Development of Romo as the QB he is today...
Originally comments by Sago1 from a sports forum:
We all wonder, as does the rest of the NFL, and rest of the country why Romo is playing so well today and why he sat on the bench for 3 long years. Well here's my thoughts and it's rather long/disjointed but I think close to the mark, so forgive me. And when you think about it, it's also pretty obvious. Anyway, his development wasn't quick at all but took 3 long years and several games into his 4th season before he got chance at starting job.
Romo has said that when he came out a college he couldn't read defenses, his release was too low, didn't have built in 3 second clock telling him when to get rid of the ball, locked on his receivers, etc. That's all the things we critize all young QBs for doing and some older ones as well. If Cowboys had rushed to play him, he'd have probably gone down in flames.
But our scouts (and apparently some other NFL scouts, draft experts, etc) saw enough in him to sign him to an undrafted free agent contract. Think Sean Peyton, a graduate of same school who set passing records there as a QB, knew of him for that reason and encouraged his signing. He was extremely lucky to sign with Dallas because Peyton was also known as a QB developer (turned around Kerry Collins performance for several years) and H/C Parcells felt so comfortable in his writ from Jerry Jones that he gave Peyton and Romo the time needed to teach him the things he must learn. Also don't forget that Parcells himself knows how to develop pretty good QBs; there was Phil Sims, Hostettler, a young Bledsoe, drafting Pennington, etc. so again he prepared give Romo the time while he allowed Jerry to sign all those other young QBs who got pushed to play, etc., while Romo sat and learned.
Romo was very smart and had very strong desire become NFL starter QB and was prepared to work/do whatever necessary to make it. In addition to learning from Peyton, Parcells and whoever else was there to teach him (maybe QB coach made contributions a well), he also took advantage of Testeverde's methodical way to preparing for game day, including extensive studying of film, making notes on play of lot of other players he would face, etc. We all know Romo spends extensive time studying film. On his Mondays off, he goes into study the many films of his opponents play--not just their preceding game before they play us; he also studied the play of other QBs and has mentioned reading Brady's book (and probably others) looking for ways they handled pressure, prepared, etc.
Understand his work in practice improved and others on the team begin to see the changes taking place in his play over the period of 1-2 years, etc. I understand he was very upset when Testeverde was cut and Bledsoe was brought in; Romo continues to remain in contact with Testeverde. I think it's clear, no matter what many here say about Testeverde, they need remember he was brought in here to back up Carter not to be our starter. It was only because Carter was cut due to poor performance but also think Parcell/Jones got some inkling from Carter himself (whether he knew it or not) that he was not reliable and cut him leaving Testeverde to start when his career was really over. Also believe Testeverde himself is the sort of QB/person who willingly served as a mentor to the very young Romo. Romo has also created Bledsoe for helping him--don't know if that true or not but I'll take Romo at his word--for now. I do know that Bledsoe was asked about going in for Romo late in the Bucs game but he refused saying Romo doing well, why take him out.
Romo has also said it was being able to pay a complete game against the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason which gave him the confidence that he could do the job as an NFL starter. Also believe that convinced Parcells but remember it's a big step to take an undrafted free agent and make him your starting QB cause no one could foretell Romo would respond the way he has. Also don't forget Sean Peyton as H/C of the Saints tried trading for Romo but Parcells refused. Have no doubt Jerry Jones would have made the trade and been grateful for anything he got in return; he didn't recognize what both Peyton/Parcells was seeing Sometime after that the Saints signed Drew Brees.
I only criticize Parcells for not making the change after the Philly game, not because he didn't start Romo earlier. Romo has exceeded anyone's expectations, but I'm thinking he owes everything to Peyton, Parcells, Testeverde for everything he became. But it all starts with the fact that several people saw something in Romo they liked. That would certainly included fact that he a quick study, hard worker, etc. You could probably saw that about any other young NFL QB, but remember Romo has also called himself a 24/7 QB. In order words he spent excessive amount of time, maybe his entire life, learning his new job--beyond what most other QBs prepared to do. He did have a life outside football, but I'm betting not much time was spent on anything non-football related.
Finally, while Romo was allowed fly under the radar, the media and Jerry Jones focused their attention on Carter, then Hutchinson, then Henson. All this time the work of developing Romo went on.
We all wonder, as does the rest of the NFL, and rest of the country why Romo is playing so well today and why he sat on the bench for 3 long years. Well here's my thoughts and it's rather long/disjointed but I think close to the mark, so forgive me. And when you think about it, it's also pretty obvious. Anyway, his development wasn't quick at all but took 3 long years and several games into his 4th season before he got chance at starting job.
Romo has said that when he came out a college he couldn't read defenses, his release was too low, didn't have built in 3 second clock telling him when to get rid of the ball, locked on his receivers, etc. That's all the things we critize all young QBs for doing and some older ones as well. If Cowboys had rushed to play him, he'd have probably gone down in flames.
But our scouts (and apparently some other NFL scouts, draft experts, etc) saw enough in him to sign him to an undrafted free agent contract. Think Sean Peyton, a graduate of same school who set passing records there as a QB, knew of him for that reason and encouraged his signing. He was extremely lucky to sign with Dallas because Peyton was also known as a QB developer (turned around Kerry Collins performance for several years) and H/C Parcells felt so comfortable in his writ from Jerry Jones that he gave Peyton and Romo the time needed to teach him the things he must learn. Also don't forget that Parcells himself knows how to develop pretty good QBs; there was Phil Sims, Hostettler, a young Bledsoe, drafting Pennington, etc. so again he prepared give Romo the time while he allowed Jerry to sign all those other young QBs who got pushed to play, etc., while Romo sat and learned.
Romo was very smart and had very strong desire become NFL starter QB and was prepared to work/do whatever necessary to make it. In addition to learning from Peyton, Parcells and whoever else was there to teach him (maybe QB coach made contributions a well), he also took advantage of Testeverde's methodical way to preparing for game day, including extensive studying of film, making notes on play of lot of other players he would face, etc. We all know Romo spends extensive time studying film. On his Mondays off, he goes into study the many films of his opponents play--not just their preceding game before they play us; he also studied the play of other QBs and has mentioned reading Brady's book (and probably others) looking for ways they handled pressure, prepared, etc.
Understand his work in practice improved and others on the team begin to see the changes taking place in his play over the period of 1-2 years, etc. I understand he was very upset when Testeverde was cut and Bledsoe was brought in; Romo continues to remain in contact with Testeverde. I think it's clear, no matter what many here say about Testeverde, they need remember he was brought in here to back up Carter not to be our starter. It was only because Carter was cut due to poor performance but also think Parcell/Jones got some inkling from Carter himself (whether he knew it or not) that he was not reliable and cut him leaving Testeverde to start when his career was really over. Also believe Testeverde himself is the sort of QB/person who willingly served as a mentor to the very young Romo. Romo has also created Bledsoe for helping him--don't know if that true or not but I'll take Romo at his word--for now. I do know that Bledsoe was asked about going in for Romo late in the Bucs game but he refused saying Romo doing well, why take him out.
Romo has also said it was being able to pay a complete game against the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason which gave him the confidence that he could do the job as an NFL starter. Also believe that convinced Parcells but remember it's a big step to take an undrafted free agent and make him your starting QB cause no one could foretell Romo would respond the way he has. Also don't forget Sean Peyton as H/C of the Saints tried trading for Romo but Parcells refused. Have no doubt Jerry Jones would have made the trade and been grateful for anything he got in return; he didn't recognize what both Peyton/Parcells was seeing Sometime after that the Saints signed Drew Brees.
I only criticize Parcells for not making the change after the Philly game, not because he didn't start Romo earlier. Romo has exceeded anyone's expectations, but I'm thinking he owes everything to Peyton, Parcells, Testeverde for everything he became. But it all starts with the fact that several people saw something in Romo they liked. That would certainly included fact that he a quick study, hard worker, etc. You could probably saw that about any other young NFL QB, but remember Romo has also called himself a 24/7 QB. In order words he spent excessive amount of time, maybe his entire life, learning his new job--beyond what most other QBs prepared to do. He did have a life outside football, but I'm betting not much time was spent on anything non-football related.
Finally, while Romo was allowed fly under the radar, the media and Jerry Jones focused their attention on Carter, then Hutchinson, then Henson. All this time the work of developing Romo went on.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:54 PM
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