Cowboys need a spark, should start Kellen Moore at QB

Matt Cassel is not the answer.

Look, I’ll admit I was wrong about putting the ball into Cassel’s hands. But for the record, I still think the Dallas Cowboys made the right decision with a quarterback change from Brandon Weeden.

Dallas just elected the wrong guy.

Cassel, who is 33-years-old, is 30 for 52 with a 57.7 completion percentage in two games. He has 324 passing yards, one touchdown against three interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 58.5.

Here is Cassel’s quarterback rating the last eight games he started, dating back to 2013:

More from The Landry Hat

Minnesota Vikings: 32.6

Minnesota Vikings: 73.9

Minnesota Vikings: 113.7

Minnesota Vikings: 39.1

Minnesota Vikings: 65.8

Dallas Cowboys: 62.3

Dallas Cowboys: 61.6

The Cowboys should give quarterback Kellen Moore a shot.

Right now.

Cassel isn’t getting any younger. Neither is Weeden, who turned 32 this past October. Moore is 26. I’d be surprised if either Cassel or Weeden are on the roster next season.

As we’ve seen with Tony Romo‘s injury, Dallas needs to build a bridge with a quarterback, with the intent that he will be the future starter.

Moore might be that guy.

The left-hand quarterback hasn’t played in the NFL since going undrafted in 2012. At Boise State, he was 50-3 as the starter. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2010. He led the Broncos football program with video game type numbers.

2008: 3486 yards | 25 TDs | 10 INTs | 157.1 Rating

2009: 3536 yards | 39 TDs | 3 INTs | 161.7 Rating

2010: 3845 yards | 36 TDs | 6 INTs | 182.6 Rating

2011: 3800 yards | 43 TDs | 9 INTs | 175.2 Rating

Moore has played a lot in the preseason. In 16 games played, he completed 135 passes on 224 attempts, which is good for a 60.2 completion percentage. He has 1,350 passing yards, with nine touchdowns to four interceptions, one rushing score, and a quarterback rating of 83.3.

According to David Helman at DallasCowboys.com, head coach Jason Garrett has Cassel’s back.

"“Matt is going to be our starting quarterback this week. He’s done some good things for us the last couple of weeks even though he hasn’t won the ballgames.”"

Moore may not have the strongest arm or be very mobile, but I think the six-foot college star would have added more than 12 points (nine offensive drives) against the Seattle Seahawks.

Remember: Moore had 14,667 passing yards in college. He knows offensive coordinator Scott Linehan from their days in Detroit together. This means he knows the offense, maybe even better than Cassel.

Interestingly, Garrett has not committed to Cassel as the starter for the next two games before Romo returns against the Miami Dolphins.

There’s hope for Moore.

In other words, there’s hope for Dan Bailey kicking extra points.

Random Thoughts:

• I think the Cowboys defense showed up big against Seattle. Russell Wilson was held to 210 passing yards, and a quarterback rating of 81.3. Marshawn Lynch had 21 carries for 71 yards (3.4 AVG), and no scores. But Dallas couldn’t sack the quarterback, and created only one turnover — which they couldn’t capitalize on.

• Another case for another change at quarterback: Darren McFadden lead the wide receivers with six receptions and eight targets against Seattle. The Cowboys aren’t hurting opposing secondaries, and that’s a big reason why the team is 0-5 without Romo.

Next: 17 daring trades to save the Cowboys sinking season

• I’d be surprised if Jerry Jones didn’t make a move before the trade deadline at 4 p.m EST. The Cowboys need sparks all over — I think Jones is tempted to make a little splash to kick-start the Boys.

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