With all of the hoopla surrounding Tim Tebow, the Saints, and Peyton Manning, I'd like to take a moment to go in a different direction. I have payed attention to the details and noticed some bold moves with free agents this off season, and it requires some attention. However, my intent today is to defend my quarterback and the Cowboy's organization.
When Peyton was released from the Colts, so many Dallas Cowboy fans lit up the message boards wanting to acquire Peyton. They were relentless in demanding Jerry Jones get rid of Tony Romo. Are you kidding me? Tony Romo is the franchise quarterback, and I really do not understand why there are so many Romo haters.
Romo had a 102.5 Quarterback Rating (QBR) in 2011 (the league average is 84.2). He threw for 4,184 yards (the league average is 1667), 346 completions at 66.3% and 31 TD's (the league average TD's are 10). He threw 10 interceptions with 6 fumbles.
Drew Brees had a 110.6 QBR in 2011. He was the league leader, throwing 5,476 yards, 468 completions at 71.2% and 46 TD's. He threw 14 interceptions with one fumble. But he didn't take his team to the Championship game.
You may find this interesting. The year Brees led his team to the Superbowl and won, he had a QBR of 109.6. He threw for 4388 yards, 363 completions and 34 TD's. He threw 11 interceptions and 9 fumbles.
Eli Manning had a QBR of 92.9 in 2011. He threw for 4933 yards, 359 completions at 61% and 29 touchdowns. He threw 16 interceptions with 8 fumbles. He won the Superbowl this past season.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
The problem I have with most Romo haters is that they simply do not understand what a great quarterback he really is. He's a competitor. He's athletic. He also is very human and does the one thing that we all tend to do in various situations. He overcompensates for his teammates mistakes. When that happens and he tries to do the job of others, he fails. He began to recognize that halfway through the season, made adjustments, and looked fantastic. Unfortunately, the offensive line was young and Romo was on the scramble. Even in those moments, he made good decisions, made unbelievable plays and came out on top. However, he can't play offense and defense. Defense allowed too many points and the games were lost. That isn't Romo's fault.
There have been many issues with the team over the last decade, starting with Jerry Jones acting in dual roles as owner and GM. The leadership under Wade Phillips was horrendous. And now, it seems that Jason Garrett is finally breaking through to Jerry and making very good decisions in helping to acquire very competent players in free agency. All of this should help Romo lead Dallas to a championship. He can't do it alone and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous. The last time I checked, it was a TEAM sport, not an individual effort.
I believe Romo can led the team to a Superbowl. So does Troy Aikman. I believe he is talented enough, smart enough, and if you look at his mental toughness from last season, he's tough enough.
If there was one piece of advice I would give Tony, it would be to put away the golf clubs and take a leadership course this off season. The thing that separates Brees, Brady, and Manning from Romo is that they make those around them better. That is definitely something he could work on before next season. His mechanics are solid. Every quarterback has their moments, both good and bad. That is evidenced above. But to really take it to the next level, he's got to lead his team into battle and come out the other side.
To say he isn't worthy of being the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is ludicrous. To single him out and say he is the reason the Cowboys aren't winning is silly. He gives the Cowboys the best chance at winning. He can't do it alone and he can't stop the other team from scoring. Put the blame where it belongs. The secondary was a mess this past season. The O-line made so many errors and if it wasn't for Romo, then the loss margin would have been greater. The snaps were terrible and the protection was weak. He's lucky to have made it out with broken ribs and not a broken neck.
I look ahead to this coming season in anticipation of what could be. My final message to Tony: Do your job and do it well. Lead your team to victory. Shake off the criticism and celebrate the wins. Get in your reps. Force your receivers to know the playbook. Be the first one on the field and the last one off. Force perfection and accept nothing less. Lastly, fuck all the haters.
When Peyton was released from the Colts, so many Dallas Cowboy fans lit up the message boards wanting to acquire Peyton. They were relentless in demanding Jerry Jones get rid of Tony Romo. Are you kidding me? Tony Romo is the franchise quarterback, and I really do not understand why there are so many Romo haters.
Romo had a 102.5 Quarterback Rating (QBR) in 2011 (the league average is 84.2). He threw for 4,184 yards (the league average is 1667), 346 completions at 66.3% and 31 TD's (the league average TD's are 10). He threw 10 interceptions with 6 fumbles.
Drew Brees had a 110.6 QBR in 2011. He was the league leader, throwing 5,476 yards, 468 completions at 71.2% and 46 TD's. He threw 14 interceptions with one fumble. But he didn't take his team to the Championship game.
You may find this interesting. The year Brees led his team to the Superbowl and won, he had a QBR of 109.6. He threw for 4388 yards, 363 completions and 34 TD's. He threw 11 interceptions and 9 fumbles.
Eli Manning had a QBR of 92.9 in 2011. He threw for 4933 yards, 359 completions at 61% and 29 touchdowns. He threw 16 interceptions with 8 fumbles. He won the Superbowl this past season.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
The problem I have with most Romo haters is that they simply do not understand what a great quarterback he really is. He's a competitor. He's athletic. He also is very human and does the one thing that we all tend to do in various situations. He overcompensates for his teammates mistakes. When that happens and he tries to do the job of others, he fails. He began to recognize that halfway through the season, made adjustments, and looked fantastic. Unfortunately, the offensive line was young and Romo was on the scramble. Even in those moments, he made good decisions, made unbelievable plays and came out on top. However, he can't play offense and defense. Defense allowed too many points and the games were lost. That isn't Romo's fault.
There have been many issues with the team over the last decade, starting with Jerry Jones acting in dual roles as owner and GM. The leadership under Wade Phillips was horrendous. And now, it seems that Jason Garrett is finally breaking through to Jerry and making very good decisions in helping to acquire very competent players in free agency. All of this should help Romo lead Dallas to a championship. He can't do it alone and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous. The last time I checked, it was a TEAM sport, not an individual effort.
I believe Romo can led the team to a Superbowl. So does Troy Aikman. I believe he is talented enough, smart enough, and if you look at his mental toughness from last season, he's tough enough.
If there was one piece of advice I would give Tony, it would be to put away the golf clubs and take a leadership course this off season. The thing that separates Brees, Brady, and Manning from Romo is that they make those around them better. That is definitely something he could work on before next season. His mechanics are solid. Every quarterback has their moments, both good and bad. That is evidenced above. But to really take it to the next level, he's got to lead his team into battle and come out the other side.
To say he isn't worthy of being the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is ludicrous. To single him out and say he is the reason the Cowboys aren't winning is silly. He gives the Cowboys the best chance at winning. He can't do it alone and he can't stop the other team from scoring. Put the blame where it belongs. The secondary was a mess this past season. The O-line made so many errors and if it wasn't for Romo, then the loss margin would have been greater. The snaps were terrible and the protection was weak. He's lucky to have made it out with broken ribs and not a broken neck.
I look ahead to this coming season in anticipation of what could be. My final message to Tony: Do your job and do it well. Lead your team to victory. Shake off the criticism and celebrate the wins. Get in your reps. Force your receivers to know the playbook. Be the first one on the field and the last one off. Force perfection and accept nothing less. Lastly, fuck all the haters.
I love that you used Brees in your comparison. Now if they could only work a deal to keep him there and win another Superbowl.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they are taking so long? That seems a bit worry some to me.
ReplyDelete