Dallas Cowboys: Trust Tony Romo
Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo is easily one of the most scrutinized players in the National Football League and is easily the most polarizing player on the Cowboys’ roster. Year after year he does the amazing and simultaneously the maddening. He’ll put up huge numbers, worthy most seasons of at the very least a Pro Bowl roster spot, if not more, and yet there is always a play, series or game where you’re left speechless, and not in a good way. So why do I trust Tony Romo and believe he will have his time of glory? Try some of these reasons on for size, and if you don’t believe me, feel free to voice your opinion, because that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
It’s all in the Numbers
At age 34, Romo has had his fair share of chance to win, and he has just not when it has mattered most. Regardless of that, Romo has passing numbers that you cannot push to the side. He owns a career 64.6% completion percentage, throwing for 29,565 yards, 208 TDs, 101 interceptions to the tune of a 95.8 passer rating. In terms of touchdowns to interceptions, Romo has thrown 2.05 touchdowns to every interception. Let’s compare that to arguably the best quarterback to take the field last year, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who has thrown 2.24 touchdowns to every interception throughout his career and holds a career 97.2 passer rating. The numbers aren’t that different. And just for the sake of argument, let’s throw another quarterback into the mix. New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, throughout his career has thrown 2.05 touchdowns to every interception and holds a career passer rating of 95.3. So you can’t tell me Romo doesn’t have the skill, because his numbers hang with the best of them.
The Big Boys Up Front
So now that we’ve established the Romo statistically is a good quarterback, let’s look at the one glaring knock on him and why he hasn’t been able to take the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl. If you look back at some of the so-called bonehead plays throughout his career, the cause comes down to two things – the lack of a running game, and inconsistent offensive line play. He’s always had talent to work with at the skill positions, but prior to this upcoming season, he hasn’t had a solid line or running game since 2007. That was seven years ago. For seven seasons, Romo has had to make due with a rotating door across the offensive line and running backs that couldn’t put it all together either due to injuries or their own inabilities. Now with a stable of backs in DeMarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle, and Ryan Williams and an offensive line that is built to be an immovable blockade up front, Romo and the running backs are poised to make some serious noise in the NFC.
Maturity
As stated before, Tony Romo is 34 years-old. He’s not a young duck anymore. As we saw in his preseason debut against the Baltimore Ravens, he still has the shiftiness we’ve grown to love in him, but he knows how to stay in the pocket and make a throw or two. I firmly believe, and we should see throughout this year and beyond, that because of the multiple injuries he’s sustained throughout the years, Romo is becoming less reckless. He knows he has a line that can protect him and open holes for the running backs. He knows he has security blankets all over the field in Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Cole Beasley, to name a few, that work tirelessly to get open. And in turn, his receivers know he can put the ball right on the money if they get open. Everything Romo needs is in place and he’s had the years and hardships to realize he can’t waste this opportunity.
I trust Romo has what it takes to lead the Dallas Cowboys to greatness, and whether or not you believe me is irrelevant. In the end, he’ll prove it where it matters most – on the field.