Should Kellen Moore be the Cowboys new starting quarterback?

Making his professional debut after four years, should Dallas Cowboys back-up quarterback Kellen Moore now replace Matt Cassel as the team’s starter under center?

After what looked like a nice opening drive for the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Jets Saturday night, the Cowboys offense with veteran quarterback Matt Cassel at the helm choked in the red zone and were forced to settle for three points.

It’s been an all too regular occurrence for the Cowboys this season with Cassel under center. Red zone play has been horrible to watch. Cassel has completed 36% of passes inside the 20-yard line and 28% inside 10 this year. Compare that to normal starting quarterback Tony Romo‘s 60% and 54% for the same stats last season and it highlights the struggles this Cowboys team has faced without him.

But it wasn’t just the red zone that Cassel was struggling in during the first quarter of the game versus the Jets. He was missing open receivers, failed to throw the ball away and even his shorter attempts were bobbling in the air.

New York’s Darrelle Revis is one of the most revered defensive backs in the game. But it was Cassel’s ineptitude more than Revis’ talent that led to a first half interception (and an intentional grounding penalty). As the Pro Bowl defender caught the wayward ball, there’s wasn’t even a single Cowboys player in sight.

"Matt Cassel finds… Revis Island"

Early in the second quarter, the Cowboys decided to put their fourth quarterback of the season on the field. Cassel’s 3 for 8 for 37 yards performance was enough for the coaching staff. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett hooked the veteran and replaced him with former Boise State star quarterback Kellen Moore.

When questioned at the half about Moore and making the quarterback switch, Garrett responded:

"“He’s a smart guy, instinctive guy. Hasn’t played that much but I think as the game goes on he’ll get to show what we like about him” – Jason Garrett on Kellen Moore"

Intercepted on his second pass, it was a baptism of fire for Moore. But a touchdown pass to Dez  Bryant soon after gave the Cowboys a 10-9 halftime lead.

Cassel entered the game with a noose around his neck. Moore had taken some first team reps in training this week. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was as excited as anyone else to have Moore on the field. The quarterback was on the Detroit Lions roster at the time Linehan coached there.

"“There’s no bigger believer in Kellen Moore than myself, I believe in him.” Scott Linehan"

As a four-year starter at quarterback for Boise State,  Moore went 50-3 and ranked 6th in NCAA history for career touchdowns. He also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting back in 2010. Moore was an intelligent, highly accurate player at the college level. Whether it translates to the NFL stage remains to be seen, but the Cowboys have nothing to lose right now.

The 26-year old finished the day completing 15 of his 25 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Although it wasn’t enough to beat the Jets on Saturday night, the fourth-year professional likely did enough in his regular season debut to earn the starting role for Dallas’ in their final two games of the season. I believe the Kellen Moore era is underway.

But what do you think? Did Kellen Moore show you enough on Saturday to earn the starting role over Matt Cassel for the rest of the season? Give us your answer in the poll question below.

Next: Cowboys lose to Jets despite quarterback change, 19-16

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