To the Tony Romo haters.....

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.






 

Peyton's Place

 
The top 4 teams courting our beloved 18 are Denver, Miami, Arizona and Tennessee. Where will he go? How will he choose? Each team has kept their cards close to the vest and haven't spoken publicly about the meeting they had with Peyton.

I'm not so sure Arizona has a real shot with Manning. Arizona is the only NFC team of the four. If I were Peyton, I would be more inclined to pick an AFC team because I already know that conference. He's studied every team in that conference and would have his work cut out for him getting to know a new system and all the teams in the NFC he would face. That doesn't appear to be a viable option, in my opinion.

Miami desperately needs Peyton. But with several celebrity owners, a new head coach and many moves in the wings, does it seem like the right fit for Peyton? It would seem to me that 18 has a few good years left in him. He's competitive. I can see him wanting to have the best shot at winning a Superbowl this coming year as well as the following year. And honestly, do we think Miami is poised for a Championship run over the next few years? I don't think so.

That brings it to Tennessee and Denver. Denver seems like the likely choice. Elway and Manning have a relationship already. Going to Denver allows 18 to have a serious shot at a Championship run. They have a the strongest team out of all four prospects. Peyton can't play forever. Eventually he has to retire. Being under Elway's mentorship, allows Peyton to see whether being an executive for a team is the way to go. But I think it's the Championship run that appeals to him more. Sibling rivalry runs deep and we shouldn't discount that as a motivating factor. I wouldn't want my baby brother to outshine me!

That brings me to the current starter for the Denver Broncos. Where will Tebow factor in to all of this if Peyton chooses Denver? Will he be traded out, released, asked to play back up? I really can't see any other team chase Tebow as a starter other than Jacksonville. And not because Jacksonville needs him for winning, but they need him for filling the seats in their stadium. He's a good, solid guy. But he does need some work on his mechanics.

Wherever he goes, it'll be Peyton's Place. We sit and wait, hoping each day there's an announcement on his decision. We want to feel better knowing he's got a home and can get to work. We will cheer in excitement and encouragement when he takes the field with his new team. We will feel elation just to see him out on the field again, doing what he loves to do....playing football!

Hurry up Peyton and make a decision. The world waits....

Peyton, Peyton, Peyton.....

Football. One could fall into a depression waiting until late summer when the preseason begins and fall when the actual games begin.

The Colts decided to end their run with Peyton Manning. It was emotional. It was depressing. And while all the fans grieve their beloved 18 moving on in the world, the rest of the league is excited, waiting for their opportunity to scoop him up. It's not unlike going through a divorce. Both parties moving on after a painful ending to a 14 year marriage. But in the wings, there awaits a room full of beautiful women waiting to pounce on him!

I don't blame the Colts for making the decision that they did. In fact, from a business perspective, the timing couldn't be more perfect for the organization. Having the #1 draft pick in Andrew Luck is too sweet a deal to pass up. But poor Peyton. We feel bad that you just got replaced by the younger woman!

Mortality is a bitch! In fact, it sucks. Although his best years may be behind him, I still think he has a Super Bowl or two in him if he chooses the right team. If you were Peyton, where would you go? 12 teams have made their move to acquire him. 12!

18 has a home in Miami. He spends 3 to 4 months there already so it might be an easy move for the family and all. Plus Miami can be quite sexy, if the right package is presented. But I think two other teams have a better chance at catapulting him to another Super Bowl. Texas and Denver. Stronger protection and better defense. It's a recipe for success. Denver is a three ring circus right now and adding more star power could make it worse. But adding 18 to the Texans...... now that it something that would make very interesting football! The team is poised for a Championship run as it is. Add 18, and it clicks. If I were the owner of the Texans, I'd push hard to put 18 on my roster.

You may only get a couple of years out of Peyton. So Denver might make a harder push and give Tebow a chance to really learn from greatness. Long term, that would make sense for that organization. NYJ, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Seattle, Titans, Arizona, SF and the Skins are not really viable options, in my opinion. These teams need to find a younger QB for the long haul. The formula of getting the QB's at the end of their careers are not working for this group. Maybe you should follow the Colts in their "suck for Luck" campaign.

Which brings me to an issue I have - are we really going to believe that the Colts have had numerous winning seasons and the minute this "fantastic" leader is unable to play for a season, the team falls apart? If that is true, then is Peyton the true leader we all believe him to be?

I was in corporate management for a long time. The one thing that we could measure was the strength of the team AFTER the manager left the store/club. Did the place fall apart? Did the transition go smoothly or did everyone revolt? If the place still ran smoothly and your business continued to increase year after year, then the former manager lead his/her team well. Leadership is not something that happens by the person holding down the fort, but how well the fort is running while the person in charge steps away. I would have expected more from the Colts and the players.

Instead, we saw them unravel at the seam. Was it all an act? Were they using Peyton and his injury to benefit themselves in the long run? If so, then I'm not surprised. This type of cut throat action has been going on for years. It's deceptive, like a cheating spouse. If not, it doesn't bode well for the leaders of that team.

Like any "divorce", 18 may go through a small depression. And his new team may be the rebound relationship. But he'll be professional, as he always is. We'll get the pleasure of seeing him play, even though it's in a new uniform. For it's not always the team that excites us, it's the player. And while he's still got it in him to be competitive, I'm going to watch. And after he's gone, he'll move on to endorcements or sportcasting or possibly coaching. Either way, he'll be great at whatever he does.

He's a winner! And that's what he'll always be. No Luck needed 18....you're the man!