Jerry Jones: 'We've got a good' QB
IRVING, Texas -- For those hoping that the Dallas Cowboys will pick Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round, owner and general manager Jerry Jones all but ruled out the possibility Tuesday.
"I will go as far as to say it is not our primary goal in the first round to be looking at a quarterback," Jones said. "We've got a good one."
Jones believes that quarterback is a position of strength for the Cowboys heading into the draft with Tony Romo, Kyle Orton and Brandon Weeden.
Romo, however, is coming off two back surgeries in less than a year. Orton has yet to show up for the voluntary offseason program, and Weeden, who was signed to a two-year deal with no guaranteed money, is viewed as a developmental prospect. The Cowboys also have added Caleb Hanie because of Orton's absence.
"It is logical that your position of strength or viewed as a strength would certainly not qualify for the most need in the first or second or early rounds," Jones said. "It does not qualify for the biggest need."
Should Manziel -- or another quarterback -- began to slip down the draft boards, Jones even mentioned the stronger possibility of trading with a team and moving back.
"If you look when you draft relative to the qualifications (of) the best player on the board, then that opens it up for a lot of dynamics going on there," Jones said. "As far as quality quarterbacks, we're stacking them up if we draft (one) in my mind."
Romo, who turned 34 last month, took part in his first on-the-field workouts Tuesday since undergoing surgery in December. The Cowboys expect Romo to take part in the full offseason workout program even if they limit some of his work.
"He was on the field for 45 minutes with the other guys, threw the ball, dropped back," coach Jason Garrett said. "Like with any injured player, we're going to take the process slowly and cross those bridges we need to cross before we go further. But he's certainly on target. He's responded well to this and is making a lot of progress."
