Maybe the letters are a red herring. After all, he calls them nonsensical. Maybe he means it?

[Dutch]

Updated

37112576 - Donavon McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles - Syracuse
98072179 - David Carr - Houston Texans - Fresno State
52101069 - Brett Farve - Green Bay Packers - Southern Mississippi
115021473 - Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans - Alcorn State

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281 - Ken Dorsey - San Fran 49'ers - Miami (FL)

33102362 = Doug Flutie - ? - Boston College
76100578 = Jesse Palmer - New York Giants - Florida
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
69102178 = Joey Harrington - Detroit Lions - Oregon
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA

389092172 = John Kitna - Cincinatti Bengals - Central Washington
39062880 = Michael Vick - Atlanta Falcons - Virginia Tech
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA (our first double)
99030870 = Jason Elam? - Denver Broncos - Hawaii
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State (our 2nd double)
134122971 = Jay Fiedler - Miami Dolphins - Dartmouth
11070970 = Trent Green - Kansas City - Indiana

8032474 = Aaron Brooks - New Orleans Saints - Virginia
18123072 = Kerry Collins - Free Agent/NY Giants - Penn State
79021476 = Anthony Wright - Dallas Cowboys - South Carolina
78073177 = Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns - Kentucky
328080172 = Todd Bowman - New Orleans Saints - Saint Cloud State
30082980 = Chris Simms - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Texas
101022470 = Jeff Garcia - Cleveland Browns - San Jose State

85041478 = Rohan Davey - New England Patriots - Louisiana State
106012877 = Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings - Central Florida
110031970 = Rick Mirer - ? - Notre Dame
19011579 = Drew Brees - San Diego Chargers - Purdue (190 is Penn..my error)
73122779 = Carson Palmer - Cincinatti Bengals - Southern California

[Dutch]

Why are 2 of the QB's listed twice?

[Draft Dodger]

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU = 25 letters
MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY = 42 letters
HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT = 22 letters
DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC = 38 letters

[Draft Dodger]

37112576
98072179
52101069
115021473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

5 players

33102362 76100578 98031372 69102178 72090271 = 5 players

389092172 39062880 72090271 99030870 98031372 134122971 11070970 = 7 players

8032474 18123072 79021476 78073177 328080172 30082980 101022470 = 7 players

85041478 106012877 110031970 19011579 73122779 = 5 players

29 players listed. 2 duplicates 1 kicker...leaving 26 unique QBs.

/got nothing

[Dutch]

V is always followed by O.

[Passacaglia]

Hey Dutch, is there a reason you've bothered to list the NFL teams these guys play for?

[Passacaglia]

85041478 is Rohan Davey

[Dutch]

UFOAASF VO GZSTHHVSP IW ZRWBU = 25 letters
MFERC LX XL CQP LE F CP D LX Z CP APC XL YPYEQZFYO LE TZY = 42 letters
H DHT GKT BT JEHD BT DUIW DHT = 22 letters
DYCCONZKBDS MS Z VO CKX NC MBKWL VO NC Y VO MS CWC = 38 letters

Highlighted any patterns and seperated them (not neccessarily a seperate word of course).

[Dutch]

Hey Dutch, is there a reason you've bothered to list the NFL teams these guys play for?

I was going off the college years vs. pro thing.....hoping maybe Southern Mississippi and Green Bay would be SM = GB or something...just adding as much info as I can in reality without too much headache.

[JeeberD]

85041478 = Louisiana State

Rohan Davey
New England Patriots

Edit: Whoa, I'm way behind the times...

[TazFTW]

The guy from Hawaii has to be Jason Elam because the only QBs I remember from that time period (early 90s) would be Garrett Gabriel and Michael Carter.

Gabriel is only remembered for beating BYU twice, including outgunning Ty Detmer. Carter lead the team to their first WAC title. Both weren't in the NFL.

If it is Jason Elam, maybe it has something to do with records.

[TazFTW]

Dola, maybe that's what "nasty breakups" means. Players that broke records either in college or in the NFL.

[JeeberD]

Updated


79021476 = Alexander Wright - Dallas Cowboys - South Carolina


Dutch, that's actually supposed to be Anthony Wright who is currently with Baltimore.

I don't think Alexander Wright's been in the league for about eight years now...

[Dutch]

Oops! Good catch.

[Fonzie]

Dola, maybe that's what "nasty breakups" means. Players that broke records either in college or in the NFL.

Or, perhaps "nasty breakups" refers to injuries? Like, say, broken bones?

I dunno. I'm grasping at straws here.

[Dutch]

Talking out loud is our only chance.

[Draft Dodger]

I also thought it might have to do with changing teams, but it doesn't work. Most have, but a few haven't changed teams (yet, Tim Couch. Yet).

[JeeberD]

Dola, maybe that's what "nasty breakups" means. Players that broke records either in college or in the NFL.

Any chance that the QB's are their schools all-time leading passers?

Not that I really see how that would help...

[Draft Dodger]

Talking out loud is our only chance.

Rainy weather where Quicksand lives is really our only chance.

[Draft Dodger]

Any chance that the QB's are their schools all-time leading passers?

Not that I really see how that would help...

Cade McNown is UCLA's All-time passing leader, not Maddox.

Also, McNair isn't from Houston. Alcorn State, right?

[Dutch]

Yes, Alcorn State. I guess I am making references to years gone past! Houston Oilers...

[Dutch]

Rainy weather where Quicksand lives is really our only chance.

Well yes, but Gandalf isn't here right now is he? :D

[Draft Dodger]

Yes, Alcorn State. I guess I am making references to years gone past! Houston Oilers...

at least you didn't list Flutie with the Bears or the Patriots...

[Maple Leafs]

Random thought with regards to the "shirts off their back" clue... any chance some of these guys redshirted?

[Draft Dodger]

Random thought with regards to the "shirts off their back" clue... any chance some of these guys redshirted?

or moonlighted as Chippendales?

[Fonzie]

It might be worth noting that the puzzle actually says "shirts of their backs", which, assuming it isn't a typo, might hint at the teammates in the backfields they play(ed) in?

[henry296]

Rainy weather where Quicksand lives is really our only chance.

Too bad is in the mid 70s and sunny in Baltimore plus Syracuse was playing in the Lacrosse final 4. No luck

[henry296]

19011579 = ? - ? - Pennsylvania

Brees, but Brees didn't go to Penn, he went to Purdue

79 is too late, but Mark DeRosa of the Braves played QB at Penn.

[QuikSand]

Hmmmm... seems I've missed a lot here.

[Draft Dodger]

yay. we're saved.

[QuikSand]

I doubt that. I am in dire need of rest... but a good puzzle is just about enough to keep me from napping just yet.

But at the moment, I'm having trouble understanding exactly what we "know" so far... other than the QB-birthday list.

Are we now trying to connect all that with the stream of letters means:

- - -
UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC
- - -

Hmmm.... I guess one needs to start doing some research to crack this one, eh?

[QuikSand]

This is just Dutch's list, with spelling corrections (which Jim mentioned above, and could, I suppose, be important)

37112576 = Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles - Syracuse
98072179 = David Carr - Houston Texans - Fresno State
52101069 = Brett Favre - Green Bay Packers - Southern Mississippi
115021473 = Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans - Alcorn State

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281 = Ken Dorsey - San Fran 49ers - Miami (FL)

33102362 = Doug Flutie - San Diego Chargers - Boston College
76100578 = Jesse Palmer - New York Giants - Florida
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State
69102178 = Joey Harrington - Detroit Lions - Oregon
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA

389092172 = John Kitna - Cincinnati Bengals - Central Washington
39062880 = Michael Vick - Atlanta Falcons - Virginia Tech
72090271 = Tommy Maddox - Pittsburgh Steelers - UCLA (our first double)
99030870 = Jason Elam? - Denver Broncos - Hawaii
98031372 = Trent Dilfer - Seattle Seahawks - Fresno State (our 2nd double)
134122971 = Jay Fiedler - Miami Dolphins - Dartmouth
11070970 = Trent Green - Kansas City - Indiana

8032474 = Aaron Brooks - New Orleans Saints - Virginia
18123072 = Kerry Collins - Free Agent/NY Giants - Penn State
79021476 = Anthony Wright - Baltimore Ravens - South Carolina
78073177 = Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns - Kentucky
328080172 = Todd Bowman - New Orleans Saints - Saint Cloud State
30082980 = Chris Simms - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Texas
101022470 = Jeff Garcia - Cleveland Browns - San Jose State

85041478 = Rohan Davey - New England Patriots - Louisiana State
106012877 = Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings - Central Florida
110031970 = Rick Mirer - ? - Notre Dame
19011579 = Drew Brees - San Diego Chargers - Purdue
73122779 = Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals - Southern California

[QuikSand]

V is always followed by O.

That could correspond to Q and U, if this is a simple letter-to-letter substitution.

[Vince]

But V is not always followed by O...just copying and pasting from Quik's post above...

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

[TazFTW]

Use what you've learned about these personal histories,

What have we learned about their histories?

37112576 - Donavon McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles - Syracuse
98072179 - David Carr - Houston Texans - Fresno State
52101069 - Brett Farve - Green Bay Packers - Southern Mississippi
115021473 - Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans - Alcorn State
34042281 - Ken Dorsey - San Fran 49'ers - Miami (FL)

McNabb wears #5 selected 2nd overall, 4 year starter at Syracuse, 3 NFC championship games

Carr wear #8 selected 1st overall, played 4 years at Fresno, Heisman finalist (5th)

Favre wears #4 selected 33rd overall, 3 MVPs, won a Super Bowl, played 4 years at Southern Miss

McNair wears #9 selected 3rd overall, MVP, Super Bowl appearance, Heisman finalist (3rd),

Dorsey wears #7 selected 241 overall, National Championship, Heisman finalist (3rd) , played 4 years at Miami

Still got nothing...

[QuikSand]

Here's the original puzzle, just quoted here for easy reference:

Here's a challenge for those of you who enjoy puzzles. I'll hold off on hints for awhile and hope you impress me...

Tell me about some truly wonderful gentlemen. They are the keys to a very complex puzzle. These aren't quite the stories told during their college years, but that's where we start.

37112576
98072179
52101069
115021473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts off of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

33102362 76100578 98031372 69102178 72090271

389092172 39062880 72090271 99030870 98031372 134122971 11070970

8032474 18123072 79021476 78073177 328080172 30082980 101022470

85041478 106012877 110031970 19011579 73122779


I refuse to believe that the letter blocks are a simple cryptogram letter substitution -- there's ample suggestion that the QB information is the key to unlock all that stuff. I just don't see how, yet.

[QuikSand]

Thought:

hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

Maybe this is a clue as to how the long blocks of letters are to be "broken up" into words.

I'm with Dutch in the "talking out loud" camp...

[Draft Dodger]

college is (normally) 4 years...

[Draft Dodger]

"And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college."

this makes me think that the final 3rd of the puzzle is extemporaneous - more to let us know we were on the right track with the QB thing.

[QuikSand]

this makes me think that the final 3rd of the puzzle is extemporaneous - more to let us know we were on the right track with the QB thing.

I'm inclined to agree.

[Draft Dodger]

and I still think the shirt thing is a reference to jersey numbers (5, 8, 4, 9, 7)

[QuikSand]

And last, but not least by any means.

That's an odd phrasing that almost has to be deliberate and meaningful, I'd guess.

[QuikSand]

UFOAASF VO GZSTHHVSP IW ZRWBU = 25 letters
MFERC LX XL CQP LE F CP D LX Z CP APC XL YPYEQZFYO LE TZY = 42 letters
H DHT GKT BT JEHD BT DUIW DHT = 22 letters
DYCCONZKBDS MS Z VO CKX NC MBKWL VO NC Y VO MS CWC = 38 letters

Highlighted any patterns and seperated them (not neccessarily a seperate word of course).

I don't have any idea how he got here, but this is the only "analysis"of the latter blocks so far... so I thought it was worth bringing to the latest page.

I'm guessing this just highlights letter groups that are repeated in the blocks.

[Draft Dodger]

yep

[Draft Dodger]

but I agree - I don't think it's a letter replacement puzzle.

I think I'm just going to guess "Winston Churchill"

[Draft Dodger]

"They are the keys to a very complex puzzle."

another indication that it is just the main 5 that are pertinent.

[QuikSand]

"They are the keys to a very complex puzzle."

another indication that it is just the main 5 that are pertinent.

Or perhaps it's the manner in which the numbers became the data, rather than the contents of the data itself. Just a rival thought.

Though I do like the notion that the jersey numbers play a role here... the "short off of their backs" clue really leads me there, too.

[TazFTW]

Just typing out loud,

Grouping the letters in each sentence:

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

UU
FF
OO
AA
SSS
VV
G
ZZ
T
HH
P
I
WW
R
B

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

M
FFF
EEEE
R
CCCCC
LLLLLL
XXXX
QQ
PPPPP
D
ZZZ
A
YYYY
O
T

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

HHHH
DDDD
TTTTT
G
K
BB
J
E
U
I
W

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

DD
YY
CCCCCCC
OOOO
NNN
ZZ
KKK
BB
SSS
MMM
VVV
X
WW
L

[QuikSand]

That's a pretty small set of letters being used in each block - not the whole alphabet, to be sure. That certainly seems to rule out any sort of cypher substitution.

Good post, Taz.

[TazFTW]

Maybe roman numerals are involved.

[QuikSand]

Maybe roman numerals are involved.

I thought about that... the appropriate letters are all over the place in two lines, but absent in the other two.

[QuikSand]

There seems to be an unusually small overlap of letters between adjoining groups of letters. Groups 1&2 have only three common letters... groups 3&4 almost none, by my quick looking.

[QuikSand]

Maybe roman numerals are involved.

If so, it's convoluted - the appropriate letters certainly don't appear in any easy-to-follow fashion.

Not that I'm getting anywhere with any other theory, either.

[TazFTW]

Here are the letters in alphabetical order:

AA
B
FF
G
HH
I
OO
P
R
SSS
T
UU
VV
WW
ZZ

A
CCCCC
D
EEEE
FFF
LLLLLL
M
O
PPPPP
QQ
R
T
XXXX
YYYY
ZZZ

BB
DDDD
E
G
HHHH
I
J
K
TTTTT
U
W

BB
CCCCCCC
DD
KKK
L
MMM
NNN
OOOO
SSS
VVV
WW
X
YY
ZZ

No letter appears in all four groups.

B appears in 1,3,4
D appears in 2,3,4
O appears in 1,2,4
T appears in 1,2,3
W appears in 1,3,4
Z appears in 1,2,4

C is used the most at 12 times.

All letters of the alphabet are used at least once.

Still don't see any pattern.

[rjolley]

Maybe the line "And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college." has something to do with all of the players on the list staying in school all four years instead of leaving early...which is all too common...

[Draft Dodger]

I like the number 4 being involved.

as usual, I have no clue as to how

[Dutch]

4 quarterbacks make a dollar? :)

[TazFTW]

Maybe the line "And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college." has something to do with all of the players on the list staying in school all four years instead of leaving early...which is all too common...

Doesn't work. Tommy Maddox left after his Sophmore year.

[rjolley]

Well, that was my contribution....carry on.

[Dutch]

Working off of DD, there are 25 letters in the first group.

There are 5 quarterbacks initially listed. The last one is not lesser than the first 4 by any means. Do the first 4 quarterbacks equate to the the last QB somehow?

The first 4 QB's are very well known. The one they are not greater than is rather obscure, making it appear they are definately not connected equally.

The way the QB's and their colleges are spelled is important for correctness.

[TazFTW]

Maybe Jason Elam is a clue since he is the only non-QB listed (provided Jason Elam is really the answer for that spot).

Of all the other positions to choose, why a kicker? And why Elam? (why not Vanderjagt or an Anderson or a Gramatica?)

He's consistant, he's tied with Tom Dempsey for longest FG. He' s played for only one team, won 2 Super Bowls...

[Solecismic]

Maybe Jason Elam is a clue since he is the only non-QB listed (provided Jason Elam is really the answer for that spot).

Of all the other positions to choose, why a kicker? And why Elam? (why not Vanderjagt or an Anderson or a Gramatica?)


There are some useful questions here. And others have made observations that should lead to part two of the puzzle-solving process. I did not think this would survive a couple of hours from Quik.

[Eaglesfan27]

I've been looking at this for the past few hours and am really puzzled. However, I wonder if each of the quarterbacks is key to a line as their are 4 quarterbacks and 4 lines with the 5th quarterback being some sort of key to use in coordination with the quarterback that corresponds to that line. The phrasing really suggests that the 5th quarterback is more important in some way.

[Eaglesfan27]

Also, there are 4 lines of numbers (players at the end.) Perhaps, each line of the numbers in the 3rd part of the post corresponds to one of the lines of letters. I think the breakups is key as someone has mentioned and it is a clue as to how to break up the letters in each line of text.

[Fonzie]

What have we learned about their histories?

37112576 - Donavon McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles - Syracuse
98072179 - David Carr - Houston Texans - Fresno State
52101069 - Brett Farve - Green Bay Packers - Southern Mississippi
115021473 - Steve McNair - Tennessee Titans - Alcorn State
34042281 - Ken Dorsey - San Fran 49'ers - Miami (FL)

McNabb wears #5 selected 2nd overall, 4 year starter at Syracuse, 3 NFC championship games

Carr wear #8 selected 1st overall, played 4 years at Fresno, Heisman finalist (5th)

Favre wears #4 selected 33rd overall, 3 MVPs, won a Super Bowl, played 4 years at Southern Miss

McNair wears #9 selected 3rd overall, MVP, Super Bowl appearance, Heisman finalist (3rd),

Dorsey wears #7 selected 241 overall, National Championship, Heisman finalist (3rd) , played 4 years at Miami

Still got nothing...

My suspicion is that this post contains at least some of the information we need. The "shirt off of their backs" hint suggests uniform number is important. "Personal histories" is less clear, but since we're (probably) looking for numeric information it stands to reason that an important and well-chronicled number, such as draft selection (either round or overall pick), might be a good candidate.

Dorsey was singled out in the puzzle, and one of the things that stands out about him is his draft position. My guess is these numbers need to be combined into a formula of sorts, but exactly how this might work is beyond me.

Of course, its likely that my suspicion might lead us all down a garden path...

[Bad-example]

"And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college."

Any chance the "nasty breakups" might refer to former teammates of these players?

[TazFTW]

Uh oh, I think I found something.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU = 25 letters
MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY = 42 letters
HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT = 22 letters
DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC = 38 letters

In the 3rd part you have 4 lines of QBs, which correspond to the lines of letters. The shirts off their backs line would seem to refer to their jerseys, more importantly their jersey numbers. With that we have

Flutie 7
Palmer 3
Dilfer 4
Harrington 3
Maddox 8

Total 25

Kitna 3
Vick 7
Maddox 8
Elam 1
Dilfer 4
Fielder 9
Green 10

Total 42

Brooks 2
Collins 5
Wright 2
Couch 2
Bouman 4
Simms 2
Garcia 5

Total 22

Davey 6
Culpepper 11
Mirer 3
Brees 9
Palmer 9

Total 38

Still have no idea how it relates to the first 5 as they add up to 33.

[Fonzie]

Uh oh, I think I found something.



In the 3rd part you have 4 lines of QBs, which correspond to the lines of letters. The shirts off their backs line would seem to refer to their jerseys, more importantly their jersey numbers. With that we have

Flutie 7
Palmer 3
Dilfer 4
Harrington 3
Maddox 8

Total 25

Kitna 3
Vick 7
Maddox 8
Elam 1
Dilfer 4
Fielder 9
Green 10

Total 42

Brooks 2
Collins 5
Wright 2
Couch 2
Bouman 4
Simms 2
Garcia 5

Total 22

Davey 6
Culpepper 11
Mirer 3
Brees 9
Palmer 9

Total 38

Still have no idea how it relates to the first 5 as they add up to 33.

Interesting. My first guess would be that the jersey numbers indicate how to parse the letter sequences into distinct words.

[Dutch]

Great work.

Also, for what it's worth.

There are no QB's with the #1. So Jason Elam was needed for that role.

#1 - Jason Elam

#2 - Aaron Brooks, Anthony Wright, Tim Couch, Chris Simms

#3 - Joey Harrington, Rick Mirer, John Kitna, Jessie Palmer

#4 - T. Bouman, Trent Dilfer, Trent Dilfer, Brett Favre

#5 - Kerry Collins, Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia

#6 - Rohan Davey

#7 - Ken Dorsey (last but not least by any means -- he is in the middle of the other 4), Doug Flutie, and M. Vick

#8 - David Carr, T Maddox, Tommy Maddox

#9 - Drew Brees, Jay Fiedler, Steve McNair, Carson Palmer

#10 - Trent Green

#11 - Daunte Culpepper

#12 and on....none listed...

[Fonzie]

So, the breakdown would look like this:

UFOAASF VOG ZSTH HVS PIWZRWBU
MFE RCLXXLC QPLEFCPD L XZCP APCXLYPYE QZFYOLETZY
HD HTGKT BT JE HDBT DU IWDHT
DYCCON ZKBDSMSZVOC KXN CMBKWLVON CYVOMSCWC

[Fonzie]

Dola-

Very nice work, TazFTW!

[Fonzie]

Still have no idea how it relates to the first 5 as they add up to 33.

Double dola-

I believe the first five provide the encryption key. Which is why the "word length" player lists he added at the end weren't considered critical to solve the puzzle - when we decode the letters properly the words will become immediately obvious.

[GoldenEagle]

I think we can rule out all of the college careers of these players - however, of the QB's listed in the top 5 Dorsey had the most success.

So, then again, maybe not.

[Shkspr]

Got it, thanks to three pieces of information Fonzie mentioned.

And Jim has lost his mind. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Got it, thanks to three pieces of information Fonzie mentioned.

And Jim has lost his mind. :)

You've solved the whole thing!?!

I'm still stuck and I've been working on this throughout the day. Fonzie's pieces of info are very helpful, but I'm still having trouble getting the final pieces to fall in place.

[Shkspr]

Well, once you have the aha! moment, the whole thing falls into place fairly quickly, but I ended up brute forcing a little bit. The keys are:

* The cypher created by Fonzie in post 137
* The realization that no single substitution cipher will suffice
* The need to put McNabb, Carr, Favre, and McNair in order correctly
* The fact that Jim was the one who wrote the puzzle

[QuikSand]

So, the breakdown would look like this:

UFOAASF VOG ZSTH HVS PIWZRWBU
MFE RCLXXLC QPLEFCPD L XZCP APCXLYPYE QZFYOLETZY
HD HTGKT BT JE HDBT DU IWDHT
DYCCON ZKBDSMSZVOC KXN CMBKWLVON CYVOMSCWC

Okay, getting a fresh look now. Glad to see someone looked up all the jersey numbers... guess that was a pretty obvious clue.

I see no words that neatly correspond to subject clues like FOOTBALL, QUARTERBACk, SUPERBOWL or anything else on topic.

I'm figuring the lone "L" in line 2 has to be an "A" - but have little else to work with. It doesn't set up any easy step-cipher there, it seems.

[QuikSand]

Okay, after a poker sidetrack... I'm back to this.

Interesting word - if on line two L-->A, then you have:

RCLXXLC

--A--A-

...with a double letter in between the A's, and the same letter in spots 2 and 7. Odd pattern, I think. (This assumes some sort of direct cipher, of course, rather than one that rotates based on some "key" - which could well be the case, but seems unlikely to result in the letter distributions all bunched up like that, I think)

[QuikSand]

Okay, after a poker sidetrack... I'm back to this.

Interesting word - if on line two L-->A, then you have:

RCLXXLC

--A--A-

...with a double letter in between the A's, and the same letter in spots 2 and 7. Odd pattern, I think. (This assumes some sort of direct cipher, of course, rather than one that rotates based on some "key" - which could well be the case, but seems unlikely to result in the letter distributions all bunched up like that, I think)

Okay - that was enough to crack the second line. I still don't have the connection to the "keys" but I'm trying to back that out, now that I have one set of substitutions solved.

(I can't help but feel I'm doing this the hard way)

[QuikSand]

Wow. I got it. I still don't have the connection to the quarterbacks (other than the second set helping to break them into words, which made the ciphers solvable).

"Lost his mind" might be a little harsh. But just a little.

[Noop]

I am confused. What is this suppose to be?

[QuikSand]

I am confused. What is this suppose to be?

Ironically enough, it's a puzzle.

[Solecismic]

Wow. I got it. I still don't have the connection to the quarterbacks (other than the second set helping to break them into words, which made the ciphers solvable).

"Lost his mind" might be a little harsh. But just a little.

I tried getting people to look at the writing style as a clue. But that's likely too esoteric for something like this.

I've never claimed to be in full command of my mind. You have to be a little crazy to try a career like this.

[Dutch]

I feel like the fat kid that is trying to run a long race and all the other people have to drag me along...

Don't anybody say the answer! Not yet, please.

[Barkeep49]

Typing out loud here: With four quarterbacks, now put in order, and four lines of writing presumably the quarterbacks each provide the cipher to one line of the writing?

[Dutch]

I've been trying brute force using quicksands L to A translation and have mustered only that my head hurts. The wheels are falling off for me....

[QuikSand]

Okay, after a poker sidetrack... I'm back to this.

Interesting word - if on line two L-->A, then you have:

RCLXXLC

--A--A-

...with a double letter in between the A's, and the same letter in spots 2 and 7. Odd pattern, I think. (This assumes some sort of direct cipher, of course, rather than one that rotates based on some "key" - which could well be the case, but seems unlikely to result in the letter distributions all bunched up like that, I think)

Dutch, in case you (and others) have not given up on this... I did, in fact, use the word above to begin solving the puzzle, and my assumptions in the post above are all true. L --> A in that line, and the pattern holds for that word (which is a pretty rare word construction pattern, and turns out to be an unusually important word to decipher).

[Passacaglia]

It's not 'challah' is it?

[QuikSand]

It's not 'challah' is it?

No, but that was the second-best fit I could find for that pattern... so you're not far off.

[Vince]

Man, this is killing me.

[TazFTW]

I'm pretty sure I got the word but the lines don't look right.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm still working on this and still bothered that I can't figure it out.

[QuikSand]

Incidentally, my response to Noop on the last page was a backhanded clue of sorts... I don't take to using the word "ironic" without reason. But I wouldn't put too much stake in this information, really... just a little salt.

[Dutch]

I took a break to watch the Indy 500......I'm back and giving it another go. I'll give it an hour or so of honest effort starting now.

[Celeval]

Got it after getting back into town. Nice puzzle. :-)

[Passacaglia]

Yes! I got the word. Time for the line!

[Eaglesfan27]

I just got the word too! Well, I hope there aren't too many other options. I have a possible solution that fits. :)

[Passacaglia]

Okay, I've got the entire second line, and I'm lost again. There's a different code for each line? How did people seem to know that a couple pages back, without trying it?

[Dutch]

Alright, I think I got the right word from the L -> A translation....if nothing else, I'm glad I finally came up with a word that is f'in English....so I don't care if it's the right word or not, that's the word I'm using. :)

[Passacaglia]

I just got the word too! Well, I hope there aren't too many other options. I have a possible solution that fits. :)

Eaglesfan, when you try your word, do you get the sentence "Send Brandon Whiting to Buffalo" also?

[Eaglesfan27]

Nope, but I definitely got the 2nd line.. and I have a theory on how the first five QB's tie in which will make all of the other lines easy to solve. Trying my theory now.

[Dutch]

Okay, I have the 2nd line....but the same code doesn't work for 1, 3 or 4....

[Eaglesfan27]

Ok, I have the first line as well. So far my theory is holding up! :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Finally, I got the whole thing. That was the hardest puzzle I've seen in a good long while. The QB's information that was posted earlier in this thread was the key to me figuring this puzzle out.

[TazFTW]

I got the third line and it looks like I could have solved the second line the same way. However, it doesn't seem to work for the first and fourth lines.

[Noop]

Anyone mind pm'in me the answer because i swear i cant sleep until i know....

[TazFTW]

Finally got it. Oy...

[Dutch]

The 3rd line doesn't seem to have the same key. I wish I understood why the 2nd line has the key it has, it would make a whole lot more sense I think.

[Fonzie]

The 3rd line doesn't seem to have the same key. I wish I understood why the 2nd line has the key it has, it would make a whole lot more sense I think.

Remember the players who are the "keys" to the puzzle...

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm not good at word puzzles. I am good at math puzzles.

[Noop]

please send....:(

[Dutch]

Man, I made a critical mistake. I figured out the error in my ways and solved the puzzle. I think I am going to cry....I've never solved a puzzle before, thankfully this one doesn't require any higher learning.

Thanks Jim for giving me an entertaining yet frustrating puzzle and thanks to all that helped along the way and to QS for giving me the clue (that I managed to muck up royally for most of todays thought process until I made the connection and solved that problem).

That was fun!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Okay, I'm using brute force to get the lines (I've gotten lines 2, 3, and 4 so far). I can't figure out how to connect the "keys" to it. Doh!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Okay, now I've got the lines, but I have NO idea what to do with them yet. Urgh.

Edited to add: I gather that there's more to the puzzle than deciphering the four lines. I still haven't figured out the formula to connect the four quarterbacks to the four lines of the puzzle, though like I said earlier, I used brute force. I assume that I won't be able to complete the puzzle without figuring out the formula, because there's still one quarterback left, and I don't know how to use his information to finish this up. I wish I knew what I was missing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Maybe I didn't solve it, if you are right Pumpy. I found the quarterback's information helped me decipher the lines. I thought the 4 lines in order were interesting, but I didn't do anything with them once I deciphered them (except read them in order.)

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't know the correct order, unless it's the order that they're originally listed in the puzzle.

[Eaglesfan27]

I read them in the default order and found it to be funny and ironic.

[Pumpy Tudors]

OH, I get it now. It just hit me like a brick. Yeah, it looks like deciphering the four lines is the the object of the puzzle. Now I figured out how the quarterbacks all connect, too.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Dola

Jim has lost his mind.

[Eaglesfan27]

Good, glad to know there wasn't another level of this puzzle that I missed. By the way, thank you to everyone who provided valuable help throughout this thread.

[Radii]

i'm just waiting for you guys to get bored and post an answer at this point :) A very entertaining puzzle but I just haven't had the patience to sit down with it any this weekend for some reason.

[ahbrady]

i'm just waiting for you guys to get bored and post an answer at this point :) A very entertaining puzzle but I just haven't had the patience to sit down with it any this weekend for some reason.

Same goes for me.

[QuikSand]

For those who might still be working on this, here's a semi-spoiler hint:























Each line of text is a substitution cipher with a "step" -- meaning every letter must just be moved up or down the alphabet the same number of spaces to be decoded.

To help you solve it, try typing the alphabet twice in a row, on each of two consecutive lines of text (using an even-spaced font like Courier New). Then, move the bottom set back and forth, to build a "key" -- read the top letter in the mixed-up text, convert it to the letter that appears below it.

You can start with the L --> A described above. Move the bottom row so that the A appears under the L. The rest will follow soon after.

The number of steps is different for each puzzle, but the concept is the same.

[Maple Leafs]

Very nice...

Just curios, since I've obviously missed it somewhere along the line... how did you guys get the spacing in the "nonsensical letter grid"?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Very nice...

Just curios, since I've obviously missed it somewhere along the line... how did you guys get the spacing in the "nonsensical letter grid"?

The groups of numbers after the letter grid provided the spacing. Each number represented an NFL player. Each player's jersey number provided the number of letters in the word. The people on this board are amazing. They did a good job working together to make the solution easier for people like me.

[T-Storm]

So for those of us that are too lazy to use the little thing between their ears, does anyone care to post the solution?

[Draft Dodger]

So for those of us that are too lazy to use the little thing between their ears, does anyone care to post the solution?

ditto.

please feel free to post in a seperate thread, if you want to keep from spoiling it for the people who missed out on this.

[Dutch]

Here's a challenge for those of you who enjoy puzzles. I'll hold off on hints for awhile and hope you impress me...

Tell me about some truly wonderful gentlemen. They are the keys to a very complex puzzle. These aren't quite the stories told during their college years, but that's where we start.

37112576
98072179
52101069
115021473

And last, but not least by any means.

34042281

The purpose of the birth dates is to come up with names. The college prefix as defined by the player file/FOF is to verify you have the right guy.

McNabb #5
Carr #8
Favre #4
McNair #9
and last but not least by any means
Dorsey #7

What puzzle doesn't come with a nonsensical grid of letters. Use what you've learned about these personal histories, for these men would truly give you the shirts off of their backs.

UFOAASFVOGZSTHHVSPIWZRWBU

MFERCLXXLCQPLEFCPDLXZCPAPCXLYPYEQZFYOLETZY

HDHTGKTBTJEHDBTDUIWDHT

DYCCONZKBDSMSZVOCKXNCMBKWLVONCYVOMSCWC

This part requires us to use the crypto key (once established) from the QB's above. We determined that the "shirts off of their backs" indicates either the need to use their last names or their jersey numbers in some fashion.

And while that's really all you need, most of you might like some hints to help you with those nasty breakups that are all too common during and after college.

33102362 76100578 98031372 69102178 72090271

389092172 39062880 72090271 99030870 98031372 134122971 11070970

8032474 18123072 79021476 78073177 328080172 30082980 101022470

85041478 106012877 110031970 19011579 73122779

When broken down, this revealed more quarterbacks. Draft Dodger, Fonzie, Taz all worked on this to figure out that each QB's jersey number played a role in "breaking up" the letters in the previous section into words.

That ended up looking like this as Fonzie pointed out.

UFOAASF VOG ZSTH HVS PIWZRWBU
MFE RCLXXLC QPLEFCPD L XZCP APCXLYPYE QZFYOLETZY
HD HTGKT BT JE HDBT DU IWDHT
DYCCON ZKBDSMSZVOC KXN CMBKWLVON CYVOMSCWC

Quiksand then suggested that the lone "L" was perhaps an "A". He later verified that was indeed correct.

Others suggested that each of the top 4 quarterbacks associated, in order, with one of the 4 lines of letters/words.

So the L --> A conversion on Line 2 was somehow linked to Carr #8.

[mhass]

Bump.

Sorry to annoy, but did the solution ever get posted? I've wasted the last three hours of my work week on this thing and can only translate the second line. Anyone remember last May?

[TazFTW]

It's been a while but I think if you got the 2nd line, you should get the 3rd line by "reversing" the cypher that solved the 2nd line.

I think I have the answers somewhere around here.

[TazFTW]

Okay, now I remember how to solve this (and I found the text file I was taking notes on).

McNabb #5
Carr #8
Favre #4
McNair #9
and last but not least by any means
Dorsey #7

The above would give you the key(s) to solve each line. If you were able to solve line two using the above then try using simular logic on the other lines. If you start getting jumbled stuff then my advice would be to go the other direction. ;)

[mhass]

Thanks for the reply. I only got line 2 by using the post above about putting 'A' under 'L' (11 positions ahead) in the decoder. Then I got line three by using your advice to reverse that (11 positions behind). But I haven't figured out how 11 positions comes from the list of names and numbers. I'll get it though. Thanks again.