Why Brad Johnson Was the Right Choice

Hostile

The Duke
Messages
119,565
Reaction score
4,544
Insurance.

It is really just that simple.

In the daily attempts to bash him and stir up crap I felt a little on the side of sanity and truth was in order.

2007 is meant to be a year we make a run at the Super Bowl. We're going to be attmepting this with a largely unproven commodity at QB. During his hot stretch last year, no one on the planet was better than Tony Romo. But teams figured out ways to slow him down and even stop him and he came back out of the clouds a bit.

That doesn't mean he doesn't still have some tremendous potential. When you combine charisma (leadership), confidence, and talent with a work ethic (Phillips says he is a daily film student at VR), the potential exists for great things.

Football is a violent game. We all know that. We've been extremely lucky in Dallas for a long time about QB injuries. In 2006, Bledsoe was benched or he could have started all 16 games presumably. He did just that in 2005. IN 2004, Vinny started 15 games and played in all 16, so we know he could have started all 16. In 2003 Quincy Carter started all 16, and he presumabely could have started all 16 in 2002 if he had not been benched.

Translation, you have to go all the way back to 2001 when injuries have sidelined a QB in Dallas. I think only 2 other teams can say this, Indianapolis and Green Bay. Fortune has smiled on us, but providence has a way of turning. If I am wrong on the 2 other teams, meaning if there are more teams who have not had QB injuries, please let me know.

This is why Brad Johnson makes the most sense. I openly admit, he was not my choice. I would prefer to go younger. The problem with that theory is younger is also unproven.

Of the QBs who have been on the market in the 2007 off season, Brad Johnson is easily the most proven candidate. The lone exception might be Drew Bledsoe, but that was never truly an option here I believe.

If Tony Romo goes down for a game or two, Brad Johnson is a perfect choice to keep a hopeful season from derailing. A veteran with a Super Bowl ring will provide the team with some confidence until Romo gets back in the saddle. An unproven commodity would potentially be a let down. We can't afford that.

Sometimes accepting a situation only requires that you step away from it and look at it through other eyes. In this case I am trying to look at it from the eyes of a General Manager who believes his team is close and risks need to be minimized.

I still want to draft a QB in round 3 or later to groom for the future. I don't ever want another multi year search for Aikman's successor. In this case, Romo's eventual successor. If Romo plays for many more years and his backups develop we also benefit from potential trades for draft picks. I'll even go as far as saying if the right guy is our 3rd string QB and Romo is lost early for the entire year I'd like to get that player some playing time. I harped on that for 4 years undeer Tuna's watch. Not about to sing a different tune now.

I'd ask you for your thoughts but I know if you feel like sharing you will, and if you don't you won't.

;)
 

bbgun

Benched
Messages
27,869
Reaction score
6
Harrington .. Johnson .. Plummer. It matters not. We'd be screwed if any of them saw significant playing time (i.e. 2+ games). Considering Johnson's age, we'll be auditioning backups this same time next year.
 

Bob Sacamano

Benched
Messages
57,084
Reaction score
3
bbgun;1420407 said:
Harrington .. Johnson .. Plummer. It matters not. We'd be screwed if any of them saw significant playing time (i.e. 2+ games). Considering Johnson's age, we'll be auditioning backups this same time next year.

that actually made alot of sense

Bravo
 

YosemiteSam

Unfriendly and Aloof!
Messages
45,858
Reaction score
22,189
CowboysZone LOYAL Fan
Why Brad Johnson was the right choice. Because he isn't Tommy Maddox. :)
 

Hostile

The Duke
Messages
119,565
Reaction score
4,544
bbgun;1420407 said:
Harrington .. Johnson .. Plummer. It matters not. We'd be screwed if any of them saw significant playing time (i.e. 2+ games). Considering Johnson's age, we'll be auditioning backups this same time next year.
Good point, and I don't deny this. It is a roll of the dice. We might be auditioning backups next year anyway. But for this year, this is the gamble with the best odds of paying off.
 

carphalen5150

New Member
Messages
1,064
Reaction score
0
bbgun;1420407 said:
Harrington .. Johnson .. Plummer. It matters not. We'd be screwed if any of them saw significant playing time (i.e. 2+ games). Considering Johnson's age, we'll be auditioning backups this same time next year.
Why would we have to replace him next year? The wear and tear of being a back up will tire him down?
 

Hostile

The Duke
Messages
119,565
Reaction score
4,544
carphalen5150;1420431 said:
Why would we have to replace him next year? The wear and tear of being a back up will tire him down?
He could opt to retire. There are situations where this is feasible.
 

TheProphet

Benched
Messages
728
Reaction score
0
I respectfully disagree. Johnson is past his prime. Period.

We are in deep trouble if he is called on to start for 3 or more games.

Our OL, for the past 4-5 years has shown no ability in protecting older immobile QB's. Vinny, Bledsoe are great examples. Romo is mobile. Brad Johnson is not.
 

Roughneck

Active Member
Messages
2,680
Reaction score
1
carphalen5150;1420431 said:
Why would we have to replace him next year? The wear and tear of being a back up will tire him down?
No but he will be another year older and who knows if he'll even want to play next season.

Johnson could very well remain our backup QB next year but it sure as hell isn't a lock.
 

Ashwynn

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,777
Reaction score
500
No arguement - I pretty much been thinking along the same lines.

Thinking its akin to Steve Beurline back in his day. A great back up that came in an won when he was called upon.
 

bbgun

Benched
Messages
27,869
Reaction score
6
carphalen5150;1420431 said:
Why would we have to replace him next year? The wear and tear of being a back up will tire him down?

1. He might retire
2. Someone better could come along (like Beck in this year's draft)
 

Hostile

The Duke
Messages
119,565
Reaction score
4,544
Ashwynn;1420443 said:
No arguement - I pretty much been thinking along the same lines.

Thinking its akin to Steve Beurline back in his day. A great back up that came in an won when he was called upon.
Exactly right. Or a Bernie Kosar, who was getting up there in years I believe.

My hope is that a legitimate thread on our backup QB will generate real football discussions and not mud slinging and be the better thread than the daily downer.
 

Roughneck

Active Member
Messages
2,680
Reaction score
1
Ashwynn;1420443 said:
No arguement - I pretty much been thinking along the same lines.

Thinking its akin to Steve Beurline back in his day. A great back up that came in an won when he was called upon.
Just look down on the sidelines at our OC this upcoming season for another example.
 
Top