In Romo, Eagles see QB at top of his game
Dallas QB took apart Philly last month. Can he do it again?
By Larry O'Rourke | Of The Morning Call
December 15, 2007
While pondering how and when to give playing time to quarterback Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid doesn't have far to look for an example of a youngster who benefitted from sitting early in his career.
After making the Dallas Cowboys' roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003, Tony Romo did not throw a pass until 2006. Then he took over for Drew Bledsoe, helped lead the Cowboys to a playoff appearance in 2006 and set the stage for this season.
Romo has thrown 35 touchdown passes, guiding Dallas to a 12-1 record heading into Sunday's game against the Eagles at Texas Stadium.
''It looked like he paid attention and learned and was able to transfer that into playing good football,'' Reid said. ''There is natural ability that goes into there also with that learning process.
''But, he understands what he's doing out there. I think he's got good coaches, has had good coaches and he's playing good football.''
The Eagles took advantage of Romo's inexperience last season. In his ninth career start, Romo went 14 for 29 and was intercepted twice and sacked three times in a 23-7 loss.
But they found themselves facing a much more polished quarterback last month. Romo completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 Dallas victory at the Linc.
''He's probably a guy who has much better vision this year than last year,'' Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. ''If the first receiver's not there, he goes to the second. If the second's not there, he goes to the third. He's been very effective on check downs when people take away their main receiver.
''That's what I see; I see a guy who is getting rid of the ball. Not just throwing it away, but going to the second, third and fourth receivers. He's doing a great job with that, probably as good as anybody in the league right now.''
Johnson didn't flinch when asked if Romo is the best NFC East quarterback he has seen since coming to Philadelphia in 1999.
''He's playing at as high-performance [level] as I've seen since I've been here,'' Johnson said. ''I can't think of anyone else in the division who has played like him.''
Eagles weakside linebacker Takeo Spikes, a 10-year veteran, noted that some NFL players compare Romo to Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
''He's a guy who, he may not throw off of the front foot, he may not step into every throw, but he's very football savvy,'' Spikes said. ''He understands the game and he will do whatever it takes to make plays. He's a guy that has great escapability, and at the same time, at the last minute he's going to make a play happen.
''He's a playmaker. With saying that, you have to respect him and he's playing at an all-time high.''
But Romo's relative inexperience still could be a factor Sunday.
The Eagles fooled Romo into throwing an interception Nov. 4 by throwing a changeup at him. After blitzing early and often, Johnson had just three linemen rush Romo late in the first half.
The result was a throw into disguised coverage, leading to a Lito Sheppard interception. Romo also was fooled at times by the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 8. He threw five interceptions but still managed to do enough to help the Cowboys to a 25-24 victory.
''He's still a young quarterback,'' Eagles free safety Brian Dawkins said. ''He's played in a lot of games, but he's still a young quarterback, so he's going to make some mistakes. You just have to capitalize on the mistakes. It's not about tricking a guy into doing something. It's about making plays when the plays are there to be made.''
By Larry O'Rourke | Of The Morning Call
December 15, 2007
While pondering how and when to give playing time to quarterback Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid doesn't have far to look for an example of a youngster who benefitted from sitting early in his career.
After making the Dallas Cowboys' roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003, Tony Romo did not throw a pass until 2006. Then he took over for Drew Bledsoe, helped lead the Cowboys to a playoff appearance in 2006 and set the stage for this season.
Romo has thrown 35 touchdown passes, guiding Dallas to a 12-1 record heading into Sunday's game against the Eagles at Texas Stadium.
''It looked like he paid attention and learned and was able to transfer that into playing good football,'' Reid said. ''There is natural ability that goes into there also with that learning process.
''But, he understands what he's doing out there. I think he's got good coaches, has had good coaches and he's playing good football.''
The Eagles took advantage of Romo's inexperience last season. In his ninth career start, Romo went 14 for 29 and was intercepted twice and sacked three times in a 23-7 loss.
But they found themselves facing a much more polished quarterback last month. Romo completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 Dallas victory at the Linc.
''He's probably a guy who has much better vision this year than last year,'' Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. ''If the first receiver's not there, he goes to the second. If the second's not there, he goes to the third. He's been very effective on check downs when people take away their main receiver.
''That's what I see; I see a guy who is getting rid of the ball. Not just throwing it away, but going to the second, third and fourth receivers. He's doing a great job with that, probably as good as anybody in the league right now.''
Johnson didn't flinch when asked if Romo is the best NFC East quarterback he has seen since coming to Philadelphia in 1999.
''He's playing at as high-performance [level] as I've seen since I've been here,'' Johnson said. ''I can't think of anyone else in the division who has played like him.''
Eagles weakside linebacker Takeo Spikes, a 10-year veteran, noted that some NFL players compare Romo to Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
''He's a guy who, he may not throw off of the front foot, he may not step into every throw, but he's very football savvy,'' Spikes said. ''He understands the game and he will do whatever it takes to make plays. He's a guy that has great escapability, and at the same time, at the last minute he's going to make a play happen.
''He's a playmaker. With saying that, you have to respect him and he's playing at an all-time high.''
But Romo's relative inexperience still could be a factor Sunday.
The Eagles fooled Romo into throwing an interception Nov. 4 by throwing a changeup at him. After blitzing early and often, Johnson had just three linemen rush Romo late in the first half.
The result was a throw into disguised coverage, leading to a Lito Sheppard interception. Romo also was fooled at times by the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 8. He threw five interceptions but still managed to do enough to help the Cowboys to a 25-24 victory.
''He's still a young quarterback,'' Eagles free safety Brian Dawkins said. ''He's played in a lot of games, but he's still a young quarterback, so he's going to make some mistakes. You just have to capitalize on the mistakes. It's not about tricking a guy into doing something. It's about making plays when the plays are there to be made.''
posted by The Gryphon at 6:37 PM
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