Poll: Who would you want the Cowboys to bring in to compete for the #2 QB spot?

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 8, 2008 10:34 PM CDT Comment 69 comments

Okay, the new QB doesn't have to come in to beat out Brad;, but for now, someone should come in to compete with him. And although Bartel may have some potential, the Cowboys can't rest their hopes on him should Romo get bumped and bruised.

Unless Mr. Jones and the coaching staff has someone in mind to bring out of retirement in the middle of the season if catastrophe strikes, the Cowboys' shopping list may have some prospects if they look right now.

These QBs are from NFL.com's Free Agent list. I was going to add Jamie Martin and Kelly Holcomb, but I heard they each retired.

Poll

Which free agent would you like to see unseat Brad Johnson for the #2 QB spot?

Daunte Culpepper

53 votes

Byron Leftwich

28 votes

Quinn Gray

31 votes

Jared Lorenzon

9 votes

Craig Nall

3 votes

Chris Simms (if released)

46 votes

Tim Rattay

14 votes

Chris Weinke

1 votes

185 votes | Poll has closed

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

1 recs | Comment 69 comments

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Comments

IS Rattay a Free Agent

I really like him – Rattay had limited role in ‘07: When Matt Leinart went down for the season with a broken collarbone, Tim Rattay got a job. The Cardinals signed him and used him as a goal-line quarterback in three of four games in which he played. Aside from a three-interception game vs. Carolina in relief of Kurt Warner, Rattay took three snaps in three separate games and completed three passes for 5 yards with three touchdowns. He had 164 total passing yards in those four games—159 in that loss to the Panthers.

hes got decent numbers

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5241

by GimmyJ on Jul 8, 2008 10:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

According to NFL.com he is.

Yeah, I remember him when he was with the Niners. Pretty decent of a backup here on the west coast. Experienced.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 8, 2008 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Put me down for Gray

http://www.nfl.com/players/quinngray/gamelogs?id=GRA766862

10 tds 5 ints.

He throw more TD’s last year then Vince Young.. LOL
He did it in 4 starts and total of 7 games played.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 9, 2008 12:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Put me down for Gray, too.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 9, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Best backup on the market right now.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Jul 9, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grey would be a solid choice

Hes not flashy but he gets the job done. Im sure he would get better behind our line. I really hope someone at the ranch speaks up for him.

by woodson28 on Jul 10, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If they don't consider him

then they might as well just keep Brad. Quinn is the most comparable (of this list) to Romo. They both seem to get hot and are mobile.

I noticed Gray through for 4 TDs in his last game against Houston. 4 TDs is nothing to sneeze at.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hefty Lefty

Bring in Jared ‘Dough Boy’ Lorenzon, at least for training camp, so he can spill the beans on the Giants.

by Citilicious on Jul 9, 2008 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He would be intriguing.

I saw him look pretty good in preseason last year.

This offense is so tailored around Romo that I question whether the coaching staff would hesitate bringing in a south-paw.

Isn’t Simms a lefty, too?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 9, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SIMMS

Making a comeback in the Poll..

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 9, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting idea

Though we don’t have a ton of trouble with their offense, so much as their defense. Still, a nice value-add for Lorenzen.

Another thing about him: a friend of mine who has access to the Giants friends/family post-game dinner told me that he once saw Lorenzen take a bite out of a piece of chicken, take a swig of bud light, and then eat a rib in one motion. He also said that Lorenzen was the first player there, about 10 minutes after the game ended.

Bring him in for the Hard Knocks humor alone!

by grapejoos on Jul 9, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can I vote none of the above?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 9, 2008 9:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so

stick with Brad?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 9, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sure

like I said in another thread, Brad is as good as most street FAs out there anyway. This team will live or die by Romo so worring about his backup is silly. No qb is going to come in and win the SB if Romo goes down, to me it’s a moot point.

Just groom Bartel as Johnson’s replacement.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 9, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But if the rest of the team rallies

around the backup and the D doesn’t allow many points, who’s to say that they couldn’t win without Romo in the whole season?

I expect him to be healthy and I know he wins games with his play, but there’s alot of talent at each position.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 9, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the defense would have to better

than the 85 Bears which isn’t going to happen. Face reality, the Cowboys won’t be good without Romo no matter what, the QB position is just too important to the success of the team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 9, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess voting for Weinke

is like voting for None of the Above. Doubt he’ll even get another chance this year.

Can’t believe so many people are voting for Culpepper. Personally, it would remind me of bringing in Ryan Leaf, Anthony Thomas, or Eddie George: veterans already past their primes and trying to resurrect their careers.

They just need somebody serviceable. If Brad’s the guy, then Brad’s the guy. I’m sure we’ll all keep a close eye on him in training camp and especially preseason.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 9, 2008 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We can wait til Training Camp

But have to be quick on the trigger because leftwich, Gray, Simms, and Culpepper will find homes, when QB’s start going down in Training Camp and Off-season.. .

I think we should give Gray a test drive.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 9, 2008 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When was Ryan Leaf's Prime?

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Jul 12, 2008 5:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could vote for Simms

I really do. But…being a Texas fan, and as a guy was at Texas Stadium for the Big 12 championship game against Colorado…I can’t justify letting that guy ever set foot on that field EVER again…

Can I get an amen?

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2008 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen

Simms lacks heart and is a quitter

Gray would be my choice

by WestTxHornFan on Jul 10, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

a quitter?

let’s see you try playing w/ a ruptured spleen, internal bleed, and hours away from your death.

by vy til i die on Jul 11, 2008 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm talking about the big 12 championship

not his unfortunate injury. If you remember he “hurt his finger” in that disastrous game against Colorado after throwing like 3 interceptions and a fumble. In my opinion he was able to play, but wanted out. He just had a look in his eyes of defeat. Applewhite almost came back to win it for Texas and had he they would have been in the Nat’l Championship game. Maybe I just can’t forgive Simms, I don’t know….

by WestTxHornFan on Jul 11, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gray is such a favorite throughout the comments, but

according to the poll most of the voters lean towards Culpepper.

Without the poll, you’d think it’d be between Simms and Gray. I just see so many negative reasons about Culpepper being in Dallas. I’d rather just keep Brad.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you're right

Culpepper is extremely overrated. Randy Moss made him look good at Minnesota, all he had to do is heave the ball down field and Moss would come down with it.

Then once he had the major knee injury and lost his mobility, he became complete garbage. No question we’d be better off with Brad as our backup.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 10, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Culpepper

Not sure he is ready to hold a clipboard.

Give me Gray he has held a clipboard before and came in won games when needed.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 10, 2008 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you...

I don’t want him here either…I don’t trust his health or his ability to handle the clipboard. That said, I think you might be minimizing what he did in Minnesota. His numbers in the early part of this decade were unbelieveable, and his best season in ‘04 came without much real help from Moss.

Of course he benefitted from Moss being there, but he was also a threat by himself.

Anywho…stick a fork in him now

"Will the Rangers ever win...past July?" - Peter Schmidt

by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's also the type of QB who can lose the game for you.

Fumbles, INTS=can’t be trusted to just manage the game.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Erroneous!

That’s like saying Romo is overrated because he has T.O and Jason Witten to throw to. It’s foolish to think the Cowboys are better off with Brad Johnson as back up.

by bryangene on Jul 10, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

its not the same

because Romo is an accurate passer who doesn’t rely on just one receiver. He throws to whoever is open at all times.

Bringing in Culpepper would be a huge mistake.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 10, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmhmm

You’re set on the belief that if Romo goes down the season over. That is true in the current situation we have. If Romo were to sustain a season ending injury, a good back up is needed. Brad Johnson is not going to take the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs with his arm. With our system and being loaded at every position we need a backup who will be able to benefit in case something were to happen to Romo.

Culpepper or Quinn Gray would fit nicely in this system. Culpepper spreads the ball out as evident from his monster season. The threat of Moss on the outside opens up other WRs, as does the threat of Owens. I do not see why bringing in Culpepper would be a huge mistake, he would be an insurance policy, not a starter.

by bryangene on Jul 10, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got news for you

there isn’t a backup qb currently unemployed who would lead us to the playoffs and that includes Culpepper. His monster season was directly attributable to Moss not his skills as a qb.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 11, 2008 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I got news for you...

Moss was injured that season, and didn’t even reach 1,000 yards. (767) Which means that of the 4,717 yards thrown that year 3,950 went to receivers not named Moss. So I guess you’re right that Culpepper is an unskilled QB right?

by bryangene on Jul 11, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I stand by my position

that Culpeppper is overrated and not a good qb.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 11, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

question Terry

How can he be overrated if can’t find a job?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 11, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

because he's leading the poll

so obviously the BTB community has an overrated opinion of him.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 11, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

So you are saying out of those QB’s he isn’t the best QB?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 11, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, he isn't

Gray is better and has more upside. The fact is Johnson is our backup no matter who we bring in, they won’t beat him out because they’re either not good (Culpepper, Leftwich, Simms) or too inexperienced (Gray).

If anyone is signed, it will be as the 3rd QB because Bartel has no experience.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 11, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

We will continue to keep 2 on the active Roster. Brad would be out..

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 11, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who cares about upside

I wouldn’t mind Gray, but we’re not looking for a future replacement for Romo. If we bring in a FA QB, then it is a good indication that Brad Johnson is on his way out.

by bryangene on Jul 11, 2008 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice to have the same #2

QB on the roster for the next 2-3 years, instead of having to go through this every year.

Gray would provide that stability while Bartel learns.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 11, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hard part about the poll

You never know who put what, Culpepper is the biggest names, and has the best stats out of all of them. So, for those people who just cruise the site, but usually don’t give input they are probably marking Culpepper. I see a lot of the regulars on here, but none of said they wanted Culpepper.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 10, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I voted Culpepper

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Jul 10, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice

Why Culpepper over the rest? Experience ?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 10, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Culpepper WAS good

But I think a conservative type of guy is good for the backup spot. You’re right, WMillion, he’s probably still looking to start.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My reasoning...

Dallas as a team is locked-and-loaded this year. This team should be a playoff team with even bigger aspirations. If Romo goes down for any extended time, I want a guy who I’ve at least seen do it before and do it successfully. If we were a struggling team expected to have a down year, I’d be more inclined to break in a younger, inexperienced guy who looks promising. Plus, as good as our line was last year, especially pass blocking, I think Culpepper’s loss of mobility would be less of a problem. I know he’s stunk it up recently, so I’m under no illusion he’s the Culpepper of old, then again, Oakland and Miami are where QB’s go to die. Maybe he’d have a mini-resurrection with a good o-line and a slew of playmakers around him. I know he has the arm and experience, so that’s why I chose him.

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Jul 10, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best thing about Daunte

is you probably only have to “rent” him for a year to see what he has. Doubt there’d be much committment in his contract no matter where he goes.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gray for those same reasons

Granted his body of work is shorter, but he has a strong arm and some mobility. If he had limited success in Jax with that receiving core, then I imagine he could have similar success with a real offense

by WestTxHornFan on Jul 10, 2008 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

Forgot about Jax’s shotty receiving core.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 10, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Gray's mobility is a big plus...

How many of you guys remember how many sacks Romo avoided last year by being able to move around in the pocket. We have a good, but not great, offensive line. A less mobile QB goes down and drives end in a lot of those situations. I’d love to see the statistics on how many drives Romo extended with his feet that led to points last year. That might be the best barometer as to what type of QB we need as a number 2.

Look if Romo goes down for a couple of games I want someone who can execute the offense and help us keep winning until he gets back. I don’t want to “write off” those games by going with someone whose arm won’t let him throw the ball more than 25 yards effectively.

The Red Ball Express will be rolling this year!

by BulletBob on Jul 11, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

backup conversation continues

Brads cool, im thinkn we can do a little better, the more i think about it, the last game Brad was in he looked like (stuck in quicksand Bledsoe), Culpepper or Gray could probably do more with our offense.plus ther younger, stronger with more to prove if they hit the field.
a solid backup is important, I dont like the idea that our season is over if Romo gets hurt,we must be prepared for anything

by bleedn blu on Jul 11, 2008 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we're not going to the SB without Romo

that is simply a fact, there isn’t a qb we could bring in who is good enough, its just reality.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 11, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not reality

Only reality in the mind of Terry..

It has proven it can happen, yet you insist that is impossible. Do I need to point out the examples?

Plus, I want someone who can win more then 50% of the games if romo went down for a couple of games. Gray proved he can win 2 out of 3 with the starter out. Your assuming that if Romo were to get hurt, it would end his season. Romo could have easily missed two games last year with the thumb injury.

We all know you love Romo, but there are backups who can come and win in spot duty, while he is out. It sounds to me like the Cowboys don’t think Brad Johnson is one of them..

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 12, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not anymore Wmillion

you need great qb play to win the SB in the todays NFL, that is a fact which you simply ignore. The last 5 SB winners won the SB with great SB play by their qbs in the playoffs, that isn’t going to happen with a street FA.

Bottom line is that Johnson is good enough to win a few games here and there but not the SB anymore, but guys like Culpepper, Gray or Simms aren’t going to do it either.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 13, 2008 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wait, wasn't brady

One of those anonymous back ups? 6th round pick who lacked arm strength?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 13, 2008 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brady wasn't a street FA and never unemployed

now you’re comparing apples with oranges.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong

I am comparing backups, Brady was backup when the original QB went down, and took his team to the Super Bowl.

Doesn’t matter how he became the backup.

My whole argument is a back-up can come and win. You say the world will stop if the backup has to come in, and simply isn’t true. History shows it, you have no facts.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 14, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there are different types of backups however

there are backups who actually make the team as a rookie, are groomed, developed and eventually come in and start and produce (Brady, Romo)

then there are backups who are career journeymen, who really aren’t that good, never were really that good and will never be that good and will not take your team to the SB.

like I said, you’re comparing apples to oranges.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong again

No difference.

A backup is a backup is a backup..

However you try to slice it.

You continue to ignore history, I can give you one, actually two of the top jeff hostetler and Kurt Warner.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 14, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is a big difference

whether you want to believe that or not, and of course I’m ignoring history because its completely irrelevant in this case.

Like I said, the qb position is much too valuable in todays NFL, you can’t win the SB anymore with a tremendous defense, great running game and a bus driver at qb. Thats why Parcells is a dinosaur and out of coaching.

You need great, playmaking qbs in today’s game to win the titleand you’re not going to get that from a street FA. A groomed and talented backup maybe, but you’re never going to get it from the guys listed in your poll.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fail

This topic was over a long time ago. Terry, you have been proven wrong on every argument you have tried to make. Have some facts to back up your statements sir.

Thread closed!

by bryangene on Jul 14, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

my facts are the last 5 SB winners, my case was proven a long time ago.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no so fast

In the last 10 years you have Tom Brady playing in 4 and Kurt Warner in playing 2, that is 6 out of 10. I think that is fact..

Those guys were backups before the season started. I guess you will try to say there is a reason why they aren’t considered backups..

Please don’t use the today’s game line, what year did the game all the sudden change? What made it change?

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 14, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Ben Roethlisberger?

Wasn’t he a backup the year Pittsburgh beat Seattle?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jul 14, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

please believe it

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 14, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually i take that back

the year before, but he lead them to 12+ wins

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 14, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he also was

one of the top prospects in the 2004 draft, not some scrub journeymen.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 15, 2008 7:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no he wasn't

Roethlisberger came in for Tommy Maddox in 2004, his rookie season. He won the SB in his second year, 2005, starting every game he was healthy.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its a passing league now

thats what has changed. Teams don’t commit to the run anymore, todays NFL is more like arena football.

QBs simply rule the game and without one who is really good, you have no chance.

Brady, P Manning, Roethlisberger, and E Manning all played exceptionally well in the playoffs to take their teams to the SB and win it the last 5 years. Jouneymen backups couldn’t do that.

The game changed earlier this decade and the rule changes and offensive philosophy of teams emphasizing made great qb play essential to win.

I’m not saying all backups suck, obviously not all qbs come in and start day one, that rarely happens, but the guys listed in your poll just aren’t good enough.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 14, 2008 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs