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Should the Dallas Cowboys sign Johnny Manziel as their backup QB?

By Christian Blood

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field during the end of the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field during the end of the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns rushes against defensive end Cassius Marsh #91 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns rushes against defensive end Cassius Marsh #91 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 30-13. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

At it sits right now, the Dallas Cowboys seem poised to enter training camp with Kellen Moore as their primary backup. Time will tell if youngsters like Zac Dysert or Rush Cooper mean anything for the future, but Moore is actually the most experienced quarterback on the roster, even if he’s hardly played any actual football in the NFL over his five seasons in the league.

Like Moore, Manziel is a former college football standout with a limited skill set that still brings a bit of an ‘it’ factor to his game. In other words, if Moore is on the roster, obviously preparing to be an NFL coach one day, why not take a flyer on Manziel, who has the same height as Moore, but better wheels and a stronger arm?

If the crop of backup quarterbacks was deeper and better, perhaps we’re not even discussing Manziel wearing the blue star.

Does he deserve the privilege?

Probably not.

But in the NFL, it’s all about winning football games and if called upon for two or three games over the course of the regular season, I can’t say that Manziel couldn’t function behind the best offensive line in football and in front of the best running back in the league in Zeke Elliott.

Again, this is not about Johnny Manziel starting at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. This is about whether or not he would be more capable than a guy like Brandon Weeden or Matt Cassel to simply win a handful of football games if needed.

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If Manziel’s head is screwed on straight as his window to play in the NFL is just about shut, I’d have to think that he’s at least worth a look during training camp.

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