Cowboys saddling up for next season, or are they?

All the draft picks are signed, the players weights are down, but the Cowboys still don't have a starting quarterback named. Is this a legitimate reason for fans to worry about the coming season? In this writers mind, definitely not. Yes, I've heard that this is the first training camp since 1989 (when Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh battled it out) that the Cowboys do not know who there starter will be. So the ultimate question is -- who is the better quarterback? Let's start with Chad Hutchinson. At 6-5, 237 pounds, Hutchinson is the perfect fit for a pocket quarterback.

Sadly, this is what also what hurt him the most.

You can blame the poor blocking of the offensive line all you want, but it all comes down to ball protection and pocket presence from the quarterback.

Everytime the pocket collapsed last season, all you would see was Hutchinson take a huge shot from a linebacker then drop the ball onto the turf.

He did that 12 times last season, and most of them turned into costly touchdowns that hurt the Cowboys early and late in the game.

Hutchinson did show some flashes of offense when the O-line did block for him, which does give promise for the 2003 season.

Hutchinson's good and bad attributes cancel themselves out in the long run, and in turn make it hard to judge whether he can be the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback.

Some thoughts: He may end up being the back-up quarterback only because he does not have the mobility of Quincy Carter. Watch the preseason games closely, as he will be playing getting 50% of the games with Carter.

Strengths: Accurate passing. A 50.8% completion rating. Made many incredible passes when given time by the offensive line. (Hail Mary pass against the Redskins) dropped by Rambo.

Flaws: Poor pocket presence led to 12 fumbles last season. Must improve to clinch the starting spot. Passing yards per game never went over 210. Needs to improve.

Quincy Carter is the exact opposite of Hutchinson.

At 6-2, 213 pounds Carter is the more mobile of the two quarterbacks. He also has the most game experience with three years under his belt.

Even with these great attributes, Carter is still dead even with Hutchinson.

His only upside is his running game, but the only problem is he hesitates to run because he was taught to try and be a pocket passer, which led to careless sacks and turnovers.

On the-other-hand, when he began to run he made spectacular plays, such as his last minute fourth quarter pass to Antonio Bryant against the Carolina Panthers.

Plays like that show how vital the mobile quarterback is during this age of smaller faster defensive lineman.

Then, of course, the argument of the offensive line pops up, and yes, it is possible that Carter would thrive much more with a better line, but that will need to be seen in the preseason games.

Some Thoughts: May edge Hutchinson purely because of his mobile attributes. This can make him a huge threat if he can become a more accurate passer. If he can step up his running game and stop trying to be a pocket passer expect to see Carter starting.

Strengths: Can beat teams with his arms and legs. Really steps up his game during the fourth quarter.

Flaws: Hesitant to run in games. Is not as accurate on the run. Arm not as strong as Hutchinson's. The Cowboys are certainly going to have to make a huge decision before the start of the season, but is that really the only thing they have to worry about?

The running back position does come to mind, but in my eyes the job is Troy Hambricks to lose. He is the running back that new head coach Bill Parcells hails.

He is a huge back that will pound down the defense. All he has to do is listen to Parcells and the starting job is his.

As far as the quarterback controversy goes, there will be many opinions on who should be the starting quarterback. The only opinion that really matters is that of Parcells.

Questions, comments, or article ideas? E-mail me at: viper79935@yahoo.com