Everyones favorite player

[BlueWave]

Everyones favorite player, the backup QB.

I just don't understand the obsession with the backup QB position. Why do we spend so much time worrying about an essential non factor? Drew Bledsoe is our starting QB. He is 33 years old and basically in the prime of his QB career. By most accounts, an NFL QB's prime years are around the 28 - 32 age range. If he plays like he is capable of playing, and has played in the past, and stays healthy, he will be our only real concern at QB. If he happens to lead this team deep into the playoffs and into the SuperBowl once or twice, there is even a possibility that he could enter the Hall of Fame, yes, as a Cowboy someday . Dont' doubt it. He was well on his way in New England. A few more years like that, a couple of playoff appearances, and a SuperBowl win, and he is likely in.

So why spend so much time worring about future prospects. Lets worry about present endeavors. Are you guys not confident that this team will be competetive in a watered down NFL, this year? Are you so obsessed with finding a future QB, that you have already counted out the huge talent we will have leading the team this season. Or is it that some of you just get bored unless there is some kind of debate and the QB position.

Bledsoe is a QB who, essentially, lead his team to a 9-7 record last season, which could easily been 10-6 and a playoff berth, had it not been for a last second prayer in the back of the endzone by Leftwich. Although he did not play his best football last season, Parcells will put him in the situation that uses his skills and abilities to make him be the best he can be. And don't be fooled, Bledsoes best is as good, if not better, than any QB in the NFL right now. When he is at his best, he is nothing short of great.

It's time to quit obsessing over the future and a backup QB slot. Let's be honest, if Bledsoe goes out for the season at any point, Testaverde will be in his locker before his spot gets cold, and Testaverde will be starting within a week or two after that. Don't think he isn't ready as we speak, to get that call. Could be sooner than later. Parcells isn't going to place the season in the hands of either on of these two guys. I like them, but at this point, it's just like the Carter/Hutchinson debate. Two backups usually means you don't have one. So you see, all of this is for not anyway.

It's time to enjoy the season, enjoy our upgraded QB, and enjoy the fact that we are actually contenders this season for the first time in many years. Parcells has already said that him and Bledsoe will ride this thing out together. Let's let the season begin and let this stale QB debate rest forever.

 

[BlueWave]

Amazing. A post debating who will be the backup QB below receives 212 replies. A post supporting our current starting QB can't even get a supporting reply. Is this what it's all about with modern day fans of my beloved Cowboys. It saddens me. C If it isn't controversial it isn't worth supporting.

 

[NorTex]

That was a great post. I agree with everything you said about Bledsoe.

I do think, however, that BP really likes Romo. And that Romo is better than Hutch or Q, and therefore will backup an injured Bledsoe, if necessary.

 

[SuspectCorner]

i don't obsess over the backup spot. but please don't try to minimize it's importance. if bledsoe should go down - you, too, will be reminded of just how important it can be.

 

[Wimbo]

Everyones favorite player, the backup QB.

I just don't understand the obsession with the backup QB position.

A couple of things make it interesting for me to read/discuss our backup QB situation:

1) Our starter is 35, and obviously not about to be the QB of our next dynasty.
2) We have 2 young guys that are an injury away from starting. Both of them have a season under their belts, and are expected to start showing if they have a future as a starter or not.

None of this detracts from Bledsoe as the starter in 2005... But it is a significant element of our team.

 

[The Duke]

I agree too. I look forward to Bledsoe. He's a very capable quality starting QB. He can potentially have a season as good as any in this league. He needs the players around him and I think we got that this year barring injury. Signing him will be praised by everyone during the season and we will be laughing at Buffalo's QB's play.

 

[WoodysGirl]

A couple of things make it interesting for me to read/discuss our backup QB situation:

1) Our starter is 35, and obviously not about to be the QB of our next dynasty.
2) We have 2 young guys that are an injury away from starting. Both of them have a season under their belts, and are expected to start showing if they have a future as a starter or not.

None of this detracts from Bledsoe as the starter in 2005... But it is a significant element of our team.

Minor correction: Bledsoe is 33.

I agree with the rest of your post for the most part.

 

[Wimbo]

Minor correction: Bledsoe is 33.

I agree with the rest of your post for the most part.

I stand corrected. Thanks!

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Nice post.

NFL quarterback is known as the most 'glamorous' job in all pro sports.

But ironically, just as in politics, the incumbent, despite his effectiveness, is rarely as 'sexy' as the contender.

The incumbent's warts are as exposed as much (or more so) as his successes, while the challenger represents something "better" and more perfect, even if it's just in our imaginations.

Would you believe that Bledsoe in his prime was debated by NE some fans as being less worthy than Michael Bishop?

That the second Doug Flutie was signed (of course he is much beloved here for the Hail Mary pass over 20 years ago, lol) it started up that perhaps he offered something TOM BRADY lacked?

It happens everywhere, whether the incumbent is a future HOFer or a journeyman. An old vet or a young player. Whether he has rings, or just 'potential'.

It's just the way it is.

It's just the way we are.

And it's fun!!

 

[Chuck 54]

There's a reason we're debating the backup QB so much, a very simple reason. Because it may determine the long term future of the Dallas Cowboys.

We've been looking for the next Roger Stauback or Troy Aikman ever since Aikman retired...it's been a few years, but feels like 20.

Banks...failed.
Carter...failed.
Hutchinson...failed.
Not to mention a few others.

Drew Henson is the latest "future ProBowl superstar QB of the Dallas Cowboys, whom we got for nothing" prospect. If he isn't the future of the Cowboys, then the Cowboys haven't found their future yet, not unless you're crazy enough to think it's Tony Romo.

Notice that no one cared about the backup competition between guys like Babe Laufenberg and Jason Garrett...that's because no one expected any of those guys to ever be anything but a backup QB...that's because Aikman was in his prime and it made no sense to the powers that be to draft or groom a young QB who wasn't going to play anyway.

NOw it's different...we know who our starter is, but we also know he's not going to be starting for the next 5-6 years, not impossible, but unlikely regardless of his age.

Testeverde was the starter, but he was not the future. Bledsoe is the starter, but he is not the next great Cowboy QB.

We're actually looking for that guy...right now our only hope is that the next great Cowboy QB is Drew Henson, so the backup competition is very important to all of us who think beyond this season and especially to the very few like me who wish we'd drafted a guy like Byron Leftwich when we had the chance.

Neither of these guys have much of a chance. Romo would have to buck the odds to measure up to the likes of Meredyth, Staubach, or Aikman simply because undrafted FA QB's don't make it to that status. Henson would have to buck history and become the first NFL QB to take the route he has taken to eventually be mentioned in the same breath with these great Cowboys QB's. Most of us would love to even find a great QB like Danny White.

Yes, Kurt Warner made it from the Arena League to NFL MVP and great player for a few years in St. Louis. Yes, Jim Miller made a late comeback to actually pretend to be an NFL QB for one successful year in Pittsburgh. Yes, Jake Delhomme has hung around the NFL for enough years to finally look like the real deal when he had Stephen Davis rushing and Jimmy Smith and company to throw passes to, but even his STAR has dimmed a little.

Maybe Romo can become a great QB....Maybe Henson will meet his fans' expectations...it could happen....I sincerely hope it does happen. Their competition for the #2 spot is actually very important to the future of this team, but the fact that neither is clearly superior to the other at this stage is not a good sign for either of them.

You can make all the arguments you want to make about failed QB's drafted in round 1, about how a QB can make it from nowhere, about the moxie of a Romo or the once stellar physical talents of a Henson a few years back at Michigan, but the bottom line is that if either of them ever measures up to more than a Hogeboom or Pelleur, if either ever approaches the play of Staubach or Aikman taking the routes they've taken, they will be in a very very very very very tiny minority....Vegas would certainly give you odds and take your money with a smile.

Disclaimer: This is not a Henson/Romo hate post

 

[jterrell]

I agree with the OP.

There is no reason to tear your souls apart arguing over backups.
If Henson is the real deal it will show itself over time. If he isn't then perhaps Romo is.

If neither are we can go sign another free agent in 2 years.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

There's a reason we're debating the backup QB so much, a very simple reason. Because it may determine the long term future of the Dallas Cowboys.

We've been looking for the next Roger Stauback or Troy Aikman ever since Aikman retired...it's been a few years, but feels like 20.

Banks...failed.
Carter...failed.
Hutchinson...failed.
Not to mention a few others.

Drew Henson is the latest "future ProBowl superstar QB of the Dallas Cowboys, whom we got for nothing" prospect. If he isn't the future of the Cowboys, then the Cowboys haven't found their future yet, not unless you're crazy enough to think it's Tony Romo.

Notice that no one cared about the backup competition between guys like Babe Laufenberg and Jason Garrett...that's because no one expected any of those guys to ever be anything but a backup QB...that's because Aikman was in his prime and it made no sense to the powers that be to draft or groom a young QB who wasn't going to play anyway.

NOw it's different...we know who our starter is, but we also know he's not going to be starting for the next 5-6 years, not impossible, but unlikely regardless of his age.

Testeverde was the starter, but he was not the future. Bledsoe is the starter, but he is not the next great Cowboy QB.

We're actually looking for that guy...right now our only hope is that the next great Cowboy QB is Drew Henson, so the backup competition is very important to all of us who think beyond this season and especially to the very few like me who wish we'd drafted a guy like Byron Leftwich when we had the chance.

Neither of these guys have much of a chance. Romo would have to buck the odds to measure up to the likes of Meredyth, Staubach, or Aikman simply because undrafted FA QB's don't make it to that status. Henson would have to buck history and become the first NFL QB to take the route he has taken to eventually be mentioned in the same breath with these great Cowboys QB's. Most of us would love to even find a great QB like Danny White.

Yes, Kurt Warner made it from the Arena League to NFL MVP and great player for a few years in St. Louis. Yes, Jim Miller made a late comeback to actually pretend to be an NFL QB for one successful year in Pittsburgh. Yes, Jake Delhomme has hung around the NFL for enough years to finally look like the real deal when he had Stephen Davis rushing and Jimmy Smith and company to throw passes to, but even his STAR has dimmed a little.

Maybe Romo can become a great QB....Maybe Henson will meet his fans' expectations...it could happen....I sincerely hope it does happen. Their competition for the #2 spot is actually very important to the future of this team, but the fact that neither is clearly superior to the other at this stage is not a good sign for either of them.

You can make all the arguments you want to make about failed QB's drafted in round 1, about how a QB can make it from nowhere, about the moxie of a Romo or the once stellar physical talents of a Henson a few years back at Michigan, but the bottom line is that if either of them ever measures up to more than a Hogeboom or Pelleur, if either ever approaches the play of Staubach or Aikman taking the routes they've taken, they will be in a very very very very very tiny minority....Vegas would certainly give you odds and take your money with a smile.

Disclaimer: This is not a Henson/Romo hate post

Good counter-points that I certainly agree with, but I think the original poster is reacting to the unbelievably childish arguments that take place on this board about a position that won't even take the field THIS YEAR, unless there is an injury. I agree that we should get behind Bledsoe, for now, and pull for this team to do well in the present.

I make no bones about it, I'm a big Henson supporter simply because he, (from all outward signs), SEEMED to be the guy with the best pedigree and chance of being the next good, Cowboy QB.

That being said, I know Parcells is big on comparisons to former players he has seen and I am becoming concerned that Parcells is seeing too much "Rick Mirer" and not enough "Roger Staubach" out of Henson.

 

[BlueWave]

Good counter-points that I certainly agree with, but I think the original poster is reacting to the unbelievably childish arguments that take place on this board about a position that won't even take the field THIS YEAR, unless there is an injury. I agree that we should get behind Bledsoe, for now, and pull for this team to do well in the present.

I make no bones about it, I'm a big Henson supporter simply because he, (from all outward signs), SEEMED to be the guy with the best pedigree and chance of being the next good, Cowboy QB.

That being said, I know Parcells is big on comparisons to former players he has seen and I am becoming concerned that Parcells is seeing too much "Rick Mirer" and not enough "Roger Staubach" out of Henson.

First of all, I love the way Bledsoe gets a year older every six months. It's just an unexplainable oddity. A big difference between 33 and 35.

As far as Captain America goes, great post. But the other point I wanted to bring out that might have been missed is that fact that if Bledsoe is injured for any extended length of time, It is almost a no-brainer that Testaverde will be brought in. Unless one of these two (Henson/Romo) really pulls away in the next few weeks, there is no way Parcells will trust either of them for a large portion of the season, at this point in his short lived Coaching career. He will feel that Testaverde, with a good running game, and starting caliber WR's has a better chance of winning games at 41, than either of these two have shown they can do so far. Frankly, they sound like they are no better than Carter or Hutchinson at this point.

So you see, what I'm getting at is, all of this debate is futile. The backup, if it is one of them, will only play for a short stint. Anything long term and say hello to Testaverde anyway.

Lately, if these guys don't get any better, I trade Henson to Tampa for Simms, sign Testaverde, and either trade or release Romo.

 

[Badattitude]

We've had some Great Backup QB's do big things over the years...
-Staubach
-White
-Longley
-Hogeboom was ok
-Peete was very good
-Bernie Kosar very good
-Steve Beurlein was superb
-Randal was ok

Backup QB's...it's what we do...

 

[Banned_n_austin]

Had it not been for everyone assuming that Henson would be the next Aikman before even looking at the big picture, then we wouldn't have a "debate" ...

But I'm in Hog Heaven about Drew Bledsoe being here ... I'm confident that if he can stay healthy that he'll have a successful season ...

I think what your seeing with the back up "debate" though is that during the offseason, you couldn't read a thread about Drew Bledsoe w/o someone insinuating that the move to bring Drew (Bledsoe) here was a)stupid, because it set Drew Henson's development back so far b) he's not a reliable QB and we may as well take our chances on Drew Henson ....

.... not only that, but a lot of people wrote Tony Romo off as well ... by assuming that Henson is going to come in and show that he has "pedigree" ... whatever that means ...

And people were insistant about this ... still are ...

I guess that's where the "debate" has come in ... things like, why didn't Parcells start Henson more last year? Parcells is stupid ... stuff like that ...

But to discount the back up position would be a mistake IMO ... someone brought up a stat that it's been a long time since Dallas played a full season with only one guy behind center for the entire season ... I don't remember off hand, but has been quite a few years since that has happened ... I'm thinking 10 or so if my memory serves me right ...

In any case, most of the "debate" has to do with everyone having such high expectations about Henson ... and I'm talking about Aikman-like expectations ... befere he even came into camp and beat out Romo ...

I've noticed more people are keeping it real lately though ... but this has been going on for a while ...

 

[blindzebra]

Had it not been for everyone assuming that Henson would be the next Aikman before even looking at the big picture, then we wouldn't have a "debate" ...

But I'm in Hog Heaven about Drew Bledsoe being here ... I'm confident that if he can stay healthy that he'll have a successful season ...

I think what your seeing with the back up "debate" though is that during the offseason, you couldn't read a thread about Drew Bledsoe w/o someone insinuating that the move to bring Drew (Bledsoe) here was a)stupid, because it set Drew Henson's development back so far b) he's not a reliable QB and we may as well take our chances on Drew Henson ....

.... not only that, but a lot of people wrote Tony Romo off as well ... by assuming that Henson is going to come in and show that he has "pedigree" ... whatever that means ...

And people were insistant about this ... still are ...

I guess that's where the "debate" has come in ... things like, why didn't Parcells start Henson more last year? Parcells is stupid ... stuff like that ...

But to discount the back up position would be a mistake IMO ... someone brought up a stat that it's been a long time since Dallas played a full season with only one guy behind center for the entire season ... I don't remember off hand, but has been quite a few years since that has happened ... I'm thinking 10 or so if my memory serves me right ...

In any case, most of the "debate" has to do with everyone having such high expectations about Henson ... and I'm talking about Aikman-like expectations ... befere he even came into camp and beat out Romo ...

I've noticed more people are keeping it real lately though ... but this has been going on for a while ...

There have been just as many Romo is a God posts as Henson is the next Aikman posts.

The vast majority of your so-called jock sniffers have not gone anywhere near as far as you claim, and most just respond to the COUNTLESS Henson bashing threads, correcting inaccuracies and out right fabrications.

You are generating zealous support with your little crusade, and then using the support that YOU CAUSE, as proof of "jock sniffing".

It's laughable.

 

[Nors]

A couple of things make it interesting for me to read/discuss our backup QB situation:

1) Our starter is 35, and obviously not about to be the QB of our next dynasty.
2) We have 2 young guys that are an injury away from starting. Both of them have a season under their belts, and are expected to start showing if they have a future as a starter or not.

None of this detracts from Bledsoe as the starter in 2005... But it is a significant element of our team.

Bledsoe just turned 33 Round to closest 5 years? I've done that in the past too!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Had it not been for everyone assuming that Henson would be the next Aikman before even looking at the big picture, then we wouldn't have a "debate" ...

But I'm in Hog Heaven about Drew Bledsoe being here ... I'm confident that if he can stay healthy that he'll have a successful season ...

I think what your seeing with the back up "debate" though is that during the offseason, you couldn't read a thread about Drew Bledsoe w/o someone insinuating that the move to bring Drew (Bledsoe) here was a)stupid, because it set Drew Henson's development back so far b) he's not a reliable QB and we may as well take our chances on Drew Henson ....

.... not only that, but a lot of people wrote Tony Romo off as well ... by assuming that Henson is going to come in and show that he has "pedigree" ... whatever that means ...

And people were insistant about this ... still are ...

I guess that's where the "debate" has come in ... things like, why didn't Parcells start Henson more last year? Parcells is stupid ... stuff like that ...

But to discount the back up position would be a mistake IMO ... someone brought up a stat that it's been a long time since Dallas played a full season with only one guy behind center for the entire season ... I don't remember off hand, but has been quite a few years since that has happened ... I'm thinking 10 or so if my memory serves me right ...

In any case, most of the "debate" has to do with everyone having such high expectations about Henson ... and I'm talking about Aikman-like expectations ... befere he even came into camp and beat out Romo ...

I've noticed more people are keeping it real lately though ... but this has been going on for a while ...

Hey Banned,

I have no beef with you as far as your thoughts on Henson. I fully supported Parcells desire to not play Henson since he thought Henson wasn't ready and I supported the move to bring Bledsoe in to start.

But I think you can figure out what I meant by the term, "pedigree". The vast majority of Henson supporters are just average fans who want to see the boys grab their 6th Lombardi, regardless of who is the QB. As for the reason most fans jumped on Henson's bandwagon, you don't have to be a genius to figure it out. You know Henson's history as well as anyone. High school player of the year, split time with Brady, projected by a lot of scouts to be the #1 pick, blah, blah, blah. Obviously Charley Casserley knew his stock had value, he took him with David Carr on his roster knowing he could trade him for a better pick.

What was Romo? A very good small school player who went undrafted.

Kinda makes sense that from the start, Henson would get most of the fan support, doesn't it?

Will Henson eventually develop? I hope so, but I've been disappointed before and Henson could certainly turn out to be another Rick Mirer. But I think most posters who have a problem with your views despise the fact that you make fun of, (see your sig), a player who is working as hard as possible to be a good player for the Boys when your beef should only be with the posters who criticized Parcells handling of Henson.

 

[kartr]

That was a great post. I agree with everything you said about Bledsoe.

I do think, however, that BP really likes Romo. And that Romo is better than Hutch or Q, and therefore will backup an injured Bledsoe, if necessary.

Surely you jest about Romo. Are is it cause he's still on the team?

 

[kartr]

Hey Banned,

I have no beef with you as far as your thoughts on Henson. I fully supported Parcells desire to not play Henson since he thought Henson wasn't ready and I supported the move to bring Bledsoe in to start.

But I think you can figure out what I meant by the term, "pedigree". The vast majority of Henson supporters are just average fans who want to see the boys grab their 6th Lombardi, regardless of who is the QB. As for the reason most fans jumped on Henson's bandwagon, you don't have to be a genius to figure it out. You know Henson's history as well as anyone. High school player of the year, split time with Brady, projected by a lot of scouts to be the #1 pick, blah, blah, blah. Obviously Charley Casserley knew his stock had value, he took him with David Carr on his roster knowing he could trade him for a better pick.

What was Romo? A very good small school player who went undrafted.

Kinda makes sense that from the start, Henson would get most of the fan support, doesn't it?

Will Henson eventually develop? I hope so, but I've been disappointed before and Henson could certainly turn out to be another Rick Mirer. But I think most posters who have a problem with your views despise the fact that you make fun of, (see your sig), a player who is working as hard as possible to be a good player for the Boys when your beef should only be with the posters who criticized Parcells handling of Henson.

If Henson turns out to be as good as Rick Mirer, it will be a miracle.