The pressure is on Romo
With T.O. gone, the Cowboys QB needs to produce.
By Matt Bowen
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was handed the keys to the Dallas offense when owner Jerry Jones released wide receiver Terrell Owens in a panic move this offseason. Today, I want to figure out if this carries a certain amount of unwanted risk.
In a good read by Jim Corbett of USA Today, Jones calls the new Cowboys offense “Romo-friendly,” explaining that the main culprit in the Dallas collapse last season — Owens — is now in Buffalo catching passes from Trent Edwards and taping reality TV shows.
But do we honestly believe that just because Owens is gone that this offense is going to “wow” us in the 2009 season, march the football down the field and put points all over the scoreboard?
I’m not buying it, folks — at least not yet — because with or without T.O. in the lineup, it always comes down to the quarterback.
And Romo hasn’t shown us that he can win when it counts or produce in the most adverse situations — and that’s what I look for, not only in a Pro Bowl quarterback, but in a quarterback I know I can look to in the huddle and expect to make plays in the fourth quarter.
This entire offseason, I’ve been asked countless times if I thought Romo was overrated, and my answer has been a pretty solid “No,” because to start in the NFL at quarterback is a monumental accomplishment.
However, I have no problem using the word “overhyped” about Romo because as much as we want to glorify him due to the fact he wears a star on his helmet, he still hasn’t delivered.
And I’m not the only one out there who thinks this way. Just ask former Cowboys great Troy Aikman.
Now, I understand that sending Owens packing was probably a smart move from a chemistry standpoint, but from a pure football standpoint, I don’t see the logic behind it. But it’s over and done with, and now we get to sit back on Sundays and watch Romo succeed or implode right before our eyes with nowhere to point the blame — because that finger is going to point right back into the huddle at the quarterback.
Yes, Romo will still have Jason Witten — a top-five tight end in this league — and he will have a healthy backfield (hopefully) in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. But someone on the outside (my money is on Patrick Crayton) is going to have to pick up the slack and produce the type of numbers that Owens was good for. Can Roy Williams be that type of player?
Look, I’m not trying to defend the TV star any more than you guys are, but we have to be honest when we talk about the outlook of this offense with a quarterback who is great in September and October and suspect when the weather changes -- minus one of his best playmakers.
This season in Dallas, at least on offense, is all about risk. The Cowboys have a new stadium with tickets to sell and a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since I was just out of high school.
The quarterback position in Dallas is all about pressure, and that is exactly what Tony Romo is going to get.
By Matt Bowen
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was handed the keys to the Dallas offense when owner Jerry Jones released wide receiver Terrell Owens in a panic move this offseason. Today, I want to figure out if this carries a certain amount of unwanted risk.
In a good read by Jim Corbett of USA Today, Jones calls the new Cowboys offense “Romo-friendly,” explaining that the main culprit in the Dallas collapse last season — Owens — is now in Buffalo catching passes from Trent Edwards and taping reality TV shows.
But do we honestly believe that just because Owens is gone that this offense is going to “wow” us in the 2009 season, march the football down the field and put points all over the scoreboard?
I’m not buying it, folks — at least not yet — because with or without T.O. in the lineup, it always comes down to the quarterback.
And Romo hasn’t shown us that he can win when it counts or produce in the most adverse situations — and that’s what I look for, not only in a Pro Bowl quarterback, but in a quarterback I know I can look to in the huddle and expect to make plays in the fourth quarter.
This entire offseason, I’ve been asked countless times if I thought Romo was overrated, and my answer has been a pretty solid “No,” because to start in the NFL at quarterback is a monumental accomplishment.
However, I have no problem using the word “overhyped” about Romo because as much as we want to glorify him due to the fact he wears a star on his helmet, he still hasn’t delivered.
And I’m not the only one out there who thinks this way. Just ask former Cowboys great Troy Aikman.
Now, I understand that sending Owens packing was probably a smart move from a chemistry standpoint, but from a pure football standpoint, I don’t see the logic behind it. But it’s over and done with, and now we get to sit back on Sundays and watch Romo succeed or implode right before our eyes with nowhere to point the blame — because that finger is going to point right back into the huddle at the quarterback.
Yes, Romo will still have Jason Witten — a top-five tight end in this league — and he will have a healthy backfield (hopefully) in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. But someone on the outside (my money is on Patrick Crayton) is going to have to pick up the slack and produce the type of numbers that Owens was good for. Can Roy Williams be that type of player?
Look, I’m not trying to defend the TV star any more than you guys are, but we have to be honest when we talk about the outlook of this offense with a quarterback who is great in September and October and suspect when the weather changes -- minus one of his best playmakers.
This season in Dallas, at least on offense, is all about risk. The Cowboys have a new stadium with tickets to sell and a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since I was just out of high school.
The quarterback position in Dallas is all about pressure, and that is exactly what Tony Romo is going to get.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:12 PM
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