Cowboys feel quarterback Jameill Showers has ability to play in NFL
Jameill Showers isn’t an afterthought at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys anymore.
Showers is going to get an opportunity to show he can handle the position at a pro level throughout training camp and preseason games. The Cowboys are desperate for good quarterback play behind Tony Romo, especially after Kellen Moore went down with a broken right fibula earlier this week.
Showers and rookie Dak Prescott are the options for now. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said after Friday’s practice that the Cowboys feel no urgency to bring in a veteran quarterback at this time.
And Showers is grateful for the opportunity.
“I know I have the ability to play in this league,” Showers said. “I just need to show them. That way they believe in me too.”
Showers, 24, has made a positive impression in the couple days since Moore was lost for three to four months. He had arguably a better day than Prescott on Thursday, connecting on a couple nice throws working with the second-team as Romo had the day off.
In seven-on-seven drills, Showers hit undrafted rookie Chris Brown with a nice back shoulder pass and then found Gavin Escobar for a 35-yard touchdown.
The throw to Escobar particularly stood out, as Showers lofted it perfectly over the safety’s hands.
“That was a dime,” Escobar said. “Not every quarterback can throw that, but I was happy he threw it. Nice little touchdown, first of camp.”
That was a dime. Not every quarterback can throw that.
Tight end Gavin Escobar on TD pass by Showers
Showers followed that by going 3-for-6 in team drills Friday. Getting live reps is the best way for Showers to improve.
This is a guy who split his time last season between the special teams and quarterbacks meetings.
“Showers is doing a good job out there,” Jones said. “He throws the ball well. There is no denying that. He just has to get out there with the live bullets and execute and anticipate and do the things that will make him a better player. It’s a great opportunity for him.”
Showers admitted it’s “way easier” focusing solely on quarterback rather than splitting time between different positions. He is all-in on becoming a quarterback.
Showers has played the position since third grade, and his belief that he can do it has never wavered no matter the level of play.
At Texas A&M in 2011-12, Showers spent two seasons backing up Ryan Tannehill, then Johnny Manziel. He had lost a competition for the starting job with Manziel in 2012, and transferred to UT El Paso.
In two years at UTEP, Showers completed 56.1 percent of his passes for 3,121 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“We’ve always viewed him as a quarterback,” coach Jason Garrett said. “Right from the outset his approach has been outstanding. He has the ability to play. He just needs experience playing at this level.
“It’s a very common evolution that quarterbacks coming out of college have to go through. Typically, they can move around and they can throw the ball, but when it starts, plays happen really quickly in the NFL. So you have to be able to see what the defense is doing, understand what you want to do and get the ball out of your hands.”
Showers will get that experience now, and he knows that it may not have come without spending a year as a special teamer/quarterback on the practice squad.
The Cowboys liked his willingness to do whatever the team needed last year, and the Cowboys rewarded him by bringing him up to the 53-man roster for the final two games.
The hope is he continues to reward them with quality quarterback play.
“I just need to make sure I know what I’m doing when I get out there,” Showers said. “Minimum mistakes really aren’t acceptable, especially at this level. I believe I have the ability to do it as long as I know what I’m doing and I know I know what I’m doing.”
Drew Davison: 817-390-7760, @drewdavison
This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 10:05 PM with the headline "Cowboys feel quarterback Jameill Showers has ability to play in NFL."