Dallas Cowboys: Backup Quarterback The Truths
The Dallas Cowboys are the most talked about team in terms of backup quarterback. Here is the hard and real truth about that position.
With a Zach Mettenberger getting released there was a small outcry that the Dallas Cowboys should quickly sign him. Before we go any further, the Titans decided to keep Matt Cassel over him, that should be the first sign.
The second sign is Mettenberger has the lowest QBR in the league since 2014. The last sign is he is 0-10 for his career. Not exactly the type of player that would be an upgrade over anyone currently on the roster.
However, this article isn’t about Mettenberger, this article is about the backup quarterback position that the Cowboys currently have.
There has been tons written about starting quarterback Tony Romo and his health over the last few seasons. And while if Tony Romo stays healthy, the Cowboys have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. But, what happens if Romo goes down again?
Currently, Kellen Moore is the backup (number two) quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. While there are a lot of fans that want Dak Prescott as the number two, Moore makes more sense and is currently a better quarterback. That isn’t to say Prescott won’t overtake him, but going into training camp the job is Moore‘s to lose.
Moore isn’t as bad as many fans seem to think. He was the only semi-effective quarterback not named Tony Romo last season. Without all-world wide receiver Dez Bryant, Moore’s ability (and every other quarterback on the roster) in the passing game took a massive hit, and teams loaded the box to stop the only effective offensive threat, the running game.
Moore has a lot of the tools to be a quality backup quarterback. He goes through progressions pretty well and can make a lot of the throws asked. This can be seen by the chances the Cowboys took with him behind center compared to everyone else before him. He may not have the height, but it seems he has the arm and brain to play the position.
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The real question marks this season are Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers. Prescott is the presumed third quarterback, however Showers showed some flashes in preseason last year to wonder how he will look this season. Both are similar in that they use their feet well to keep plays alive and both have a cannon for an arm. Prescott might have the upper hand in terms of progression reads.
The backup position isn’t exactly where the Cowboys thought it would be as they tried to move up twice for different quarterbacks in the draft. However, they seemed to “settle” for Prescott when both of those moves fell through.
All things considered, they could be worse off at the position. Moore, Prescott, and Showers have better skill sets than Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden. Add in Ezekiel Elliot at running back and the backup position isn’t as bad as many seem to think.
While no one wants to see Tony Romo go down again, there is a feeling that the Cowboys might be a better situation this season that last season. It isn’t the ideal situation, but it is better. For everyone who wanted a first round quarterback, grabbing a first rounder who will sit for at least two years wasn’t the smartest move.
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The Cowboys may or may not have the heir apparent on the roster to Tony Romo, however, there is more hope to the position that at this time last season. With training camp around the corner, seeing who gets more reps will help evaluate the position a little better. But let’s be honest, we all hope we don’t have to see any of the backups at all this season.