Romo's nerve his best asset
by Jean-Jacques Taylor
SAN ANTONIO – Perhaps Tony Romo's new contract will average $7 million per season. Maybe, it will be $8 million.
Does it really matter?
Whether he gets a contract closer to the $65 million deal St. Louis' Marc Bulger recently signed or the $48 million deal Houston's Matt Schaub signed a few months ago, he's still going to be wealthier than a kid growing up in Burlington, Wis., ever dreamed about.
More important, money doesn't drive Romo.
Let's be clear, he wouldn't play for free no matter what he might say from time to time. He enjoys not worrying about paying his electric bill and he delights in all of the things money can buy those he loves.
But he's not driven by money. There's a difference.
"You can't get caught up in money and all of that stuff," he said after Monday morning's practice. "If you're playing for money, you're only going to work so hard. I play for the right reasons – to be as good as I can be."
Last year, that was better than anyone had a right to expect him to perform, considering he had never started an NFL game. Bill Parcells benched Drew Bledsoe after a 3-3 start and Romo ran through the door of opportunity.
Romo passed for 2,903 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as he became the first Cowboys quarterback since Troy Aikman to be named to the Pro Bowl.
He wasn't flawless.
He committed too many turnovers, and the Cowboys fell apart in December, losing any chance to host a playoff game. Then there was the botched hold in Seattle that essentially cost the Cowboys their first playoff win since 1996.
His critics focus on his subpar performance in the final month of the season, especially the blowout home losses to New Orleans and Philadelphia that wrecked the season. They wonder whether he can duplicate the success of his first six starts, when the Cowboys were 5-1 and he performed like one of the league's best.
There's no question his statistics took a dive in the final month. You can blame Romo for the reduction in production. You can blame game plans that lacked creativity. Or you can blame better competition.
But you must look beyond the statistics that say he was really good in his first six starts and really bad in the last five. We all know statistics can say whatever you want them to.
That said, aside from wins and losses, there's one set of stats that show why Jerry should feel comfortable signing Romo long term.
In the fourth quarter, when the Cowboys were ahead or behind by seven points, Romo completed 33 of 43 passes for 512 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. When the pressure is high, Romo performs.
It doesn't mean the Cowboys always win, but it does mean Romo puts them in position to win.
Romo led fourth-quarter drives that put the Cowboys ahead for good or clinched victories against Indianapolis, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He put the Cowboys in position to win or tie games late in the fourth quarter against Washington, Detroit and Seattle.
Don't take that for granted.
Not every quarterback can handle the pressure of the fourth quarter. Not every quarterback plays well with the game on the line.
Some fold. Others, like Romo, embrace the moment. You can't teach that kind of confidence. That's what sets him apart from others.
He's smart, has a good and accurate arm and is agile enough to escape trouble in the pocket. But he's not a physical specimen like Aikman. And he doesn't have an arm like Brett Favre that can zip the ball into tight spots, though sometimes he thinks he does.
But just about every quarterback who's ever won a Super Bowl has that same demeanor. I'm not saying Romo will triumphantly hold the Lombardi Trophy one day, but he has the tools to get it done because he plays his best at the end of games.
"You believe in yourself at those times because you know the practice and the time that you've put in to prepare for those moments," Romo said. "Now, it's time to do it."
Romo understands why others question whether he can duplicate his success. No doubt resides in his mind.
He can't wait to prove it.
Then the pressure will be on Jerry.
SAN ANTONIO – Perhaps Tony Romo's new contract will average $7 million per season. Maybe, it will be $8 million.
Does it really matter?
Whether he gets a contract closer to the $65 million deal St. Louis' Marc Bulger recently signed or the $48 million deal Houston's Matt Schaub signed a few months ago, he's still going to be wealthier than a kid growing up in Burlington, Wis., ever dreamed about.
More important, money doesn't drive Romo.
Let's be clear, he wouldn't play for free no matter what he might say from time to time. He enjoys not worrying about paying his electric bill and he delights in all of the things money can buy those he loves.
But he's not driven by money. There's a difference.
"You can't get caught up in money and all of that stuff," he said after Monday morning's practice. "If you're playing for money, you're only going to work so hard. I play for the right reasons – to be as good as I can be."
Last year, that was better than anyone had a right to expect him to perform, considering he had never started an NFL game. Bill Parcells benched Drew Bledsoe after a 3-3 start and Romo ran through the door of opportunity.
Romo passed for 2,903 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as he became the first Cowboys quarterback since Troy Aikman to be named to the Pro Bowl.
He wasn't flawless.
He committed too many turnovers, and the Cowboys fell apart in December, losing any chance to host a playoff game. Then there was the botched hold in Seattle that essentially cost the Cowboys their first playoff win since 1996.
His critics focus on his subpar performance in the final month of the season, especially the blowout home losses to New Orleans and Philadelphia that wrecked the season. They wonder whether he can duplicate the success of his first six starts, when the Cowboys were 5-1 and he performed like one of the league's best.
There's no question his statistics took a dive in the final month. You can blame Romo for the reduction in production. You can blame game plans that lacked creativity. Or you can blame better competition.
But you must look beyond the statistics that say he was really good in his first six starts and really bad in the last five. We all know statistics can say whatever you want them to.
That said, aside from wins and losses, there's one set of stats that show why Jerry should feel comfortable signing Romo long term.
In the fourth quarter, when the Cowboys were ahead or behind by seven points, Romo completed 33 of 43 passes for 512 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. When the pressure is high, Romo performs.
It doesn't mean the Cowboys always win, but it does mean Romo puts them in position to win.
Romo led fourth-quarter drives that put the Cowboys ahead for good or clinched victories against Indianapolis, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He put the Cowboys in position to win or tie games late in the fourth quarter against Washington, Detroit and Seattle.
Don't take that for granted.
Not every quarterback can handle the pressure of the fourth quarter. Not every quarterback plays well with the game on the line.
Some fold. Others, like Romo, embrace the moment. You can't teach that kind of confidence. That's what sets him apart from others.
He's smart, has a good and accurate arm and is agile enough to escape trouble in the pocket. But he's not a physical specimen like Aikman. And he doesn't have an arm like Brett Favre that can zip the ball into tight spots, though sometimes he thinks he does.
But just about every quarterback who's ever won a Super Bowl has that same demeanor. I'm not saying Romo will triumphantly hold the Lombardi Trophy one day, but he has the tools to get it done because he plays his best at the end of games.
"You believe in yourself at those times because you know the practice and the time that you've put in to prepare for those moments," Romo said. "Now, it's time to do it."
Romo understands why others question whether he can duplicate his success. No doubt resides in his mind.
He can't wait to prove it.
Then the pressure will be on Jerry.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:10 PM
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