Posted on 09/12/2006 11:15:13 AM PDT by Dysart
IRVING -- Tony Romo was huddled with a few reporters when Drew Bledsoe walked into the locker room and put something inside his locker before turning around to face more reporters.
Odd.
Odd because it was Monday. Bledsoe doesn't talk to the media on Mondays. He's a Wednesday guy.
"I know," he said.
But this particular Monday was a special Monday. For the wrong reasons.
"I felt it's important [to talk] after a game where things don't go well. I feel like I need to address some of these issues and admit that I made some mistakes in the game," Bledsoe said. "That's very important. It's more important for me as a quarterback and a leader on the team to say [I] didn't play as well as I wanted to. I'm going to play better next week, and we're going to move on."
And there will be a next week.
Speculation over a quarterback change from Bledsoe to Romo this season died when Bledsoe started Week 1. The speculation received a booster shot Sunday after Bledsoe's three-interception performance in a 24-17 season-opening loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
But Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Monday no change will be made, and any questions surrounding a change aren't legitimate.
"Not right now," he said.
Parcells spread the wealth on "Who Can We Kick Monday?" It wasn't just at quarterback, where Bledsoe finished with a passer rating of 45.8.
Parcells said he has not lost any trust in the 14-year veteran. And one bad game is no reason to throw the keys to Romo.
"Don't make anything out of this because Bledsoe is starting next Sunday. So that's it," Parcells said. "But we'll see what goes on next Sunday. I told you I was getting Romo ready to play. And at some point in time, I'm hopeful I will be able to play him this year. Now, I don't know when, where or under what circumstances. But that shouldn't be the story for today because it's a non-story."
Unlike two years ago when Vinny Testaverde played all 16 games with Romo and Drew Henson pining for time during a 6-10 season, this is different.
Parcells' commitment to Bledsoe is week-to-week. He hasn't made, nor is it realistic to think he will, a seasonlong commitment to Bledsoe.
It's obvious he likes Romo better than he has liked any backup since he's been here. That's not saying much considering that cast includes Chad Hutchinson and Henson.
But Parcells has never favored a quarterback controversy. The only time he ever has juggled quarterbacks when an injury wasn't involved was in 1983. That was his first year as a head coach, and he interchanged Scott Brunner and Jeff Rutledge with a young Phil Simms on the bench.
As a veteran, Bledsoe, 34, knows what is being said and written. At least on the surface, he ignores the conjecture and speculation that he is a backup waiting to happen.
"I know it's there. That's the nature of the beast," Bledsoe said. "That's the position I play. It's not something I spend any time on. There is no positive in it. I focus on what I'm doing and what we're doing as a team and go forward from there."
Veterans who have played for Parcells aren't surprised. One vet said even if Parcells likes, respects and has a commitment to you, it doesn't make you immune from him pushing you with competition. Especially if he likes the competition at all.
In the middle of this "non-story" story is the "competition": Romo. An undrafted three-year veteran who has never thrown a regular-season pass has fallen into the always-popular role of The Backup. He recently signed a contract extension, and the Cowboys believe he can be their quarterback of the future.
So does he.
"I think any time you have a couple quality players at a specific position, it's always going to happen," Romo said of speculation that he will play.
Whether that future is this month, next month or next season remains to be seen. Romo wants to play. He also doesn't want to cause a scene.
"I don't know if it's awkward," said Romo, whose locker is next to Bledsoe's. "You're just waiting your turn when your time comes down the road. You're trying to be ready at all times."
Being ready will have to be enough. So says the quarterback. So says the owner/general manager. So says the coach.
For now.
"I think you're trying to get me to say at some point in time I'm going to get Romo in. That time is not now, OK?" Parcells said. "Is that clear enough?"
COWBOYS' DUELING DUOS
With thoughts of Tony Romo dancing in fans' heads, here is a look at some of the more memorable quarterback controversies in the Cowboys' past:
1968: Don Meredith/Craig Morton
There was a controversy in training camp, but Meredith started every game his final NFL season.
1971: Craig Morton/Roger Staubach
They alternated plays the first half of the season before Staubach took over solo duties.
1984-85: Danny White/Gary Hogeboom
Hogeboom was traded to the Colts after the '85 season, which led to another QB battle.
1986-87: Danny White/Steve Pelluer
White was nearing the end, and Pelluer was just a fill-in who was in there before Troy Aikman.
1989-90: Troy Aikman/Steve Walsh
It may seem ridiculous now, but there was a time this was legitimate.
2000: Troy Aikman/Randall Cunningham
People actually wanted to see an aging Cunningham replace an oft-injured Aikman, who was in his last season.
2002: Quincy Carter/Chad Hutchinson
That this team won five games with these two vying to be the team's quarterback of the future may reflect Dave Campo's best coaching job.
2004: Vinny Testaverde/Drew Henson
Parcells started Henson for one game, and he lasted one half before Vinny was back in.
It's a moot point. With the Boys' Offensive Line, there is no way Bledsoe lasts the season.
Bill Parcells,
Trade Bledsoe and Blowzell Adams for Brett Favre now.
Thanks
But... What's a Cowboy season without a QB Controversey?
What, so Favre can get killed even worse than he will in Green Bay?
But why would Favre want to come to Dallas. Terrible offensive line, average at best defense, they won't make the playoffs.
Heck Belichick tortured him when was the Jets DC under Parcells.
*************
You got that right.
How old is Favre....45?
Actually, he got decent protection against a very good Jacksonville defensive line. His problem yesterday was bad reads. He got his bell rung in the last preseason game and I'm not sure that he totally recovered.
This is an awful idea.
I agree that the OL stinks, and will all year. However, after overreacting somewhat after the Jacksonville game, I'm still of the opinion that the defense can correct some problems and be much better than average this year. (1) they are still very young and have room for improvement as they work out the nuisances of the 3-4 (2) they're stocked with great talent at most positions and ultimately they will perform up to their potential.
And I estimate this team is still a legitimate contender for a playoff spot.
Favre would be a logical fit here, IMHO.
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