Will Unleashing Tony Romo Cure the Dallas Cowboys Offensive Scoring Problems?
Across the universe, fans of the Dallas Cowboys are usually divided into two camps. Those who love Tony Romo and those who hate him. There’s plenty of blame to go around for missing the playoffs or finishing with an 8-8 record. The primary key to winning a football game is having more points than your opponent when the clock expires. Let’s look inside the numbers and break down the Cowboys — Scoring Per Quarter — statistics from the 2012 season.
Last season, the Dallas Cowboys were ranked 31st in first quarter scoring. They averaged 2.2 points, while the New England Patriots led the league with 6.8. In the second quarter, they ranked 26th, scoring an average of 5.5 points. The Patriots led again with 10.9. In the third quarter, they ranked 10th by averaging 5.2 points while the Denver Broncos led with 9.4 points. The Cowboys led the league in fourth quarter points with 10.1 points.
The poor first half production points to a possible lack of preparation, abysmal offensive game planning and the inability to make adjustments on the fly. There is a lack of preparation by head coach Jason Garrett and the offense staff when the Cowboys only average 7.8 points in the first half.
The Cowboys have the third highest scoring average with 15.4 second half points. The increase of offensive production in the second half could point to the coaches ability to make adjustments, but I believe there is another major contributing factor. My associate, Michael Black, has officially labeled it as the — No Garrett Offense. This is the explosive, up-tempo offense the Cowboys use to effortlessly travel the length of the field and score touchdowns late in close games.
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) smiles prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Romo has the highest fourth quarter quarterback passer rating at 101.8. Romo also has the second highest quarterback rating in the history of the NFL and he is a three time pro bowler. It’s time to hand him the keys to the spaceship, he’s earned it. Nothing halts progress or production like a quarterback that has to learn a new offensive system every year. That hasn’t been a concern for our offense, Romo knows the playbook inside and out. It may be an ego battle with Jason Garrett, but you have never seen Peyton Manning’s team become inept at the end of a game because he had to wait for a play from the sideline. It’s also helpful that Romo has experienced players that have spent time with this offensive system around him.
If there’s a controversial play, Garrett should tell the media that he called that play and dive on the grenade for his quarterback. When things are successful, Garrett should report how he and Romo agreed on a particular play or credit Romo for calling most of his own plays on a game winning drive. Nobody has to know the truth and it’s a role that Sean Payton and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and other successful quarterback / head coach combinations perform well.
The saying is — you can’t please everyone — and Romo will continuously be hated by fans of 31 other teams (many of whom will have him as their fantasy league starting quarterback). This season, Cowboy Nation will be united behind Tony Romo once Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett unleash the beast. It’s simply the fastest and easiest cure for the Cowboys’ first half scoring woes of last season.