News: Did The Cowboys Improve At Backup Quarterback?

CCBoy

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Did The Cowboys Improve At Backup Quarterback?
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/07/22/20-questions-did-cowboys-improve-backup-quarterback



David Helman: Simply put, no. How could anyone argue that they have when the projected backup is the same guy that finished last season? Kellen Moore showed a few flashes last year during his audition as the backup, but I don’t think it was nearly enough to be given the backup quarterback job. Now, you might tell me that Dak Prescott is going to push for that position – but let’s be realistic. A fourth-round rookie is not going to beat a five-year veteran who has extensive experience in Scott Linehan’s offense. So that leaves Moore as the guy in charge if Tony Romo goes down again, and – no offense to Moore – I’m just not sure that’s good enough. Obviously the free agent market for quarterbacks wasn’t outstanding. But there were guys the Cowboys could have gone after. Chase Daniel and Matt Moore both would have been upgrades over the current situation, in my humble opinion. The Cowboys clearly disagreed, and only time will tell if that works out for them. Hopefully Romo will stay healthy in 2016 and this will be a moot point, but it certainly doesn’t look encouraging on paper.

Broaddus: If there was a mistake by this front office and coaching staff, I believe that Kellen Moore should have played earlier. His first start against Buffalo was not good but I did like what I saw from him against a Washington defense that was playing well down the stretch. In my opinion if Moore could have started two more games, we might have a different view about his ability, either good or bad. By not playing him earlier, there are still those questions if he really is the right guy for the job and that situation doesn’t give me much comfort. I want to believe in Kellen Moore but I can also understand why there are people within the organization that are split on his ability. But they have no one to blame but themselves in being in this situation.

Rob Phillips: Moore enters training camp as the clear favorite for the No. 2 quarterback spot, and based on his three appearances at the end of last season, yes – he was more productive than the original backups. The question is, is Moore enough of an improvement? Depends on how much he can improve, and honestly, the Cowboys hope they never have to find out in a regular-season game. Romo had a very productive offseason after opting for the Mumford procedure in March to help reduce the chances of another collarbone injury. He says his back continues to feel stronger the further removed he is from his late-2013 surgery. But the Cowboys know they simply can’t afford to play .09-percent football if Romo were to ever miss time again – meaning winning 1 in 12 games without him again. The offense finally got moving a little with Moore as the replacement starter, and he does have a comfort level with Linehan’s offense. The main concern would be his six interceptions in those three appearances. Everyone says Moore doesn’t have ideal height or arm strength; well, in that case, he can’t put himself in bad situations by forcing plays downfield. The preseason will be valuable for him.

Nick Eatman: From the looks of things, no. At least not for 2016. All the Cowboys did was keep a player on the roster that has yet to win a game as a starter in this league. Now, I don’t want to bash on Kellen Moore because I think he will improve with a full offseason under his belt. He’s got some tools to work with and 400-yard passing games aren’t that common so it’s something to build on. But, drafting Prescott doesn’t really fix anything this year. If anything, it requires them to keep three quarterbacks on the roster and go lighter somewhere else. We don’t know if Moore will be any better at all. And we don’t know if he’ll be needed to play. The hope is that no one ever sees the backup quarterback other than a blowout win. So it might not matter at all. But it certainly mattered last year and it caused the Cowboys to have one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
 

lwehlers

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no the front office took a step back in my opinion. they did not get a proven veteran and we are still stuck with moore and top it off did not get a young qb to develop. Prescott is not the answer to me. just have to see what Prescott does in the preseason games.
 

noshame

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Be nice if they gave Dak enough reps so that if Moore does have an epic fail and with his arm it's possible, Dak will have a legitimate shot.
with his legs there's no reason why he can't do a decent job with this offense
 

jazzcat22

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no the front office took a step back in my opinion. they did not get a proven veteran and we are still stuck with moore and top it off did not get a young qb to develop. Prescott is not the answer to me. just have to see what Prescott does in the preseason games.

What proven veteran was out there to get, without costing a fortune.
They tried in the draft. They may have tried for a FA as well, but the risk / reward wasn't there to do so.

But to answer the question, no they didn't address it to our liking.
 

jazzcat22

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Nope.

And I agree with Broaddus that we also erred in not playing Moore earlier. Once it was obvious Cassel gave us no competitive advantage whatsoever, he should have been replaced.

Yes, agree with Broaddus and his statement..."In my opinion if Moore could have started two more games, we might have a different view about his ability, either good or bad."

Even though we as fans knew it was over, they decided to stay with the thought, Cassell is the guy until officially eliminated.
I wanted to have them play every player they could, no matter what position to see what they each may show and may have.
 

TX Cowboy

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Nope Dallas went straight to their arrogance department and said (mexican voice)
We don't need no stinking back up's. we got Romo and he's good for every game
this upcoming season. wait for it

pruittigoe.gif


I give you the 2016 Cowboys waiting to happen
 

Screw The Hall

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I think they did improve.

The humongous error last year was the thinking that Weeden was any different than the guy everyone has watched be historically horrible his entire career. It still blows my mind. Kellen Moore looked like a legit backup canadate to me in his limited snaps last year and there's no reason to believe he shouldn't be greatly improved with a full offseason in the same system while getting primary backup snaps. Add to that actually drafting a QB that has some potential for the first time in forever and I think they did enough.

It's far from perfect but most backup situations in the NFL are just that. At least you aren't starting out from ground zero with a stiff like Weeden that you should have no reasonable expectation is going to get any better.
 

LocimusPrime

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No, we failed to address the back up QB and DE positions adequately. It's not too late to bring in freeney to help with defensive line and rather Rams are shopping Foles ( but his contract is terrible). Foles wouldn't be a terrible back up IMO.
 

CATCH17

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I think they did improve.

The humongous error last year was the thinking that Weeden was any different than the guy everyone has watched be historically horrible his entire career. It still blows my mind. Kellen Moore looked like a legit backup canadate to me in his limited snaps last year and there's no reason to believe he shouldn't be greatly improved with a full offseason in the same system while getting primary backup snaps. Add to that actually drafting a QB that has some potential for the first time in forever and I think they did enough.

It's far from perfect but most backup situations in the NFL are just that. At least you aren't starting out from ground zero with a stiff like Weeden that you should have no reasonable expectation is going to get any better.

Weeden is a solid backup as long as you don't have a coach like Garrett who tells the defense what we're doing every play based on down and distance.
 

DogFace

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Nope Dallas went straight to their arrogance department and said (mexican voice)
We don't need no stinking back up's. we got Romo and he's good for every game
this upcoming season. wait for it

pruittigoe.gif


I give you the 2016 Cowboys waiting to happen

:thumbup: Are you happy now?
 

Idgit

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Weeden is a solid backup as long as you don't have a coach like Garrett who tells the defense what we're doing every play based on down and distance.

Garrett doesn't call the plays in Dallas. Not that what you're describing actually happens, anyway.
 

lwehlers

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What proven veteran was out there to get, without costing a fortune.
They tried in the draft. They may have tried for a FA as well, but the risk / reward wasn't there to do so.

But to answer the question, no they didn't address it to our liking.

I think that matt moore would have been a good option. even though he wanted to stay in Miami. also henne of Jacksonville would also have been a good choice. he has won games in his career.
 

Idgit

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I think that matt moore would have been a good option. even though he wanted to stay in Miami. also henne of Jacksonville would also have been a good choice. he has won games in his career.

I'm convinced Moore didn't want to have to compete with K. Moore for that backup job. And I don't think walking in and being the backup was on the table. I really do think Linehan really likes K. Moore and wants him to get his chance.
 

TrailBlazer

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Nick and Helman are the only 2 that actually answered the question. Both said no. I agree.
 

Toruk_Makto

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Yes.

We have a young guy with upside in the position whereas we didn't have that before.

If your starting qb goes down for an extended period of time 9 times out of 10 you're going to have a bad time.

I think people exaggerate the backup level talent around the league.
 

Vinnie2u

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if tony goes down its a over

When this happens not if.. And Moore becomes a turnover machine. I'm curious to see if the coaching staff adapts the playbook to Prescott. Or will they try to fit a square peg in a round hole.
 
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