Magic is back for Romo
By Roy Lang III
The Shreveport (La.) Times
In 2006, Tony Romo's blue star dimmed as quickly as it erupted.
Dallas leader: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is 10-4 as a regular-season starter in his career. He has thrown 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with more than 3,800 yards. His 2007 passer rating is 112.9, which has helped the Cowboys to a 4-0 start. - L.M. OTERO / Associated Press
His torrid start after relieving Drew Bledsoe, the Dallas Cowboys' aging starting quarterback, had many around the NFL anointing the heretofore little-known backup a future Hall of Famer. But when the Cowboys lost four of their final five games, Romo's few detractors gave themselves a nice pat on the back.
The decline seemed logical, mostly boiling down to the rest of the NFL just needing time to adjust to a first-year starter.
But the rest of the NFL doesn't have a monopoly on adjustments. Romo's magic is back and the first month of the 2007 season has showed he may indeed be the answer in Dallas.
Last weekend's 35-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams was more than just another W. Dallas moved to 4-0 for the 10th time in team history and first since its last Super Bowl season of 1995.
"I never look at myself in the third person," said Romo, who spent three seasons on the Dallas sideline before throwing a pass. "Each step has been good. As a backup, you're trying to get on the field and get better. When it happens, it feels normal. That's what you work yourself up for is to be successful."
The win enhanced Romo's growing legend in Dallas. Just when it appeared the Cowboys had hit the snooze button one too many times, Romo's monumental scramble after a poor snap in the final minute of the first half sparked his sleepy-eyed teammates and added another amazing chapter to the success-laden franchise.
Dallas receiver Terrell Owens said the play "would end up on bloopers" while linebacker Greg Ellis called it "one of the greatest plays in NFL history."
Regardless of whether it was lucky or masterful, it was effective -- and that's become Romo's calling card.
In 14 regular-season starts, Romo stands at 10-4. He has thrown 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with more than 3,800 yards. His 2007 passer rating of 112.9 ranks second to three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
"Anytime you're playing like our quarterback is playing, that's a key factor," first-year Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said.
The Eastern Illinois product was hailed after replacing Bledsoe, winning five of his first six starts and turning the Cowboys' floundering ship into a NFC title contender. But then came the struggle down the stretch.
Romo's three worst single-game quarterback ratings came in the Cowboys' final five regular-season games. His most egregious gaffe came when he butchered the snap to a potential game-winning field goal in the wild-card loss at Seattle.
Much of Romo's success this season has been his ability to hit several receivers. While Owens and tight end Jason Witten have been the prime targets, Romo and Patrick Crayton did the damage Sunday.
Crayton hauled in seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. Romo's 339-yard effort was the sixth 300-yard game of his career. He already ranks fourth in club history in that category.
Witten leads the team in catches (20) on the season while Owens leads in yards (362) and Crayton in yards per catch (20.2).
Romo's coach believes the magic on Sundays begins with an impeccable work ethic during the week.
"I've seen the quick release and great arm, but it's his presence in practice," Phillips said. "I've seen a lot of players who were great in practice, but he carries it over to the game."
Phillips hopes to reap the benefits of Romo's act for quite some time. With the quarterback's contract set to end this year, there has already been much speculation as to the amount of money Romo will command from Dallas owner Jerry Jones.
"Now Jerry has to sign him," Phillips said. "I'm for that."
The Shreveport (La.) Times
In 2006, Tony Romo's blue star dimmed as quickly as it erupted.
Dallas leader: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is 10-4 as a regular-season starter in his career. He has thrown 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with more than 3,800 yards. His 2007 passer rating is 112.9, which has helped the Cowboys to a 4-0 start. - L.M. OTERO / Associated Press
His torrid start after relieving Drew Bledsoe, the Dallas Cowboys' aging starting quarterback, had many around the NFL anointing the heretofore little-known backup a future Hall of Famer. But when the Cowboys lost four of their final five games, Romo's few detractors gave themselves a nice pat on the back.
The decline seemed logical, mostly boiling down to the rest of the NFL just needing time to adjust to a first-year starter.
But the rest of the NFL doesn't have a monopoly on adjustments. Romo's magic is back and the first month of the 2007 season has showed he may indeed be the answer in Dallas.
Last weekend's 35-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams was more than just another W. Dallas moved to 4-0 for the 10th time in team history and first since its last Super Bowl season of 1995.
"I never look at myself in the third person," said Romo, who spent three seasons on the Dallas sideline before throwing a pass. "Each step has been good. As a backup, you're trying to get on the field and get better. When it happens, it feels normal. That's what you work yourself up for is to be successful."
The win enhanced Romo's growing legend in Dallas. Just when it appeared the Cowboys had hit the snooze button one too many times, Romo's monumental scramble after a poor snap in the final minute of the first half sparked his sleepy-eyed teammates and added another amazing chapter to the success-laden franchise.
Dallas receiver Terrell Owens said the play "would end up on bloopers" while linebacker Greg Ellis called it "one of the greatest plays in NFL history."
Regardless of whether it was lucky or masterful, it was effective -- and that's become Romo's calling card.
In 14 regular-season starts, Romo stands at 10-4. He has thrown 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with more than 3,800 yards. His 2007 passer rating of 112.9 ranks second to three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
"Anytime you're playing like our quarterback is playing, that's a key factor," first-year Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said.
The Eastern Illinois product was hailed after replacing Bledsoe, winning five of his first six starts and turning the Cowboys' floundering ship into a NFC title contender. But then came the struggle down the stretch.
Romo's three worst single-game quarterback ratings came in the Cowboys' final five regular-season games. His most egregious gaffe came when he butchered the snap to a potential game-winning field goal in the wild-card loss at Seattle.
Much of Romo's success this season has been his ability to hit several receivers. While Owens and tight end Jason Witten have been the prime targets, Romo and Patrick Crayton did the damage Sunday.
Crayton hauled in seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. Romo's 339-yard effort was the sixth 300-yard game of his career. He already ranks fourth in club history in that category.
Witten leads the team in catches (20) on the season while Owens leads in yards (362) and Crayton in yards per catch (20.2).
Romo's coach believes the magic on Sundays begins with an impeccable work ethic during the week.
"I've seen the quick release and great arm, but it's his presence in practice," Phillips said. "I've seen a lot of players who were great in practice, but he carries it over to the game."
Phillips hopes to reap the benefits of Romo's act for quite some time. With the quarterback's contract set to end this year, there has already been much speculation as to the amount of money Romo will command from Dallas owner Jerry Jones.
"Now Jerry has to sign him," Phillips said. "I'm for that."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:55 AM
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