Can Romo throw the long bomb type passes?

[peplaw06]

I go to UTEP.

I'm sorry...

 

[Idgit]

IIRC, arm strength was never in question for Romo coming out of college. I've also never thought him to have inadequate arm strength in any of the camps or games I've seen him in. He doesn't compare favorably to Bledsoe for arm strength, but then who does?

I think he gets a rap for having a weak arm because he went undrafted, but coming from Division 1-AA is reason enough to explain that. I think we can all relax.

 

[Idgit]

Patrick Ramsey Pt II? You really haven't paid attention to Jordan Palmer. I go to UTEP...

On purpose?

 

[skicat1898]

If Romo cannot take advantage of Glenn and TO's ability to stretch the field,,, our running game will suffer,,,, and our running game needs all the help it can get.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Its all about getting the ball from point A to point B.

Velocity on the ball is just one part of the equation. Other factors include vision to find the WR quickly, ability to quickly make the decision and quickness of release. You can compensate for any weakness in one area by being superior in others. If strong arm is all that mattered Ryan Leaf would have turned out better than Peyton Manning. Personally, I think arm strength is grossly overvalued, which goes a long way to explain why first round picks at the position go bust at a 50% clip. If you stare down a WR and release the ball slowly, it doesn't matter how hard you can throw it. Its going the other way.

All of that is true, but there is a reason the pros look for certain characteristics in a QB draft prospect.

My view on him would be very similar to what Parcells says when talking about any other draft prospect. "Don't compromise what you are looking for or else you end up with a team of exceptions."

Romo is an exception to the profile of what NFL teams look for in their starting QBs. It remains to be seen if he can be a good starting QB despite the exception.

Sure, a QB can compensate for weaknesses, but the best QBs in the game today are those guys like Manning, Brady, Rothlisberger, Palmer, and to some degree Leftwich and yes, even Bledsoe, who have the big-time size and the big-time arms.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Sure, a QB can compensate for weaknesses, but the best QBs in the game today are those guys like Manning, Brady, Rothlisberger, Palmer, and to some degree Leftwich and yes, even Bledsoe, who have the big-time size and the big-time arms.

Brady doesn't have a big arm, which is why he fell to the 6th round.

Two-year starter. Very tall with a thin build. Needs to upgrade his overall strength. Pocket passer with average quickness. Can slide from pressure, but is not very elusive. Doesn't look to run. Holds the ball a bit low, but has a fairly quick release. Lacks a strong arm. Doesn't rifle the long outs, but he's an accurate passer with a good feel for touch. Sails some throws and hangs some deep balls. Leader. Eyeballs his primary target at times, but shows the ability to come off and find alternates. Generally makes good decisions. Had a good Orange Bowl.

I don't believe Manning and Roethlesberger's arm's are much more than adequate. Neither one of those QB's are throwing 15 yard sideline outs.

If there is one common trait that all the best QB's have its accuracy and quick decision making skills. Its exponentially more important than arm strength, but its hard to gauge empirically .. which is why scouts fall back on arm strength because its not so esoteric and its something they can get their hands around.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

If Romo cannot take advantage of Glenn and TO's ability to stretch the field,,, our running game will suffer,,,, and our running game needs all the help it can get.

Have you ever seen Romo throw the deep pass or a deep out? Or are you just going on an assumption.

I have seen him in camp numerous times, and I have seen him make all the throws. Sure his arm strength is not what Bledsoe's is, but he can make all the throws. The thing is, Bledsoe seems to be throwing fastballs on all his throws because he waits to the last moment so the reciever is clearly open, while Romo makes the throws before the reciever is out of his break. And on the deep throws, he throws the ball sooner that's why it doesn't seem like it is going as far as Beldsoe. Again, Bledsoe waits til the last second, that is why he takes so many sacks.

 

[Doomsday101]

Have you ever seen Romo throw the deep pass or a deep out? Or are you just going on an assumption.

I have seen him in camp numerous times, and I have seen him make all the throws. Sure his arm strength is not what Bledsoe's is, but he can make all the throws. The thing is, Bledsoe seems to be throwing fastballs on all his throws because he waits to the last moment so the reciever is clearly open, while Romo makes the throws before the reciever is out of his break. And on the deep throws, he throws the ball sooner that's why it doesn't seem like it is going as far as Beldsoe. Again, Bledsoe waits til the last second, that is why he takes so many sacks.

I agree. However I will say this pre-season to me it looks as if Bledsoe has been getting rid of the ball much quicker than I have seen in the past, especially in the 3 step drops. Maybe the drills Parcells has been doing with the QB’s is helping out

 

[VACowboy]

I think Romo has plenty arm to play and start in the NFL. He may not have Elway's gun hanging from his shoulder, but he's not my sister, either. He's thrown some 20-yard ropes this pre-season. He's very mobile, accurat, has superb pocket presence, reads defenses quickly and has a very fast release. Sure, there are throws Bledsoe can make that Romo can't, but Romo can do things Bledsoe can't too.

I'm not a Romo lover. I don't care who starts for the Cowboys, at any position, as long as they get the job done. If Bledsoe does that til he's 45 years old, fine by me. But I think it's a huge mistake to dismiss Romo as a starting quality NFL QB just because he doesn't have the strongest arm in the League.

 

[VACowboy]

Romo has more arm than Schaub.

 

[superpunk]

Everyone questioned Brady's arm, too. As he;s progressed, he makes some incredible throws because his timing is so incredible. The guy throws one of the best deep outs in the league to beat the zone. With dedication, Romo can do it.

60 yards in the air? With almost zero loft? Very few QBs can do that.

 

[Merlin]

Guys that lack arm strength have to learn how to underthrow the bomb and let the receiver come back and make the catch. They will never hit a receiver in stride more than 40 yards away but underthowing is an effective way to counter a lack of arm strenth.

Romo has perfected that stop fade though or whatever you call it.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Guys that lack arm strength have to learn how to underthrow the bomb and let the receiver come back and make the catch. They will never hit a receiver in stride more than 40 yards away but underthowing is an effective way to counter a lack of arm strenth.

Romo has perfected that stop fade though or whatever you call it.

Actually, the best deep passers of all time are guys who haven't had a lot of arm strength, but have amazing touch and timing on the route. Kenny Stabler is the perfect example.

 

[InmanRoshi]

It's my opinion that Romo would really thrive in a West Coast style of offense.

Who knows who the next coach in Dallas will be after Parcells and I don't dislike Romo at all but I think a great win/win trade would be to trade Romo to Atlanta for Matt Schaub.

Schaub is a very good 'downfield passer' that would kick azz in this current offense imo. Kind of a younger, more mobile Drew Bledsoe.

Now Atlanta is scared like hell to trade him but if they got a guy like Romo back that could run their WCO better than even Vick himself, that should be intriguing to them as well. Just a thought.

Schaub's draft report ...

ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a tall frame with adequate muscle thickness, a big bubble with thick thighs and long, thick calves … Shows adequate quickness in his retreat from under center, showing balance standing tall in the pocket … Throws with an over-the-top motion and shows good quickness through his delivery … More effective throwing the short- and medium-route tosses … Good decision maker who will throw the ball away rather than force it into traffic … Has adequate poise in the pocket and will sacrifice his body and take the hit when his receivers are covered … Good leader and hard worker who is well-respected by his teammates … Shows touch and accuracy on his short balls and the ability to stick the pigskin into tight areas (knows when to fire the ball and put touch on passes) … Has a good feel for pressure, knowing when to step up or roll out of the pocket … Is improving his timing and anticipation skills to make sure he hits his receivers in their stride … Takes control in the huddle and will speak up when he needs to … Shows quick hands and catches the ball well while serving as the holder for extra points and field goals.

Negatives: Has good quickness, but will get "happy feet" at times and will tuck the ball away too early (will stand tall in the pocket, but needs to show more patience when running as ball security {fumbles} have been a problem) … Shows marginal arm strength in his long-ball attempts, lacking the ideal zip needed on his passes to be effective with the deep throws … Has an effective overhead delivery, but seems to drop to a three-quarter when pressured, causing him to rush the ball at times … His long tosses tend to sail on him the farther he has to throw it … Has improved his ability to scan the field, but will revert to locking on to his primary target, failing to locate other receivers (will also check down too early) … Will lose accuracy on his throws when forced to pass on the move … Despite his size, he has limited weight-room numbers (225-pound bench press).

 

[VACowboy]

That may be the scouting report on Schaub, but he threw a great deep ball in college.

 

[CalMor]

Arm strength is one of the things that separates the best QB's from the rest. It's one reason Romo went undrafted.

Bledsoe has a cannon-- that 52 yarder to Glenn probably went 55 yards in the air given the pocket and the angle and Bledsoe tossed it like it was a college three pointer.

Bledsoe's arm lets him hang in the pocket a split second longer than weaker-armed QB's; the flip side of this is the false confidence this gives Bledsoe to wait too long when the play is covered.

The deep outs (10-20 yards upfield on the sideline) are where arm strength makes the most critical difference. If your QB can throw that pass correctly and accurately you will win games because it's tough to defend and even harder to turn into a negative play.

If the QB has a weak arm, then rip that play out of the playbook because you'll see skipped passes, drops, medicine balls, and the occasional pick returned for a TD otherwise.

Arm strength is great as long as your not Ryan Leaf. How fast can they process information, read defense's, how accurate?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Brady doesn't have a big arm, which is why he fell to the 6th round.



I don't believe Manning and Roethlesberger's arm's are much more than adequate. Neither one of those QB's are throwing 15 yard sideline outs.

If there is one common trait that all the best QB's have its accuracy and quick decision making skills. Its exponentially more important than arm strength, but its hard to gauge empirically .. which is why scouts fall back on arm strength because its not so esoteric and its something they can get their hands around.

Inman,

I'll disagree with you here.

You cite a six year old scouting report on Brady. Brady himself says he was not strong enough when he came out of college but he worked his butt off to get stronger in his first couple of years. How anyone can watch Brady play and not see the guy has a gun for an arm is beyond me. I watched him play TB in a late season game last year and he made a few throws in blustery conditions that only the elite QBs in the game today can make.

Brady is 6'4" 235 lbs with a GUN for an arm. IMO, using Brady to make the argument that, "if Brady can do it, Romo can" is illogical.

As for Peyton Manning and Ben Rothlisberger and comparing them to Romo, I can't convince you of something you don't want to acknowledge. Their size and physical ability are far superior to Romo's.

The only thing I'll say is that there were very valid reasons why Peyton Manning was THE #1 PICK in the draft; Rothlisberger was the 11th pick in the First Round and Romo was an UFA.

Now before you get upset, let me quickly say, I'm not saying where they were picked determines their future success in the NFL. But this thread began on the topic of Romo's physical ability and now we are discussing all of those player's repective physical size and ability.

Romo, imo, does not compare with those guys on pure physical size and ability.

 

[dogberry]

Are arm strength stats, mph?, published? Are there drills like gun range decision targets available to measure QBs' quick thinking ability? Are there stats on the success of passes in the air over 40 yards? And are there 10 QBs in the NFL that could make that pass to Glenn? That said if Brady has a weak arm, then what he has is clearly strong to win in the NFL.

 

[CowboyMike]

I'm sorry...

On purpose?

I don't remember criticizing any of your college choices...

 

[Angus]

It's my opinion that Romo would really thrive in a West Coast style of offense.

Who knows who the next coach in Dallas will be after Parcells and I don't dislike Romo at all but I think a great win/win trade would be to trade Romo to Atlanta for Matt Schaub.

Schaub is a very good 'downfield passer' that would kick azz in this current offense imo. Kind of a younger, more mobile Drew Bledsoe.

Now Atlanta is scared like hell to trade him but if they got a guy like Romo back that could run their WCO better than even Vick himself, that should be intriguing to them as well. Just a thought.

The grass always looks greener. . . .