No big deal for Bledsoe
Starter rooting for Romo; Parcells dispels thought of controversy
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
OXNARD, Calif. – As he enters his 14th year in the NFL, Drew Bledsoe has seen just about everything, especially the excitement drawn from the preseason play of a young quarterback.
In New England, he saw fans clamor for Michael Bishop and a few others. In Buffalo, it was rookie J.P. Losman.
And now in Dallas, that talk centers on Tony Romo, who completed 19-of-25 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown Saturday at Seattle.
"To be honest, I have no problem people talking up Tony, and he deserves to be talked about," Bledsoe said. "I think he has a long future in the league, but from my standpoint, I'm approaching this as I'm getting ready to play the season. And I'm doing everything I can to make sure that as the quarterback here, I'm giving us the best chance to win the ballgame."
Coach Bill Parcells headed off talk of a quarterback controversy Monday by saying Bledsoe will start the Sept. 10 opener at Jacksonville, barring injury.
But Parcells did not say Bledsoe would start next week's preseason game at Shreveport, La., against New Orleans, but only because the coaching staff has not gone over the plan yet.
Factoring into Parcells' preseason plan for Romo is the quarterback's future. He is an unrestricted free agent following the season, and the club has had talks about a new deal with his agent, Ken Kremer. The team would like to sign Romo to a longer-term contract, while the player is seeking a shorter-term deal.
"I had a definitive objective to play Tony eight or nine quarters this preseason because that way I can give [owner and general manager Jerry Jones] a definite assessment," Parcells said. "If he were to start the game, you guys would be trying to start a quarterback controversy. But I just want him to play against the best people. That's why he started Saturday. If he plays against the best people, I can give a better assessment."
Romo said he has thought about his future, especially with the ongoing talks.
"I want to be a Dallas Cowboy," Romo said. "I like it here. The organization has been great to me. I would love to say I spent all my years as a Dallas Cowboy and finish my career here. That would be a highlight."
Romo said Bledsoe has been supportive, mentioning how Bledsoe's history with Parcells in New England has helped him avoid some pratfalls.
Parcells said Romo's development is on the right track, but he needed more information to determine if Romo could be a long-term starter.
"I think we're going to get [the information]," Parcells said, adding he hopes Romo's future will be as a starting quarterback at some point.
Bledsoe, 34, is signed through 2007 and has shown no signs of wearing down. His 83.7 quarterback rating last season was the third best of his career.
"First of all, I'm competing every time I take the field, that's always the case, but one game doesn't change anything," Bledsoe said. "Tony's been doing a great job in practice, and I think what he showed in the game the other night, that if he's forced into action, he can be the guy."
And if Bledsoe struggles Monday against the Saints – provided he starts or plays – he knows talk will grow.
"I've been around this game a long time and understand how things work," Bledsoe said. "But as I said, my focus is on doing what I need to do and what we need to do to play the season."
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
OXNARD, Calif. – As he enters his 14th year in the NFL, Drew Bledsoe has seen just about everything, especially the excitement drawn from the preseason play of a young quarterback.
In New England, he saw fans clamor for Michael Bishop and a few others. In Buffalo, it was rookie J.P. Losman.
And now in Dallas, that talk centers on Tony Romo, who completed 19-of-25 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown Saturday at Seattle.
"To be honest, I have no problem people talking up Tony, and he deserves to be talked about," Bledsoe said. "I think he has a long future in the league, but from my standpoint, I'm approaching this as I'm getting ready to play the season. And I'm doing everything I can to make sure that as the quarterback here, I'm giving us the best chance to win the ballgame."
Coach Bill Parcells headed off talk of a quarterback controversy Monday by saying Bledsoe will start the Sept. 10 opener at Jacksonville, barring injury.
But Parcells did not say Bledsoe would start next week's preseason game at Shreveport, La., against New Orleans, but only because the coaching staff has not gone over the plan yet.
Factoring into Parcells' preseason plan for Romo is the quarterback's future. He is an unrestricted free agent following the season, and the club has had talks about a new deal with his agent, Ken Kremer. The team would like to sign Romo to a longer-term contract, while the player is seeking a shorter-term deal.
"I had a definitive objective to play Tony eight or nine quarters this preseason because that way I can give [owner and general manager Jerry Jones] a definite assessment," Parcells said. "If he were to start the game, you guys would be trying to start a quarterback controversy. But I just want him to play against the best people. That's why he started Saturday. If he plays against the best people, I can give a better assessment."
Romo said he has thought about his future, especially with the ongoing talks.
"I want to be a Dallas Cowboy," Romo said. "I like it here. The organization has been great to me. I would love to say I spent all my years as a Dallas Cowboy and finish my career here. That would be a highlight."
Romo said Bledsoe has been supportive, mentioning how Bledsoe's history with Parcells in New England has helped him avoid some pratfalls.
Parcells said Romo's development is on the right track, but he needed more information to determine if Romo could be a long-term starter.
"I think we're going to get [the information]," Parcells said, adding he hopes Romo's future will be as a starting quarterback at some point.
Bledsoe, 34, is signed through 2007 and has shown no signs of wearing down. His 83.7 quarterback rating last season was the third best of his career.
"First of all, I'm competing every time I take the field, that's always the case, but one game doesn't change anything," Bledsoe said. "Tony's been doing a great job in practice, and I think what he showed in the game the other night, that if he's forced into action, he can be the guy."
And if Bledsoe struggles Monday against the Saints – provided he starts or plays – he knows talk will grow.
"I've been around this game a long time and understand how things work," Bledsoe said. "But as I said, my focus is on doing what I need to do and what we need to do to play the season."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:41 PM
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