If Bledsoe has a Mediocre Year will it be his... Last?!

[Doomsday101]

And should Bledsoe have a Pro Bowl season should he continue to QB this team? Dallas not making the playoffs was more than just Bledsoe, defense seem to run out of steam and of course the obvious poor line play where we were making some average defensive lineman look like the second coming of LT. I think Drew shares in the blame as well so I'm not making excuses. I do think he has the ability to take Dallas all the way but like any other QB it still takes an entire team doing their job to get to the top.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

And should Bledsoe have a Pro Bowl season should he continue to QB this team? Dallas not making the playoffs was more than just Bledsoe, defense seem to run out of steam and of course the obvious poor line play where we were making some average defensive lineman look like the second coming of LT. I think Drew shares in the blame as well so I'm not making excuses. I do think he has the ability to take Dallas all the way but like any other QB it still takes an entire team doing their job to get to the top.

I think you make a relivant point but I also believe that we are in a bit different situation with Bledsoe because of his age. The situation with Bledsoe is finite IMO. A younger QB with simular skills would have the benifit of the doubt IMO. With Bledsoe, I'm not so sure. If the wheels completely came off, I could invision a scenario where Bledsoe were retained and we continued in the same direction we are now headed. Having said that, I don't see that happening. I just think the defense is too good and the skill players on offense are to talented. Vanderwhoever is also a key guy. He should make a big, big difference. I think this is the make or break year for BP and Bledsoe. Not championship but quantifiable results. That, IMO, means playoffs.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think you make a relivant point but I also believe that we are in a bit different situation with Bledsoe because of his age. The situation with Bledsoe is finite IMO. A younger QB with simular skills would have the benifit of the doubt IMO. With Bledsoe, I'm not so sure. If the wheels completely came off, I could invision a scenario where Bledsoe were retained and we continued in the same direction we are now headed. Having said that, I don't see that happening. I just think the defense is too good and the skill players on offense are to talented. Vanderwhoever is also a key guy. He should make a big, big difference. I think this is the make or break year for BP and Bledsoe. Not championship but quantifiable results. That, IMO, means playoffs.

What I would like to see is Bledsoe have an outstanding year and be able to continue as the starter until we can get a handle on who is going to take over at QB. I don't want to see Dallas reaching for QB's or having to draft one out of necessity and if Drew can hold up and perform at a high level I think we can get back in a situation where we have a QB ready to take over when he leaves. I think that would be the best case scenario for Dallas

 

[Alexander]

What I would like to see is Bledsoe have an outstanding year and be able to continue as the starter until we can get a handle on who is going to take over at QB.

When's that going to be?

Say Romo and Henson are as nondescript this preseason as they have been. Say we still have no idea what to expect from either after a season where Bledsoe simply blows the doors off. What then? I don't see how we can get a handle on the QB situation until one of the two shows us the handle to begin with.

I don't want to see Dallas reaching for QB's or having to draft one out of necessity and if Drew can hold up and perform at a high level I think we can get back in a situation where we have a QB ready to take over when he leaves. I think that would be the best case scenario for Dallas

If we don't get much from either, I would hope we seriously entertain getting a QB next April. It's doesn't mean reach for one, but take a developmental type like we could have this past April with Whitehurst or Clemens. Knowing how we do things, we might just have Jeff Mroz as the next experiment and ignore the position entirely.

 

[Doomsday101]

When's that going to be?

Say Romo and Henson are as nondescript this preseason as they have been. Say we still have no idea what to expect from either after a season where Bledsoe simply blows the doors off. What then? I don't see how we can get a handle on the QB situation until one of the two shows us the handle to begin with.



If we don't get much from either, I would hope we seriously entertain getting a QB next April. It's doesn't mean reach for one, but take a developmental type like we could have this past April with Whitehurst or Clemens. Knowing how we do things, we might just have Jeff Mroz as the next experiment and ignore the position entirely.

All I can say is it is up to Romo and Henson to use training camp and pre-season to change Parcells mind. I would say if Romo and Henson do not impress then we will have to look at drafting a QB allow him a season to sit behind Bledsoe just as Cinn did with Carson.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

What I would like to see is Bledsoe have an outstanding year and be able to continue as the starter until we can get a handle on who is going to take over at QB. I don't want to see Dallas reaching for QB's or having to draft one out of necessity and if Drew can hold up and perform at a high level I think we can get back in a situation where we have a QB ready to take over when he leaves. I think that would be the best case scenario for Dallas

I agree. I believe that with the talent on the team, it should be a relatively easy thing to make the playoffs. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say that it will not be a season long struggle but I am saying that with the talent on this team, it should be a very attainable thing for an experience vet, with enough physical skills, to QB us to a playoff spot in comparison to years past. That would obviously be the best situation for all concerned. I think it is imparitive that we decide who our future is, be it a Roster guy or somebody we intend to target as a sign or Draft. I would like to be in a position where we have a guy ready to step in and play in a couple of seasons as opposed to waiting two season for Bledsoe and three or four more on a young guy not developed.

 

[littlewebs]

Terry Glenn, TO, Witten, Fasano, JJ, Barber, Adams, Kosier, Johnson, Rivera, Pettiti/Fabini/Colombo. That is how I would define help.

Succesful, to me is Playoffs at least. 10-6 should really be attainable. We've already proven that with no OL and no TO, we can go 9-7 and miss the playoffs.

Don't forget no kicker either.

 

[Alexander]

All I can say is it is up to Romo and Henson to use training camp and pre-season to change Parcells mind. I would say if Romo and Henson do not impress then we will have to look at drafting a QB allow him a season to sit behind Bledsoe just as Cinn did with Carson.

If we do well, we will be faced with a dilemma. We are unlikely to have a shot at one of the elite QBs late in the first round. The best we could hope for is a player like Drew Stanton, which I wouldn't mind at all. We could also go for a veteran. How about Chad Pennington after the Jets cut him?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

All I can say is it is up to Romo and Henson to use training camp and pre-season to change Parcells mind. I would say if Romo and Henson do not impress then we will have to look at drafting a QB allow him a season to sit behind Bledsoe just as Cinn did with Carson.

To me, the difference there is that Palmer was the best prospect I've seen come out since Aikman. The chances of us getting anybody that talented and that close to ready are extremely remote IMO. We would probably end up taking a guy who requires more like three seasons, or so, to be ready. We really need one of our young guys to show something IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

If we do well, we will be faced with a dilemma. We are unlikely to have a shot at one of the elite QBs late in the first round. The best we could hope for is a player like Drew Stanton, which I wouldn't mind at all. We could also go for a veteran. How about Chad Pennington after the Jets cut him?

I agree with you on a player like MSU Stanton and if push comes to shove then Dallas may very well need to look at another Vet. Can't say I would go after Pennington coming off 2 shoulder injuries in as many years espeically when he did not have much arm strenght when he entered the Pros

 

[Doomsday101]

To me, the difference there is that Palmer was the best prospect I've seen come out since Aikman. The chances of us getting anybody that talented and that close to ready are extremely remote IMO. We would probably end up taking a guy who requires more like three seasons, or so, to be ready. We really need one of our young guys to show something IMO.

I was only using Carson as an example of a guy sitting and learning before getting thrown out there. Sitting behind Kitna allowed Palmer the chance to learn what Cinn was doing on offense and the chance to work with the coaching staff for a year without getting his teeth kicked in.

 

[Stash]

Maybe the Eagles will look at a player like Pennington when they finally realize that McNabb will never get the job done?

 

[Alexander]

Maybe the Eagles will look at a player like Pennington when they finally realize that McNabb will never get the job done?

They will never give up on their prized lapdog.

 

[ZeroClub]

Parcells could leave either way (playoffs or not).

If the season went horribly wrong, probably Jerry would push Parcells out (assuming Parcells needed a shove).

If the Cowboys played well despite some key injuries and narrowly missed the playoffs (in part because of an unusually strong NFC East), I don't think Jerry Jones would push Parcells out.

If the Cowboys were to make it to the NFC Championship game (or further) this year, there's a decent chance that Parcells decides to end his career on a high note (despite Jerry's attempts to keep him).


If Bledsoe has a Pro Bowl year but the team misses the playoffs, I don't think the Cowboys would get rid of him ....

 

[Stash]

They will never give up on their prized lapdog.

Yeah, just like the Steelers' wasted years waiting for Kordell Stewart to "get it".......

Or the Falcons waiting for Vick to become a quarterback.....

Or the Packers letting Favre run the franchise (into the ground)

Sometimes teams have to know when to move on.

 

[JMead]

I think for Bledsoe to have a mediocre year TO , Glenn and Witten would have to get injured and then you would see a 3000 yard 15 TD season ( which I think is mediocre ) but then again you have had QBs with those numbers or worse win the Super Bowl recently.

As long as Drew keeps having 3500+ yard / 20 TD seasons then there really isnt a need to be in a hurry to replace him.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

I'm uncertain what kind of year Bledsoe will have, but I do know this ...

The key to Bledsoe having a successful year is timing with his receivers. Timing will allow Bledsoe to operate even with a Medicre OL. However, if the Dallas OL steps up, that will give Bledsoe an opportunity to connect with his "money makers" ...Glenn and TO. A solid Dallas upfront will also give Bledsoe breathing room in the pocket. Simply put, a protected Bledsoe means big trouble for all comers.

The only weakness (if the OL steps up) I see is your ground attack. JJ has been very inconsistent running the ball. If that persiosts, that could mean a one-dimensional Offense. Either way, Bledsoe and Parcells could get blamed for a non-productive offensive squad.

I could see Bledsoe On anopther team in 2007, but I can't see Parcells coaching another NFL team (I guess it could happen) COuld you see Parcells with the Houston Texans?

 

[DC Cowboy]

When's that going to be?

Say Romo and Henson are as nondescript this preseason as they have been. Say we still have no idea what to expect from either after a season where Bledsoe simply blows the doors off. What then? I don't see how we can get a handle on the QB situation until one of the two shows us the handle to begin with.



If we don't get much from either, I would hope we seriously entertain getting a QB next April. It's doesn't mean reach for one, but take a developmental type like we could have this past April with Whitehurst or Clemens. Knowing how we do things, we might just have Jeff Mroz as the next experiment and ignore the position entirely.

Jeff Mroz might be our next QB of the future. What has Palmer said about him anyway. I like like his physical make up, 6'5" 230 lbs, "lively arm". Has anyone read anything about his mobility?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Jeff Mroz might be our next QB of the future. What has Palmer said about him anyway. I like like his physical make up, 6'5" 230 lbs, "lively arm". Has anyone read anything about his mobility?

I should make you pay for a new keyboard after I just spit potato chips all over the place after reading that. Probably take me 3 days to clean it all up.

 

[The Answer]

Bledsoe has one of the finest coaches in the NFL, he has a very tight DL and one of the best (if Not "the" best) WR corp in the NFL (Glenn and TO).

This may have Been tweaked before, but if Bledsoe's OL is not able to provide him with sufficient time to deliver to his receivers, will Parcells and the Cowboys GM merely beef-up the OL with more talent (something that was not done in the off-season), and give the Bledsoe to TO production another shot ...or will GM simply install new blood as QB to accommodate the star-studed wr?

Most of the pieces are in place for Bledsoe ...are there enough; justify your point.

The Answer thinks that some people are making way too much of an issue over the oline and how it relates to Drew's 'statuesque' play....

First of all, lets look at last season:

Drew finished with 3639 yards.....6th best in his 13 year career. He also finished with 23 TD's....5th best in his 13 year career. And he posted a 83.7 QB rating...tied for 3rd best in his 13 year career.

Now keep in mind he managed these rock solid numbers despite the fact one of the best LT in football (Flozell) was lost for the season after 6 games, a rookie started all 16 games at the RT spot(Petitti), musical chairs at center (Johnson/Gurode), a big free agent acquisition played injured all year (Rivera) and we watched one of the all time greatest players at any position clearly show his age (LA).

Fast forward to 2006: Flozell is coming back, Rivera should look more like the player he was in 2003 after a full season recovery from surgery, Johnson repordely has bulked up in the offseason, Petitti has a year under his belt and has impressed enough this offseason to the point where Fabini is no longer a lock to start (but will provide excellent depth worse case scenario), and Kyle Kosier, who some have said could be the steal FA signing of the offseason replaces LA....but the biggest upgrade is not on the oline itself, it was TO....

TO is a gamebreaker, and with a receiver this dangerous it will change everything in terms of the way teams blitz and pressure us, bad oline play or not....TO can take the short 3-5 yard pass against the blitz and turn it into a 85 yard TD run. Add to the fact that we added what hopes to be another monster pass catcher at the TE position (Fasano) and this team is already that much better.

Here's yet another stat to ponder....in 2002 Bledsoe was sacked 54 times (2nd most in his career) yet still passed for almost 4400 yards on a very bad Bills team. Also look at a few of Drew's biggest games last year: In the opener he was sacked 4 times, in 2 clutch games late in the season at home against KC and on the road at CAR (the NFC runner up) he was sacked 4 and 5 times respectively...guess what? All these games were all WINS.

The bottom line is we need to stop worrying about the oline and Bledsoe getting sacked....it's going to happen regardless. Drew is as durable as it gets and it's amazing he hasn't been severly injured by now. The Answer could care less if he's sacked 30 times or 60 times.....he's proven that he can still put up the numbers and get the clutch wins!!

~The Answer