Cowboys’ QB Drew Henson Moved to Third String
Drew Henson, the Cowboys’ quarterback of the future, has been moved back to third on the depth chart. Tony Romo is now the backup. “I just know they moved me up to No. 2,” Romo said Wednesday. “I’m going to prepare like I always do and just come ready to play.”
Henson was inactive for the first six games as the third-string quarterback. He has been the backup for the past seven games and started against Chicago. But he was benched at halftime against the Bears after completing just 4 of 12 passes for 31 yards and an interception. Earlier Wednesday, Parcells said he would make a decision on his backup later in the week. Parcells said he doesn̢۪t think there̢۪s much difference between the players and he likes aspects of each.
Henson, though, has started just nine games since high school. Parcells thinks he needs more seasoning, which is one reason he is considering sending the rookie quarterback to NFL Europe. “How can I think he’s ready to play? …I’m not saying I wouldn’t put him in a game,†Parcells said. “You asked me if I think he’s really ready. I think he’s as ready as he could be under the circumstances.â€
Parcells has said he doesn̢۪t think it̢۪s a good idea to start Romo or Henson against Philadelphia, one of the league̢۪s top teams. But if Dallas loses Sunday and officially falls out of the playoff race, there̢۪s a good chance Romo or Henson will start the next game against Washington. For now, that looks like Romo.
Based on his career previous to this year, I’m still pretty sure Parcells knows what he’s doing. But, honestly, his decisions this year–including moves and non-moves this offseason–have simply baffled me. The Eddie George signing. The Mario Edwards non-signing. But, most of all, I have no clue what he’s doing with the quarterbacks. He dumps Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson, two young guys with talent if little experience, in favor of an overaged backup from a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year. He starts Henson and then benches him. And now this. This looks insane from the outside.
crossposted at SportsBlog and DCF
Quincy Carter sucked, and had no future prospects of not sucking, despite what the Jets say.
Bill Parcells is an exploiter of talent, maybe the best ever. He is not a developer of talent. He doesn’t have any quarterback talent ready to be exploited. You see the result.
Testaverde played atrociously last week, like he was still sufferin’ some pain in his throwin’ shoulder. Henson proved he was not ready. I don’t see Tuna havin’ any better option. Frankly, quarterbacks are born under fire. You stick ’em in the game and let ’em play. If they don’t do well, you try the back up. It’s the nature of the position.
As a Browns fan, I say let the Cowboys have Luke McCown. Hell, we will give him away.
We all seem to forget, of course, that Troy Aikman was what, 1-15 in his first season as a starter. Ultimately, the ‘boys are going to have to find a young gun and stick with him through some rough spots. They can’t keep throwing away potential starters in exchange for has-beens.