Broncos QB Tony Romo?
By Brian Howell
Longmont Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — Had Tony Romo made a different decision five years ago, he would have completely changed the future of the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys.
Had Romo made a different decision, it might be him instead of Jay Cutler throwing passes to Brandon Marshall today.
Undrafted out of Eastern Illinois in 2003, Romo was offered free agent contracts from the Broncos and Cowboys. Although Denver offered more money, Romo signed with Dallas.
“When I went in, that was the choice I was trying to make — what team can I make (the roster),” he said this week as he and the Cowboys practiced with the Broncos. “I felt like Dallas gave me the best opportunity.”
Entering his sixth NFL season, Romo isn’t complaining. The 28-year-old is one considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s got singer Jessica Simpson as his girlfriend. Life is good for the guy who didn’t throw a single pass his first three years in the league.
“I love Denver,” Romo said. “Denver was right there at the end (in 2003). I like coach (Mike) Shanahan, and he’s a great coach, but it just happens the way it does for certain reasons.”
Romo didn’t become a starter until the middle of the 2006 season, but he blossomed right away when given his chance and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the last two years.
Still, with just 24 regular-season starts under his belt, Romo said he can improve.
“For me, every year you’re in the league it’s a different development year,” said Romo, who threw for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. “You learn different things, and you can kind of figure out some things. Experience is the greatest tool for improvement in this league.
“I’m not going to get into the specifics of it, but you’re always looking at yourself from a realistic standpoint, and you’re going to say, ‘Hey, what do I need to do to improve? What are my weaknesses?’ That’s what you spend all offseason on.”
The Broncos, meanwhile, had Jake Plummer, Danny Kanell and Steve Beuerlein as their quarterbacks in 2003.
Today, the Broncos are happy with Cutler, who threw for 3,497 yards and 20 touchdowns last season — his first as a full-time starter.
Although Romo and Cutler have had similar playing time in the NFL (Romo has 24 starts, Cutler 21), Shanahan said comparing the two is difficult.
“I think it’s a lot different. Romo was in a backup role, I believe, for four years, if I’m not mistaken,” Shanahan said. “When you run the scout team or if you are on a team as a quarterback and you have four years looking at different defenses, it’s a little easier to go behind that center and read defenses. Jay is a little bit different. There are a little bit more growing pains the quicker you get in.”
Longmont Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — Had Tony Romo made a different decision five years ago, he would have completely changed the future of the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys.
Had Romo made a different decision, it might be him instead of Jay Cutler throwing passes to Brandon Marshall today.
Undrafted out of Eastern Illinois in 2003, Romo was offered free agent contracts from the Broncos and Cowboys. Although Denver offered more money, Romo signed with Dallas.
“When I went in, that was the choice I was trying to make — what team can I make (the roster),” he said this week as he and the Cowboys practiced with the Broncos. “I felt like Dallas gave me the best opportunity.”
Entering his sixth NFL season, Romo isn’t complaining. The 28-year-old is one considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s got singer Jessica Simpson as his girlfriend. Life is good for the guy who didn’t throw a single pass his first three years in the league.
“I love Denver,” Romo said. “Denver was right there at the end (in 2003). I like coach (Mike) Shanahan, and he’s a great coach, but it just happens the way it does for certain reasons.”
Romo didn’t become a starter until the middle of the 2006 season, but he blossomed right away when given his chance and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the last two years.
Still, with just 24 regular-season starts under his belt, Romo said he can improve.
“For me, every year you’re in the league it’s a different development year,” said Romo, who threw for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. “You learn different things, and you can kind of figure out some things. Experience is the greatest tool for improvement in this league.
“I’m not going to get into the specifics of it, but you’re always looking at yourself from a realistic standpoint, and you’re going to say, ‘Hey, what do I need to do to improve? What are my weaknesses?’ That’s what you spend all offseason on.”
The Broncos, meanwhile, had Jake Plummer, Danny Kanell and Steve Beuerlein as their quarterbacks in 2003.
Today, the Broncos are happy with Cutler, who threw for 3,497 yards and 20 touchdowns last season — his first as a full-time starter.
Although Romo and Cutler have had similar playing time in the NFL (Romo has 24 starts, Cutler 21), Shanahan said comparing the two is difficult.
“I think it’s a lot different. Romo was in a backup role, I believe, for four years, if I’m not mistaken,” Shanahan said. “When you run the scout team or if you are on a team as a quarterback and you have four years looking at different defenses, it’s a little easier to go behind that center and read defenses. Jay is a little bit different. There are a little bit more growing pains the quicker you get in.”
posted by The Gryphon at 6:14 PM
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