Twitter: Cowboys working QB plan for Philly

[Plankton]

Doesn't make a lot of sense to play Romo behind what will likely be a patchwork OL by the time they put him in, against a team that blitzes a lot. It puts TR in a no-win situation. Very little would be gleaned by playing him against Philly unless you're playing all the starters, and I'd wager that most of the key starters will be spectators by the 2nd quarter.

The Eagles under Schwartz are not a heavy blitz team. They believe in letting their front four get a pass rush.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

So, let me get this straight. Romo is supposedly healthy, and would replace Prescott in the event of injury, but he can't see the field during a meaningless game?

And, the Cowboys would rather that he potentially go into a playoff game not having seen a regular season snap since Thanksgiving, 2015?

For a team that made a number of sage personnel moves this year, this one boggles the mind.

The only plausible explanation is that they're concerned that Romo's performance could stoke the flames of a QB controversy. Still seems hopelessly stupid. But one can imagine the FO wanting to avoid that outcome.

 

[Beast_from_East]

And just as dumb to play him with no LT and in the cold weather against a Philly pass rush. Two sides of the dumb coin I guess.

But its ok to play Dak in those same conditions? In the cold, backup LT, against a Philly pass rush?

See this is the flaw in that line of reasoning........we cant play Romo because he might get hurt, but Dak is good to go.

 

[Risen Star]

So, let me get this straight. Romo is supposedly healthy, and would replace Prescott in the event of injury, but he can't see the field during a meaningless game?

And, the Cowboys would rather that he potentially go into a playoff game not having seen a regular season snap since Thanksgiving, 2015?

For a team that made a number of sage personnel moves this year, this one boggles the mind.

The genius plan is let him throw off the rust in a playoff game if need be.

 

[DandyDon1722]

The only plausible explanation is that they're concerned that Romo's performance could stoke the flames of a QB controversy. Still seems hopelessly stupid. But one can imagine the FO wanting to avoid that outcome.

I just don't think that's it.

Nobody would be surprised if Romo came in and threw a couple of TD passes and played well and nobody would expect a change at QB if he did.

I think it's a road game, in cold weather against a heavy blitz team. Not playing Romo would be the same common sense move as not playing Zeke, Sean Lee and Dez. It doesn't get you anything other than some reps and Romo gets plenty of those in practices.

I don't even think Dak should play more than a quarter. He took some hits yesterday when he fell on his shoulder that I held my breath on.

Finally, for a miserable team and fan base, would there be anything better than knocking out a few Cowboy starters right before a playoff run?

Discretion over valour in this one.

 

[Slim_JD]

The cowboys and fans alike have already disrespected a great man and quarter back enough. The least they can do is not kick him while he's down by playing him in a meaningless game.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Purely a political move. No wonder it seems asinine.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

I have no issue with the starters playing a quarter, but they should be pulled early. Hopefully Garrett just wants everyone to mentally prepare and then ends up resting most. It may be challenging at some positions with some of the players currently out, but I think they should rest the following players for most of the game aside from those already out.

Prescott
Elliott
Bryant
Beasley
Martin
Frederick
Lee
Scandrick
Byron Jones
Church

I would then slowly phase out players like Collins, Leary, Free, and Irving depending on available backup options.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

The only plausible explanation is that they're concerned that Romo's performance could stoke the flames of a QB controversy. Still seems hopelessly stupid. But one can imagine the FO wanting to avoid that outcome.

It is not that. Someone said earlier that Romo being a big unknown was a problem. But it's also the key to not being second-guessed when/if things go wrong. Right now there is no evidence that Romo is a good/bad quarterback in 2016 and they want to keep it that way to limit the second guessing.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I think it's a road game, in cold weather against a heavy blitz team. Not playing Romo would be the same common sense move as not playing Zeke, Sean Lee and Dez. It doesn't get you anything other than some reps and Romo gets plenty of those in practices.

There's a crucial difference between Romo, on the one hand, and Zeke, Lee and Dez, on the other: he hasn't seen live game action in a year. Getting him ready, should he be needed for something more meaningful than mop-up duty, should take priority over keeping him in bubble wrap. This is football. You can't manage a team worrying about your players getting hurt.

 

[Risen Star]

People afraid of injuring players disgust me.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

It is not that. Someone said earlier that Romo being a big unknown was a problem. But it's also the key to not being second-guessed when/if things go wrong. Right now there is no evidence that Romo is a good/bad quarterback in 2016 and they want to keep it that way to limit the second guessing.

I don't follow. What's the concern with being second-guessed? About what? Having Romo serve as the back-up QB? If he's no longer capable, shouldn't we find that out before it actually matters?

 

[Hardline]

It's sad that Romo's career as a Cowboy comes to this.
It's a no brainer you give Romo some reps before the playoffs.its not even debatable
So what he might get hurt .that's a risk I can live with. Every player on the feild is one hit away from getting hurt.And don't tell me you hold him out because of his trade value.
This is the bottom line. There is no debate against it.

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

Something's amiss here. I think tony may not be fully recovered yet

If that's the case why would Sanchez have been inactive the last several weeks with Tony as the backup.

 

[willia451]

Its the most ridiculous situation in sports. Its ***** bait. Trailer trash are running after it like its biscuits and gravy. Its the Vampire Diaries on steroids. Freaking college educated can't understand it. All pissed off. Everyone is crying and everyone is happy all at the same time.

Its GD genius. The drama is off the <bleeping> charts. Money is falling from the sky like rain. Who gives a <bleep> about the SB? What has THAT got on what we have right here and right now? MOAR!!!!

Its the reason everyone loves and hates the Cowboys. All at the same time. The DRAMA!!!! Oh GOD!!! The DRAMA!!!!

While the homers just want it to all STOP!!! LOL!!! Sorry. Just calling a manufactured for YOUR eyes only spade a spade.

Its all absurd. Its absolutely absurd.

But its all GD entertaining as hell.

 

[_sturt_]

But its ok to play Dak in those same conditions? In the cold, backup LT, against a Philly pass rush?

See this is the flaw in that line of reasoning........we cant play Romo because he might get hurt, but Dak is good to go.

So, in your world, there's no difference in the health and mobility between those two.

Oh. Kay.

I will grant this much, tho... there, of course, ARE ways to mitigate the problem... 3-step drops, TE help to the LT, chief among them.

Plausible argument both ways when you consider that point, imo... but Red's won my respect for his decision making, and for now anyhow, I'm content with his perspective.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I don't follow. What's the concern with being second-guessed? About what? Having Romo serve as the back-up QB? If he's no longer capable, shouldn't we find that out before it actually matters?

They basically decided, despite the entire history of the NFL as evidence to the contrary, that they can win a Super Bowl with a rookie QB. That choice is easier to defend if Romo doesn't play. If Romo plays a half against the Eagles and looks like a functioning quarterback (never mind playing well), then you made a choice and you have to face the music on that. If he doesn't, he's just a guy that will get knocked out of the game the first time he gets hit and no one can prove otherwise... so he wasn't really a choice at all.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

They basically decided, despite the entire history of the NFL as evidence to the contrary, that they can win a Super Bowl with a rookie QB. That choice is easier to defend if Romo doesn't play. If Romo plays a half against the Eagles and looks like a functioning quarterback (never mind playing well), then you made a choice and you have to face the music on that. If he doesn't, he's just a guy that will get knocked out of the game the first time he gets hit and no one can prove otherwise... so he wasn't really a choice at all.

I see. I think we're in violent agreement. You're basically saying that this is a CYA move, designed to avoid further QB controversy.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I see. I think we're in violent agreement. You're basically saying that this is a CYA move, designed to avoid further QB controversy.

Yes, generally speaking. But not "instant" controversy. I don't think there is anything that could happen to cause controversy about what's going to happen when the playoffs start. This is more about the decisions made over the course of the season.

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

Genius? Well, isn't that special?

If they are concerned about him getting hurt, and that damaging his trade value, then don't think for a minute that potential trade partners aren't seeing the reticence being shown by the Cowboys.

In the playoffs, they will likely be facing better pass rushes than the Eagles. If they are afraid of him getting hurt here, it won't be any less risky in the playoffs.

Are you listening to yourself? Putting him at risk in a meaningless game compared to a playoff game. If he is needed in the playoffs then he is playing. If he is needed in Philly Sunday, then Sanchez is playing.

Anyway whatever the braintrust does, I'll trust their experience over yours or as a matter of fact mine.