FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys plan to start Garrett Gilbert at quarterback on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source confirmed.
Gilbert and Cooper Rush went through no competition during the week of practice, although Gilbert was part of the first team.
Gilbert, who signed from the Cleveland Browns’ practice team on October 12, will make his NFL debut in 2019 after playing for Rlando Apollos, the land of the American Football League’s spoiled alliance, and will make his first start of any kind. Spent time in the league with the St. Louis Rams in 2014 and with the New England Patriots, Auckland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Browns.
Coach Mike McCarthy has decided to take a more experienced quarterback against the unbeaten Stilters, with the Philadelphia Eagles struggling in last week’s 23-9 defeat to Rookie Ben Dinyuki and putting Andy Dalton on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
But Gilbert has thrown fewer passes in the NFL game than Deanussi, who was 21-of-40 in 180 yards against the Eagles. Gilbert is 2-of-6 for 40 yards in six appearances with the Panthers and Browns.
McCarthy was looking for more command of the operation than what Dinuxi, elected in the seventh round, showed.
“He’s played a lot of quarterbacks,” McCarthy told Gilbert on Friday. “This guy grew up as a quarterback. His father [Gale] Was quarterback. I mean, he knows how to play the position. There is no lack of confidence or knowledge-how. It’s just about gaining time and consistency to run the offense. So, yes, I trust him a lot. He has been coming ever since he came. “
Gilbert’s six-pass attempts by the non-rookie quarterback will match fewer than his first start in franchise history. Reggie Collier (1986) and Drew Hanson (2004) made their first starts with just six attempts with the Cowboys.
Rush Cowboys had a backup quarterback behind Dak Prescott between 2017 and 2019 but he threw just three passes. After the Cowboys signed Dalton, he was fired and joined former coach Jason Garrett with the New York Giants until his release in September.
After injuring Prescott, the Cowboys thought of bringing a rush but chose Gilbert. Rush’s familiarity with crime and skilled players was seen as a plus. Plus, the offensive coordinator Callen Moore has an acquaintance with him, he has been a teammate and Rush’s coach.
Despite Gilbert being named as a starter, McCarthy said during the week that Target is ready to play both quarterbacks, something he couldn’t do a week ago when he pushed Dinucci into action.
“You really have to pay attention to all the little things that come to play the position,” McCarthy said Friday. “I think at the end of the day, we have two youngsters who don’t have a ton of game-day experience but they’re both very smart. The game comes easy to them. Stay tuned, these are the things you usually knock out in training camp. But we’ll give him some time in front of us. Garrett and Cooper, they know how to play quarterback. “
The Cowboys are not the ideal quarterback position to face the NFL’s last undefeated team.
This is the third time they have had to start four quarterbacks this season. In 2001, the Cowboys started 5-11 with Quincy Carter, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoner and Ryan Leaf. In 2015, they started with Tony Romo, Matt Castle, Brandon Weiden and Moore on their way to finishing 4-12.
The NFL Network first reported plans to launch Gilbert.
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