Dallas needs to draft a QB at some point.

[LittleBoyBlue]

Spun? Wasn't it you that started talking about "major investments" in response to people who never suggested anything of the kind?

The point being discussed is to have a young developing QB who we have faith can make plays and continue to develop rather than year after year having to scramble and find a proven veteran.

The upside to that route is this:

1. We don't end up settling for a guy like Johnson, who has little left in the tank.

2. We are developing someone who may eventually be ready to take the reigns once Romo either gets hurt or loses effectiveness through age or whatever else.

major investments = find the greatest backup QB in the world and make him back up your starter


The "point being discussed" is whether to draft a young QB to groom. Like I have already said... it doesnt seem to be in our plans... we let Baker go. Dont be suprised if we dont draft a QB at all.

settling on Johnson - what has he done wrong? he is more than capable to fill in.... if Romo goes down for season there is NO BACKUP that is gonna lead us far.

Getting lucky in developing Romo and him working out was great. But you know as well as I do... just because you bring them along slow doesnt guarantee anything... in 6-7 years we could be in a similar situation to the wonder years(I wonder when we are gonna find a QB that can play)


I say Romo and Johnson for this year... maybe start looking for project QB next year.

 

[dalboy]

Matt was doing better than Brad at training camp

 

[InmanRoshi]

I say Romo and Johnson for this year... maybe start looking for project QB next year.

There won't be any maybes about it ... they'll have to find a new backup QB next year, because Brad Johnson won't be under contract (unless someone is suggesting we re-up his contract .. which allow me to pee myself laughing if you are).

If they showed some foresight and started developing a guy now, they wouldn't have to get in a bidding war for some washed up has been in free agency in the future.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think the problem is that Dallas has been extremely lucky, as in winning the lottery lucky, with their QB health the last 4 or 5 years. When's the last time we had our starting QB miss a game due to injury? Romo played every game last year. Bledsoe/Romo played every game the year before that. Bledsoe played every game in 2004. Quincy played every game in 2003. As a result, the organization has taken a flippant attitude towards backup QBs, in that we're only going to carry 2 and the backup is mainly there because he's the offensive coordinator's golfing buddy.

This streak of QB health isn't going to continue forever, and our number is going to come up for some day. Romo misses a month and we go 0-4, that could be a playoff birth and another year that the window of opportunity closes.

is any team really set up to win w/ their backup QB? look at the Colts, Jim Sorgi is their backup, and Peyton Manning has been the epitome of good health

I agree w/ what you're saying, but the what-if? anaylsis is pretty far-fetched

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

There won't be any maybes about it ... they'll have to find a new backup QB next year, because Brad Johnson won't be under contract (unless someone is suggesting we re-up his contract .. which allow me to pee myself laughing if you are).

If they showed some foresight and started developing a guy now, they wouldn't have to get in a bidding war for some washed up has been in free agency in the future.

There is a good chance we draft a project next year.
We will sign another aging vet QB to backup Romo for the next two years after this season.

 

[InmanRoshi]

is any team really set up to win w/ their backup QB? look at the Colts, Jim Sorgi is their backup, and Peyton Manning has been the epitome of good healt

Yeah, I must be living in a fantasy world where a team could say ... lose Aikman for 3-4 games, and Steve Beuerlein more than adequately step in and the team still makes the playoffs. Or Kosar steps in during a big playoff game. Or Jason Garrett for a big Thanksgiving game.

A team isn't likely to win a SB with a backup QB (although, it has happened ... several times). That's not the point. The point is that we need to have the position adequately manned to at least tread water for a 4 game period if Tony Romo misses a month. If you go 0-4 in a month it's hard to make the playoffs, even when Tony comes back. Particularly in the NFC East. If Tony pulls a hamstring and misses a month, the season is toast. Brad Johnson makes it about 3 quarters before he breaks an old man bone due to his osteoporosis, and then we're picking up some guy off the street to fill in the other three games when he doesn't know the offense. The Cowboys have been lulled into a false sense of security about the health of their QB's, and it will come back to bite them at some point.

Also, I know this isn't really a priority in internet messageboard land .. but there's really nothing wrong with making moves with 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 in mind. Really, I promise. In fact, that's how good teams draft.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

Haven't you heard?
Brad is the best backup QB in the league.
At least that is what many on this board would have you believe.
i read posts that say that Romo will be good for many years to come.
But that is NOT the point.
The point is that Romo is one good hit away from being knocked silly or put in a cast.
What then?
An elderly and immobile Brad Johnson leading the Cowboys?
Backup QB is a glaring point.
I'd rather have a green but young and mobile QB than this relic from Minnesota's heyday during the late 20th century.

Brad is still a quality QB who has experience & a SUPER BOWL RING. Seems like you are getting all worked up over nothing. Upgrading on the QB front isn't even a NEED at this point.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

If Johnson was really that bad, the Cowboys would have kept Moore.

agreed

 

[PullMyFinger]

Dixon in the 4th or 5th

 

[Hostile]

I wouldn't mind if we drafted a QB every year. If one develops you can trade him. We haven't drafted a QB since Quincy in 2001.

 

[LatinMind]

thats the thing about the really good qb's. they dont seem to ever get hurt in their prime yrs. they're good enough to avoid big hits. and teams are smart enough to provide them with protection. OL, good blocking te's and rb's.

romo isnt going down. i put these whatifs right up there with "what if when i turn on my car it blows up". romo getting hurt just doesnt enter my head. and brad johnson is older, but he knows what he's doing and he can run a offense. can u say erik ainge can?

 

[theebs]

Yeah, I must be living in a fantasy world where a team could say ... lose Aikman for 3-4 games, and Steve Beuerlein more than adequately step in and the team still makes the playoffs. Or Kosar steps in during a big playoff game. Or Jason Garrett for a big Thanksgiving game.

A team isn't likely to win a SB with a backup QB (although, it has happened ... several times). That's not the point. The point is that we need to have the position adequately manned to at least tread water for a 4 game period if Tony Romo misses a month. If you go 0-4 in a month it's hard to make the playoffs, even when Tony comes back. Particularly in the NFC East. If Tony pulls a hamstring and misses a month, the season is toast. Brad Johnson makes it about 3 quarters before he breaks an old man bone due to his osteoporosis, and then we're picking up some guy off the street to fill in the other three games when he doesn't know the offense. The Cowboys have been lulled into a false sense of security about the health of their QB's, and it will come back to bite them at some point.

Also, I know this isn't really a priority in internet messageboard land .. but there's really nothing wrong with making moves with 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 in mind. Really, I promise. In fact, that's how good teams draft.

I think we did draft with the future in mind with free and marten. That is a step in the right direction.

I do agree though that this would be a nice time to draft a qb. I still wish we made a play somehow for edwards last year. I would love that guy and his big arm behind romo. So if the first round goes real well, I really wouldnt complain if we took a qb as early as 2. Chad Henne wouldnt upset me at all.

I wonder if the team would be interested in trading with miami for their third round pick, then use that for a qb or move down from 28 and use the extra 2 for a qb. EIther way as long as they dont blow 22 and 28 I would be okay with a qb in any other round.

I still think last year was the year to do it though. All that moving around took care of that however. there is always the possibility that we could get on the horn with the bucs and trade for a simms or gradkowski with a 7.

 

[junk]

I'd definitely look at drafting one in the middle of the draft.

Every year I'd bring in some school guy like Romo and try to groom them for a couple of years. Would have been nice to hang on to Moore.

Paul Smith, Nick Hill, Bret Meyer, Ricky Santos or Eric Sanders all might be worth a look in free agency after the draft.

 

[jamesdojr]

I agree. I'm in favor of having your starter, a veteran #2, and a developmental #3. I think that's well rounded.

He's taken a nose dive in the rankings, and some people say he may go undrafted but I'd really like to pick up Colt Brennan in the 5th or 6th. I've watched him and think he has "it" even though his arm strength is a little on the low side. There have been many many top QBs that came in with questionable arm strength.

There were even major questions surrounding Joe Montana's and Tom Brady's arm strength.

___________________

No one seems to be talking about this, but our backup QB situation is absolutely horrible. I always believe you should have one developmental QB on your roster at all times. Since Dallas cut Matt Moore, they have no one. "Jason's guy" Brad Johnson in the preseason made Vinny Testerverde look young and spry. Dallas better have a priority on scouting the developmental QB's in the draft.

 

[jjktkk]

I'm sure Dallas will pick up a college free agent QB, or use a late round pick on a QB to develop along with Barton who is currently on their practice squad. Its definitely not a panic situation. If the Cowboys deem Johnson can't cut it, there is always a vetrean free agent QB(Harrington, Leftwich, Culpepper, etc...) out there that the Cowboys can possibly pick up. IMO I don't see this as a priority. WR, CB,and RB are the Cowboys biggest priorities.

 

[Stautner]

major investments = find the greatest backup QB in the world and make him back up your starter


The "point being discussed" is whether to draft a young QB to groom. Like I have already said... it doesnt seem to be in our plans... we let Baker go. Dont be suprised if we dont draft a QB at all.

settling on Johnson - what has he done wrong? he is more than capable to fill in.... if Romo goes down for season there is NO BACKUP that is gonna lead us far.

Getting lucky in developing Romo and him working out was great. But you know as well as I do... just because you bring them along slow doesnt guarantee anything... in 6-7 years we could be in a similar situation to the wonder years(I wonder when we are gonna find a QB that can play)


I say Romo and Johnson for this year... maybe start looking for project QB next year.

Who said anything at all about "the greatest backup in the world"?

Once again you are way overexaggerating what those are saying that you disagree with.

Romo was NOT a major investment, and that's the kind of guy we are talking about. If he doesn't work out we haven't invested a lot of money in him and we haven't relied on him. On the other hand if he does work out we either have a quality long term backup or trade bait ala Matt Schaub.

The issue isn't making a "major investment" as you insist a developmental player would be. A developmental player is someone you aren't banking on but who you give a shot to because you feel they have enough talent that they "could" develop. These are not the guys you are sinking huge resources into.

The issue is making the decision to develop someone, which could mean keeping an extra QB on the roster and sacrificing a special teams player.

As for Johnson, sure everyone can have their opinion about him. My personal opinion is that Johnson couldn't throw a football 10 yards without having to arc the ball - he has no arm left. And this opinion isn't rooted in a dislike for Johnson, In fact, I was excited about signing him. I thought he was a great choice to backup Romo. But I didn't count on his arm strength having faded like it has.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Here's the problem with that:

Dallas doesn't like keeping 3 guys at QB. So, you draft a guy and he's promising and the end of pre-season comes along. You try to hide him on the PS, but some other team has been scouting him and takes him from you.

I think the resolution is to find a younger, more capable backup than B. Johnson or move to a 3 QB scenario and then you lose a player you might need somewhere else with your 3rd QB.

Very good analysis TonyS.

 

[Stautner]

Originally Posted bTonyS
Here's the problem with that:

Dallas doesn't like keeping 3 guys at QB. So, you draft a guy and he's promising and the end of pre-season comes along. You try to hide him on the PS, but some other team has been scouting him and takes him from you.

I think the resolution is to find a younger, more capable backup than B. Johnson or move to a 3 QB scenario and then you lose a player you might need somewhere else with your 3rd QB.

Very good analysis TonyS.

Needing a younger, more capable backup OR going with 3 QB's is obviously the solution. Knowing the solution isn't the problem, how to get there is.

It boils down to the coaching staff, and their thoughts and priorities, and also on the available players.

I thought last year was the right time to consider keeping 3 QB's. Matt Moore just looked too good to risk losing in my mind. The coaching staff obviously disagreed because even though they clearly wanted to keep him they were willing to put him at risk by trying to slide him onto the practice squad.

Of course, you can't blame the coaching staff for wanting to keep the backups and special teamers they feel they need as well. That's why the decision to keep a 3rd QB is so tough.

The thing that sticks in my mind is that while you may have to sacrifice a special teamer for a year or so to keep 3 QB's, if that developmental guy works out - as Moore apparently would have (judging by the fact he became the starter in Carolina), then in future years you can settle back to 2 QB's and be comfortable with that for a couple of years without having to constantly worry about finding a new backup QB each year.

 

[Bullflop]

If Johnson was really that bad, the Cowboys would have kept Moore.

He is and they didn't. Wade Phillips himself made the comment a while back that it was an unfortunate blunder letting Matt Moore go. When the Cowboys waived him, they took a chance that he wouldn't be claimed and it backfired. Moore needed seasoning, as it's obvious he's a work in progress, but his upside is considerable. He most likely would have provided good backup security for many years to come, assuming Romo continues his high level of play. To anyone watching Johnson toward the end of the '07 TC practices when his familiarity with the offense should have been sufficient, it was obvious his ability to move the offense was woefully inadequate.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

The issue isn't making a "major investment" as you insist a developmental player would be.

Wow???? :liarliar:

Where did I say that?