I’ve written it. I’ve screamed it. I’ve preached it. Yet there are those who still believe that somehow, some way, Johnny Manziel will become a Dallas Cowboy in next week’s NFL Draft.
CBS’ Jim Nantz said the Cowboys will “figure out a way” to get Manziel. NBC’s Peter King said he “absolutely buys” the fact that the Cowboys have legitimate interest in the A&M quarterback.
Let me say it one more time: I don’t doubt that the Cowboys have interest in Manziel. They probably have him rated as the best quarterback in the draft. But two things: Dallas doesn’t need a quarterback. And Manziel won’t be on the board when the Cowboys draft at No. 16.
And another thing … Oh, screw it, Roger Staubach help me out here:
“I think Manziel has got great instincts,” the legendary Cowboy said to ESPN Dallas Monday. I think he’ll be a fine player. But I don’t think you want a Manziel when you have a franchise quarterback. Jerry (Jones) has paid (Tony Romo) as a franchise quarterback. I think Tony is that. He’s not the reason we’re 8-8. That’s my feeling.”
The NFL is salivating over Johnny Football playing for America’s Team. But Staubach has a clear recollection of what a quarterback controversy can do to a team.
In ’71 coach Tom Landry had Staubach actually alternating plays with Craig Morton before finally settling on Staubach midway through the season. The Cowboys went on to win their first Super Bowl.
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“We probably had half of the people want Craig on the field and half of them wanted me, and even teammates might've felt the same if you polled the team early in the year when Craig and I were going back and forth,” Staubach said. “Whoever's going to be the quarterback, you need a quarterback that's the leader and the person in place. Coach, God love him, but that kind of divided the team. You don't want to divide the team on your quarterback. That would be wherever Manziel goes. He's going to get a chance to be a starter. That's what he wants. I think he deserves that. I think he's got that starting quarterback talent.”
Staubach thinks the Texans should draft Manziel No. 1 overall. And that the Cowboys should be happy when he’s off the board.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
