Arizona Cardinals Facing Brandon Weeden No Easy Task
By Scott Allen
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is not playing on Sunday, so backup Brandon Weeden gets his first start in Dallas
The Arizona Cardinals aren’t going to face Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. This we know. However just because Romo isn’t playing and backup Brandon Weeden is, that doesn’t mean the task will be easy. Yes, we know what he’s done with the Cleveland Browns but he is a more prepared backup than usual. Weeden received all first-team snaps in practice this week.
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Weeden usually gets first team snaps in every Wednesday practice either way, so he is more prepared. However, practice is not game time. There is a difference. Weeden was 4-6 for 69 yards and a touchdown. He lead two scoring drives the resulted in 10 points against the Washington Redskins.
Weeden is 5-15 in his career as a starter, all with the Browns. He threw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2013 and 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2012. That Cards will be ready for him though.
Cards defensive coordinator Todd Bowles employs the same philosophy that the Redskins used effectively against the Cowboys last week. Blitz and blitz often. How Weeden will handle the Cards rush remains to be seen. Sometimes you are as good as your offensive line and the Cowboys offensive line has been very good this season.
Weeden will have to throw to help his team win though, no matter how much the Cowboys decide to give the ball to running back DeMarco Murray. Murray will get a heavy dose but he carried the ball 19 times last week. He was averaging 27 carries a game prior, so you have to wonder if Dallas is trying to keep Murray healthy by dialing it down a bit. I expect Weeden to try to air it out at times. He has weapons such as receiver Dez Bryant. Bryant already has 48 receptions for 620 yards and five touchdowns this season. Cards can’t expect to relax just because Romo isn’t out there.