Romo doesn't buy practice squad talk - Dallas Cowboys Forum

dmq · 07-30-2004

Sorry if its a repost. I never saw it.

NFL Dallas Cowboys: Romo doesn't buy practice squad talk

BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
IRVING, Texas -- Sure, Tony Romo has heard the bad news/good news speculation.

Web sites and other reports are saying that Romo cannot surpass three bigger names for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' roster but that the former Eastern Illinois quarterback has made enough of an impression to stick with the practice squad.

"That's pretty funny," Romo said. "The only thing about that is that you have to make it through waivers. I'd have to make it through waivers to do that. If I go out and perform the way I can, I think I'll be OK"

So even though Romo won a big amateur golf tournament recently back home in Wisconsin, he wants to be too busy on Sundays this fall to be playing any golf.

He would like to think that if the Cowboys, now well stocked with quarterbacks, do not want him, some other NFL team would grab him before the Cowboys would use him only for practice.

But his immediate focus with the Cowboys, who begin training camp Thursday at Oxnard, Calif.

Sticking with Dallas for a second season is not going to be easy.

In fact, it probably got harder when during the off-season the Cowboys picked up Drew Henson, the former Michigan quarterback who ditched his pro baseball career for a chance with Dallas, and Vinny Testaverde, a 17-year NFL veteran considered a safety net backup for returning starter Quincy Carter.

Last year Carter was the full-time man for the Cowboys who leaped from losers to the playoffs in their first year under coach Bill Parcells.

Romo and Chad Hutchinson stood the sidelines, and now Hutchinson is to be released.

But just showing a more encouraging future than Hutchinson has not been enough for Romo, who now has to contend with the new guys.

"I don't know what's going to happen in camp," Romo said. "The bottom line is I have to take care of business when it counts. I can't lay an egg.

"In a game you have to go out and let them know you're ready and you're better."

Romo figures he has gotten better.

After all, he came to Eastern as only a partial scholarship player before becoming a three-year starter who as a senior received the Walter Payton Trophy as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA.

Still, he was not chosen in the 2003 NFL draft and had to earn a roster spot with Dallas as a free agent.

So he is not resting on just-making-the-team laurels.

"I've had such a good off-season," Romo said. "I threw the ball so well in mini-camp. I've taken my game to another level than in the past.

"We have a good coaching staff and trainers, and they put you in the right direction."

But the staff, including former EIU star Sean Payton as quarterbacks coach, has only steered Romo into the competition for a job.

"I'll get time in preseason for sure, but it's all dictated by what you do in practices," Romo said.

As a rookie Romo had mixed success in preseason games. In one contest, he lost a fumble but then threw a 60-yard touchdown pass.

That got him on the Cowboys but not in any regular season games.

Now he has that experience plus an off-season focused on the Cowboys' system.

"Last year you had 18 different things you thought about," Romo said. "Now it's just more natural.

"Last year I thought about it and I felt older than a rookie. Now it's to where I can't wait to get out there and perform. Now I feel I'm on another level than in the past."

So far this year, the versatile athlete has topped his past performances.

After settling for some finishes that looked impressive considering his main game was football, Romo this summer won the Racine Tri-Course Amateur golf tournament.

"That was the one I always play for but I never had a shot to win it," Romo said. "I was never really in contention to win. I'd make a move on the final day."

This time Romo survived the first-round cut with a 79, got himself in contention with a 73 and then fired a 70 on the final day to win by six strokes.

This was without much practice time on golf courses.

"I get to play a little bit on the weekend, but it was one of those things where I got on a roll and made my putts," he said.

Now, the idea is to be too busy with football for any weekend golf.

"I've be waiting for this for quite some time," Romo said.

Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.

LaTunaNostra · 07-30-2004

Tony is the ultimate underdog, almost forgotten behind the incumbent, experienced vet, and 'future'.

Time to get a bandwagon goin for him.

viman96 · 07-30-2004

I like Romo. I hope we find a way to keep him around.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaTunaNostra

Tony is the ultimate underdog, almost forgotten behind the incumbent, experienced vet, and 'future'.

Time to get a bandwagon goin for him.

Sign me up. Give me a comfortable seat too because I'm behind Romo hell or high water. I really like this kid. I think he's got about the same chance as a Ham Shank in Shark infested waters but I'm pulling for him. He's got a chance and he will take his opportunities when he gets them. I like him.

Rocco · 07-30-2004

It would suck to lose him for nothing. Especially since Vinny will probably be roomates with my grandpa at the old folks home after this season. Maybe he will look great in the PS games and someone will offer a seventh for him..

**ABQCOWBOY** · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocco

It would suck to lose him for nothing. Especially since Vinny will probably be roomates with my grandpa at the old folks home after this season. Maybe he will look great in the PS games and someone will offer a seventh for him..

Maybe lighning will strike and he'll play like the second coming of Joe Montana in Pre-Season.

"Somebodies gotta go and it aint gonna be me!"

Hollywood Henderson · 07-30-2004

Who knows what might happen?

Carter could sucks as bad as ever passing, get traded at the end of camp for a 4th-7th and we could start the season Vinny, Romo & Hensen....

**ABQCOWBOY** · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood Henderson

Who knows what might happen?

Carter could sucks as bad as ever passing, get traded at the end of camp for a 4th-7th and we could start the season Vinny, Romo & Hensen....

Anythings possible Wood but I would say the likelyhood of this happening is on par with airodynamic donkeys crusing past my window on a hot Friday afternoon.

Then again, you never know.

LaTunaNostra · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood Henderson

Who knows what might happen?

Carter could sucks as bad as ever passing, get traded at the end of camp for a 4th-7th and we could start the season Vinny, Romo & Hensen....

Well, there 's the best reason to root for Tony. There's a chance in ten million he could squeeze Quincy right out of town.

But it's got NOTHIN to do with Carter for some of us. I'd like to see Tony do so well that for the first time in Tuna's coaching career he feels obligated to carry four QBs, because he won't risk losing Tony to the waivers he'd have to pass to make the ps.

That will be a big feather in Romo's cap..if he can earn himself a precious spot on a roster controlled by a man who doesn't even want to carry THREE QBs, much less
four. Earn a spot alongside Vinnie T and Drew Henson and the starter, Quincy. Not just fill a paper void behind Hutch. Tony's sticking around this year will prove he's a player, and has a future in this league.

Knock 'em dead, Tony!

Doomsday101 · 07-30-2004

I hope Romo has a great camp as well but then I hope all and I do mean all of our QB's have a great camp. I hope they make Parcells have some sleepless nights on who our QB's will be as a starter and where the QB's rank on the depth chart

LaTunaNostra · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

I hope Romo has a great camp as well but then I hope all and I do mean all of our QB's have a great camp. I hope they make Parcells have some sleepless nights on who our QB's will be as a starter and where the QB's rank on the depth chart

Me too, 101.

I hate to wish sleepless nights on Tuna, but he says he has them anyway... what a great dilemma it would be to have four guys he felt comfy having out there on the field.

Tuna sounded awfully subdued today, btw..

iceberg · 07-30-2004

possible to just keep 4 with the roster now up to 60, wouldn't it be?

Doomsday101 · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaTunaNostra

Me too, 101.

I hate to wish sleepless nights on Tuna, but he says he has them anyway... what a great dilemma it would be to have four guys he felt comfy having out there on the field.

Tuna sounded awfully subdued today, btw..

Well as they indicated at the conf. Parcells is a bit of a pesssimist and Jerry is the optimist. Bill normally down plays everything. As for the QB's I want to see whoevers wins the starting job or backup job do so because they played well not because the other guy played bad. So as with every year at camp I hope every guy out there has a great camp because that is what will help make us a great team

BlueWave · 07-30-2004

Like I said before, I have had hope, and rooted hard for both Hutchinson and Carter at different times. But I'm sick of the whole Carter/Hutchinson BS. I would really be just as happy when both are gone. Hutchinson is already gone, and I believe there is a decent chance Carter could be the next to follow. That would allow us to never have to talk about those two again.

Brokejumper · 07-30-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

Anythings possible Wood but I would say the likelyhood of this happening is on par with airodynamic donkeys crusing past my window on a hot Friday afternoon.

Then again, you never know.

LOL... Now that training camp is back, can we just let players play and not start the QB wars again?

Now if I can just get said donkeys to buzz my house, we might have a chance at that.