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Jon Kitna's status uncertain; so is timetable on Stephen McGee's first-team reps
Posted at 5:13 PM on Mon., Dec. 27, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Bill Nichols / Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Stephen McGee has had only three reps with the starters this season, but interim coach Jason Garrett said Monday that his next one will depend on Jon Kitna's health. Garrett said he is unsure of Kitna's status for Sunday's season finale against Philadelphia, although it's unlikely that he will be ready.
Given Dallas' 5-10 record and Kitna's injury (left oblique), you might think Garrett would just announce McGee as the starter. But, when asked about a timetable for the QB decision, Garrett said, ``We have to to see what Jon's availability is throughout the practice week and see what he is able to do. When he is not able to do anything, Stephen will get those reps.''
McGee has been one play away from being the starter since Kitna replaced Tony Romo midway through the Giants game in Week Six. But he hadn't thrown a pass to tight end Jason Witten, the team's reception leader, until last Saturday, when he replaced Kitna.
Garrett shrugged off a question about the No. 2 quarterback not getting any reps with the first-team offense.
``When you are a backup in this system you are not going to get very much work as the backup quarterback,'' Garrett said. ``You have to get that work and reps with the scout team stuff and the individual work you get in practice and certainly in the meeting and film room. That is what we have done in the past. That is what most teams have done throughout the league. That's part of the job description.
``His (Kitna's) health will be the No. 1 factor at play. Can he play? Can he practice well enough to play in this game? So that's the No. 1 consideration. If he's not able to do that, we will play Stephen. But if he's able to do that, Jon will be our quarterback.''
Posted at 5:13 PM on Mon., Dec. 27, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Bill Nichols / Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
Stephen McGee has had only three reps with the starters this season, but interim coach Jason Garrett said Monday that his next one will depend on Jon Kitna's health. Garrett said he is unsure of Kitna's status for Sunday's season finale against Philadelphia, although it's unlikely that he will be ready.
Given Dallas' 5-10 record and Kitna's injury (left oblique), you might think Garrett would just announce McGee as the starter. But, when asked about a timetable for the QB decision, Garrett said, ``We have to to see what Jon's availability is throughout the practice week and see what he is able to do. When he is not able to do anything, Stephen will get those reps.''
McGee has been one play away from being the starter since Kitna replaced Tony Romo midway through the Giants game in Week Six. But he hadn't thrown a pass to tight end Jason Witten, the team's reception leader, until last Saturday, when he replaced Kitna.
Garrett shrugged off a question about the No. 2 quarterback not getting any reps with the first-team offense.
``When you are a backup in this system you are not going to get very much work as the backup quarterback,'' Garrett said. ``You have to get that work and reps with the scout team stuff and the individual work you get in practice and certainly in the meeting and film room. That is what we have done in the past. That is what most teams have done throughout the league. That's part of the job description.
``His (Kitna's) health will be the No. 1 factor at play. Can he play? Can he practice well enough to play in this game? So that's the No. 1 consideration. If he's not able to do that, we will play Stephen. But if he's able to do that, Jon will be our quarterback.''