Post by prossman on Feb 28, 2009 8:38:11 GMT -7
MySA.COM: Finding backup QB should be top priority
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Cowboys Insider: Finding backup QB should be top priority
Tom Orsborn -
Jerry Jones says adding another quarterback in the offseason is a “real priority” for the Dallas Cowboys.
How about THE priority?
As expected, the Cowboys released 40-year-old Brad Johnson this week, saving nearly $2 million in cap space. That leaves them without a backup for Tony Romo, although unrestricted free agent Brooks Bollinger could get re-signed and compete for the spot.
The Cowboys’ offseason needs include defensive end, defensive tackle, safety and linebacker, but none are more important than backup quarterback. With the Cowboys playing in a division loaded with ferocious pass rushers (the Giants’ Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, the Eagles’ Trent Cole and the Redskins’ newly signed Albert Haynesworth), it’s no stretch to say Romo likely will get his share of beatings, especially with 34-year-old left tackle Flozell Adams protecting his blind side.
So who should the Cowboys target in free agency to serve as Romo’s understudy?
Although the list of unrestricted second-string passers is pedestrian, there are a few worth examining, including two who could fit well in Dallas: Rex Grossman and Byron Leftwich.
Grossman, a six-year veteran who helped the Chicago Bears reach the Super Bowl three years ago but lost his job last season due to erratic play, told Sirius NFL Radio this week he’s open to joining the Cowboys as Romo’s caddy.
“I would not be able to compete for the starting job there,” Grossman said. “My role would be to come in and back up. And if something were to happen to Tony, there’s no better offensive situation to be in in the league.”
In addition to his willingness to take a backseat, the 28-year-old Grossman should warrant consideration because of the fine deep ball he throws. Johnson couldn’t make throws downfield to save his life, a serious flaw that allowed defenses to put eight men in the box and reduce Terrell Owens to a possession receiver.
In his interview with Sirius, you could almost hear Grossman licking his chops at the thought of throwing deep to Owens or to young speedster Miles Austin.
“They’ve got all that talent at running back, tight end, wide receiver, offensive line, coordinator,” Grossman said. “They’ve got everything in place you’d want. Good weather, new stadium. I’m sure they are going to cover it if it is windy or cold. So that would be the ideal situation to back up. There may be a few others. I’m not sure. But (playing in Dallas) would be intriguing if I’m in a situation where I have to back up.”
Of course, Grossman also mentioned Detroit in the same interview, praising wide receiver Calvin Johnson and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. And the Lions, of course, are desperate for a quarterback even one as inconsistent as Grossman.
“They’re not as bad as their (0-16) record (in 2008),” Grossman said. “They are a good team. I’d love to be there.
“Basically, what I told my agent, the ceiling is I want to compete to start. And that is really what I want. But the floor is I want to have a good job. If that’s being a backup, that’s being a backup. There are a few situations out there where I feel like they don’t have a solidified starter, and I’d love to get on one of those teams.”
The 29-year-old Leftwich, also a six-year vet, got a Super Bowl ring as the Steelers backup down the stretch in 2008. It was a role the former Jacksonville starter gladly accepted, but he played well enough in relief of Ben Roethlisberger in five games to probably get a shot with another team.
But should nobody come calling, perhaps the Cowboys can convince Leftwich another season as a backup wouldn’t be so bad, especially for a team deep in offensive talent.
Jones, however, might have something else in mind. Asked if he wants a veteran to back up Romo, Jones said this week, “Not necessarily. A veteran may be too much of a veteran.”
He then pointed out that Dallas went 1-2 with Johnson after Romo went down with a hand injury in October.
“It could have meant that much to us to have won one of those games we didn’t win when we didn’t have Tony,” Jones said. “We were lucky to have won the one we did without Tony, frankly. We have to have improvement there.”
It’s hard to imagine Jones would entrust the team to a rookie quarterback, no matter how promising, or one as erratic as Bollinger. Same goes for Kyle Boller, who the Cowboys have reportedly shown an interest in.
Bottom line: Jones can’t allow the team to be “held hostage” by the backup quarterback spot again, to borrow a phrase Bill Parcells employed often while he was in Dallas.
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Cowboys Insider: Finding backup QB should be top priority
Tom Orsborn -
Jerry Jones says adding another quarterback in the offseason is a “real priority” for the Dallas Cowboys.
How about THE priority?
As expected, the Cowboys released 40-year-old Brad Johnson this week, saving nearly $2 million in cap space. That leaves them without a backup for Tony Romo, although unrestricted free agent Brooks Bollinger could get re-signed and compete for the spot.
The Cowboys’ offseason needs include defensive end, defensive tackle, safety and linebacker, but none are more important than backup quarterback. With the Cowboys playing in a division loaded with ferocious pass rushers (the Giants’ Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, the Eagles’ Trent Cole and the Redskins’ newly signed Albert Haynesworth), it’s no stretch to say Romo likely will get his share of beatings, especially with 34-year-old left tackle Flozell Adams protecting his blind side.
So who should the Cowboys target in free agency to serve as Romo’s understudy?
Although the list of unrestricted second-string passers is pedestrian, there are a few worth examining, including two who could fit well in Dallas: Rex Grossman and Byron Leftwich.
Grossman, a six-year veteran who helped the Chicago Bears reach the Super Bowl three years ago but lost his job last season due to erratic play, told Sirius NFL Radio this week he’s open to joining the Cowboys as Romo’s caddy.
“I would not be able to compete for the starting job there,” Grossman said. “My role would be to come in and back up. And if something were to happen to Tony, there’s no better offensive situation to be in in the league.”
In addition to his willingness to take a backseat, the 28-year-old Grossman should warrant consideration because of the fine deep ball he throws. Johnson couldn’t make throws downfield to save his life, a serious flaw that allowed defenses to put eight men in the box and reduce Terrell Owens to a possession receiver.
In his interview with Sirius, you could almost hear Grossman licking his chops at the thought of throwing deep to Owens or to young speedster Miles Austin.
“They’ve got all that talent at running back, tight end, wide receiver, offensive line, coordinator,” Grossman said. “They’ve got everything in place you’d want. Good weather, new stadium. I’m sure they are going to cover it if it is windy or cold. So that would be the ideal situation to back up. There may be a few others. I’m not sure. But (playing in Dallas) would be intriguing if I’m in a situation where I have to back up.”
Of course, Grossman also mentioned Detroit in the same interview, praising wide receiver Calvin Johnson and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. And the Lions, of course, are desperate for a quarterback even one as inconsistent as Grossman.
“They’re not as bad as their (0-16) record (in 2008),” Grossman said. “They are a good team. I’d love to be there.
“Basically, what I told my agent, the ceiling is I want to compete to start. And that is really what I want. But the floor is I want to have a good job. If that’s being a backup, that’s being a backup. There are a few situations out there where I feel like they don’t have a solidified starter, and I’d love to get on one of those teams.”
The 29-year-old Leftwich, also a six-year vet, got a Super Bowl ring as the Steelers backup down the stretch in 2008. It was a role the former Jacksonville starter gladly accepted, but he played well enough in relief of Ben Roethlisberger in five games to probably get a shot with another team.
But should nobody come calling, perhaps the Cowboys can convince Leftwich another season as a backup wouldn’t be so bad, especially for a team deep in offensive talent.
Jones, however, might have something else in mind. Asked if he wants a veteran to back up Romo, Jones said this week, “Not necessarily. A veteran may be too much of a veteran.”
He then pointed out that Dallas went 1-2 with Johnson after Romo went down with a hand injury in October.
“It could have meant that much to us to have won one of those games we didn’t win when we didn’t have Tony,” Jones said. “We were lucky to have won the one we did without Tony, frankly. We have to have improvement there.”
It’s hard to imagine Jones would entrust the team to a rookie quarterback, no matter how promising, or one as erratic as Bollinger. Same goes for Kyle Boller, who the Cowboys have reportedly shown an interest in.
Bottom line: Jones can’t allow the team to be “held hostage” by the backup quarterback spot again, to borrow a phrase Bill Parcells employed often while he was in Dallas.
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