CBS11 Babe Laufenburg: Romo And "Babe's Interview"

[WoodysGirl]

Feb 11, 2009 5:20 PM
Romo And "Babe's Interview"

Posted by kchapline


I am not sure that I have had any more reaction to anything that I have done in my 11 years at CBS 11 than the Tony Romo interview which aired Sunday night on the Score.

Personally, I think the interview I did with Jimmy Johnson at his home in the Florida keys was more compelling, as was the interview I did with Bill Parcells in his Saratoga home. Both men had not been heard from since they left their respective jobs, Jimmy with the Dolphins and Parcells after he left the Cowboys.

The best part for me was that I got to drink Heinekens on ice with Jimmy (he even paid) and went to the historic Saratoga Racetrack with Bill. Fun stuff.

So along comes the Tony Romo interview, and the thing literally explodes.

I know that fans have not heard from him since the 44-6 Philly debacle and they wanted answers, but I also think that Tony’s appeal goes beyond the Cowboys fan. Women love him. He has the celebrity girlfriend. He has a certain style about him.

Bill Parcells used to always say that he didn’t want a celebrity quarterback. I always told Bill, if you don’t have a celebrity quarterback, then you don’t have a quarterback. Such is life in the NFL.

Troy Aikman was a great player because you knew exactly what you were going to get from him, play to play, series to series, game to game. He was methodical in his approach to the game and it paid off for him on Sunday. He was as dependable as the sunrise. His closet has the slacks and shirts lined up from dark to light, short to long. It always looked like someone had just gone through two minutes earlier and straightened the whole thing out. My guess is that he used to make his bed before he got out of it.

I had a number of people point out to me that Tony wore black for the interview, signifying that he was still mourning the loss to Philly. Unlike Troy, my guess is that he threw on whatever was clean.

Tony is always looking for the big payoff. His style of play is thrilling when it works, maddening when it doesn’t. Vegas loves guys like him, but guys like that drive coaches crazy.

If he has a guy open for 5 yards in the flat, he wants to make sure that he is not passing up a bigger play downfield. Troy took the guy in the flat. Every time. Tony is looking for the Big Lebowski.

When the season started, I had Romo pegged just a level below Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. After 12 games this past season, he was the number one rated passer in the NFL. He has thrown 62 touchdowns in the last two years. No quarterback has thrown more. He was the highest-rated passer in the fourth quarter, throwing only one interception.

Unfortunately, that one cost the Cowboys the game in Pittsburgh.

Those are all good things, all things that point to him being one of the best in the NFL. It took Peyton Manning six years to win a playoff game. It will happen for Tony, and when it does, I think the winning will continue.

Thanks for checking into The Bullpen today.

Babe Laufenberg



Comments ( 4 ) | ​TrackBacks ( 0 ) | ​Email | ​Permalink

 

[TheDude]

Wow,

The INT cost the Pitt game?

When did Dallas ever lose a game this year with play on the field? I thought only distractions = losses

Like NYG #2 game......wait....nevermind

 

[jterrell]

I really like Babe's work.

He is a better media member than he was QB.

There is a bit of preening by Babe here but I am consistent in being ok with big egos provided they are used to motivate oneself to do a good job. Not many successful folks who are apathetic and entirely humble.

Romo is a good QB, but he is still a raw one. He'll get better.
I do compare him a lot of Staubach as both didn't play til they were a bit older and both wanted to make plays to win games. They live for making those plays.

It is exciting as a Cowboy fan watching all those last minute drives. Cardiac Cowboys redux.

 

[1fisher]

I really like Babe's work.

He is a better media member than he was QB.

There is a bit of preening by Babe here but I am consistent in being ok with big egos provided they are used to motivate oneself to do a good job. Not many successful folks who are apathetic and entirely humble.

Romo is a good QB, but he is still a raw one. He'll get better.
I do compare him a lot of Staubach as both didn't play til they were a bit older and both wanted to make plays to win games. They live for making those plays.

It is exciting as a Cowboy fan watching all those last minute drives. Cardiac Cowboys redux.

That is the absolute truth! I had a several heart tests done two weeks ago and all of them came back GREAT!

Looks like the 2008 season didn't do as much damage to my heart as I initially thought!

HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS! :starspin

 

[CF74]

He still carries the pain of defeat on his face, he looks tired to...

 

[Aikmaniac]

He still carries the pain of defeat on his face, he looks tired to...

That's one similarity between Troy and Tony, losses make more of an impact than wins do.

 

[Rampage]

That's one similarity between Troy and Tony, losses make more of an impact than wins do.

really? I swear according to some people who all support a wr over the team say otherwise.

 

[diehard2294]

he looks like he isn't getting much sleep these days

 

[EPL0c0]

*hands Babe some chapstick*

If he has a guy open for 5 yards in the flat, he wants to make sure that he is not passing up a bigger play downfield. Troy took the guy in the flat. Every time. Tony is looking for the Big Lebowski.

Which would you rather have: "the Big Lebowski" or "the Vince Lombardi"..as in trophy.

I don't think anybody doubts Romo's physical abilities...it's his decision making and work ethic (which some have questioned) that I think might be what bugs people most about Tony right now.

 

[theebs]

*hands Babe some chapstick*

If he has a guy open for 5 yards in the flat, he wants to make sure that he is not passing up a bigger play downfield. Troy took the guy in the flat. Every time. Tony is looking for the Big Lebowski.

Which would you rather have: "the Big Lebowski" or "the Vince Lombardi"..as in trophy.

I don't think anybody doubts Romo's physical abilities...it's his decision making and work ethic (which some have questioned) that I think might be what bugs people most about Tony right now.

I am curious, exactly who questioned his work ethic. From what I remember they questioned the way he was disciplined in practice and message board land turned it into questioning his work ethic?

Please get the exact quote, I just cant remember it being phrased that way.

and I have made reference to romo saying this is an aggressive offense, it requires the qb to take chances and throw the ball down the field into small windows. And if you are going to be a gunslinger and then have coaches instruct you to take chances there will be some misfires.

I have no doubts about romo. Zero. He is one of the few reliable areas of this team.

The more I go back and look at some other games, it appears garrett is much like sean payton to me.

 

[Roxxy]

he looks like he isn't getting much sleep these days

Probably watched the game films all night and reflected back on the boneheaded throws he made on the field?

No excuse to blame the girlfriend, she is busy touring with Rascal Flatts.

 

[EPL0c0]

I am curious, exactly who questioned his work ethic. From what I remember they questioned the way he was disciplined in practice and message board land turned it into questioning his work ethic?

Please get the exact quote, I just cant remember it being phrased that way.

and I have made reference to romo saying this is an aggressive offense, it requires the qb to take chances and throw the ball down the field into small windows. And if you are going to be a gunslinger and then have coaches instruct you to take chances there will be some misfires.

I have no doubts about romo. Zero. He is one of the few reliable areas of this team.

The more I go back and look at some other games, it appears garrett is much like sean payton to me.

According to five sources, several offensive players lost respect for Garrett for his failure to corral quarterback Tony Romo in practice. Romo, sources said, often forced throws in practice and often did not treat practice work consistently quote of Calvin Watkins from his article Sources: Dallas Cowboys often tardy, undisciplined in '08.

"Often did not treat practice work consistantly"....to me that says he's got a poor work ethic. Plus, after this came out Romo himself didn't come out to dispute it. He did say he'd work on being a better leader, though, after Babe's interview, I guess he can't be a good leader until he wins championships, which at this point...

 

[RoadRunner]

really? I swear according to some people who all support a wr over the team say otherwise.

Don't be so dramatic. A lot of us do not value TO over the team, but we are at least realistic to both the cost of cutting him as well as the fact that we do not have anyone ready to step in and fulfill his role.

If you were at least honest about the situation you would see the truth in this.

If there was a way to not eat 9 million, and have a top 5 receiver ready to take over the role (which we certainly don't have anyone close to that) then sure, get rid of TO.

Or you could just buy into the media BS which has been refuted by the players themselves and irrationally want to cripple the team's offense even further next year.

 

[jterrell]

According to five sources, several offensive players lost respect for Garrett for his failure to corral quarterback Tony Romo in practice. Romo, sources said, often forced throws in practice and often did not treat practice work consistently quote of Calvin Watkins from his article Sources: Dallas Cowboys often tardy, undisciplined in '08.

"Often did not treat practice work consistantly"....to me that says he's got a poor work ethic. Plus, after this came out Romo himself didn't come out to dispute it. He did say he'd work on being a better leader, though, after Babe's interview, I guess he can't be a good leader until he wins championships, which at this point...

I'd say being banged up most of the year would probably effect his work ethic and practice performances.

I agree a 100% with the last point tho... `he can't be a good leader until he wins championships` ... provided you add according to most fans and media.