Dallas Cowboys: 10 Ways Jon Kitna Can Salvage the Season

The news is official: Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Tony Romo has sustained a broken clavicle in their game against the New York Giants.

The Cowboys just can't seem to catch a break.

Now resting at a miserable 1-5, the Cowboys desperately need something, or someone, to get their season back on track and salvage some wins.

Enter Jon Kitna.

After picking Kitna up from the Detroit Lions after the 2008 season, he has thrown the ball only 33 times.

Don't be fooled, though, Kitna could very well help the Dallas Cowboys post a few in the win column.

Here are ten reasons why Jon Kitna can help the Dallas Cowboys salvage at least some of their season.

10. Miles Austin

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Wide receiver Miles Austin #19 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a pass reception against Terrell Thomas #24 of the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Miles Austin is the greatest receiving threat on the Dallas Cowboys, a good sign considering the apparent curse of large contracts given out this offseason.

He has the speed, size and the football intelligence to find openings in the defense.

Whether it be Tony Romo or Jon Kitna under center, it should not be difficult to find this guy.

Kitna is a good player, and having a talent like Miles Austin on the field should make him even better.

9. Jason Witten

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys stiff arms Chad Greenway #52 of the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Co

The Dallas Cowboys remind me a lot of the San Diego Chargers (and not just because of the poor record despite being statistically great).

The Cowboys, like the Chargers, have a star on the outside in Miles Austin, someone who can really stretch a defense—a tactic which has allowed Jason Witten to take over so many games.

If Miles Austin isn't open, Jason Witten will be, and Kitna should be capable enough to make those throws.

8. Felix Jones

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Running back Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by linebacker Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/

A good running game will do wonders for Kitna under center.

Felix Jones and Marion Barber are a deadly combination out of the backfield, and should allow Kitna to properly set up and execute play action passing and deep routes.

7. Experience

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 21: Jon Kitna #8 of the Detroit Lions passes during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 21, 2008 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Before there was Matthew Stafford, there was Jon Kitna.

Before there was Carson Palmer, there was Jon Kitna.

Before there was Matt Hasselbeck, there was Jon Kitna.

Jon Kitna has started for three different teams throughout his career, and in each place he played at least one full 16 game season (except for Seattle where he played a 15-game season in 1999).

Kitna knows what it takes to be the starter, and he has the experience necessary to go out there and piece together the Cowboys offense.

6. Talent

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass against the New York Giants in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Most people do not consider Jon Kitna to be talented, and they are right to some degree.

Kitna has a tendency to make poor judgment calls which, in turn, lead to interceptions.

In spite of that, though, look at the numbers from his two starting seasons in Detroit (2006 and 2007):

• 62.9 completion percentage
• 8,276 yards
• 39 touchdowns

Not too shabby, right?

5. He's Not in Detroit Anymore

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 05: Jon Kitna #8 of the Detroit Lions watches from the sidelines after he is replaced by Dan Orlovsky during the third quarter at Ford Field on October 5, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears won 34-7. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions that Kitna played for were not even close to the Detroit Lions that we see now.

Kitna was a part of the infamous 0-16 season, which should tell you enough about the level of talent surrounding him.

Kitna was sacked a mind-boggling 129 times in 36 games (that's an average of just over 3.5 sacks a game).

With a better offensive line keeping him upright and a group of wide receivers that has more than just one talented player, Kitna has the tools to show the talent that he has.

4. The Change Of Pace

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys wears a sling on the sidelines after a left shoulder injury against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

The Dallas Cowboys needed a change of pace.

Depth chart changes can often mess with the chemistry of a unit, but, in some cases (like now), the chemistry almost seems non-existent, making change not only easy, but necessary.

This is never the way change should happen, but, nonetheless, it did, and it could be the spark that finally gets Dallas to wake up and start finishing games like they are supposed to.

3. Distraction Factor

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the pre-season NFL football game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Look at Jon Kitna, pointing his finger as if to say, "At least I'm not that guy!"

He has a point.

Tony Romo has, historically, been a bit of a distraction to the Dallas Cowboys.

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the Jessica Simpson fiasco. That should be enough.

With Romo out of the picture, Kitna has the chance to lead a team that is, with the exception of injury, more or less distraction free.

2. He Can Rally The Troops

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys makes an adjustment on the play during a football game against the Houston Texans as he waits for center Phil Costa #67 to hike the ball at Reliant Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Houston,

When Kitna has a good day, he can really rally a team around him.

All signs point to Kitna coming out hungry for a win, considering both the lack of winning in Dallas as of late, as well as the fact that he hasn't started a game since he played for Detroit.

Kitna will want it, and something tells me that the Dallas Cowboys will feed off of that energy.

1. It Can't Get Any Worse

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field wearing an arm sling after a 41-35 loss against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

Heading into Week 8, the Dallas Cowboys are resting at 1-5 right now.

The standards aren't high for Kitna.

He isn't expected to lead them to the playoffs, since that is all but out of reach at this point.

All that is required from him to salvage the season is a few wins that the Dallas Cowboys can be happy about, and he is very capable of delivering on that promise.

Bonus: The Power Flow

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 9: Quarterback Jon Kitna #3 of the Dallas Cowboys during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at Cowboys Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Usually, when one refers to the power flow, they are referring to people like Tom Brady and Troy Polumalu, who seem to derive power from their ridiculous (and long) hair.

Kitna does not have the flowing locks of many NFL stars, but something tells me that the military buzz should fall into the power flow category.

It strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents, makes him more aerodynamic and reminds almost everyone of a drill sergeant. Kitna might have something here.

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