Was DeMarcus Ware Calling out Tony Romo?
Sep 26, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) celebrates with linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Redskins 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
If you hate Tony Romo, you probably jumped for joy over DeMarcus Ware’s comments on Sirius radio the other day. Even if you just think Romo has to step up and improve his game, you nodded in agreement when D Ware said that its time to put up or shut up.
Not me.
The first thought that came to my mind was ‘y’all need to put up or shut up’ ! D Ware just as much as Romo. Jay Ratliff as much as Miles Austin. Heck, everyone of the Dallas Cowboys players (except Jason Witten), every member of the coaching staff and the entire organization.
My second thought moved the target right at Ware. DeMarcus Ware has been notoriously quiet and low key as a leader. I’ve heard him in the past actually say that it’s up to his teammates to motivate themselves, it’s not up to him. How he goes about his business in the locker room, I can’t comment on. But every time DWare is looked at for leadership of this team by the outside world (despite what Skip Bayless wants to believe), he passes with a quiet, gentlemanly, ‘no thanks’. Maybe DWare’s recent comments are the beginning of something new for him. Maybe DWare is finally ready to take on the responsibility. I wouldn’t mind seeing that. But it’s never seemed to be his nature.
December 30, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Ware didn’t set the world on fire last year. So, to me, this begs the question: “DWare, are you sure you should be calling out Romo?” I watched the last game of the season at Washington just like every other Cowboy’s fan did. I saw DWare juked and frozen in place by Redskins QB, RGIII, on several occasions (I know, he was injured, but he played anyway and playing actually hurt the team) The Cowboys defense over all was outplayed and overwhelmed by the quicker Redskin’s offense. In that game and the season, Tony Romo may have put the nail in the proverbial coffin with that last interception, but the Cowboys D built the coffin and laid the team in it.
Many of you are going to tell me I’m an idiot and that DWare is a future hall of famer, and you are probably right, on both counts. You are going to also tell me that he’s racked up alot of sacks over his career and he is one of the most feared pass rushers in the game. That’s been true too, up until last year anyway, mainly, I hope, do to injuries. DWare’s stats are great, but the team hasn’t benefitted from his outstanding play, have they? No, they haven’t.
You probably don’t want to acknowledge it, but Tony Romo has racked up a lot of passing yards and touchdowns and actually has one of the best passer ratings in league history and will own many Cowboys records by the time he retires. He has great stats too. Thing is, like DWare, he hasn’t gotten the Cowboys to a SuperBowl.
Sports analyst, Stephen A Smith recently commented about DWare telling Romo to ‘put up or shut up’ . He said that DWare ‘manned up’ by saying what needed to be said about Romo. Funny thing is, the points Smith used to qualify and applaud DWare’s comments could equally be applied to DWare himself. ‘This man has one playoff victory in his career’, or ‘He hasn’t had a record above .500 in the last 2′(actually, since 2009). With ‘This man’ or ‘He’ in Smith’s rant, you can replace Romo’s name with Ware’s and the jist remains the same.
What Stephen A. Smith and many others don’t get is THE DALLAS COWBOYS ARE A TEAM, and DeMarcus Ware and Tony Romo are stars on that team, but there are 51 other players, some better than others, who’s success and fate are intertwined with each and every other player.
And if Tony Romo needs to ‘put up or shut up’… then so does DeMarcus Ware, and so does every single player on this mediocre Dallas Cowboys team.