Billick: "Higher ceiling with Romo"

[65fastback2plus2]

If you're a head coach in the NFL, there are really only two kinds of quarterback controversies: good quarterback controversies (two guys who can start and win) and bad ones (two guys who can start, neither of whom can win). Typically, it's almost always the latter kind. But Jason Garrett and the Dallas Cowboys are about to have a good quarterback controversy.

When Tony Romo is finally cleared for active duty, Garrett will have a challenge he couldn't have envisioned two months ago: Does he stick with his preternaturally composed rookie quarterback, Dak Prescott, who's led the team to a 4-1 start? Or does he bench Prescott and hand the reins back to the aged and recently fragile Romo?

My GameDay First partner, Shaun O'Hara, made a great analogy when we were discussing this question recently. He said, "When you are playing golf and you are 3-under par on the front nine, you aren't going to change your driver for the back nine." That may be true, but I don't play golf -- and if I did, my mentality would be that if I had a better driver, I could perhaps be 5-under par.

More after the break: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...or-tony-romo-vet-gives-cowboys-higher-ceiling

 

[Cowboysfan917]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

 

[robjay04]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

I'm leaning towards keeping Dak but I love Romo as well so consider me in the Dak camp as well.

I don't doubt Romo has the higher ceiling, I think he may have the lower floor well though.

Fact is, the chemistry that Dak has right now with his roommate, Zeke, and the rest of the team is evident. That really matters especially if Romo comes in and drops a couple games. Just because Romo is the better QB, doesn't mean he is the best option to insert into a winning, improving team midseason.

Dak's development has me question a move as well. He is more than good enough now and getting better every week. No need to stop that progress while we are winning and try to recreate the magic later.

 

[fishspill]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

Romo also can't take a hit as well as Dak. It's not just sacks either but the sum total of hits while scrambling or just after throwing a pass. If he protects himself too much then the ball won't be accurate anyway with those last split-second passes.

 

[xwalker]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

That is the 2014 version of Romo. The relatively healthy version of Romo. That player is likely gone forever.

Nobody knows what the current version of Romo can do. We know he's not 100%. I had a hairline fracture in my shoulder once that I could barely see on the X-Ray. It took several months to be 100% healed.

 

[Cowboys22]

There is no higher ceiling than winning. Enough said.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Billick is not an expert on QB's. Couldn't find one to save his life.

 

[endersdragon]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

Another thing Romo is better at is red zone and goal line passing. Back shoulder fade to Dez is basically a guaranteed TD with Romo inside the 20... Dak has struggled there and if our defense starts to struggle again those FGs will hurt us.

 

[SuspectCorner]

Romo is the better quarterback for however long he can remain better - and upright... until he clearly isn't both better nor upright (available). But I have to admit it gets tougher every week that Prescott succeeds AND the rest of the team responds to him. Color me several degrees closer to turning the keys over to the rookie.

 

[Jake]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

If that's true it'll become apparent in a game. Romo will take over and we'll move forward.

But when you've beaten two playoff teams from last year by 14 points in consecutive weeks - scoring 58 points in the process - you don't pull the plug.

 

[trickblue]

This is the consensus that the majority of former coaches are giving. Romo can read defenses better, push down the field better and make better touch passes. The only thing he can't do the same is pull it down and run.

People forget how great Romo is off play action and how big of a staple the draw play was in 2014.

The fact is there is going to be a team good enough to stack the box and shut down the run game and short passing game and Dak isn't as well equipped as Tony to bail us out of that.

I agree...

I don't change because of the current chemistry, but I wouldn't be pissed if we go back with Romo...

People forget how good he is...