The Dallas Cowboys have been off to a slow start in free agency and that has been deliberate and now they could be looking at Brandon Weeden, Henry Melton, Jared Allen and Brandon Spikes as targets and Weeden along with Tim Tebow could be options to serve as Tony Romo's backup if last year's option in Kyle Orton doesn't return to the team.
The Cowboys have been rumored to be in the mix for both Allen and Melton, while the Weeden news came out this weekend after his release from the Cleveland Browns. According to ESPN.com, Weeden is visiting with the Cowboys on Monday and he could be an option as the backup quarterback after playing for the Browns, where he went 5-15 after being a first round pick and he also had 5,116 yards with 23 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions and while the Browns were a mess, he could be a perfect fit as a backup.
Orton showed last season that having a solid backup plan is important after Romo was injured and Weeden has showed that he can handle playing and while he wasn't a winner, he is a better option than both Orton and Jon Kitna. The Cowboys are likely losing Anthony Spencer and the team is bringing in Henry Melton for a visit and they have been looking at him as a target after Jason Hatcher signed with the Washington Redskins. Orton likely will be back because it means he would have to pay back the team for a bonus he received, but they are keeping their options open right now.
Melton was a Pro Bowl player in 2012 and he is coming back after a serious injury last season with the Bears and he will be a solid pickup if they can sign him. Melton is coming off of a torn ACL and he could have some suitors in the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks and after losing out on Julius Peppers, they could go after Jared Allen or Melton instead. Allen has gotten attention from the Seahawks as well and while he is 31 years old, he has been very consistent in his time with the Vikings and now he could come in to replace DeMarcus Ware.
The Cowboys let Ware go and now he is with the Denver Broncos and after notching 11.5 sacks last season and at least 11 with the Vikings each year, Allen could be the pick. Weeden did not look great in Cleveland, but there he was thrown into the fire fast and in Dallas it would be a completely different situation and with Romo as the starter, Weeden could concentrate on becoming a better QB and coming in when needed.
The Cowboys went 8-8 last season and finished ranked 30th in passing yards allowed and 27th in rushing yards allowed and they need both to shore up this season. Adding Allen will help up front and Melton as well and that should trickle to the secondary if the team can pressure the quarterback on a more consistent basis.
