Graziano: Tony Romo: The old man and the NFC - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 02-06-2013

Feb 6
10:10
AM ET

By Dan Graziano | ESPN.com

Jean-Jacques Taylor has run the numbers and figured out that the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo will be the second-oldest starting quarterback in the NFC next season, behind only Drew Brees. Yipes.

Now, as we have discussed here many times, 33 is not end-of-the-line old for quarterbacks in the NFL in the year 2013. But it's closer to the end than it is to the beginning, and Jacques' point here is that the infusion of talented and successful young quarterbacks in the NFC is making Romo's path to the Super Bowl even more difficult than it already was. His other point is that Romo needs help:

For Romo to lead the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Jerry must build a team around Romo the way the Denver Broncos built around John Elway.

When the Broncos won consecutive Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, they were built around running back Terrell Davis, tight end Shannon Sharpe and receiver Rod Smith. Those guys did the heavy lifting.

A few times each game, the Broncos asked Elway to deliver one of his magical plays -- and he did. Early in his career, the Broncos asked Elway to do all of the heavy lifting and he was still dynamic enough to get Denver to three Super Bowls, which is why he's in the Hall of Fame.

No one is comparing Romo to Elway in terms of talent -- only in terms of what their teams ask each player to do.

Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...an-and-the-nfc

**MichaelWinicki** · 02-06-2013

He mentions Romo in comparison to John Elway.

My opinion is that Romo is better than what Elway ever was.

I admit I'm not an Elway fan.

DFWJC · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

He mentions Romo in comparison to John Elway.

My opinion is that Romo is better than what Elway ever was.

I admit I'm not an Elway fan.

See MW, it comments like this that put the rest of us guys that back Tony in a bad light.

Kind the same on the opposite end of those who say "Tony sux" and "always chokes". Equally wrong.

You statement is way out of line.

Chocolate Lab · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

He mentions Romo in comparison to John Elway.

My opinion is that Romo is better than what Elway ever was.

I admit I'm not an Elway fan.

Joking, right?

burmafrd · 02-06-2013

Elway LATER in his career was better than Romo. But in his first 5 years or so he was not.

DFWJC · 02-06-2013

Anyway, I know the point was not that Romo is "old" as much as it was that the NFC has had a lot of young starting QBs come in over the past few seasons.

As for age, Eli is only months younger than Romo, Brady is 3 years older, Peyton is more than that.
Romo is more fit now than he was two years ago. Still, you have to think all that beating he has taken has taken some toll on him.

I will say this; I think there are more good (did not say great) QBs in the NFL now than at any time in the past.

**WoodysGirl** · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWJC

Anyway, I know the point was not that Romo is "old" as much as it was that the NFC has had a lot of young starting QBs come in over the past few seasons.

As for age, Eli is only months younger than Romo, Brady is 3 years older, Peyton is more than that.
Romo is more fit now than he was two years ago. Still, you have to think all that beating he has taken has taken some toll on him.

I will say this; I think there are more good (did not say great) QBs in the NFL now than at any time in the past.

Actually the point of the blog and JJT's article, that's in the link is that Elway was asked to do too much and couldn't win until he had some pieces around him.

From the article's perspective, that's where the comparison of Romo vs Elway ends.

DFWJC · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Actually the point of the blog and JJT's article, that's in the link is that Elway was asked to do too much and couldn't win until he had some pieces around him.

From the article's perspective, that's where the comparison of Romo vs Elway ends.

Makes sense. I'd much prefer Tony not throw it 40-50 times.

**jobberone** · 02-06-2013

There are a couple of things about Tony that are pretty unique. Tony doesn't have Elway's arm but then few have. Only one QB comes to mind that does the Houdini like Tony does and he didn't have as much ability to make things happen. There are likely others that just don't come to mind but the point remains.

Tony needs a better team THEN he needs to take them home. If he does that then maybe he can join the club.

lurkercowboy · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Actually the point of the blog and JJT's article, that's in the link is that Elway was asked to do too much and couldn't win until he had some pieces around him.

From the article's perspective, that's where the comparison of Romo vs Elway ends.

Yeah and Elway was very good in those 80s super bowl seasons. The Broncos ran into some really hot teams from the NFC who played lights-out in those games. Heck, Simms was 22 of 25 passing.

**MichaelWinicki** · 02-06-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWJC

See MW, it comments like this that put the rest of us guys that back Tony in a bad light.

Kind the same on the opposite end of those who say "Tony sux" and "always chokes". Equally wrong.

You statement is way out of line.

I don't think so.

Elway is way over-rated.