Aikman: "If I were Tony, I'd want to play this week"

[Sportsbabe]

So this is a 6-pager and counting.
The subjects that stimulate our brains.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article123542084.html

“If I was in Tony’s position and hadn’t played in so long, I would want live reps,” Troy Aikman said during a radio interview on 1310 The Ticket. “Practice wouldn’t be enough for me. I know what practice is for a quarterback. It’s not game speed. Not even close. I would want to get out there and play.”

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article123542084.html

“If I was in Tony’s position and hadn’t played in so long, I would want live reps,” Troy Aikman said during a radio interview on 1310 The Ticket. “Practice wouldn’t be enough for me. I know what practice is for a quarterback. It’s not game speed. Not even close. I would want to get out there and play.”

totally agree

 

[Sarge]

Barring injury, not happening.

 

[WoodysGirl]

He may be getting a few reps with the 1st team but the majority of the reps are going to Dak. Dak is the starter so he gets most of the meaningful reps during the week. Romo gets some of what is left over and Sanchez gets even less. Also, healthy and Romo should not be used in the same sentence at this point in his career. As of lately, he is only healthy when he is not on the football field. The guy is almost 37 years old and has back issues. Back issues don't get better with age. Putting him the game at Philly only increases the chances that he will get hurt and not be available in the playoffs if by some chance we happen to need him. Leave him on the bench and get Dak on the bench as soon as possible. Let Sanchez go out and play in this meaningless game.

Yes, majority of #1 reps do go to Dak. But they have adjusted practice so that Romo gets more than the usual backup reps. Additionally, word amongst the media types is that Romo is the healthiest he's been in years. No more Romo Wednesdays. No more managing his back beyond his usual core weight training. Anywho, as I've stated before I don't particularly care whether Romo plays or not. I'm not that invested in the situation.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I don't blame anyone for considering the possibility. I do blame anyone for using that belief as a discussion defense because it's weak.

In my opinion, Romo will play on another team next year. However, the discussion defense tactic infers that Romo cannot leave Dallas because he *will* suffer a *debilitating injury* playing elsewhere, which is a possibly but not a certainty.

Additionally, the discussion defense tactic is used whenever the possibility of Prescott suffering a temporary or season ending injury is introduced into conversation, *validating* that Romo's re-introduction into the offense would be meaningless since he would get knocked off the field immediately. Could happen but there is only one way of knowing that is a certainty.

Conversely, the discussion defense tactic has been employed but quickly followed up by inferences that Romo's re-introduction into the offense would be fruitless because he would be the cause of a regular season or post season loss because of an *expected* interception(s) or fumble(s)--which is illogically based since he would not be physically capable of doing either IF he were sidelined immediately after taking the field. Again, there is only one way to validate such concern.

The Romo Concern is just one of a several past, present, and most likely future arguments that are fueled by resentment and fear. It's an unnecessary slight against him. It's an unnecessary discussion affiliation for Prescott. While it does wield power within media discussion because the media uses it for personal gain, it should not factor among public opinion in my sole opinion. Why? It should have played out a long long LONG time ago. It definitely should have played out once the franchise decided to not disrupt *team chemistry*. And yet, it lives on today. And robustly so.

Booyyyy, you have said a mouthful here..

 

[JJHLH1]

I think it's more about Garrett not wanting the distraction that would come with Romo playing.

Possibly, but everyone knows what Tony's role is at this point. It wouldn't be much of a distraction if he played, particularly if he was with the second-stringers.

 

[xwalker]

Possibly, but everyone knows what Tony's role is at this point. It wouldn't be much of a distraction if he played, particularly if he was with the second-stringers.

It will be the entire focus of the media and their questions. Players will have to answer questions ad nauseam about it.

 

[d_dub88]

I think Tony would have got in the Detroit game if we didn't have Smith out and we also didn't have to start both 4th quarter drives inside our own 5 yd line. A series or two against Filthy wouldn't be the worst thing I've ever heard of, but I wouldn't push it. I would also like to know how Dirty looks in this offense.

 

[Sportsdude360]

I'm of the opinion that Tony should play a few snaps on Sunday, maybe in the second half.

 

[Risen Star]

Aikman talking truth.

How we've handled Romo the last two games is completely and totally idiotic.

 

[mrmojo]

Yes, majority of #1 reps do go to Dak. But they have adjusted practice so that Romo gets more than the usual backup reps. Additionally, word amongst the media types is that Romo is the healthiest he's been in years. No more Romo Wednesdays. No more managing his back beyond his usual core weight training. Anywho, as I've stated before I don't particularly care whether Romo plays or not. I'm not that invested in the situation.

Of course he's healthy he hasn't had live action in a long time...and most likely not taking hits in practice. But like you it don't make a difference to me if he plays or not.

 

[LarryCanadian]

I am firmly in the "play Tony for at least a quarter, behind a starting Oline (minus Tyron who is healing up)....". Why? Because practice is not like game speed. Because, IIRC, Game one of 2014 Tony didn't look great before going on to have an MVP of the league type season! He looked RUSTY. Then, again IIRC, coming back from his collar bone the 1st time last year, he didn't look super sharp the first game back either - and/or was it the Carolina game"......To me that is evidence that Romo can sometimes need a little NFL real game speed action to shake the rust off - which he won't get in the playoffs if he has to jump into a game.

REALLY love Dak (and I am a Romo guy), and would only expect/want to see Romo in playoffs if Dak is unfortunately injured. BUT, this Cowboys team is the the amazing and enviable position of having a back-up QB that is probably still capable of being a top 10 QB in this league - to not give him some protected reps in a live game seems irresponsible to me. There is practice speed, there is pre-season speed, there is regular season sepped, and then there is playoff level speed! YES, he is more injury prone at this age/stage, but he is the back-up now - he needs to be sharp if called upon - and getting him some reps could mean a seemless transition in a critical moment, instead of a few quarters of trying to get the rust off. If or some unlikely reason Dak is having a brutal game in the playoffs - I also think it would be monumentally unfair then to expect Romo to also come in and bring us back from behind being down 2-3 TD's or something like that. Hey Tony, go fix this, we haven't gotten you a live rep since pre-season........Is that really going to work.

BUT, if you are gonna put in Tony for a quarter with the starters against Phili - then I sit him down and say, no stupid gunslinging stuff. Mental clock - you got 1.5 seconds and get rid of ball - otherwise I can see the Seattle pre-season game happen all over again where he holds the ball 2 seconds too long in a meaningless rep - that can't happen either - but easy discussion to have!!!

Any yes, put a tight end to help left tackle and put in Morris/McFadden to block any loose bodies coming through on passing plays......

Perfect opportunity to take the rust off, if done as practically as possible.

 

[sweetness0986]

I was all for Tony getting some snaps in these last couple games, but with Emmitt Cleary blocking his blind side, to hell with that. Recipe for disaster.

 

[DallasEast]

Booyyyy, you have said a mouthful here..

I am SO longwinded!

 

[sillycon]

I'll take Tony's unsharpened game over Sanchez's sharpened game.

Tony is a "just in case." You don't want to put him out there with some backup offensive lineman and the backup running back. Sharp or not, he's your best option should Prescott (god forbid) get hurt.

I definitely understand the argument to get him some PT in a meaningless game. But I'm with the coaches here, personally. I think you have a lot more to lose than you do to gain by putting him out there, especially with a bunch of backups.

"It's never bad to get reps in games," Linehan said. "But again, that question is for someone other than me. You could argue both reasons why you would or wouldn't but we've got to go play the game. If you spend a bunch of time concerned about things that could happen negatively you get consumed by that. But I think we do a good job and Coach Garrett does a great job of just focusing on getting ready to play and focusing on the right things and that's what we're doing." Linehan seems to think Romo can benefit from the live game reps...

 

[kramskoi]

I would rather Romo stay on the bench. Dak is getting all of the 1st team reps at practice and will probably play at least the 1st quarter. When Dak exits the game then I am sure he will be joined by Dez, Elliott, Witten, Beasley, TWill, and a couple of offensive lineman. I am not sure what we gain by putting Romo in the game (on the road) and watching him get killed by the Philly starting defense. You know Philly is going to play their starters the entire game and try to win this game. We need Romo healthy and we need people to remember how Romo played in the past so hopefully we can convince a team to give us more in a trade. Last thing we need is Romo getting hurt or playing bad so his value drops.

Dude...Romo's injury history is the 800 lb gorilla in the middle of the room. No GM hasn't seen him suffer over the last five years. You cannot hide this type of thing, and especially not in a physical examination. The guy hasn't played a regular season game (real football speed) since Carolina last year. To believe that he can just pick up where he left off circa 2014 (without ANY live game reps) is just whistling past the graveyard. This will be tough for some who vehemently support Prescott to hear, even coming from Aikman. Romo has become the "break glass only in the event of emergency" quarterback.

 

[kramskoi]

"It's never bad to get reps in games," Linehan said. "But again, that question is for someone other than me. You could argue both reasons why you would or wouldn't but we've got to go play the game. If you spend a bunch of time concerned about things that could happen negatively you get consumed by that. But I think we do a good job and Coach Garrett does a great job of just focusing on getting ready to play and focusing on the right things and that's what we're doing." Linehan seems to think Romo can benefit from the live game reps...

In other words you don't coach, plan and play scared...At the end of the day...you are trying to WIN A SUPERBOWL, not get Romo's "dollars up"...and the former should definitely take preference over the latter.

 

[SuspectCorner]

The problem with Tony coming in and playing is it causes the media to go nuts and cause a stir and I don't think the team wants to deal with that right now. So you keep Tony out of the picture unless absolutely needed... and right now he isn't. The negative is if Dak gets hurt and Tony doesn't have any live action. But you can't assume Dak will get hurt.

So I agree with not playing Tony.

A bomber pilot assumes he won't get shot down - but he still carries a parachute.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

we want the same too, troy.

Yes, matey, nothing like a QB controvery leading up to the playoffs.

And, did I mention the possibility of injury to a fragile, rusty QB?

Could be wrong here, but methinks Garrett does not want to go that route in a meaningless game.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Btw, here is a video of the last time Romo played the Eagles in Philly.

How typical. A fumble AND an injury.