DMN Blog: Tony Romo's take on leadership

[Idgit]

like ive said, Romo is not accountable. Im not an expert and I dont like to overanalyze or nit pick, but this interview proves my point. The franchise QB needs to be accountable. Do you think Aikman would make statements like the one's Romo made in this interview?...just an observation

about being a competitor...Do you think Aikman would say "if losing a football game is the worst thing that happens to me, ill be fine" after losing a huge game? Most champions hated to lose, to a fault. They were miserable to be around after they lost. Aikman and Irvin were both that way. MJ, that Romo used as an example, he was that way.

Im not saying Romo is not competitive or that people need to be as extreme as Aikman or Irvin or MJ when they lose. Im not saying he needs to pull a Vince Young and fly off of the deep end if he plays badly...but my point is that Romo often comes across that he really doesnt give a crap if they win or lose (and most of his performances in big games back that up, probably because when you get to a big game, what seperates talented teams is who competes the hardest. The players that hate to lose usually compete the hardest)

and it's not all about "getting in someone's face" or "yelling" or "ra ra". I dont think that is what most people are talking about when they say Romo needs to project leadership. It doesnt seem that Romo "gets it" yet imo.....but what do I know, ive never played in the NFL (although i did stay at a Holiday Inn Express

This is a case of you taking from an interview what you expect to hear. Or did you miss the part where he said he didn't sleep for two days after the loss when you conclude that he comes across like he doesn't give a crap if he wins or loses?

Romo's a straight-up stud. There's not a single good reason to expect the guy to be a better player if he were to yell at his teammates or get butt-hurt in a post-game interview. Does listening to someone cough up a platitude now and then really make them more qualified to read a defense or throw a football? Doesn't seeing the way the offense instantly improves when Tony goes into the game tell us anything about this guy's ability to lead?

With everything there is to complain about this team this offseason, I'm at a loss why some are even remotely concerned about the QB position short of the very big question of who the hell can we get to backup our elite starter if he goes down for any length of time.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Nice retort

You realize Romo is better than McNabb in every stat category right? Not by a little either

Not that I am defending McFlubb in anyway... but he has at LEAST made it to the NFC Championship games like what 5 times?

He might choke when he is there but who is he throwing too in all those years? Pinkston, Lewis, Thrash, Avant , Fred-ex.

Romo has proven that he cant win in December. Hope this changes but to say Romo is WAY better than McDud is a joke. Romo has done nothing in this league except make some plays when the pocket breaks down. Without , his stats are mediocre.

Fact.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

I made a post about Tebow.

Not about Romo. Not about Owens.

You took that post, replied to it, and turned the discussion to Owens.

Congrats.

Go polish your 13's homay....

 

[Bleu Star]

This is a case of you taking from an interview what you expect to hear. Or did you miss the part where he said he didn't sleep for two days after the loss when you conclude that he comes across like he doesn't give a crap if he wins or loses?

Romo's a straight-up stud. There's not a single good reason to expect the guy to be a better player if he were to yell at his teammates or get butt-hurt in a post-game interview. Does listening to someone cough up a platitude now and then really make them more qualified to read a defense or throw a football? Doesn't seeing the way the offense instantly improves when Tony goes into the game tell us anything about this guy's ability to lead?

With everything there is to complain about this team this offseason, I'm at a loss why some are even remotely concerned about the QB position short of the very big question of who the hell can we get to backup our elite starter if he goes down for any length of time.

• ball protection
• throwing the ball away instead of throwing it up for grabs with his eyes closed
• commitment to the game
• desire to lead
• stepping it up a notch and playing to win after November 30th of each year.

These are all areas I feel Romo needs to pay special attention to. If you can't take constructive criticism of your boy then I feel for you. Even thought I staunchly defend TO, I recognize there are things he can improve and do better. No one out on that field is perfect and Romo is far from it.

 

[Oh_Canada]

like ive said, Romo is not accountable. Im not an expert and I dont like to overanalyze or nit pick, but this interview proves my point. The franchise QB needs to be accountable. Do you think Aikman would make statements like the one's Romo made in this interview?...just an observation

about being a competitor...Do you think Aikman would say "if losing a football game is the worst thing that happens to me, ill be fine" after losing a huge game? Most champions hated to lose, to a fault. They were miserable to be around after they lost. Aikman and Irvin were both that way. MJ, that Romo used as an example, he was that way.

Im not saying Romo is not competitive or that people need to be as extreme as Aikman or Irvin or MJ when they lose. Im not saying he needs to pull a Vince Young and fly off of the deep end if he plays badly...but my point is that Romo often comes across that he really doesnt give a crap if they win or lose (and most of his performances in big games back that up, probably because when you get to a big game, what seperates talented teams is who competes the hardest. The players that hate to lose usually compete the hardest)

and it's not all about "getting in someone's face" or "yelling" or "ra ra". I dont think that is what most people are talking about when they say Romo needs to project leadership. It doesnt seem that Romo "gets it" yet imo.....but what do I know, ive never played in the NFL (although i did stay at a Holiday Inn Express

Well said.....he needs to change his entire demeanor. When your having a bad game, don't go sit on the bench and pout like someone stole your lunch...After a loss, especially when you don't play well, take ownership instead of dismissing it as "one of those days" and when you lose the biggest game of the season, you don't say "well if this is the worst thing that ever happens to me". Those things make him look weak and the farthest thing from a leader and if he doesn't think that translates the same way to his teammates he is nuts. The Giants did not believe in Eli until he stood up to Tiki's criticisms, they wanted to know there QB would not cower under pressure and show some fight...well he did that and his team went on to win a Super Bowl. If you saw the America's Game piece you know that Michael Strahan feels like Manning instantly became a leader during that moment and his team instantly became more confident in him.

 

[rcaldw]

Also, I want to further blame Terry Glenn's fumble on the 5 yard line in the Seahwaks playoff game on Tony "not getting it". Clearly, if Tony just "got it", Terry hangs onto the ball. Then, maybe the magical clutch fairy visits Romo and sprinkles its' magical clutch and leadership dust on him, like it did Eli. Unfortunately, Terry's fumble, much like Crayton's drop, appears to have scared off the magical clutch fairy, instead turning him Eli's way. That is until the fickle clutch fairy took away Eli's magical clutch and leadership abilities before this year's playoffs. Just like Aikman led his teams in 1994, until the magical clutch and leadership fairy took away his powers in 1996 for the rest of his entire career, for reasons completely unknown. Man, that magical fairy sure is unpredictable.

I know a lot of people wonder if Tony will ever "get it". I'm going to go way out on a limb and predict that Tony magically "gets it" at the same exact moment his WRs don't fumble the ball on the 5 yard line and when they don't drop game clinching passes that hit them right in the hands. When that happens, all of Tony's naysayers will flood the board and proclaim that Tony now, finally, "gets it".

Yep, Johnny U, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Joe Montana, it was all magic fairy dust.

And all of the Cowboys failures these days? Apparently all the fault of the WR's. My question is, does the Terry Glenn apologist also approach it the same way? Does the Terry Glenn fan say that if Romo doesn't fumble the chip shot FG snap, then fairy dust is sprinkled on Terry Glenn and Glenn magically becomes a leader?

When you make excuses for Romo's bottom line, then you simply prove you are a REAL fan of his. You have taken on his approach. But why should you care? If you win - it's ok, and if you lose - thats ok too!

 

[Apollo Creed]

Romo is just insecure.

For a guy that doesn't care about 'perception.'

He wants to be another one of the guys - Then dates a celebrity.

He studies great QBs and is a historian of the game - Then turns the ball over like he's Sage Rosenfels in December.

It's not always about about winning, he's thanksful for such a wonderful life - Then he doesn't sleep for 48 hours after a loss.

Romo constantly wants everyone to think that he's going to be happy regardless of the outcome, as a safety net to always lower expectations of himself.

He can't be a leader if he is always concerned about projecting some sort of an image.

 

[tyke1doe]

I noticed in the interview Romo wasn't his happy-go-lucky self. It seems as if the past season and the criticism is weighing on him. That may be a good thing as he may, finally, rise to become the leader many of us think he can be.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Romo is just insecure.

For a guy that doesn't care about 'perception.'

He wants to be another one of the guys - Then dates a celebrity.

He studies great QBs and is a historian of the game - Then turns the ball over like he's Sage Rosenfels in December.

It's not always about about winning, he's thanksful for such a wonderful life - Then he doesn't sleep for 48 hours after a loss.

Romo constantly wants everyone to think that he's going to be happy regardless of the outcome, as a safety net to always lower expectations of himself.

He can't be a leader if he is always concerned about projecting some sort of an image.

"Any predictions for the upcoming season?"

"Prediction??"

"Yes, prediction!!"


(lick the lips) - - "PAIN"

 

[superpunk]

"Leadership"

"Poise"

"Moxie"

All nonsense terms. I guess the people who love using them ascribe to the supreme court's policy on pornography...you'll know it when you see it.

Tony and Donovan McNabb are terrible "leaders". Ben Roethlisberger is a phenomenal "leader", but just an ok quarterback. Peyton and Brady are good "leaders" and good quarterbacks. John Elway wasn't a good leader until Terrell Davis came to town. Dan Marino still isn't a good "leader". Neither was Fouts. Matt Ryan is a good "leader" and has incredible "poise" but as a quarterback he's got a long way to go. Flacco has "poise", I'm just not sure that he "gets it". Eli Manning became a good "leader" once Tiki Barber left, but he is a terrible quarterback.

Maybe I'm just rambling...

 

[DallasGirl50]

Romo is just insecure.

For a guy that doesn't care about 'perception.'

He wants to be another one of the guys - Then dates a celebrity.

He studies great QBs and is a historian of the game - Then turns the ball over like he's Sage Rosenfels in December.

It's not always about about winning, he's thanksful for such a wonderful life - Then he doesn't sleep for 48 hours after a loss.

Romo constantly wants everyone to think that he's going to be happy regardless of the outcome, as a safety net to always lower expectations of himself.

He can't be a leader if he is always concerned about projecting some sort of an image.

Great post.

 

[theebs]

"Leadership"

"Poise"

"Moxie"

All nonsense terms. I guess the people who love using them ascribe to the supreme court's policy on pornography...you'll know it when you see it.

Tony and Donovan McNabb are terrible "leaders". Ben Roethlisberger is a phenomenal "leader", but just an ok quarterback. Peyton and Brady are good "leaders" and good quarterbacks. John Elway wasn't a good leader until Terrell Davis came to town. Dan Marino still isn't a good "leader". Neither was Fouts. Matt Ryan is a good "leader" and has incredible "poise" but as a quarterback he's got a long way to go. Flacco has "poise", I'm just not sure that he "gets it". Eli Manning became a good "leader" once Tiki Barber left, but he is a terrible quarterback.

Maybe I'm just rambling...

All true, same for what inman said.

this team needs alot of magic.

Our wr need magic routes called to get open and catch a ball and when they get that the magical fairy will visit romo.

All I know is Romo's head must be ready to explode. Mine would be.

Hopefully some of the tension will be taken away from him soon.

 

[Bleu Star]

Great post.

Agree.

Excellent post Apollo.

 

[Apollo Creed]

All true, same for what inman said.

this team needs alot of magic.

Our wr need magic routes called to get open and catch a ball and when they get that the magical fairy will visit romo.

All I know is Romo's head must be ready to explode. Mine would be.

Hopefully some of the tension will be taken away from him soon.

Yeah, I hope our line gives him some time to throw the ball. Or we get a coach that will calm his desire to throw or fumble away our chances every December.

 

[theebs]

Yeah, I hope our line gives him some time to throw the ball. Or we get a coach that will calm his desire to throw or fumble away our chances every December.

yes because what is wrong with this team in december is tony romo fumbling away our chances.

personally I think him wearing his hat backwards hasnt been discussed enough, the answer probably sits in that riddle somewhere.

 

[rcaldw]

yes because what is wrong with this team in december is tony romo fumbling away our chances.

personally I think him wearing his hat backwards hasnt been discussed enough, the answer probably sits in that riddle somewhere.

Yep, all this leadership stuff, its all nonsense. That sure is what coaches and players think. None of it is real. Just ask them.

 

[wileedog]

Yeah, I hope our line gives him some time to throw the ball. Or we get a coach that will calm his desire to throw or fumble away our chances every December.

Hey maybe Hamlin will be so inspired he won't let two mediocre running backs rip off 70 yd TD runs back to back to blow our chances too!

Damn you Tony for not leading the defense better.

 

[wileedog]

Yep, all this leadership stuff, its all nonsense. That sure is what coaches and players think. None of it is real. Just ask them.

There is a difference between real and completely over-rated. Personally I think the utter hero worship of (winning) QBs in the media plays a huge part.

Exhibit A: Brett Favre. He probably single-handedly cost the Jets the playoffs this year, yet the slobbering over him by the media as he goes into this year's "reitrement watch" will still be never-ending.

 

[Stash]

"Leadership"

"Poise"

"Moxie"

All nonsense terms. I guess the people who love using them ascribe to the supreme court's policy on pornography...you'll know it when you see it.

Tony and Donovan McNabb are terrible "leaders". Ben Roethlisberger is a phenomenal "leader", but just an ok quarterback. Peyton and Brady are good "leaders" and good quarterbacks. John Elway wasn't a good leader until Terrell Davis came to town. Dan Marino still isn't a good "leader". Neither was Fouts. Matt Ryan is a good "leader" and has incredible "poise" but as a quarterback he's got a long way to go. Flacco has "poise", I'm just not sure that he "gets it". Eli Manning became a good "leader" once Tiki Barber left, but he is a terrible quarterback.

Maybe I'm just rambling...

I think you're trying to make the blanket case that 'leadership is everything' which no one is trying to say.

What we are trying to say is that leadership is a plus, especially at the quarterback position.

And many of us feel it's one trait this otherwise talented team is sorely lacking.

 

[Stash]

yes because what is wrong with this team in december is tony romo fumbling away our chances.

personally I think him wearing his hat backwards hasnt been discussed enough, the answer probably sits in that riddle somewhere.

I guess your position is that we should just 'let Tony be Tony' then and just be one of the guys?