Romo's Back and Coverage Sacks

CF74

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It's 2015, we had a tremendous year with 13 wins and I decided once we started winning big games (Which we have) I was going to refrain from speaking so harshly about our QB on this fan site because:

A) The Back, B) He's a warrior and he cares, and C) This is The Romozone 1st, Cowboyszone 2nd.

I want to continue the positive vibe here on thru the New Year without compromising my football objectivity and perspective. That means I'm going to accentuate both strengths as well as weaknesses.

Some of us as men like to fix things or focus on what needs work, others are so optimistic they only see strengths and that's perfectly ok. Diversity keeps it interesting and the conversation flowing.

Having said that I would like to discuss how to continue to tailor the game plan around those strengths and weaknesses going FWD into next season. I really truly believed a clock consuming point scoring offense could carry and cover up a depleted defense void of Super Stars or Talent if u will in key areas such as pass rush and the secondary. And we did we just won 13 games so I'm very satisfied so far.

As we are moving ahead I'm going to briefly say what I believe we need to do to continue to have success and build upon where we are now. Primarily I'm hoping a full offseason of rest will enable Romo to completely and fully heal from his surgery, and from the pounding he took all year. I don't believe he has had enough time to completely heal because of the stress of such a violent game.

We need to implement a quick release scheme similar to what Manning ran to protect his neck when he first came back from his surgery but with a few more wrinkles. If we are going to have success and keep Romo upright this is paramount. Romo can't sit back there and wait 5, 6, 7, much less 11 or 12 seconds for a route to be completed or receivers to get open enough for him to feel comfortable enough to throw the ball. He took a lot of sacks which has become the trade off of forcing passes into tight coverage often times that resulted in an interception in the past. It looks like we plugged one hole but another one springed up in its place. It's the lesser of two evils but at the expense of Romo's back.

Numbers were great, completion percentages were high, and the QB rating is off the charts so all the mathematicians here are over joyed no doubt. Those of us few that focus on all the complete tangibles and tweaking things for optimum performance are ready for the next phase. We have a forum to discuss all aspects, not just the champagne and roses so let's be objective, practical, and football mature about it going fwd. I guarantee you Romo cares more about winning than his numbers and in that he and I are one..

Just a few things obviously he needs to work on throwing away the ball this is something that will be said adnauseum if he continues to eat sacks after holding out so long. We need to find a way to get guys like Dunbar, Beasley, and even Dez the ball more in space between 7-15 yds out in the middle of the field and in the flats via crossing routes, drags, flys, wheels, etc etc. There should always be 2 quick footed guys within 10 yds on the majority of these passing scenarios.

Just once maybe twice heck give me three games where Dunbar gets 5 short passes a game similar to the way Beasley got the ball out in space because he's a home run threat every time. I guarantee those plays will eventually take the focus off of everyone else and it will open up something for the other weapons we have in the 20+ yd range variety. In the old days the run set up the pass but how bout the short pass to somebody explosive like Dunbar setting up a deeper or more intermediate pass range? We can't continue to have Romo sit back there waiting for receivers to get open 20 + yds down the field while getting drilled, something's gotta change.

Anyways we had a great season and I see no reason why we can't comeback with a few moves, a solid draft, and a few tweaks here and there and continue to make some noise, we still Dem Boyz...

-Peace
 

burmafrd

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It's 2015, we had a tremendous year with 13 wins and I decided once we started winning big games (Which we have) I was going to refrain from speaking so harshly about our QB on this fan site because:

A) The Back, B) He's a warrior and he cares, and C) This is The Romozone 1st, Cowboyszone 2nd.

I want to continue the positive vibe here on thru the New Year without compromising my football objectivity and perspective. That means I'm going to accentuate both strengths as well as weaknesses.

Some of us as men like to fix things or focus on what needs work, others are so optimistic they only see strengths and that's perfectly ok. Diversity keeps it interesting and the conversation flowing.

Having said that I would like to discuss how to continue to tailor the game plan around those strengths and weaknesses going FWD into next season. I really truly believed a clock consuming point scoring offense could carry and cover up a depleted defense void of Super Stars or Talent if u will in key areas such as pass rush and the secondary. And we did we just won 13 games so I'm very satisfied so far.

As we are moving ahead I'm going to briefly say what I believe we need to do to continue to have success and build upon where we are now. Primarily I'm hoping a full offseason of rest will enable Romo to completely and fully heal from his surgery, and from the pounding he took all year. I don't believe he has had enough time to completely heal because of the stress of such a violent game.

We need to implement a quick release scheme similar to what Manning ran to protect his neck when he first came back from his surgery but with a few more wrinkles. If we are going to have success and keep Romo upright this is paramount. Romo can't sit back there and wait 5, 6, 7, much less 11 or 12 seconds for a route to be completed or receivers to get open enough for him to feel comfortable enough to throw the ball. He took a lot of sacks which has become the trade off of forcing passes into tight coverage often times that resulted in an interception in the past. It looks like we plugged one hole but another one springed up in its place. It's the lesser of two evils but at the expense of Romo's back.

Numbers were great, completion percentages were high, and the QB rating is off the charts so all the mathematicians here are over joyed no doubt. Those of us few that focus on all the complete tangibles and tweaking things for optimum performance are ready for the next phase. We have a forum to discuss all aspects, not just the champagne and roses so let's be objective, practical, and football mature about it going fwd. I guarantee you Romo cares more about winning than his numbers and in that he and I are one..

Just a few things obviously he needs to work on throwing away the ball this is something that will be said adnauseum if he continues to eat sacks after holding out so long. We need to find a way to get guys like Dunbar, Beasley, and even Dez the ball more in space between 7-15 yds out in the middle of the field and in the flats via crossing routes, drags, flys, wheels, etc etc. There should always be 2 quick footed guys within 10 yds on the majority of these passing scenarios.

Just once maybe twice heck give me three games where Dunbar gets 5 short passes a game similar to the way Beasley got the ball out in space because he's a home run threat every time. I guarantee those plays will eventually take the focus off of everyone else and it will open up something for the other weapons we have in the 20+ yd range variety. In the old days the run set up the pass but how bout the short pass to somebody explosive like Dunbar setting up a deeper or more intermediate pass range? We can't continue to have Romo sit back there waiting for receivers to get open 20 + yds down the field while getting drilled, something's gotta change.

Anyways we had a great season and I see no reason why we can't comeback with a few moves, a solid draft, and a few tweaks here and there and continue to make some noise, we still Dem Boyz...

-Peace
when a QB ends the season with a 114 QB rating there is not going to be much change at all. You don't like it; go somewhere else.
 

Nation

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That's what the team was doing as far as going with empty backfield sets and spreading the defense out
 

perrykemp

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when a QB ends the season with a 114 QB rating there is not going to be much change at all. You don't like it; go somewhere else.

Why so black and white burmafrd?

Team gave up 40 sacks in 18 games. It's an unacceptable number for a team that has a goal of winning the Superbowl.

That number is way to high -- especially considering the team's hopes and dreams hinge on the shoulders of what will be a 35 year old QB who has accumulated terrible butchers bill of injuries since he turned 30.
 

JDSmith

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While I agree with most of the points, the snide comments and demeaning fashion in which it's written make me instantly dislike the post and by extension the poster. Too bad, it could have been a good discussion.
 

Section446

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Romo made a lot of strides this season. While some of the best plays of his career have come from his "gunslinger" mentality, I'm more than okay with him taking the sack over forcing it into coverage. I get what you're saying though, throwing it away over taking the sack would have been nice a few times, really stood out vs. GB.
 

Staubacher

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While I agree with most of the points, the snide comments and demeaning fashion in which it's written make me instantly dislike the post and by extension the poster. Too bad, it could have been a good discussion.

This. Given the OPs history and the condescending smug false intellectual manner in which it was presented I cannot entertain whatever two bit opinions may be presented
 

Staubacher

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"Hey everyone, I'm one of the few people who can employ logic and reason while you homer idiots sip champagne and pick at flowers in a daze. What say we have an intelligent discussion?"

No thanks.
 

Crown Royal

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It's not as though he takes hard hits on the coverage sacks he accepts. He is pretty judicious in the hits he takes, falling to the ground to prevent a big hit. I'm OK with that.
 

Doomsday101

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Why so black and white burmafrd?

Team gave up 40 sacks in 18 games. It's an unacceptable number for a team that has a goal of winning the Superbowl.

That number is way to high -- especially considering the team's hopes and dreams hinge on the shoulders of what will be a 35 year old QB who has accumulated terrible butchers bill of injuries since he turned 30.

and part of that is Romo will hold on to the ball, to expect the OL to hold a pass rush out for over 4 seconds is ridicules however Romo ability to move around in the pocket and to get outside is what allows him to extend plays and hit big plays. Down side is yes he will take some unnecessary sacks along the way
 

perrykemp

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and part of that is Romo will hold on to the ball, to expect the OL to hold a pass rush out for over 4 seconds is ridicules however Romo ability to move around in the pocket and to get outside is what allows him to extend plays and hit big plays. Down side is yes he will take some unnecessary sacks along the way

If the Cowboys want to reach the promised land next season (or next) Romo can't get sacked 40 times.

Not sure how they pull that off -- better line plan, Romo throwing it away more, etc etc but Romo is only getting older and it's playing with fire to assume he can continue to absorb that kind of punishment.
 

Doomsday101

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If the Cowboys want to reach the promised land next season (or next) Romo can't get sacked 40 times.

Not sure how they pull that off -- better line plan, Romo throwing it away more, etc etc but Romo is only getting older and it's playing with fire to assume he can continue to absorb that kind of punishment.

I don't want to see him taking sacks either but I also know there is a mentality much like Rothisbruger where Romo will look to extend plays. Line as I said has done the job, they can't hold out a pass rush over 4 seconds that is asking a heck of a lot. Romo could throw more passes away but his nature seems to suggest he will continue to look to extend plays to make plays.
 

Macnalty

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Maybe I am in the minority but 8-8 vs 12-4 with those sacks I will take all day. The QB is capable of a Super Bowl run and IMO we got every last drop of value out of our defense, there are no perfect teams or players when you throw the bright lights at a talent/team, hope you start to see the light otherwise you are missing out on some good football.
 

perrykemp

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Maybe I am in the minority but 8-8 vs 12-4 with those sacks I will take all day. The QB is capable of a Super Bowl run and IMO we got every last drop of value out of our defense, there are no perfect teams or players when you throw the bright lights at a talent/team, hope you start to see the light otherwise you are missing out on some good football.

I get it -- my point is the team's chances of getting the Superbowl are very iffy if you let a 35 year old Romo continue to take that kind of beating. Multiple back injuries, ribs, finger, knee contusions, etc etc -- that's all just this year.

Will be interesting.
 

cano1

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Thought this was funny:



Anyway I don't think you can coach the Romo out of Romo, even Bill couldn't, that being said, this past season he really changed some of his approach to the game, you can see that on the postgames conferences. I expect for him to keep evolving as a QB and a leader, the best Romo is yet to come, even at 35, I just hope his body doesn't fails him, fingers crossed.
 

xwalker

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It's 2015, we had a tremendous year with 13 wins and I decided once we started winning big games (Which we have) I was going to refrain from speaking so harshly about our QB on this fan site because:

A) The Back, B) He's a warrior and he cares, and C) This is The Romozone 1st, Cowboyszone 2nd.

I want to continue the positive vibe here on thru the New Year without compromising my football objectivity and perspective. That means I'm going to accentuate both strengths as well as weaknesses.

Some of us as men like to fix things or focus on what needs work, others are so optimistic they only see strengths and that's perfectly ok. Diversity keeps it interesting and the conversation flowing.

Having said that I would like to discuss how to continue to tailor the game plan around those strengths and weaknesses going FWD into next season. I really truly believed a clock consuming point scoring offense could carry and cover up a depleted defense void of Super Stars or Talent if u will in key areas such as pass rush and the secondary. And we did we just won 13 games so I'm very satisfied so far.

As we are moving ahead I'm going to briefly say what I believe we need to do to continue to have success and build upon where we are now. Primarily I'm hoping a full offseason of rest will enable Romo to completely and fully heal from his surgery, and from the pounding he took all year. I don't believe he has had enough time to completely heal because of the stress of such a violent game.

We need to implement a quick release scheme similar to what Manning ran to protect his neck when he first came back from his surgery but with a few more wrinkles. If we are going to have success and keep Romo upright this is paramount. Romo can't sit back there and wait 5, 6, 7, much less 11 or 12 seconds for a route to be completed or receivers to get open enough for him to feel comfortable enough to throw the ball. He took a lot of sacks which has become the trade off of forcing passes into tight coverage often times that resulted in an interception in the past. It looks like we plugged one hole but another one springed up in its place. It's the lesser of two evils but at the expense of Romo's back.

Numbers were great, completion percentages were high, and the QB rating is off the charts so all the mathematicians here are over joyed no doubt. Those of us few that focus on all the complete tangibles and tweaking things for optimum performance are ready for the next phase. We have a forum to discuss all aspects, not just the champagne and roses so let's be objective, practical, and football mature about it going fwd. I guarantee you Romo cares more about winning than his numbers and in that he and I are one..

Just a few things obviously he needs to work on throwing away the ball this is something that will be said adnauseum if he continues to eat sacks after holding out so long. We need to find a way to get guys like Dunbar, Beasley, and even Dez the ball more in space between 7-15 yds out in the middle of the field and in the flats via crossing routes, drags, flys, wheels, etc etc. There should always be 2 quick footed guys within 10 yds on the majority of these passing scenarios.

Just once maybe twice heck give me three games where Dunbar gets 5 short passes a game similar to the way Beasley got the ball out in space because he's a home run threat every time. I guarantee those plays will eventually take the focus off of everyone else and it will open up something for the other weapons we have in the 20+ yd range variety. In the old days the run set up the pass but how bout the short pass to somebody explosive like Dunbar setting up a deeper or more intermediate pass range? We can't continue to have Romo sit back there waiting for receivers to get open 20 + yds down the field while getting drilled, something's gotta change.

Anyways we had a great season and I see no reason why we can't comeback with a few moves, a solid draft, and a few tweaks here and there and continue to make some noise, we still Dem Boyz...

-Peace

What you are talking about is not on the QB, it's on the play caller. The only way Romo can make quick passes is if they have the short routes available for him to do that. It has to be more than 1 short route to make it realistic. They did go with more short routes on occasion. I believe it was the 2nd half of the Lions game where they started having multiple receiving options running crossing routes within 10 yards of the line.

Romo did throw the ball away often. The announcers would say that he was "off today" but in reality many of the throws that were short were just due to him throwing the ball away. He wasn't out of the pocket a lot this season which prevented him from just throwing the ball out of bounds.

I expect him to be more mobile next season. Garrett mentioned this week that he doesn't expect Romo to be as limited next season as he was this season physically.

Summary: I agree with more quick passes, but that has to be part of the game plan and the play caller has to call those types of plays.
 

perrykemp

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Summary: I agree with more quick passes, but that has to be part of the game plan and the play caller has to call those types of plays.

It will require Romo get comfortable with a throwing style he has never seemed to love -- quick timing passes where you trust WRs / TEs will be where they need to be when the pass arrives as opposed to throwing to open guys.

This past week Tom Brady completed 22 of 22 passes for 209 yards and 3 TDs when he unloaded the ball within 2 seconds of the snap vs. the Ravens using that style. It requires a ton of trust between QBs and the receiving corp.

Can the Cowboy's passing game incorporate elements of that kind of quick passing game?
 

xwalker

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It will require Romo get comfortable with a throwing style he has never seemed to love -- quick timing passes where you trust WRs / TEs will be where they need to be when the pass arrives as opposed to throwing to open guys.

This past week Tom Brady completed 22 of 22 passes for 209 yards and 3 TDs when he unloaded the ball within 2 seconds of the snap vs. the Ravens using that style. It requires a ton of trust between QBs and the receiving corp.

Can the Cowboy's passing game incorporate elements of that kind of quick passing game?

He does it on occasion with Beasley and Witten, but I agree that Romo doesn't make those types of throws as often as some other QBs. They have too many other needs, but I would love for them to sign Randle Cobb as a free agent. He kills defenses on the quick slant route.
 
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