As a fan of the Dallas Cowboys (I seem to be a fan of all the teams in Dallas, with the exception of the Mavericks.  I’m a Spurs fan all the way.)  And, as expected, I’ve seen quite a lot of terrible seasons and inconsistency under center since the last stable Cowboy Quarterback, Troy Aikman, retired.

I’ve checked for some information on this, as I was curious on how many players actually started for the Cowboys since Aikman retired.  To say the least, I’m shocked.  I’ve counted eight (coincidentally, Aikman’s number) nine quarterbacks that have started under center since Number 8 retired.  If there are more, please let me know and I’ll update the list.  This list (not the comments) is largely from memory, so I’ve probably missed a few.

·          Randall Cunningham (2000) – Oddly enough, I do remember the quarterback controversy when some fans wanted Dallas to start Cunningham instead of Aikman.  Nonetheless, Cunningham was a decent backup and took over for Aikman after the Lavar Arrington concussion that ended his career.  Despite Cunningham’s name value, he was also one year away from retirement and was not brought back the next season when Aikman would retire.

·          Quincy Carter (2001-2003) – The longest lasting of the Non-Aikman’s, Carter was drafted in the second round in the 2001 draft, to possibly replace the icon.  It was hoped that Carter would be able to re-discover the talent that made him one of the best NCAA quarterbacks in his freshman year before inconsistencies seemed to cause him to slide.  Those inconsistencies followed him to the NFL, and Carter would briefly lose his job to Chad Hutchison quarterback in 2002 before he seemed to have turned a corner in 2003, where he was serviceable, with the Cowboys went 10-6 and to the playoffs.  Carter would become incensed when Dallas signed Vinny Testaverde and after an average pre-season, a supposed failed drug test, and Bill Parcells feeling that Carter had neither the drive nor the leadership skills needed from a starting quarterback, the Cowboys cut Carter loose.

·          Clint Stoerner  (2001) – Special Thanks To Shooter For The Heads Up.  Started a couple of times, but was pulled in favor of starting...

·          Ryan #### Leaf (2001) – What the #### Hell Is Ryan Leaf doing here?  Leaf was just as bad in Dallas as he was in San Diego, and didn't start long before Carter won the job back on the basis of "least shittiest quarterback on the roster.".

·          Chad Hutchinson (2002-2003).  After a brief stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, Hutchinson would unseat Carter for the final nine games of the season as the starter, where he was largely average.  Hutchinson would lose the job in the pre-season and in the Cowboys’ pre-2003 quarterback cuts, Hutchinson and Carter would both be cut together in favor of another former baseball player, Drew Henson, and Tony Romo.

·          Vinny Testaverde (2004) – Brought in as a starting quarterback candidate, Testaverde’s signing angered Quincy Carter, who felt that he should enter the pre-season as the starter.  Testaverde wound up surviving the 2004 Pre-Season cuts and was installed as the starter.  While it was hoped that Testaverde would be able to hold the reigns long enough for Henson to start, Testaverde’s performances ranged for bad to mediocre at best.  Testaverde would start all but one game in the 2004 season before being cut loose for another Bill Parcells favorite, Drew Bledsoe.

·          Drew Henson (2004, technically 2004-2005).  After flaming out with the Yankees, Henson returned to football and was traded for by the Cowboys and given a large contract.  Henson only started one game and didn’t impress enough for Bill Parcells to leave him in the game, and would be replaced by Testaverde in the second half.  Henson remained a lame duck on the roster for another year, falling on the depth chart to third behind Tony Romo, and would finally be released before the 2006 season.

·          Drew Bledsoe (2005-2006).  Probably the best of the bunch, Bledsoe gave the Cowboys a needed presence at quarterback and for the first time, the Cowboys had a legitimate starter behind center.  Bledsoe would lead Dallas to a 9-7 start, but after a shaky start to the season, thanks largely to a suspect front line than his own short comings, Bledsoe was benched in favor of Romo and is reported contemplating retirement, not wanting to be a backup.

·          Tony Romo (2006) – Romo, an undrafted quarterback from Eastern Illinois, outlasted Carter, Hutchinson, Testaverde, Henson, and Bledsoe and has impressed Parcells with his talent, quick release, mobility, and moxie.  Romo is off to a solid start, winning his first career start.  Now the Cowboys wait to see if they’ve finally found their franchise quarterback or if Romo is only the latest to disappoint.