Romo passes the test
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
SEATTLE -- In what will be a preseason of tests for backup quarterback Tony Romo, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said not to make too much of Saturday's first effort against the Seattle Seahawks.
He didn't want to put too much pressure on his young quarterback. He also knows his ultimate decision on whether Romo is capable of shepherding the Cowboys' offense if something happens to starter Drew Bledsoe will be based on more than one outing.
Still as first impressions go, it's would be safe to assume the Cowboys are very pleased with what they saw from Romo, who hit 19 of 25 passes for 235 yards in guiding a 13-3 victory at Qwest Field.
In the first half alone, the undrafted free agent from Eastern Illinois -- heading into his fourth NFL season without having thrown a regular-season pass -- completed 12 of 15 passes for 154 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown to Patrick Crayton.
Romo, who completed 12 consecutive passes after missing his first two, also led the Cowboys to a 21-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt.
"The thing I looked for was whether he would make bad plays," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "I didn't see that. He had good decision-making. I am impressed with the way he handled some pressure. I thought he threw the ball really well."
Although Romo was close to perfect against the Seahawks, the best thing about his outing for Parcells was that he performed successfully in less than perfect conditions.
He overcame early adversity, his own jitters and those of other novices under Parcells' spotlight against the Seahawks and routine miscues -- things you can't always assimilate in training practices, Jones said.
Consider the first possession of the game.
Romo's first pass was dropped by receiver Sam Hurd, an undrafted rookie starting in place of the injured Terrell Owens.
The next play was thwarted by a false start on right tackle candidate Marc Colombo. Romo then fumbled the snap on the next play.
The possession ended with a drop by rookie tight end Anthony Fasano, although the follies didn't end there.
Punter Mat McBriar dropped the snap before shanking a 35-yard kick.
Romo came back undaunted and unfazed. He began his 12 consecutive completions with a 10-yard pass to Julius Jones. He was 7-for-7 on the second drive and led the Cowboys 89 yards to the end zone.
Romo had to overcome a first-and-25 on the drive and converted three third downs.
The big plays included a 20-yarder to receiver Terry Glenn, a nice scramble and throw to Hurd for 15 yards, and the touchdown pass to Crayton in tight coverage.
Vanderjagt's field goal came with 2:09 remaining in the first half after Romo marched the Cowboys 81 yards in 12 plays. The big play on the drive was a 33-yard completion to Crayton.
"I am impressed with the way he [Romo] came back after a really disappointing first series," Jones said. "I am impressed with the way he came back and moved the team. I don't think we could have drawn it up any better, the challenges. We were in great situations."
In addition to Romo, count the play of Crayton, Hurd and Colombo as positives for the Cowboys on offense.
Parcells entered the game concerned about his depth at receiver behind starters Glenn and Owens. Colombo got the start at right tackle ahead of Rob Petitti and Jason Fabini and appeared to hold his own after the initial false start.
The highlight on defense was Greg Ellis. In his first game at linebacker after moving over from end in the off-season, Ellis had a sack and a tackle in pass coverage.
dallascowboys.com
COWBOYS 13, SEAHAWKS 3
In the know
breakdown
Why Dallas won: The offense moved the ball behind Tony Romo, who led the team on a pair of long scoring drives in the first half. He threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter to Patrick Crayton, and helped set up a Mike Vanderjagt field goal. The defense was solid, particularly against the run.
Who looked good: Receiver Sam Hurd dropped the first pass thrown to him, then came back with some nice catches, including a one-handed snag for 15 yards. After the first drive, Tony Romo was sharp the rest of the way. Greg Ellis played well at linebacker and contributed a sack and another tackle in coverage.
Who didn't look good: The offensive line was helped by Tony Romo's scrambles to avoid some pressure and pick up some yards. Running back Julius Jones ran for 14 yards on seven carries.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
SEATTLE -- In what will be a preseason of tests for backup quarterback Tony Romo, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said not to make too much of Saturday's first effort against the Seattle Seahawks.
He didn't want to put too much pressure on his young quarterback. He also knows his ultimate decision on whether Romo is capable of shepherding the Cowboys' offense if something happens to starter Drew Bledsoe will be based on more than one outing.
Still as first impressions go, it's would be safe to assume the Cowboys are very pleased with what they saw from Romo, who hit 19 of 25 passes for 235 yards in guiding a 13-3 victory at Qwest Field.
In the first half alone, the undrafted free agent from Eastern Illinois -- heading into his fourth NFL season without having thrown a regular-season pass -- completed 12 of 15 passes for 154 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown to Patrick Crayton.
Romo, who completed 12 consecutive passes after missing his first two, also led the Cowboys to a 21-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt.
"The thing I looked for was whether he would make bad plays," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "I didn't see that. He had good decision-making. I am impressed with the way he handled some pressure. I thought he threw the ball really well."
Although Romo was close to perfect against the Seahawks, the best thing about his outing for Parcells was that he performed successfully in less than perfect conditions.
He overcame early adversity, his own jitters and those of other novices under Parcells' spotlight against the Seahawks and routine miscues -- things you can't always assimilate in training practices, Jones said.
Consider the first possession of the game.
Romo's first pass was dropped by receiver Sam Hurd, an undrafted rookie starting in place of the injured Terrell Owens.
The next play was thwarted by a false start on right tackle candidate Marc Colombo. Romo then fumbled the snap on the next play.
The possession ended with a drop by rookie tight end Anthony Fasano, although the follies didn't end there.
Punter Mat McBriar dropped the snap before shanking a 35-yard kick.
Romo came back undaunted and unfazed. He began his 12 consecutive completions with a 10-yard pass to Julius Jones. He was 7-for-7 on the second drive and led the Cowboys 89 yards to the end zone.
Romo had to overcome a first-and-25 on the drive and converted three third downs.
The big plays included a 20-yarder to receiver Terry Glenn, a nice scramble and throw to Hurd for 15 yards, and the touchdown pass to Crayton in tight coverage.
Vanderjagt's field goal came with 2:09 remaining in the first half after Romo marched the Cowboys 81 yards in 12 plays. The big play on the drive was a 33-yard completion to Crayton.
"I am impressed with the way he [Romo] came back after a really disappointing first series," Jones said. "I am impressed with the way he came back and moved the team. I don't think we could have drawn it up any better, the challenges. We were in great situations."
In addition to Romo, count the play of Crayton, Hurd and Colombo as positives for the Cowboys on offense.
Parcells entered the game concerned about his depth at receiver behind starters Glenn and Owens. Colombo got the start at right tackle ahead of Rob Petitti and Jason Fabini and appeared to hold his own after the initial false start.
The highlight on defense was Greg Ellis. In his first game at linebacker after moving over from end in the off-season, Ellis had a sack and a tackle in pass coverage.
dallascowboys.com
COWBOYS 13, SEAHAWKS 3
In the know
breakdown
Why Dallas won: The offense moved the ball behind Tony Romo, who led the team on a pair of long scoring drives in the first half. He threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter to Patrick Crayton, and helped set up a Mike Vanderjagt field goal. The defense was solid, particularly against the run.
Who looked good: Receiver Sam Hurd dropped the first pass thrown to him, then came back with some nice catches, including a one-handed snag for 15 yards. After the first drive, Tony Romo was sharp the rest of the way. Greg Ellis played well at linebacker and contributed a sack and another tackle in coverage.
Who didn't look good: The offensive line was helped by Tony Romo's scrambles to avoid some pressure and pick up some yards. Running back Julius Jones ran for 14 yards on seven carries.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:23 AM
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