Cowboys Sign Drew Bledsoe
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James Joyner | Wednesday, February 23, 2005 |
Cowboys Agree To Contract With Former Bills, Patriots QB (DallasCowboys.com)
Since Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells arrived in Dallas back in early 2003, it has been no secret he likes to reunite with former players. And he’ll get the chance to do so once again, this time with quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who has agreed to a contract with the Cowboys. Bledsoe, who played the last three years in Buffalo, after a nine-year stint in New England, is expected to be announced the Cowboys’ newest quarterback in a press conference Wednesday at Valley Ranch.
Bledsoe, who just turned 33, was drafted by Parcells back in 1993 as the No. 1 overall pick. He played four seasons under Parcells, who later left in 1997 to coach the Jets. The veteran quarterback was officially released by the Bills on Tuesday, the first day NFL teams can cut veteran players. Buffalo is apparently ready to go with second-year quarterback J.P. Losman, whom the Bills drafted in the first round last season, using the pick the Cowboys traded them in a draft-day. The Cowboys acquired the Bills’ second-round pick, which they used to take Julius Jones, and also have Buffalo’s first-round pick this year (20th overall).
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Signing Bledsoe likely closes the book on Vinny Testaverde’s days with the Cowboys. The 41-year-old veteran quarterback signed with the Cowboys last June and started 15 games, finishing all 16, in the club’s 6-10 campaign.
An interesting move with little downside. Bledsoe knows Parcells’ system and should certainly be an upgrade over Testaverde. If Drew Henson catches fire during training camp, he can always become the starter.
The move has been hinted at for about a week. Still, it shows the brutal nature of the business side of the game. Not long ago, owner-GM Jerry Jones all but promised to retain Testaverde, a favorite of Parcells’. But that was before Bledsoe came available.
Steven Taylor has comments as well.
Audio of the Drew Bledsoe press conference
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Now comes the question of Buffalo's future.
Buffalo's future is finishing behind the Pats and the Jets. Dallas' future is going to be finishing behind the Eagles and Giants. Maybe Bledsoe will be better in the NFC but he really isn't a top QB anymore.
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