Revisiting The Cassel-Weeden Decision

[CT Dal Fan]

Let me apologize beforehand if this has already been discussed. But to me, the Cowboys pulled the rug out from under Brandon Weeden far too soon, and it may have cost them the season just as much as Tony Romo's fractured left clavicle.

Yes, Weeden was 0-3, but Scott Linehan's playcalling went noticeably conservative in Weeden's starts. The defense truly let them down in losses to the Falcons and Saints. Against New England, the Cowboys were totally outclassed; so it's hard to pin that all on Weeden. Plus, he never had Dez Bryant when he played.

I'm not suggesting Weeden was a superb quarterback by any stretch of the imagination. But he was benched for Matt Cassel because.....well, nobody really knows why, do we? Weeden had two offseasons, two OTA's, two training camps, and two preseasons in this offense. So the Cowboys go and look for a spark from Cassel, who had about a month in the scheme, and cut Weeden.

I may be in the minority here, but I believe the Cowboys may have won a few games if they stuck with Weeden. And they could have waited a couple more weeks to bring Romo back for a stretch run for the playoffs. Instead, well, we have this.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

Let me apologize beforehand if this has already been discussed. But to me, the Cowboys pulled the rug out from under Brandon Weeden far too soon, and it may have cost them the season just as much as Tony Romo's fractured left clavicle.

Yes, Weeden was 0-3, but Scott Linehan's playcalling went noticeably conservative in Weeden's starts. The defense truly let them down in losses to the Falcons and Saints. Against New England, the Cowboys were totally outclassed; so it's hard to pin that all on Weeden. Plus, he never had Dez Bryant when he played.

I'm not suggesting Weeden was a superb quarterback by any stretch of the imagination. But he was benched for Matt Cassel because.....well, nobody really knows why, do we? Weeden had two offseasons, two OTA's, two training camps, and two preseasons in this offense. So the Cowboys go and look for a spark from Cassel, who had about a month in the scheme, and cut Weeden.

I may be in the minority here, but I believe the Cowboys may have won a few games if they stuck with Weeden. And they could have waited a couple more weeks to bring Romo back for a stretch run for the playoffs. Instead, well, we have this.

completely agree. it was a knee jerk reaction.

 

[dallasdave]

With so much talent at back up QB who could choose between Cassel and Weeden !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JDSmith]

Let me apologize beforehand if this has already been discussed. But to me, the Cowboys pulled the rug out from under Brandon Weeden far too soon, and it may have cost them the season just as much as Tony Romo's fractured left clavicle.

Yes, Weeden was 0-3, but Scott Linehan's playcalling went noticeably conservative in Weeden's starts. The defense truly let them down in losses to the Falcons and Saints. Against New England, the Cowboys were totally outclassed; so it's hard to pin that all on Weeden. Plus, he never had Dez Bryant when he played.

I'm not suggesting Weeden was a superb quarterback by any stretch of the imagination. But he was benched for Matt Cassel because.....well, nobody really knows why, do we? Weeden had two offseasons, two OTA's, two training camps, and two preseasons in this offense. So the Cowboys go and look for a spark from Cassel, who had about a month in the scheme, and cut Weeden.

I may be in the minority here, but I believe the Cowboys may have won a few games if they stuck with Weeden. And they could have waited a couple more weeks to bring Romo back for a stretch run for the playoffs. Instead, well, we have this.

It could be the conservative nature of the playcalling, or the conservative nature of the QB. There is no way for us to tell, although the fact that he got benched and eventually cut would indicate that the coaches didn't think it was the playcalling.

 

[Staubacher]

I agree. Weeden put up 28 and 20 points prior to the NE game. Cassel has been worse.

 

[fifaguy]

Meh.. both are complete garbage

 

[EST_1986]

looking back we should have stuck with the Weed and just opened up the playbook more, go for broke

 

[dallasdave]

I agree. Weeden put up 28 and 20 points prior to the NE game. Cassel has been worse.

It was just so much talent to choose from !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sarge]

Neither one throws more than 15 yards. Doesn't really matter. They are both completely worthless.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Meh.. both are complete garbage

True. But I'd take the garbage that knows more than a few pages of the playbook, if I had to choose as the Cowboys did. By now I think the NFL has caught on to the fact the Cowboys are going to call a run up the middle on 3rd and 1. There's no more Romo calling a real or dummy "kill kill" that suggests a quick pass could be coming instead.

 

[EST_1986]

Neither one throws more than 15 yards. Doesn't really matter. They are both completely worthless.

Cassel aired it out a few times, it just didn't go in the general direction of the WR's route

 

[craig71]

I think that Weeden had made some strides in practice sessions but that never carried over to game day and thus forced the move.


Craig

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Neither one throws more than 15 yards. Doesn't really matter. They are both completely worthless.

Let me add that Weeden's deep incomplete passes looked so much prettier than the wounded ducks Cassel lobs deep. Those could be mistaken for punts.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I think that Weeden had made some strides in practice sessions but that never carried over to game day and thus forced the move.


Craig

I agree, but the tangible results from Cassel haven't been there either.

 

[Star Guard_31]

Neither one throws more than 15 yards. Doesn't really matter. They are both completely worthless.

True, but at least Weeden had the arm strength to drive the ball down the field if he could have been compelled to do so. Downfield throws aren't even an option with Cassel.

 

[RS12]

Revisiting The Cassel-Weeden Decision

There is nothing to revisit. These threads are a monumental waste of time. You would have the exact same record either way. Both are QBs you pray never see the field and showed you exactly why. Why is this so hard to comprehend.

 

[Doc50]

Let me add that Weeden's deep incomplete passes looked so much prettier than the wounded ducks Cassel lobs deep. Those could be mistaken for punts.

Right, but both missed their mark by an embarrassing distance.

Remember, Weeden had that terrible record of losing, couldn't throw off balance or on the run, and just looked totally inept in some situations.

Most of us were clamoring for the change since Cassel at least had won in the league.

 

[rynochop]

Brandon Weeden rueage, I've seen it all. I don't remember reading one post saying it was a kneejerk reaction, etc

 

[BHendri5]

Why ?

 

[big dog cowboy]

With so much talent at back up QB who could choose between Cassel and Weeden !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was just so much talent to choose from !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got it the first time champ.