Top brass still behind Romo
By CALVIN WATKINS Dallas Morning News
Published: 1/1/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 1/1/2009 3:20 AM
IRVING, Texas — The support for quarterback Tony Romo is everywhere, but is it justified for a quarterback who enters the offseason with a 27-12 mark as a full-time starter with no playoff wins?
Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips think so.
During the last four weeks of the season, Romo had more turnovers — nine — than touchdown passes — five. Even so, Phillips said he believes Romo is an elite quarterback despite his 5-8 record in December.
"Certainly some things happen with him that don't happen with other quarterbacks," Phillips said. "But we've got to rein it in in some areas. I see too many good things, too many great things that he does that other people can't do.
"I think he can be an elite quarterback and a Pro Bowl quarterback and a top player."
Jones said he can't finger why the team, especially Romo, struggles down the stretch. But other top quarterbacks have endured similar problems.
New Orleans' Drew Brees didn't have a winning record in the last month of the season until 2004 — his fourth year in the league, when he was still with San Diego.
Eli Manning of the New York Giants went 1-4 in his rookie year of 2004.
Yet, recent Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks have finished seasons strong.
Tom Brady, who has three rings, is 28-5 in December. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (18-6) and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (33-19) also have titles.
But late-season success still doesn't guarantee a championship. Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers is 14-0 in December since taking over in 2006, and he has only two playoff victories.
"I can't assess it," Terrell Owens said of Romo's late-season struggles. "I won't try to assess it. I think every individual has his evaluation of himself across the board, whether it's offensive guys or defensive guys."
Part of the Cowboys' problems late in the season, at least offensively, could be the scheme. Romo said Philadelphia exposed the weakness in the Cowboys' offense in the regular-season finale.
Romo and Owens said things need to change for the offense to get better.
"We'll look at everything in the off-season," Romo said after the Eagles game. "We understand we need to do a few things, I think, to counter some of the things that the other team is doing. We're starting to get an understanding of what other teams were starting to do as the season went on, and obviously we didn't execute to do what you needed to win some of these games."
Published: 1/1/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 1/1/2009 3:20 AM
IRVING, Texas — The support for quarterback Tony Romo is everywhere, but is it justified for a quarterback who enters the offseason with a 27-12 mark as a full-time starter with no playoff wins?
Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips think so.
During the last four weeks of the season, Romo had more turnovers — nine — than touchdown passes — five. Even so, Phillips said he believes Romo is an elite quarterback despite his 5-8 record in December.
"Certainly some things happen with him that don't happen with other quarterbacks," Phillips said. "But we've got to rein it in in some areas. I see too many good things, too many great things that he does that other people can't do.
"I think he can be an elite quarterback and a Pro Bowl quarterback and a top player."
Jones said he can't finger why the team, especially Romo, struggles down the stretch. But other top quarterbacks have endured similar problems.
New Orleans' Drew Brees didn't have a winning record in the last month of the season until 2004 — his fourth year in the league, when he was still with San Diego.
Eli Manning of the New York Giants went 1-4 in his rookie year of 2004.
Yet, recent Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks have finished seasons strong.
Tom Brady, who has three rings, is 28-5 in December. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger (18-6) and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (33-19) also have titles.
But late-season success still doesn't guarantee a championship. Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers is 14-0 in December since taking over in 2006, and he has only two playoff victories.
"I can't assess it," Terrell Owens said of Romo's late-season struggles. "I won't try to assess it. I think every individual has his evaluation of himself across the board, whether it's offensive guys or defensive guys."
Part of the Cowboys' problems late in the season, at least offensively, could be the scheme. Romo said Philadelphia exposed the weakness in the Cowboys' offense in the regular-season finale.
Romo and Owens said things need to change for the offense to get better.
"We'll look at everything in the off-season," Romo said after the Eagles game. "We understand we need to do a few things, I think, to counter some of the things that the other team is doing. We're starting to get an understanding of what other teams were starting to do as the season went on, and obviously we didn't execute to do what you needed to win some of these games."
posted by The Gryphon at 12:15 PM
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