DMN Blog: Romo Has To Change Something

[slick325]

Tony Romo has to change something
10:49 AM Mon, Mar 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Calvin Watkins E-mail News tips
No quarterback is perfect. None.

And that goes for Tony Romo.

But while I've received some emails from readers saying the Cowboys need to trade Romo for Jay Cutler (those people need to get their urine checked), I've discovered Romo isn't bad.

He's pretty good. But there is one thing that has to change if Romo is to become an elite quarterback.

Turnovers.

Romo led NFL quarterbacks, who started at least four games, in turnovers in the month of December.

Romo turned the ball over nine times in the last four weeks of the season. Brett Favre, his idol, had eight and his turnovers were all interceptions.

Romo has to take care of the ball, because they are momentum killers for an offense. Romo had six interceptions and lost three fumbles in the final month. Cowboys by the way went 1-3.

Quarterbacks like JaMarcus Russell (six), Kyle Orton (six), David Garrard (six) and Cutler (five) had high turnover numbers too. They're teams didn't reach the postseason.

But Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had seven turnovers in December. Yet, Roethlisberger was able to overcome it and lead his team to a Super Bowl.
Romo isn't good enough to overcome his mistakes to win games on a consistent basis.

There is one theme here to high turnovers for quarterbacks.
Sacks.
Romo was sacked 12 times the last month of the season and Roethlisberger was taken down a league-high 13 times.

Protection helps. But protecting the ball is vital.

Romo has to develop this skill, protecting the ball, in order to move forward in his career. Until he does that, Romo won't become an elite quarterback.

 

[Woods]

I concur.

Emphasis on the running game and use of play action well help him.

As will Romo and the receivers all being on the same page.

 

[theebs]

I am sure romo is really worried about what calvin watkins thinks of his play.

and what is the point of this blog entry? I am confused?

And what is his opinion of jessica?

 

[wileedog]

But Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had seven turnovers in December. Yet, Roethlisberger was able to overcome it and lead his team to a Super Bowl.
Romo isn't good enough to overcome his mistakes to win games on a consistent basis.

So actually if we follow this logic what Romo really needs is a #1 ranked defense.

I don't disagree with the article, but saying Romo isn't good enough to overcome his own mistakes based on this is dumb. He won two games off the top of my head (Buffalo and Detroit) where he threw multiple picks and still managed to engineer last minute drives to win.

What Romo really needs is a media that understands 21 other guys need to do their jobs too.

 

[InDakWeTrust]

Yes, and Roethlisberger still "led" his team, LMAO. Roethlisberger is such an average QB, it isn't even funny. He cannot throw the ball in the pocket, and only generates plays when he is forced to scramble. He relies on the best Defense in football and a RB who might not be around much longer because of his injury history.

Romo needs an offense that revolves around our RB's and uses Romo's scrambling ability to cause mismatches and easy reads. Plain and simple, the old heave ho 50 yards downfield every other drive needs to stop. Garrett can do this, he and Sparano did it two years ago with great success.

 

[odog422]

What Romo really needs is a media that understands 21 other guys need to do their jobs too.

Absolutely agree.

But Romo does need to work in this area. In throwing the ball, and in the pocket, he has to learn to "be smart." Most often what this means is understanding the play is dead. It's just not there.

And I know all about his "style," but he doesn't need that excuse IMO. He can still make those "ooh ahh" plays and he will. But he has to get better at understanding situations.

As for this article, Watkins makes a salient point, but tries to oversell it with hyperbole to give it more meat.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It took until March 16th to figure this out?

 

[reddyuta]

So actually if we follow this logic what Romo really needs is a #1 ranked defense.

I don't disagree with the article, but saying Romo isn't good enough to overcome his own mistakes based on this is dumb. He won two games off the top of my head (Buffalo and Detroit) where he threw multiple picks and still managed to engineer last minute drives to win.

What Romo really needs is a media that understands 21 other guys need to do their jobs too.

well said-these DMN blog items are not very thought out i am afraid and they are not going to change much with the bunch of writers they have at present.

 

[AdamJT13]

Breaking news! Tony Romo had too many turnovers in December!

 

[TheCount]

I think this is something we can all agree on, the turnovers are a bit much.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Actually a great article... I do disagree with one point, Watkins makes Ben to be such a great QB, that defense won them the Superbowl. (See James Harrison 100 yard TD run back)

 

[Mash]

Romo has to be more accountable...and become a leader.....

It wasnt the fault of the scheme that demanded the ball to TO or Witten...... in the end...Romo makes those decisions....he makes the reads...and he is the one solely responsiable for making bad decisions and turnovers..

IMHO Romo had too many "bad decisions" and also fumbled too many times.....we can blame the scheme...the OL...etc...but Romo needs to hold on to that ball.....and if nothing is there....throw it away.

 

[wileedog]

Actually a great article... I do disagree with one point, Watkins makes Ben to be such a great QB, that defense won them the Superbowl. (See James Harrison 100 yard TD run back)

No, no, no, Ben 'willed' Harrison to pick that pass and run it back for TD. Never would have happened without Ben's leadership and refusal to ever go to Mexico with his completely anonymous girlfriend.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Actually, Tony does need to concentrate on protecting the ball. Last year, we had him practicing throwing sidearm, only to see him hold the ball in his hand away from his body near the turf fumbling it over and over again.

I never played QB but I imagine they teach you to keep the ball high, close to your body and with two hands on it. When he scrambles, he'll use his arms to help balance and show the ball all the time. He needs to just fall down instead. It sucks but it beats the alternative. I'd rather see him get sacked several times before have him turn the ball over.

 

[superpunk]

What month is this?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

He already changed something. Discarded a productive weapon.

 

[DallasEast]

Tony Romo has to change something
10:49 AM Mon, Mar 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Calvin Watkins E-mail News tips
No quarterback is perfect. None.

And that goes for Tony Romo.

But while I've received some emails from readers saying the Cowboys need to trade Romo for Jay Cutler (those people need to get their urine checked), I've discovered Romo isn't bad.

He's pretty good. But there is one thing that has to change if Romo is to become an elite quarterback.

Turnovers.

Romo led NFL quarterbacks, who started at least four games, in turnovers in the month of December.

Romo turned the ball over nine times in the last four weeks of the season. [strike]Brett Favre, his idol, had eight and his turnovers were all interceptions.[/strike]

Romo has to take care of the ball, because they are momentum killers for an offense. Romo had six interceptions and lost three fumbles in the final month. Cowboys by the way went 1-3.

Quarterbacks like JaMarcus Russell (six), Kyle Orton (six), David Garrard (six) and Cutler (five) had high turnover numbers too. They're teams didn't reach the postseason.

[strike]But Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger had seven turnovers in December. Yet, Roethlisberger was able to overcome it and lead his team to a Super Bowl.[/strike]
Romo isn't good enough to overcome his mistakes to win games on a consistent basis.

There is one theme here to high turnovers for quarterbacks.
Sacks.
Romo was sacked 12 times the last month of the season[strike] and Roethlisberger was taken down a league-high 13 times.[/strike]

Protection helps. But protecting the ball is vital.

Romo has to develop this skill, protecting the ball, in order to move forward in his career. Until he does that, Romo won't become an elite quarterback.

A decent enough article... after a little editing...

 

[Bleu Star]

I'm not sure what all the hand wringing is about. Watkins is spot on with this article. I think we all want to see Romo take the next step but some are a little mopre critical of his game and what they think he can improve. If he was the punter I don't see him fielding the same amount of criticism. He is our QB... Our field general... I'll summarize a few simple things I have always contended that he should improve post haste.

1. Protect the ball when under pressure. Carry it like a wet noodle and the potential for turning it over skyrockets.

2. Live to fight another down. If it's just not there don't force it in. Hake some medicine from (dare I mention the name) Big Ben. I'm not of the belief that Ben is the standard by which to pattern your game. I just often see him throw the ball out of bounds when his guys are blanketed downfield instead of tossing one up for grabs. Romo needs to remember that there's always the next down. There's no need to go "all in" as often as he does. This isn't poker.

3. Step up and be the leader of this offense. Leave Gomer Pyle behind and do what we all know can be done. Step it up in the huddle, in practices, one the sideline, everywhere... People (incl the media) are always looking for something to criticize. Give them nothing by simply stepping head first into that leadership role.

 

[FCBarca]

Waiting for Romo to 'change' seems foolish, these sort of discussions usually end up with the only change being the player changing teams

 

[sonnyboy]

What a worthless POS article.

Let me see if I get this.......sacks are bad, turnovers are worse.

If you suck in these areas but just so happen to play for a team with the leagues best defense, we'll still consider you a great QB.