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Why Does Dallas Keep Passing on Quarterbacks?
BY ROB PHILLIPS on JANUARY 19, 2014
It’s here: Senior Bowl Week, better known as the national media’s “Extremely Premature and Mind-Numbingly Excessive Start to NFL Draft Talk!” You won’t get a seven-round mock in this space, but you will get an attempted explanation for the Cowboys’ stubborn refusal to commit draft picks to the game’s most important position: quarterback. Unless Tony Romo’s chronic back problems magically disappear in his mid-30s, Jerry Jones can’t ignore QB in the War Room much longer.Jerry_Jones_Draft
First, let’s confirm that Jones has, in fact, been among the least active GMs in the quarterback draft market. According to my research below, the Cowboys have drafted the fewest quarterbacks (2) of any NFL team since 2001, their first year without Troy Aikman on the roster. (Source: ProFootballReference.com)
(Note: Quarterbacks in bold are considered to be/have been franchise caliber quarterbacks. First-year starters Nick Foles, E.J. Manuel and Ryan Tannehill aren’t on the list just yet. Alex Smith is a difficult scratch, too.)
Take a look, and we’ll discuss what the list means in my next post. (Hint: the Valley Ranch brain trust hasn’t seen value in spending a first- to third-round pick on a backup for In-His-Prime Romo.)
Redskins: 8 (Sage Rosenfels, 2001 4th; Patrick Ramsey, 2002 1st; Gibran Hamdan, 2003 7th; Jason Campbell, 2005 1st; Jordan Palmer, 2007 6th; Colt Brennan, 2008 6th; Robert Griffin III, 2012 1st; Kirk Cousins, 2012 4th)
Broncos: 7 (Matt Mauck, 2004 7th; Bradlee Van Pelt, 2004 7th; Jay Cutler, 2006 1st; Tom Brandstater, 2009 6th; Tim Tebow, 2010 1st; Brock Osweiler, 2012 2nd; Zac Dysert, 2013 7th)
Jets: 7 (Brooks Bollinger, 2003 6th; Kellen Clemens, 2006 2nd; Brad Smith, 2006 4th; Erik Ainge, 2008 5th; Mark Sanchez, 2009 1st; Greg McElroy, 2011 7th; Geno Smith, 2013 2nd)
49ers: 7 (Brandon Doman, 2002 5th; Ken Dorsey, 2003 7th; Cody Pickett, 2004 7th; Alex Smith, 2005 1st; Nate Davis, 2005 5th; Colin Kaepernick, 2011 2nd; B.J. Daniels, 2013 7th)
Falcons: 6 (Michael Vick, 2001 1st; Kurt Kittner, 2002 5th; Matt Schaub, 2004 3rd; D.J. Shockley, 2006 7th; Matt Ryan, 2008 1st; Sean Renfree, 2013 7th)
Ravens: 6 (Wes Pate, 2002 7th; Kyle Boller, 2003 1st; Josh Harris, 2004 6th; Troy Smith, 2007 5th; Joe Flacco, 2008 1st; Tyrod Taylor, 2011 6th)
Packers: 6 (Craig Nall, 2002 5th; Aaron Rodgers, 2005 1st; Ingle Martin, 2006 5th; Brian Brohm, 2008 2nd; Matt Flynn, 2008 7th; B.J. Coleman, 2012 7th)
Texans (since 2002 inception): 6 (David Carr, 2002 1st; Dave Ragone, 2003 3rd; Drew Henson, 2003 6th; B.J. Symons, 2004 7th; Alex Brink, 2008 7th; T.J. Yates, 2011 5th)
Patriots: 6 (Rohan Davey, 2002 4th; Kliff Kingsbury, 2003 6th; Matt Cassel, 2005 7th; Kevin O’Connell, 2008 3rd; Zac Robinson, 2010 7th; Ryan Mallett, 2011 3rd)
Chargers: 6 (Drew Brees, 2001 2nd; Seth Burford, 2002 7th; Eli Manning, 2004 1st; Charlie Whitehurst, 2006 3rd; Jonathan Crompton, 2010 5th; Brad Sorensen, 2013 7th)
Seahawks: 6 (Josh Booty, 2001 6th; Jeff Kelly, 2002 7th; Seneca Wallace, 2003 4th; David Greene, 2005 3rd; Mike Teel, 2009 6th; Russell Wilson, 2012 3rd)
Cardinals: 5 (Josh McCown, 2002 3rd; John Navarre, 2004 7th; Matt Leinart, 2006 1st; John Skelton, 2005 5th; Ryan Lindley, 2013 6th)
Panthers: 5 (Chris Weinke, 2001 4th; Randy Fasani, 2002 5th; Stefan Lefors, 2005 4th; Tony Pike, 2010 6th; Cam Newton, 2011 1st)
Browns: 5 (Luke McCown, 2004 4th; Charlie Frye, 2005 3rd; Brady Quinn, 2007 1st; Colt McCoy, 2010 3rd; Brandon Weeden, 2012 1st)
Lions: 5 (Mike McMahon, 2001 5th; Joey Harrington, 2002 1st; Dan Orlovsky, 2005 5th; Drew Stanton, 2007 2nd; Matthew Stafford, 2009 1st)
Dolphins: 5 (Josh Heupel, 2001 6th; John Beck, 2007 2nd; Chad Henne, 2008 2nd; Pat White, 2009 2nd; Ryan Tannehill, 2012 1st)
Giants: 5 (Jesse Palmer, 2001 4th; Philip Rivers, 2004 1st; Andre Woodson, 2008 6th; Rhett Bomar, 2009 5th; Ryan Nassib, 2013 4th)
Raiders: 5 (Marques Tuiasosopo, 2001 2nd; Andrew Walter, 2005 3rd; JaMarcus Russell, 2007 1st; Terrelle Pryor, 2011 Supplemental 3rd; Tyler Wilson, 2013 1st)
Eagles: 5 (A.J. Feeley, 2001 5th; Kevin Kolb, 2007 2nd; Mike Kafka, 2010 4th; Nick Foles, 2012 3rd; Matt Barkley, 2013 4th)
Steelers: 5 (Brian St. Pierre, 2003 5th; Ben Roethlisberger, 2004 1st; Omar Jacobs, 2006 5th; Dennis Dixon, 2008 5th; Landry Jones, 2013 4th)
Rams: 5 (Steve Bellisari, 2002 6th; Jeff Smoker, 2004 6th; Ryan Fitzpatrick, 2005 7th; Keith Null, 2009 6th; Sam Bradford, 2010 1st)
Buccaneers: 5 (Chris Simms, 2003 3rd; Bruce Gradkowski, 2006 6th; Josh Johnson, 2008 5th; Josh Freeman, 2009 1st; Mike Glennon 2013 3rd)
Bills: 4 (J.P. Losman, 2004 1st; Trent Edwards, 2007 3rd; Levi Brown, 2010 7th; E.J. Manuel, 2013 1st)
Bears: 4 (Rex Grossman, 2003 1st; Craig Krenzel, 2004 5th; Kyle Orton, 2005 4th; Dan LeFevour, 2010 6th)
Bengals: 4 (Carson Palmer, 2003 1st; Casey Bramlet, 2004 7th; Jeff Rowe, 2007 5th; Andy Dalton, 2011 2nd)
Colts: 4 (Jim Sorgi, 2004 6th; Curtis Painter, 2009 6th; Andrew Luck, 2012 1st; Chandler Harnish, 2012 7th)
Vikings: 4 (Tarvaris Jackson, 2006 2nd; Tyler Thigpen, 2007 7th; John David Booty, 2008 5th; Christian Ponder, 2011 1st)
Jaguars: 3 (David Garrard, 2002 4th; Byron Leftwich, 2003 1st; Blaine Gabbert, 2011 1st)
Chiefs: 3 (James Kilian, 2005 7th; Brodie Croyle, 2006 3rd; Rick Stanzi, 2011 5th)
Saints: 3 (J.T. O’Sullivan, 2002 6th; Adrian McPherson, 2005 5th; Sean Canfield, 2010 7th)
Titans: 3 (Vince Young, 2006 1st; Rusty Smith, 2010 6th; Jake Locker, 2011 1st)
Cowboys: 2 (Quincy Carter, 2001 2nd; Stephen McGee, 2009 4th)
BY ROB PHILLIPS on JANUARY 19, 2014
It’s here: Senior Bowl Week, better known as the national media’s “Extremely Premature and Mind-Numbingly Excessive Start to NFL Draft Talk!” You won’t get a seven-round mock in this space, but you will get an attempted explanation for the Cowboys’ stubborn refusal to commit draft picks to the game’s most important position: quarterback. Unless Tony Romo’s chronic back problems magically disappear in his mid-30s, Jerry Jones can’t ignore QB in the War Room much longer.Jerry_Jones_Draft
First, let’s confirm that Jones has, in fact, been among the least active GMs in the quarterback draft market. According to my research below, the Cowboys have drafted the fewest quarterbacks (2) of any NFL team since 2001, their first year without Troy Aikman on the roster. (Source: ProFootballReference.com)
(Note: Quarterbacks in bold are considered to be/have been franchise caliber quarterbacks. First-year starters Nick Foles, E.J. Manuel and Ryan Tannehill aren’t on the list just yet. Alex Smith is a difficult scratch, too.)
Take a look, and we’ll discuss what the list means in my next post. (Hint: the Valley Ranch brain trust hasn’t seen value in spending a first- to third-round pick on a backup for In-His-Prime Romo.)
Redskins: 8 (Sage Rosenfels, 2001 4th; Patrick Ramsey, 2002 1st; Gibran Hamdan, 2003 7th; Jason Campbell, 2005 1st; Jordan Palmer, 2007 6th; Colt Brennan, 2008 6th; Robert Griffin III, 2012 1st; Kirk Cousins, 2012 4th)
Broncos: 7 (Matt Mauck, 2004 7th; Bradlee Van Pelt, 2004 7th; Jay Cutler, 2006 1st; Tom Brandstater, 2009 6th; Tim Tebow, 2010 1st; Brock Osweiler, 2012 2nd; Zac Dysert, 2013 7th)
Jets: 7 (Brooks Bollinger, 2003 6th; Kellen Clemens, 2006 2nd; Brad Smith, 2006 4th; Erik Ainge, 2008 5th; Mark Sanchez, 2009 1st; Greg McElroy, 2011 7th; Geno Smith, 2013 2nd)
49ers: 7 (Brandon Doman, 2002 5th; Ken Dorsey, 2003 7th; Cody Pickett, 2004 7th; Alex Smith, 2005 1st; Nate Davis, 2005 5th; Colin Kaepernick, 2011 2nd; B.J. Daniels, 2013 7th)
Falcons: 6 (Michael Vick, 2001 1st; Kurt Kittner, 2002 5th; Matt Schaub, 2004 3rd; D.J. Shockley, 2006 7th; Matt Ryan, 2008 1st; Sean Renfree, 2013 7th)
Ravens: 6 (Wes Pate, 2002 7th; Kyle Boller, 2003 1st; Josh Harris, 2004 6th; Troy Smith, 2007 5th; Joe Flacco, 2008 1st; Tyrod Taylor, 2011 6th)
Packers: 6 (Craig Nall, 2002 5th; Aaron Rodgers, 2005 1st; Ingle Martin, 2006 5th; Brian Brohm, 2008 2nd; Matt Flynn, 2008 7th; B.J. Coleman, 2012 7th)
Texans (since 2002 inception): 6 (David Carr, 2002 1st; Dave Ragone, 2003 3rd; Drew Henson, 2003 6th; B.J. Symons, 2004 7th; Alex Brink, 2008 7th; T.J. Yates, 2011 5th)
Patriots: 6 (Rohan Davey, 2002 4th; Kliff Kingsbury, 2003 6th; Matt Cassel, 2005 7th; Kevin O’Connell, 2008 3rd; Zac Robinson, 2010 7th; Ryan Mallett, 2011 3rd)
Chargers: 6 (Drew Brees, 2001 2nd; Seth Burford, 2002 7th; Eli Manning, 2004 1st; Charlie Whitehurst, 2006 3rd; Jonathan Crompton, 2010 5th; Brad Sorensen, 2013 7th)
Seahawks: 6 (Josh Booty, 2001 6th; Jeff Kelly, 2002 7th; Seneca Wallace, 2003 4th; David Greene, 2005 3rd; Mike Teel, 2009 6th; Russell Wilson, 2012 3rd)
Cardinals: 5 (Josh McCown, 2002 3rd; John Navarre, 2004 7th; Matt Leinart, 2006 1st; John Skelton, 2005 5th; Ryan Lindley, 2013 6th)
Panthers: 5 (Chris Weinke, 2001 4th; Randy Fasani, 2002 5th; Stefan Lefors, 2005 4th; Tony Pike, 2010 6th; Cam Newton, 2011 1st)
Browns: 5 (Luke McCown, 2004 4th; Charlie Frye, 2005 3rd; Brady Quinn, 2007 1st; Colt McCoy, 2010 3rd; Brandon Weeden, 2012 1st)
Lions: 5 (Mike McMahon, 2001 5th; Joey Harrington, 2002 1st; Dan Orlovsky, 2005 5th; Drew Stanton, 2007 2nd; Matthew Stafford, 2009 1st)
Dolphins: 5 (Josh Heupel, 2001 6th; John Beck, 2007 2nd; Chad Henne, 2008 2nd; Pat White, 2009 2nd; Ryan Tannehill, 2012 1st)
Giants: 5 (Jesse Palmer, 2001 4th; Philip Rivers, 2004 1st; Andre Woodson, 2008 6th; Rhett Bomar, 2009 5th; Ryan Nassib, 2013 4th)
Raiders: 5 (Marques Tuiasosopo, 2001 2nd; Andrew Walter, 2005 3rd; JaMarcus Russell, 2007 1st; Terrelle Pryor, 2011 Supplemental 3rd; Tyler Wilson, 2013 1st)
Eagles: 5 (A.J. Feeley, 2001 5th; Kevin Kolb, 2007 2nd; Mike Kafka, 2010 4th; Nick Foles, 2012 3rd; Matt Barkley, 2013 4th)
Steelers: 5 (Brian St. Pierre, 2003 5th; Ben Roethlisberger, 2004 1st; Omar Jacobs, 2006 5th; Dennis Dixon, 2008 5th; Landry Jones, 2013 4th)
Rams: 5 (Steve Bellisari, 2002 6th; Jeff Smoker, 2004 6th; Ryan Fitzpatrick, 2005 7th; Keith Null, 2009 6th; Sam Bradford, 2010 1st)
Buccaneers: 5 (Chris Simms, 2003 3rd; Bruce Gradkowski, 2006 6th; Josh Johnson, 2008 5th; Josh Freeman, 2009 1st; Mike Glennon 2013 3rd)
Bills: 4 (J.P. Losman, 2004 1st; Trent Edwards, 2007 3rd; Levi Brown, 2010 7th; E.J. Manuel, 2013 1st)
Bears: 4 (Rex Grossman, 2003 1st; Craig Krenzel, 2004 5th; Kyle Orton, 2005 4th; Dan LeFevour, 2010 6th)
Bengals: 4 (Carson Palmer, 2003 1st; Casey Bramlet, 2004 7th; Jeff Rowe, 2007 5th; Andy Dalton, 2011 2nd)
Colts: 4 (Jim Sorgi, 2004 6th; Curtis Painter, 2009 6th; Andrew Luck, 2012 1st; Chandler Harnish, 2012 7th)
Vikings: 4 (Tarvaris Jackson, 2006 2nd; Tyler Thigpen, 2007 7th; John David Booty, 2008 5th; Christian Ponder, 2011 1st)
Jaguars: 3 (David Garrard, 2002 4th; Byron Leftwich, 2003 1st; Blaine Gabbert, 2011 1st)
Chiefs: 3 (James Kilian, 2005 7th; Brodie Croyle, 2006 3rd; Rick Stanzi, 2011 5th)
Saints: 3 (J.T. O’Sullivan, 2002 6th; Adrian McPherson, 2005 5th; Sean Canfield, 2010 7th)
Titans: 3 (Vince Young, 2006 1st; Rusty Smith, 2010 6th; Jake Locker, 2011 1st)
Cowboys: 2 (Quincy Carter, 2001 2nd; Stephen McGee, 2009 4th)
