After not playing a single snap in 2009, there were concerns about Tony Romo's 39-year-old backup. We all remember the disaster that was Brad Johnson. But after being pressed into duty after Romo's October 25 injury, Kitna proved more than capable.
He is productive, with 16 touchdown passes in his 10 games. He is gutsy, actually with a better yards-per-carry (4.7) than Felix Jones (4.3), Tashard Choice (3.7) and Marion Barber (3.3). He is, turns out, one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL.
He is ... gone?
Most likely not, as he has three years remaining on a contract he signed in January 2009, is scheduled to make $2.6 million next season and has said nothing but nice things about his time in Dallas.
But if he's back next season for the Cowboys it'll be different, because his family won't be here with him.
Friend of a friend of a friend has kids that go to private school with Kitna's three kids. Just after Christmas my buddy's family was invited to a party by the Kitnas. A going-away party. Kitna's kids weren't back in school when the semester started this week and yesterday moving trucks were at his house in Southlake.
What gives?
Simply put, the Kitnas are moving to Seattle. Jon was born in Tacoma, played at Central Washington and has told people close to him that he has a coaching job waiting for him. Apparently the family has built a house there and Jon and his wife Jennifer have plans to teach school when he retires.
Maybe Kitna's been planning for the lockout all along. Maybe he never intended to play past 40 or in a 15th NFL season. Maybe the Cowboys will need a new No. 2 quarterback in 2011.
Or, maybe it's no biggie for him to play a season 2,000 miles from his family.
