Why the Dallas Cowboys Should Sign Colin Kaepernick

The Dallas Cowboys have a decent backup quarterback in Kellen Moore, but the Cowboys should still sign Colin Kaepernick.

During the 2015 season, the Dallas Cowboys lost starting quarterback Tony Romo twice to a fractured collarbone. Backup quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel took the keys to a high octane offense and crashed it into the Red River.

Weeden and Cassel’s awful performance as backup quarterbacks led the Cowboys to a 4-12 record and showed the NFL WHAT NOT to get in a backup signal caller.

The only positive thing that came out of those pathetic performances were a high draft pick (Ezekiel Elliott) and a surprising starting quarterback (Dak Prescott) in the 2016 draft.

What the Cowboys coaching staff realized is the importance of the backup quarterback position, or at least having a decent backup quarterback. After the coaching staff realized that neither Weeden nor Cassel could lead a Pop Warner football team to a victory, Jason Garrett found common sense and put in seldom used backup QB Kellen Moore.

Last season, Kaepernick threw for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, completed 59.2 percent of his passes, and had a 59.2 QBR in 12 games.

From a performance standpoint, Moore played better than Weeden and Cassel, meaning he at least looked the part as a quarterback. Moore played in the last three regular season games of 2015, and his best game was against the Washington Redskins, going 33 for 48, 435 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

For the record, Moore finished the season 0-2 as the starting QB, threw for 779 yards, had four touchdowns, against six interceptions, completed 58.7 percent of his passes, and had 25.9 QBR (Quarterback Rating).

Although those aren’t gaudy numbers, the fact that Moore played better than his backup counterparts and gave his team the opportunity to win is what matters the most.

Fast forward to the upcoming 2017 season and Moore is the sole backup quarterback, ready to jump and lead this current Cowboys team to victory if the opportunity presents itself.

I really believe Moore can lead his team to victory, but there is another quarterback that can do the same thing if given the opportunity. And that quarterback is Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback Dallas needs to sign, like yesterday.

As an Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, I served my country so that all Americans can practice he/she freedom of speech, regardless of how I feel about it.

From the articles I’ve read and from some Cowboys fans alike, I’m in the minority when it comes to Dallas signing Kaepernick as Dallas’ primary backup signal caller.

Site experts Reid Hanson and Daniel Ruppert have written articles in support of Moore remaining Dallas’ primary backup signal caller. For the record, I like Moore and believe he’s a decent backup quarterback who knows offensive coordinator’s Scott Linehan system very well, and he could probably win a few games.

So I have no problem with Moore, but if Kaepernick is there, why not take him and still keep Moore on the roster?

What Kaepernick brings to the team

For starters, Kaepernick led the San Franciso 49ers to the Super Bowl and came very close to beating the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. Kaepernick has the experience of leading a team through grind of the regular season, the playoffs, and to a Super Bowl appearance. Kaepernick’s experience can be valuable to a young and up and coming signal caller like Prescott.

When it comes to the experience part, Kaepernick can explain to Dak what to expect as a second year QB. One of the main elements Kaepernick brings to the table is that he can play the quarterback position, simple as that, meaning he can play the backup position WAY BETTER than most backup quarterbacks on NFL rosters.

Let’s debate the facts if you want, too.

Last season, Kaepernick threw for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, completed 59.2 percent of his passes, and had a 59.2 QBR in 12 games. In addition, Kaepernick ran for 468 yards, 2 touchdowns, averaged 6.8 yards a carry with 5.8 attempts, and averaged 39 yards rushing a game.

Those numbers might not be Pro Bowl worthy, but what those numbers show is that Kaepernick can throw and run for touchdowns while keeping the interceptions low.

Isn’t that what you expect from your backup QB? To manage the game with the least amount of mistakes?

Kaepernick went 1-10 as the starter but that’s because he played for a sorry team. But this isn’t about his won/loss record. It’s about how effective Kaepernick can be as backup signal caller to Dallas.

The number one reason Dallas should sign Kaepernick is because he’s a dual threat. Kaepernick can run the ball as fast any running back and throw the ball from my house to AT&T stadium. If Dak were to miss any games (knock on wood), Kaepernick is more than capable than coming in and running the read option and finding the right receivers.

Imagine opposing defenses trying to stop Zeke and Kaepernick! Dallas’ running game would be beyond lethal. With Kaepernick, Dallas’ offense wouldn’t be unstoppable, but Kaepernick could certainly win games while the starter is out.

That’s the goal. Correct?

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Some Cowboys fans and site experts don’t want Kaepernick because of his style of play, like he’s not a good pocket passer and make throws outside of the pocket. I don’t care about him throwing on the run or outside of the pocket.

What I care about is having an above average quarterback scaring the hell out of opposing defenses and winning games.

Dak is Dallas’ franchise quarterback and its future, so I’m not calling for Kaepernick to come in and compete for the starting QB position. If that’s what Kaepernick wants to do, then stay where you are.

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Further, some fans don’t want Kaepernick to play because of his political stance of not standing for the national anthem. As an Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, I served my country so that all Americans can practice he/she freedom of speech, regardless of how I feel about it.

Having said that, owner and general manager Jerry Jones has employed players with domestic abuse allegations (Greg Hardy), failed drug test ( Rolando McClain and Randy Gregory), being convicted of intoxication manslaughter (Josh Brent), and many others like Dez Bryant and Michael Irvin.

If Dallas wants to reach the Super Bowl next season, it must cover all bases. Not just address the elusive “War Daddy” position, but also the backup quarterback position.

In 2015, Dallas didn’t cover all of its bases when it came to the backup quarterback position and it paid the price.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Why Kellen Moore is the best backup

Hopefully, Dallas will learn from its past mistakes and sign Kaepernick.

Or America’s Team can repeat the experience of a 4-12 season!

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