Cowboys’ trade for QB Cassel puts experience behind Weeden

There should be no question about the Dallas Cowboys being all in on whatever it takes to win it all in 2015.

On the same day the Cowboys placed Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo on short-term injured reserve with a fractured left collarbone, sidelining him for the next eight weeks, the team acquired veteran quarterback Matt Cassel in a trade with the Buffalo Bills.

The Cowboys gave up a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and will get a 2017 seventh-round pick in return from Buffalo, according to a source.

Still, the Cowboys (2-0) believe in Brandon Weeden as the primary starter in Romo’s absence.

But they are leaving nothing to chance trying to keep their season afloat until Romo is eligible to return Nov. 22 against the Miami Dolphins. Romo can practice after six weeks, and because the Cowboys have a bye Oct. 18, he might miss only seven games.

Until then, it will be the Weeden show, and if he doesn’t prove capable, they have Cassel in the bullpen.

The Cowboys signed Kellen Moore off the practice squad to back up Weeden on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. But look for Cassel to take that role because of his experience.

The Cowboys worked out quarterbacks Christian Ponder, Matt Flynn, Josh Johnson and McLeod Bethel-Thompson earlier Tuesday, and afterward initiated the trade for Cassel.

Cassel, drafted in the seventh round (230th overall) by the New England Patriots in 2005, has 72 career starts and completed 1,397 of 2,369 passes for 15,727 yards, 96 touchdowns and 70 interceptions.

Cassel, who didn’t start in college at USC, replaced an injured Tom Brady in the 2008 opener and led to the Patriots to an 11-5 record. His best season was 2010 in Kansas City when he was voted to the Pro Bowl, completing 262 of 450 passes for 3,116 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Cassel has yet to recreate that magic. His career record as a starter is 34-38 in stints with New England (2005-08), Kansas City (2009-12) and Minnesota (2013-14) before the brief time in Buffalo in 2015. He lost the starting job to Tyrod Taylor in training camp.

The Bills cut him earlier this month and re-signed him at a reduced salary, with the Cowboys picking up his one-year, $2 million deal with $2.15 million in incentives. Cassel has a cap hit of $1.76 million.

The Cowboys believe in Weeden despite his career record of 5-16, and eight straight losses as a starter. His last win was Dec. 9, 2012, his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. Cassel is insurance.

The Cowboys also believe Weeden is more ready and more comfortable to take over for an injured Romo this year than he was last year when he lost his only start 28-17 to the Arizona Cardinals. He was intercepted twice while completing 18 of 33 passes for 183 yards.

He certainly looked like a different quarterback in place of Romo in Sunday’s 20-10 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 7-of-7 passes for 73 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown to Terrance Williams.

“He showed everybody he was comfortable,” defensive tackle Jeremy Mincey said. “He was completely comfortable. I think this go-around he is going to be a completely different guy especially knowing exactly what to do and learning from Tony from last year to now. I believe in Brandon. I have confidence in Brandon.”

Owner Jerry Jones gave a ringing endorsement of Weeden early Tuesday.

“This quarterback Weeden can drive the ball downfield,” Jones said during a radio interview on 105.3 The Fan. “He’s a thing of beauty on throwing a football. His passing motion and his arm, frankly, you won’t see a more gifted passer, power, accuracy, the entire aspect of it. If he can basically prepare, be the starting quarterback, come in and execute and keep his head right, then I feel good about Weeden.”

Should Weeden get injured on Sunday, his likely backup will be Moore instead of Cassel. Moore was brought up from the practice squad, as Cassel gets up to speed on the offense.

Moore said earlier he would be ready if called upon.

“If I’m wearing pads and a helmet on game day, then I’ll be ready to go if needed,” said Moore, who has never taken a regular-season snap. “Obviously, during the week I’ll maybe get a few more reps on scout team, but other than that, we’re going to prepare the same way.”

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 8:56 PM with the headline "Cowboys’ trade for QB Cassel puts experience behind Weeden."