FWST: Steve Young says Romo as good as Brees, Brady at elite plays but struggles with

[WoodysGirl]

Steve Young says Romo as good as Brees, Brady at elite plays but struggles with 'game manager' part of QB's job

-- Carlos Mendez

NFL analyst Steve Young says Tony Romo is as good as any quarterback when it comes to the highest level of quarterback play, but that he struggles with another important part of the job – game management.

Young, speaking on a conference call last week to promote ESPN’s coverage of the NFL’s conference championship games, was talking about Alex Smith’s reputation in previous seasons as a “game manager.”

“The problem I have with the idea of game manager, it's definitely code for: ‘He can't play championship football.’ It's like calling someone a scrambler. That's code for: ‘He isn't a real quarterback,’ Young said. “The truth is, scrambling is a side light to it. It doesn't really have to define you. And game manager, that's 60 or 70 percent of the job. To my mind, Tony Romo, the 30 percent that's the extra-highest level, point-of-the-spear championship play that Drew and Tom and all those guys do, Tony does really well. But he struggles with more of the commodity, the game manager stuff.”

But ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer doesn’t blame Romo. He blames the team around him.

Read what Dilfer says here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2012/01/steve-young-says-romo-as-good-as-brees-brady-at-elite-plays-but-struggles-with-game-manager-part-of-.html#storylink=cpy

[Fritsch_the_cat]

To my mind, Tony Romo, the 30 percent that's the extra-highest level, point-of-the-spear championship play that Drew and Tom and all those guys do, Tony does really well. But he struggles with more of the commodity, the game manager stuff

I wouldn't really argue with that. The main problem I have had with Romo is that he seems to get too "fired up" sometimes. I think he loses his head a little bit when he does.

Parcells made a comment about it when Tony was still a rookie, something about "He's fine until he gets to running around and doing that crazy stuff".

[Risen Star]

I wouldn't really argue with that. The main problem I have had with Romo is that he seems to get too "fired up" sometimes. I think he loses his head a little bit when he does.

Parcells made a comment about it when Tony was still a rookie, something about "He's fine until he gets to running around and doing that crazy stuff".

I think your opinion is outdated. He's not the same QB he was when Parcells was here. He's not the big mistake at any moment gunslinger anymore. You don't put up the numbers he did this year by being mistake prone.

I guess Romo should have managed his offensive line a little better. Created talent where there is none. I'd love to see Phil Costa snap the football to Tom Brady. Have Drew Brees' pocket dictated by Montrae Holland and Bill Nagy. I'm guessing their "game manager" skills would suffer.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

I think your opinion is outdated. He's not the same QB he was when Parcells was here. He's not the big mistake at any moment gunslinger anymore. You don't put up the numbers he did this year by being mistake prone.

I guess Romo should have managed his offensive line a little better. Created talent where there is none. I'd love to see Phil Costa snap the football to Tom Brady. Have Drew Brees' pocket dictated by Montrae Holland and Bill Nagy. I'm guessing their "game manager" skills would suffer.

This. :bow:

[CoCo]

I wouldn't really argue with that. The main problem I have had with Romo is that he seems to get too "fired up" sometimes. I think he loses his head a little bit when he does.

Parcells made a comment about it when Tony was still a rookie, something about "He's fine until he gets to running around and doing that crazy stuff".

Four plays are the ammo against Tony in 2011.

The goal-line fumble versus the Jets.
The late game Revis pick.
The pick 6 to Carpenter
The pick 6 where Robinson (and the tacklers) got sloppy.The latter two versus Detroit do not fit the bolded acusation IMO. They were both straight drops and throws, not "gunslinging." though admittedly not "wide open" either. #1 perhaps does although I still am not going to fault the idea, just maybe the need to tuck it away earlier. The Revis pick could be construed as Tony trying to do too much. I know Dez reportedly screwed up the route but at the moment Tony is throwing the ball I honestly can't see anything Dez could have done to clearly get open. I think it was a high risk play no matter what Dez does at the point of release - so Tony shouldn't have thrown it.

All that said, the "Tony is a gambler and it blows up on him" really had questionable application this year.

As Tony said to Deion & Faulk that night versus Tampa Bay he has reviewed those "run around" plays from over the years and come to the conclusion they are creating more benefit than detriment and he's therefore going to continue them. Not a direct quote but very clearly what he was saying. I think he is absolutely spot on. Tony is NOT going to limit himself to only "wide open" throws.

That said, there is a time to give up on the play and I think Romo has a pretty decent handle on that, not perfect, but something i think we can live with when he needs to elevate the team with HIS play.

[mmillman]

Young is spot on. Several times this year Romo and Garrett snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. That has been Tony's M.O. for some time. At least dating back to the fumble against Seattle.

Dallas had no business losing to NYJ, Detroit, New England etc...... Teams they were dominating and then didn't manage the game properly.

Sometimes it is OK to take a field goal or punt. Something this team needs to get better at before this window of talent closes.

[Gemini Dolly]

fair assessmemt

[Fritsch_the_cat]

I think your opinion is outdated. He's not the same QB he was when Parcells was here. He's not the big mistake at any moment gunslinger anymore. You don't put up the numbers he did this year by being mistake prone.

I guess Romo should have managed his offensive line a little better. Created talent where there is none. I'd love to see Phil Costa snap the football to Tom Brady. Have Drew Brees' pocket dictated by Montrae Holland and Bill Nagy. I'm guessing their "game manager" skills would suffer.

I didn't mean to cast him as a raw rookie type, running around willy nilly, though my post was probably poorly worded. He just seems a bit frentic at times, especially two minute drills where I think he going a bit faster than he needs to mentally, that's what I was trying to say.

[Fritsch_the_cat]

All that said, the "Tony is a gambler and it blows up on him" really had questionable application this year.

As Tony said to Deion & Faulk that night versus Tampa Bay he has reviewed those "run around" plays from over the years and come to the conclusion they are creating more benefit than detriment and he's therefore going to continue them. Not a direct quote but very clearly what he was saying. I think he is absolutely spot on. Tony is NOT going to limit himself to only "wide open" throws.

That said, there is a time to give up on the play and I think Romo has a pretty decent handle on that, not perfect, but something i think we can live with when he needs to elevate the team with HIS play.

I agree, I don't have a problem with his decision making except maybe to be a bit more patient perhaps and rely on his god given talent. Those spin moves he makes when he eludes a sacker and steps up and fires a pass are a thing of beauty. Very few can do that and I can't really think of another one that does. And watching Joe Flaco the last few weeks makes me appreciate Romo even more.

And Risen Star is spot on that 99% of any problem with Romo would be solved by better o-line play.

[BAT]

Young is spot on. Several times this year Romo and Garrett snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. That has been Tony's M.O. for some time. At least dating back to the fumble against Seattle.

Dallas had no business losing to NYJ, Detroit, New England etc...... Teams they were dominating and then didn't manage the game properly.

Sometimes it is OK to take a field goal or punt. Something this team needs to get better at before this window of talent closes.

Blaming Romo for the Pats loss is ridiculous. Romo had that game won before the D and some questionable game management lost it.

And people forget that Romo did not start "pressing" in NY until ST and D mistakes contributed to the breakdown.

And to think that the elite QBs do not make mistakes or lose games is juvenile. Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Manning, etc. have all lost their fair share of games.

[CoCo]

I agree, I don't have a problem with his decision making except maybe to be a bit more patient perhaps and rely on his god given talent. Those spin moves he makes when he eludes a sacker and steps up and fires a pass are a thing of beauty. Very few can do that and I can't really think of another one that does. And watching Joe Flaco the last few weeks makes me appreciate Romo even more.

And Risen Star is spot on that 99% of any problem with Romo would be solved by better o-line play.

I think most Cowboy fans are drooling at the prospects of what an upgraded O-line, a healthy trio of Fiammetta, Murray & Felix, and as a result a bit less chaos in the pocket would do for Romo & this offense. Oh my gosh.
:pray:

[Fritsch_the_cat]

I think most Cowboy fans are drooling at the prospects of what an upgraded O-line, a healthy trio of Fiammetta, Murray & Felix, and as a result a bit less chaos in the pocket would do for Romo & this offense. Oh my gosh.
:pray:

Combine that with a defense that can make a stop when it really counts and we'll beat the world.

[Cowboys22]

I think it was a fair assessment. I also think he may have turned the corner a little after those two early season losses where his mistakes were basically the reason they lost. He seemed much better at the game management role after those losses. Give him a better OL and a solid defense, and he is capable of taking the team very far.

[Wood]

I wouldn't really argue with that. The main problem I have had with Romo is that he seems to get too "fired up" sometimes. I think he loses his head a little bit when he does.

Parcells made a comment about it when Tony was still a rookie, something about "He's fine until he gets to running around and doing that crazy stuff".

I think getting fired up is a good trait. Brady was on ESPN earlier today talking about how the playoff games can't get here fast enough. That's passion and confidence you can't teach. Its a matter of tunneling that excitement in a positive way. Romo is still learning that process...but his time is limited. Next year will be Romo 10th year with the Cowboys and 7th as their starter and regardless of who you blame for their failed seasons they only have one playoff win during that span.

[CoCo]

Combine that with a defense that can make a stop when it really counts and we'll beat the world.

Well... Its not quite that simple, but it'd be a nice start. :)

[hmcorp]

I am sick of our special teams coach. we needa guy who isnt going to allow for opposing teams to find weaknesses so easily on a punt so that we get it blocked or field goal. also our coverage units suck and our return units are dismal.

special teams have been good a few times in the past decade but only a few.

[Doomsday101]

I'll just say in my view the Cowboy problems are not at QB. I think if the Cowboys continue to revamp the OL, add more pressure players on defense and a CB we will be back in the hunt

[BraveHeartFan]

Interesting read and take on Romo.

[Risen Star]

I didn't mean to cast him as a raw rookie type, running around willy nilly, though my post was probably poorly worded. He just seems a bit frentic at times, especially two minute drills where I think he going a bit faster than he needs to mentally, that's what I was trying to say.

Well, I'd imagine if you don't have faith in your protection or your run game, it probably effects how you play.

Again, I want to see Brady, Brees, Rodgers, or Eli Manning play behind our interior offensive line. I'd love to see their game manager skills in that situation.

[Doomsday101]

Well, I'd imagine if you don't have faith in your protection or your run game, it probably effects how you play.

Again, I want to see Brady, Brees, Rodgers, or Eli Manning play behind our interior offensive line. I'd love to see their game manager skills in that situation.

It also will effect how a coach calls the plays. Garrett understand his teams strenghts and weakness. I also think Garrett knows that the OL has to improve so that we can become a better offense both in the passing and running game.

[DBOY3141]

I think most Cowboy fans are drooling at the prospects of what an upgraded O-line, a healthy trio of Fiammetta, Murray & Felix, and as a result a bit less chaos in the pocket would do for Romo & this offense. Oh my gosh.
:pray:


16 years and counting.

[Fritsch_the_cat]

Well, I'd imagine if you don't have faith in your protection or your run game, it probably effects how you play.

Again, I want to see Brady, Brees, Rodgers, or Eli Manning play behind our interior offensive line. I'd love to see their game manager skills in that situation.

But I'm not talking about how he plays, it's what's happening before the snap, while he's calling the play and getting everyone lined up right, it just seems a little out of control at times and I often think "calm down a little Tony". I mean, no one is perfect and that's about the only area I think he could improve a bit.

Like I said, you were spot on when you said better o-line play is the real problem. Not many other QB's could have had the success that Tony has had behind this line. This youtube video shows what I mean by those spin moves being a thing of beauty and I don't really see another QB that can do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbKmqtjTt1s&feature=related

[Flinger]

Folks - come on... Romo isn't the problem.... He just isn't. There are plenty of problems on this team, but QB isn't one of them.

Build a team around him. On Offense, they aren't far - 2 OL's. And, no major injuries as in 2011. On Defense, well... 2 to 3 years away.

And, by then, Romo and our QB may become the problem.

[Future]

I think your opinion is outdated. He's not the same QB he was when Parcells was here. He's not the big mistake at any moment gunslinger anymore. You don't put up the numbers he did this year by being mistake prone.

I guess Romo should have managed his offensive line a little better. Created talent where there is none. I'd love to see Phil Costa snap the football to Tom Brady. Have Drew Brees' pocket dictated by Montrae Holland and Bill Nagy. I'm guessing their "game manager" skills would suffer.
Bingo.

Not to mention the fact that his best WR was hurt half the year, and the other one doesn't know the whole playbook. I'm telling you, guys like Brees and Eli would be atrocious in this offense.

[mmohican29]

I seem to remember hyper-elite Tom Brady mismanaging a game to near disaster as recently as yesterday.

[Stautner]

I seem to remember hyper-elite Tom Brady mismanaging a game to near disaster as recently as yesterday.

When you have won multiple Super Bowls its natural that the mistakes aren't as magnified as with a QB that has never had any success in the postseason.

[texbumthelife]

Tony had a fantastic season but he is not beyond improvement and I agree with Young, the only place he really needs it is as a game manager. A lot of that falls on Garrett too though.

[Avenger]

"Steve Young says Romo as good as Brees, Brady at elite plays but struggles with 'game manager' part of QB's job"

I don't see how anyone could mention Romo's name in the same breath with Brees and Brady.

It's like when Obama was comparing himself to Reagan. :lmao: They held the same office... but that's where the similarity ended.

:starspin