Tony Romo’s job as the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback is safe, despite the rumors of the Dallas Cowboys possibly looking to trade up in the NFL Draft (they have the 14th pick) for Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. Jerry Jones is pleased with the 31 year old QB, despite the disappointing December-January record.
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The Cowboys like Romo’s numbers, and the fact that he’s been a 3 time Pro Bowler. That he’s 47-30 in 77 starts for the Cowboys after taking over the starting job midway through the 2006 season. His injuries are a concern, but also the way he’s played through them, especially this last season, enduring a fractured rib and a badly bruised hand. Romo finished with 4184 yards (7th), 31 touchdown passes (5th), a 102.5 passer rating (4th) and intercepted only 10 times. Did we mention the offensive line problems and losing their best running back midway through the season?
The problem with Romo is what happens in the fourth quarters, and in big games, when it’s do or die. Just like in ‘The Grey’ – Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I’ll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day. The Cowboys always fall, even when they’re heavily favored, with sometimes comical last second mishaps, that would be incredibly funny if it wasn’t so tragic for the common Dallas fan.
Romo is 9-14 in December/January and although there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that some of the mistakes in crunch time have to be accounted for Romo, there’s plenty of other bad things with the Cowboys’ team over the years. Jason Garrett has made incredibly stupid mistakes in some games, with the Arizona Cardinals loss probably more memorable than any. A mediocre linebacker crew and over reliance on DeMarcus Wade’s ability to reach the quarterback, leading to a lack of creativity in the defensive schemes.
There’s no extension just yet beyond 2013, with 2012 being the latest deadline and the next test for the 8 year veteran, who’ll be handed another chance to prove he’s worthy of leading “America’s Team” not just by numbers, but finally by wins, when they matter the most. Romo’s biggest obstacle? Unrealistic expectations from the Cowboys, who just don’t look like a team who have what it takes to go all the way, and not because of their quarterback. Unfortunately, he’ll probably get most of the blame.