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          Twitter mailbag: Brandon Weeden is the backup

          IRVING, Texas--- Part 2 of the Dallas Cowboys' Twitter mailbag is ready. In it we discuss:

          If you want to see Part 1, click here. Away we go: @toddarcher: There is always so much consternation about the backup quarterback, especially with a 35-year-old starter with back issues, like Tony Romo. But you can't have everything on a roster. I'm not saying Brandon Weeden is a world beater. I'm not going to get too caught up in his one start last year against Arizona because the guys around him didn't play so well either. Look at Matthew Stafford's numbers against that defense last year. For all the calls of Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder or Matt Flynn or any other QB available, you can't guarantee me that guy would be better than Weeden. Ride it out with Weeden, who's in the last year of his deal, and see if you can do better in 2016 with him in the final year of his deal. If Romo goes down, the season is trouble regardless of the backup.

          @toddarcher: I think you're being a little harsh by calling it underwhelming, although I did say I wished I had seen more from him during the training camp practices. I thought he was solid but there wasn't a "wow" moment where his athleticism took your breath away. I'm not sure he's that kind of player. I think he's a guy who uses his strength more than his wheels. For years we saw DeMarcus Ware do it the other way. I think Hardy will be fine and give a boost to the defense when he comes back. He has a proven track record, which a first- or second-round pick you mentioned wouldn't have.

          @toddarcher: Jack Crawford is his backup. He's had a really good offseason, training camp and preseason. Do I think he's an every-down starter? No, but he's a good complimentary piece on the defensive line. He can play defensive tackle. He can play defensive end. He's got strength. He's got agility. If Tyrone Crawford goes down, I think you'd see the Cowboys go to Jack Crawford in a platoon of sorts with Terrell McClain on run downs and once Hardy comes back from suspension he could move inside more as well.

          @toddarcher: I would like to know where you see my support of Dustin Vaughan. In my final 53-man roster projection, I didn't have him on there. I said he could be a practice squad player. I've written that I was disappointed in his showing this summer and even into the spring. He's just not been accurate enough. But I do think he's worth a practice squad spot if he clears waivers. He has a good arm. He knows the offense. What's the harm in keeping him around and continuing the developmental process?

          @toddarcher: I thought Ben Malena did a nice job and could be a practice squad candidate. I think the Cowboys will go with Gus Johnson on the practice squad over Malena if all things were equal. But I don't think either guy would take Lance Dunbar's spot. Maybe I'm being too optimistic with what Dunbar can do for this offense, but I don't think his roster spot was ever in jeopardy.