Even before Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Kellen Moore was lost for the season to a broken ankle, many believed the team needed to add depth at that position.
This belief was brought on by the Cowboys horrendous struggles while Tony Romo was sidelined last season. In the 12 games that the Pro Bowl quarterback missed in 2015, Dallas posted a 1-11 record. It was 3-1 in the four games that he started.
Moore himself has never been a quality backup in the NFL. And while adding former Mississippi State signal caller Dak Prescott in the draft this past spring was a good long-term move, it won’t pay off over the short term.
In reality, the injury to Moore might end up being a blessing in disguise for Dallas. It forces the team to go after a veteran — one that will likely be an upgrade over what the team already has behind Romo.
Reports on Wednesday indicated that Dallas was kicking the tires on the recently released Nick Foles. That makes a ton of sense, especially considering Foles himself has experience starting in the NFC East.
Though, we have to note that Foles was nowhere near a decent option for the then St. Louis Rams last season. He led the league’s worst passing attack while throwing seven touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions in 11 starts.
On the other hand, there is a more-qualified veteran quarterback that seems more than willing to give it a go with the Cowboys.
Former Pro Bowl signal caller Michael Vick told ESPN’s Josina Anderson earlier on Wednesday that he’s itching to get back into the NFL after spending last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While stopping short of mentioning the Cowboys by name, the veteran is surely looking to play one more season in the league.
“I’m on the grind. I’m down in Florida with the family waiting on an opportunity,” he said to ESPN. “This is the last year for me and I am going to wait it out. I just want to put the helmet on one more time and dedicate myself to the game one more year.”
Vick, 36, spelled Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh for three games last season, recording a 61 percent completion rate with two scores and one interception.
More importantly, the former top pick led Pittsburgh to 23 points per game and a 2-1 record. That’s more than what the Rams could say for Foles.
Listen, Vick wouldn’t be tasked with starting long stretches of games unless Romo were to go down to another serious injury. And if that were to happen, the Cowboys would already be doomed for the season.
What we do know is that Dallas needs a capable arm to back Romo up. That won’t come in the form of Prescott this season. It surely doesn’t look like Foles is up for the task based off what he did last season.
With the NFL’s best pass-protecting offensive line and an elite receiver in Dez Bryant, there’s no reason to believe Vick wouldn’t be able to hold down the fort for a game or two. Heck, the veteran still averaged five yards per rush in Pittsburgh a season ago.
If Dallas is intent on finding someone that can help it avoid disaster should Romo go down, Vick is the direction the team must look.
It’s not an ideal scenario, but the Cowboys inability to actually address the position during the spring put the team in this position.
Why not go with the best option, even if he brings a ton of baggage with him?