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Backup QBs will get a lot of front-line work again
Posted Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010
By JAN HUBBARD
[email protected]
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/08/11/v-print/2398720/backup-qbs-will-get-a-lot-of-front.html
IRVING — --Preparing for a season as a Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback is a little like training for an afternoon nap. The goal is to work hard so you can be ready to do nothing.
Before the 2009 season began, Jon Kitna had started 115 NFL games and completed passes for more than 27,000 yards.
After the season, he had the same career stats. For 16 regular-season games and one playoff game, he stood on the sidelines and watched Tony Romo take every snap from center. Same for third teamer Stephen McGee, who was seen about as often as the Ghost of Christmas past.
Despite Romo being the only NFL quarterback to take every snap last year, it still is a priority for the Cowboys to have their backups ready. So when the Cowboys meet the Oakland Raiders tonight at Cowboys Stadium, Romo will play one or two series, Kitna will likely play a quarter and McGee -- as he did last week against the Cincinnati Bengals -- will get the most snaps.
Although the Cowboys want to see if McGee can demonstrate NFL ability, they will ultimately be more interested in getting playing time for Kitna in the preseason.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones still shudders at the memory of the Cowboys’ struggles two years ago when Brad Johnson replaced the injured Romo for three games. The Cowboys went 1-2, including a loss to a St. Louis Rams team that would finish 2-14.
“He needs to play since he hasn’t been on the field in a long time,” Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said of Kitna. “For almost two years. He didn’t get that much playing time in his last year in Detroit. So he needs to play and get some reps.”
Kitna will likely have one exhibition game when he plays at least a half or more, but it won’t be tonight. Kitna, who has 152 career touchdown passes, said playing against the Bengals was “a lot of fun.” But he did feel some rust.
“It’s like a golfer,” he said. “You can practice all you want but your timing’s off until you start going and playing. Right now it’s not a big deal, because we’ve been training. But during the season, that’s when it gets a little difficult. The longer you go without playing, the breaking period when you do have to play could take a little bit of time.”
Injuries
The Cowboys have decided to hold rookie linebacker Sean Lee (quad injury) out of the Oakland game. Lee is expected to play in his first game on Aug. 21 when the Cowboys meet the Chargers in San Diego.
Also missing tonight’s game will be safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (shoulder/hamstring), tight end Martellus Bennett (ankle), offensive tackle Alex Barron (finger/ankle), defensive lineman Sean Lissemore (groin), tight end Scott Sicko (concussion), cornerback Cletis Gordon (strained neck), safety Patrick Watkins (knee) and guard Montrae Holland (hamstring). Those players could be ready to play against the Chargers.
Rookie receiver Dez Bryant (ankle) and defensive lineman Marcus Spears (knee sprain) could return late in training camp. Linebacker Stephen Hodge, who has yet to practice after having microfracture surgery on his knee almost a year ago, said Wednesday he is unsure when he will return.
Gronkowski’s time
Fullback Chris Gronkowski has played only one game for the Cowboys. Already though, owner Jerry Jones sees a little of Daryl Johnston’s toughness and will in Gronkowski.
A run of injuries at tight end is giving the undrafted free agent a bigger role tonight… and a better chance to make the team.
“It’s huge, but every game is huge,” Gronkowski said. “I try to go out there every game and show them I want to be out there playing hard. You’ve got to make your plays if you want to stick around.”
The backside tight end position isn’t new to Gronkowski. He said he did it about half the time in college. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips called him a “very good” receiver.
“When I started in college, I was getting 10-15 snaps,” Gronkowski said. “By the time I was leaving, I was seeing about 40-50 snaps a game. The more I can do, the more I can prove, the more they put me out there, the better chance I’m going to have to stick around.”
His brother Dan Gronkowski is a tight end for the Lions, while another brother Rob is a tight end for the New England Patriots.
Briefly
Starting left guard Kyle Kosier might get some snaps as the second-team center this week. He will get even more later this preseason, Wade Phillips said. Kosier has never played center, but the Cowboys are hoping he can do it well enough that they can use him in an emergency situation if Andre Gurode is injured during a game.
Injuries have the Cowboys running low on available kick returners and punt returners. Kevin Ogletree and Manny Johnson practiced kick returns this week, while Ogletree, Jamar Wall and Brian McCann have gotten work as punt returners.
The Cowboys, as part of their 50th anniversary, will recognize honorary captains for all home games this season. To commemorate the team’s first season and decade of the 1960s, Eddie LeBaron and Jethro Pugh will serve as the captains for Thursday’s game against the Raiders.
Parking lots will open at 4 p.m. today Stadium plazas and gates will open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is 8 p.m.
Staff writer Charean Williams contributed to this report.
Jan Hubbard, 817-390-7760
Posted Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010
By JAN HUBBARD
[email protected]
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/08/11/v-print/2398720/backup-qbs-will-get-a-lot-of-front.html
IRVING — --Preparing for a season as a Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback is a little like training for an afternoon nap. The goal is to work hard so you can be ready to do nothing.
Before the 2009 season began, Jon Kitna had started 115 NFL games and completed passes for more than 27,000 yards.
After the season, he had the same career stats. For 16 regular-season games and one playoff game, he stood on the sidelines and watched Tony Romo take every snap from center. Same for third teamer Stephen McGee, who was seen about as often as the Ghost of Christmas past.
Despite Romo being the only NFL quarterback to take every snap last year, it still is a priority for the Cowboys to have their backups ready. So when the Cowboys meet the Oakland Raiders tonight at Cowboys Stadium, Romo will play one or two series, Kitna will likely play a quarter and McGee -- as he did last week against the Cincinnati Bengals -- will get the most snaps.
Although the Cowboys want to see if McGee can demonstrate NFL ability, they will ultimately be more interested in getting playing time for Kitna in the preseason.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones still shudders at the memory of the Cowboys’ struggles two years ago when Brad Johnson replaced the injured Romo for three games. The Cowboys went 1-2, including a loss to a St. Louis Rams team that would finish 2-14.
“He needs to play since he hasn’t been on the field in a long time,” Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said of Kitna. “For almost two years. He didn’t get that much playing time in his last year in Detroit. So he needs to play and get some reps.”
Kitna will likely have one exhibition game when he plays at least a half or more, but it won’t be tonight. Kitna, who has 152 career touchdown passes, said playing against the Bengals was “a lot of fun.” But he did feel some rust.
“It’s like a golfer,” he said. “You can practice all you want but your timing’s off until you start going and playing. Right now it’s not a big deal, because we’ve been training. But during the season, that’s when it gets a little difficult. The longer you go without playing, the breaking period when you do have to play could take a little bit of time.”
Injuries
The Cowboys have decided to hold rookie linebacker Sean Lee (quad injury) out of the Oakland game. Lee is expected to play in his first game on Aug. 21 when the Cowboys meet the Chargers in San Diego.
Also missing tonight’s game will be safety Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (shoulder/hamstring), tight end Martellus Bennett (ankle), offensive tackle Alex Barron (finger/ankle), defensive lineman Sean Lissemore (groin), tight end Scott Sicko (concussion), cornerback Cletis Gordon (strained neck), safety Patrick Watkins (knee) and guard Montrae Holland (hamstring). Those players could be ready to play against the Chargers.
Rookie receiver Dez Bryant (ankle) and defensive lineman Marcus Spears (knee sprain) could return late in training camp. Linebacker Stephen Hodge, who has yet to practice after having microfracture surgery on his knee almost a year ago, said Wednesday he is unsure when he will return.
Gronkowski’s time
Fullback Chris Gronkowski has played only one game for the Cowboys. Already though, owner Jerry Jones sees a little of Daryl Johnston’s toughness and will in Gronkowski.
A run of injuries at tight end is giving the undrafted free agent a bigger role tonight… and a better chance to make the team.
“It’s huge, but every game is huge,” Gronkowski said. “I try to go out there every game and show them I want to be out there playing hard. You’ve got to make your plays if you want to stick around.”
The backside tight end position isn’t new to Gronkowski. He said he did it about half the time in college. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips called him a “very good” receiver.
“When I started in college, I was getting 10-15 snaps,” Gronkowski said. “By the time I was leaving, I was seeing about 40-50 snaps a game. The more I can do, the more I can prove, the more they put me out there, the better chance I’m going to have to stick around.”
His brother Dan Gronkowski is a tight end for the Lions, while another brother Rob is a tight end for the New England Patriots.
Briefly
Starting left guard Kyle Kosier might get some snaps as the second-team center this week. He will get even more later this preseason, Wade Phillips said. Kosier has never played center, but the Cowboys are hoping he can do it well enough that they can use him in an emergency situation if Andre Gurode is injured during a game.
Injuries have the Cowboys running low on available kick returners and punt returners. Kevin Ogletree and Manny Johnson practiced kick returns this week, while Ogletree, Jamar Wall and Brian McCann have gotten work as punt returners.
The Cowboys, as part of their 50th anniversary, will recognize honorary captains for all home games this season. To commemorate the team’s first season and decade of the 1960s, Eddie LeBaron and Jethro Pugh will serve as the captains for Thursday’s game against the Raiders.
Parking lots will open at 4 p.m. today Stadium plazas and gates will open at 6 p.m. Kickoff is 8 p.m.
Staff writer Charean Williams contributed to this report.
Jan Hubbard, 817-390-7760
