Dallas' confidence in Johnson is fading fast

by Mullin on Oct 27, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

After a Week 8 in which Brad Johnson threw for a measly 122 yards and the Cowboys gained only 172 in all, their fewest ever in a victory, internal concerns are emerging at Valley Ranch about whether the NFL's oldest active quarterback can effectively incorporate Terrell Owens and Dallas' other receivers in the downfield passing game.

A high-ranking team source said the Cowboys will "probably" have Johnson, the backup to injured Tony Romo, start against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Sunday. But the same source said Johnson's obvious limitations within the offense, on full display in Sunday's 13-9 win over Tampa Bay, might prompt coach Wade Phillips and his staff to consider other options, including third-stringer Brooks Bollinger.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3666838

Story by Ed Werder who is a favorite of BTB fans

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Confused

I saw him play in preseason, I saw him play last year. Truly, you have to love the guy’s heart and soul, but his body (notably his right arm) does not allow Dallas to run it’s offense. It’s not like this should be any surprise to the Dallas brass. Anyone that has watched him play, has seen his passes float and drift because of his lack of strength. That, coupled with his immobility, is a bad combo.

Having watched the Giants defense just wear down a very physical Steeler team last night, having a mobile QB back there will be crucial to any hope we might harbor.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Oct 27, 2008 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

I believe the Cowboys HAVE to use one of their 3rd round picks on a QB next spring...

There will be several quality QB’s available to us in the late 2nd & 3rd rounds……I feel we blew the opportunity this past draft to address this ever lingering problem… heck..Bartel is a better option than Brad…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on Oct 27, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

If this story is from Werder

then you can count on not seeing Bollinger come in this Sunday, thats for sure.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Oct 27, 2008 12:33 PM CDT reply actions

LOL...

Cowboys fan since 1978.. I was 3 years old

by Mullin on Oct 27, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

seriously

This isn’t even a story.. What is the point?

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Oct 27, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

What>!

Bollinger’s mobility could be important against the Giants, who sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times and intercepted four of his passes in Sunday’s 21-14 victory. The Giants (6-1) have a league-high 26 sacks.

If they did that to Ben, what will they do to Brad?

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Oct 27, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

How come we can't take a page from the playbook of the Longhorns and Bucs

Jeff Garcia tosses a short pass to Galloway behind a block of a big wide receiver and lets the receiver make a play.
Colt McCoy tosses a short pass or screen to a playmaking wide receiver or running back and lets the athletic playmaker make a play.
Why can’t we use BJ as a distributor to sling the ball from 3-step drops in quick, short passes to athletic RAC playmakers TO, Crayton, RW11, Austin, Stanback, Bennett and let them make plays with their feet?

by DolphDallas on Oct 27, 2008 12:49 PM CDT reply actions

Because BJ's throws take too long to get there!!!

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Oct 27, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Even with a 3 step drop and a slant pattern, Brad takes 3-5 seconds...look for a few pic six's against Brad...

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

by BoyzRback on Oct 27, 2008 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Ohhh....

I hope not. Just the thought of it makes me want to scream.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Oct 28, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

They've tried plays like that to Owens.

The problem is, he always has a guy up tight on him, so there’s nowhere for him to go. That play only works when guys consistently play off, like the Cowboys do. When the Cowboys tried that play yesterday, I just didn’t get it. If you see the guy up on the WR, you have to audible out or go to another receiver. If they’re going to do it, it’s going to have to be away from Owens. Of course, with Brad throwing, teams aren’t scared to press all of the receivers, because they know he isn’t going deep.

by Baked Potato Soup on Oct 27, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions