Dallas Cowboys were right to pass on Nick Foles

Here is why I believe the Dallas Cowboys were right to pass on free agent quarterback Nick Foles.

Football is in the air again, with the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard getting under way this weekend. With NFL sides heading to camp, stories of players holding out, being dropped and picked up elsewhere are rife. And it seems it doesn’t matter what player gets cut, the Cowboys will be linked with them.

This week, the Los Angeles Rams parted company with quarterback Nick Foles. The Rams drafted Jared Goff #1 overall in this year’s draft, and had been actively looking to trade Foles but failed to do so hence the decision to release him.

The acquisition of Foles in part helped them make the move for Jared Goff. The deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to trade Foles and Sam Bradford also got them a second round pick- they included this in the package with the Titans to move up for Goff this April.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher was polite in his comments on Foles, but there’s clearly little to be said on the player who had just one season with the Rams.

"“We appreciate the contributions that Nick has made to our organization in his time as a Ram and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.” – Jeff Fisher, Rams coach"

Within seconds of the news on Foles release breaking the Cowboys were being linked with him.

Dallas News reporter Jon Machota went as far as to say he believed the Cowboys should pursue the quarterback.

"“I think there should be real interest in Foles. The problem for the Cowboys is that they haven’t appeared willing to spend very much on the backup QB position. So how much are they willing to give him? Can he find a better deal somewhere else that also provides an opportunity to compete for a starting job? He hasn’t been very good recently, but Foles was very good in 2013.” – Jon Machota, Dallas Morning News"

Foles has had four seasons in the NFL. None of which he’s completed a full year. 2013 was his most successful season in Philadelphia, and he played 13 games. This year with the Rams he played 11 times.

Compare Foles careers stats with Brandon Weeden’s and they don’t differ too much. Foles has more touchdowns and yards but has played more games. Completion wise they’re not far apart; Foles 60.2% to Weeden’s 57.9%. The same with Matt Cassel with 58.9%.

Mediocre backups couldn’t backup Tony Romo last season, Foles offers the team nothing different. Stephen and Jerry Jones acknowledged that in a press conference this week, indicating that they’re not interesting in bring Foles back to the NFC East.

"“Foles isn’t an option. We can’t get him any snaps.” – Jerry Jones"

After the failed experiment of Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel last season, Kellen Moore took over the reigns as backup. In three losing games he threw four touchdowns and six interceptions. But the pint sized passer has history with Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan who coached him at Detroit Lions. And Jerry Jones confessed they like what they’ve seen.

Tony Romo is clearly entering the tail end of his career- be that 2 more years or the Jerry prediction of 5+. Now more than ever is the time for the Cowboys to seriously invest time in a younger apprentice to number 9.

Jameill Showers hung around the practice squad last season and has impressed so far this offseason. But a roster spot for him seems unlikely for now. This year’s 4th round draft pick Dak Prescott will be put under the microscope. Fans are desperate for a legitimate back up and heir to Romo to emerge.

"“There are plenty of reps over the course of the next couple of weeks to get those guys ready. We also wanted to develop a quarterback. That’s why we drafted Dak. That’s why we’re giving Showers a chance at that third quarterback position.” – Jason Garrett"

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Maybe Showers or Prescott aren’t the future for the Cowboys. But Nick Foles isn’t either. Brandon Weeden had significant time to learn the Cowboys playbook, build relationships with players but it didn’t work out. Yet he moved over to the Texans and ended up in the Playoffs. Matt Cassel had been a decent quarterback previously- he failed in Dallas.

Nick Foles to steady the ship if Romo goes down? To take the baton and drag the team over the playoff line? The future face of the franchise? Most definitely not.