Matthew Stafford: Tony Romo’s heir apparent in Dallas?
One of the more enduring topics circling the Dallas Cowboys in recent years has been the age of their starting quarterback and who is likely to become his successor. The subject became red hot in Week Two of this season when 35-year old Tony Romo fractured his clavicle for the second time in the last six years. With Romo clearly nearing the end of his wonderful career in Dallas, who is the likeliest heir apparent under center for Dallas?
Most seem to believe the Cowboys will use the NFL Draft to find their next great quarterback. They believe this despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Since selecting Hall of Famer Troy Aikman number one overall way back in 1989, the Cowboys have drafted a total of five quarterbacks: Steve Walsh (1989 – Supplemental Draft), Bill Musgrave (1996), Quincy Carter (2001), Isaiah Stanback (2007) and Stephen McGee (2009). None of which really worked out, with possibly of the option of Carter who led the Cowboys to a 10-6 record in 2003.
Bottom line is: the Cowboys haven’t drafted a quarterback in over five years. It seems more likely they’ll bring in a more experienced hand when the time comes to replace Romo in Dallas. That’s the exact thinking laid out this week by longtime Cowboys columnist Rick Gosselin when he presented the idea of Dallas gravitating towards a former Highland Park star possibly taking over the reins of America’s Team sometime in the future. Gosselin believes that man under center could turn out to be Dallas native and current Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
"“…the fans in Detroit are losing patience with [Matthew] Stafford,” Rick Gosselin wrote in an article that appeared on the Dallas Morning News website on Tuesday. “They have expected more winning, bigger winning, than Stafford has delivered. He has taken the Lions to the playoffs twice in his six seasons. This is a franchise that has not won a championship in 58 years and failed to qualify for the playoffs in any of the nine seasons prior to Stafford’s arrival. Yet talk radio in Motown barbecues Stafford on a daily basis.”"
It’s been a down year for Stafford this season. That’s despite a career-high 64.6% completion percentage. The 2014 Pro Bowl selection has thrown for 1,610 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions so far this year. His quarterback rating of 82.4 is his lowest since 2012.
In Week Five, Stafford was benched by head coach Jim Caldwell in the third quarter after throwing his third interception against the Arizona Cardinals. The following week, Stafford rebounded with a stellar 405-yard, four touchdown performance in an overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, it was Detroit’s first win of the season.
Currently at the bottom of the NFC North division at 1-5, the Lions appear to be on the edge of yet another rebuilding year. Their best offensive weapon, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, is showing signs of slowing down, averaging a career-low 12.8 yards per catch this season. And the Lions best defensive player, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, left to join the Miami Dolphins this offseason in free agency.
The 27-year old Stafford is scheduled to become a free agent in 2018. That seems to fit within the timeline one might expect Romo to announce his retirement, despite his current contract lasting until 2020.
"“So go all in on Romo now,” Gosselin continued. “Don’t waste any draft picks on quarterbacks. Keep building a supporting cast for him. Give Romo the 2016 and 2017 seasons to win a Super Bowl. But remember, quarterbacks don’t stay great forever….When Romo turns 38 in 2018, I’d look around. Especially if Stafford is a free agent and looking around himself. An heir apparent may embrace the idea of coming home.”"
So what do you think? Would Stafford be a good heir to Romo in Dallas? Vote in our poll question below and feel free to expand your answer in our comments section as well.
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