Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Brandon Weeden isn’t having a problem completing short passes. It’s the longer passes that are missing right now.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones knows for the team to score more, Weeden is going to have to get the ball vertical to keep opposing cornerbacks from sitting on shorter routes.
“I think Brandon is going to have to step up and show them that he’ll go downfield with it and go to the outside receivers,” Jones said during an interview on the Cowboys’ Special Edition show on the team’s official website. “I think there were some opportunities there for him in the second half (vs. Atlanta) that he conservatively decided to pass on that we’re probably going to need to start going to as we move forward or we’re going to continue to see it get tighter (inside the box).”
Weeden has been quite accurate thus far completing 29 or his 33 passing attempts this year, which equates to 87.9 percent. He leads all quarterbacks who have attempted 30-plus passes per game. Unfortunately, the completed passes are mostly short, with Weeden attempting only two passes that have exceeded 15 yards though the air. He is 0-2 in that stat and holds the NFL’s lowest ranking averaging only 4.8 air yards per pass, per NFL.com.
While Terrance Williams and Gavin Escobar are standing around looking bored, owner Jerry Jones thinks both should have bigger roles moving forward. Jones wants Escobar to be more involved (via The Dallas Morning News):
“He’s certainly got the speed to get in the routes, so yes, I’ve always thought the real best answer for not having Dez out there is a combination of things, but included Escobar.”
This Sunday evening Weeden faces a lackluster New Orleans Saints defense that is already dinged up. Thus far in 2015, the Saints defense has given up the second-most yards (268) to tight ends, who have scored three touchdowns.
This presents the prime opportunity for Weeden to put some arm strength into it and hit up Escobar and Witten in the deep middle of the field while the going is good.