DMN Blog: Tony Romo's take on leadership

[tyke1doe]

Yep. Look no further than the 1998 Playoff Game against the Cardinals. The team was fundamentally sloppy and technically unsound, making mental mistake after mental mistake. Troy occasionally would bark at them, but mostly he just walked off the field and stood by himself on the sidelines disgusted at the whole mess. Why didn't he "yell" them to victory in 1998? I guess he mysteriously lost his his leadership ability in 1996.

The QB can yell all he wants, but he can't fine, bench or release players for sloppy play. If a QB doesn't have a organization behind him he's as helpless as Aikman was under Switzer, Gaily and Campo.

That's the truth. And, sadly, in this age of huge guarantee signing bonuses, salary cap and me-players, there's very few ways you can get to these players or punish them.

If you don't have a group of self starters or you can't think of some psychological way of motivating them, woe be your team.

Maybe it's true what someone has said ... the Cowboys are a collection of talented but dumb players.

 

[rcaldw]

Honestly I heard it a lot last year. Not in the same vein as an Aikman or Stuabach, but when this team was steamrolling through September and October a lot of analysts were talking about his enthusiasm and the way the players responded to it. If we had won last year at least the Giant's playoff game I don't think we are even discussing it this year.

As I mentioned to Iceberg, the biggest difference this year to me is it all looked like a job out there to Romo this year. And not just when things were going poorly. Then of course he has more turnovers, more drama with TO, and his offensive line goes to complete heck and he gets physically pounded, and suddenly everyone questions if he's a leader.

We heard analysts talk about it, but have you heard his teammates talk about him that way? Daryl Johnston - "You just didn't want to disappoint Troy, you just didn't want Troy mad at you." Ever hear anyone say anything like that about Romo?

 

[BigDFan5]

5? I'm hopeful Romo can pull it together, but there are probably 20 QBs who could challenge Romo.....not that we have any way to acquire one of them.

No there are not 20 QBs that could put up a legit challenge to start. I mean unless you are saying Romo ranks in the 20 range of QBs in the NFL which would be ridiculous

 

[wileedog]

We heard analysts talk about it, but have you heard his teammates talk about him that way? Daryl Johnston - "You just didn't want to disappoint Troy, you just didn't want Troy mad at you." Ever hear anyone say anything like that about Romo?

Were they talking that way about Troy after his 2nd season as a starter? Or after they won a Superbowl?

 

[TNCowboy]

No there are not 20 QBs that could put up a legit challenge to start. I mean unless you are saying Romo ranks in the 20 range of QBs in the NFL which would be ridiculous

No, I don't think he's that low, but there are a # of QBs who could. Thinking there are only 5 is pretty much a joke.

 

[rcaldw]

That's the truth. And, sadly, in this age of huge guarantee signing bonuses, salary cap and me-players, there's very few ways you can get to these players or punish them.

If you don't have a group of self starters or you can't think of some psychological way of motivating them, woe be your team.

Maybe it's true what someone has said ... the Cowboys are a collection of talented but dumb players.

I don't agree with Roshi on his assessment of Aikman's leadership really being a product of the winning, but I do agree with Roshi in this regard. I think you can have a great leader at QB who will still be limited when his head coach and those above the head coach don't have the same philosophy as the QB.

That is what happened to Aikman. In a sense it didn't matter what he or Johnston or Irvin said after Jimmy was gone, because it is just human nature, that when a person doesn't want to work hard or be accountable, if there is no FINAL AUTHORITY who will require it of him, he just won't do it. In addition you had the introduction of a guy like Deion into the mix who laughed at the idea of film study and that kind of thing. He brought his own influence into the locker room and that indirectly undermined a perfectionist like Aikman as well.

So, even though I don't think Romo is a good leader, and I think it is a very real problem, until we get a head coach with leadership, and an Owner/GM who will support that leadership, it really won't matter what kind of leader Romo is.

 

[Stash]

Honestly I heard it a lot last year. Not in the same vein as an Aikman or Stuabach, but when this team was steamrolling through September and October a lot of analysts were talking about his enthusiasm and the way the players responded to it. If we had won last year at least the Giant's playoff game I don't think we are even discussing it this year.

As I mentioned to Iceberg, the biggest difference this year to me is it all looked like a job out there to Romo this year. And not just when things were going poorly. Then of course he has more turnovers, more drama with TO, and his offensive line goes to complete heck and he gets physically pounded, and suddenly everyone questions if he's a leader.

I noticed a significant differnce as well, as if something was bothering or weraing on him. Even when things were going well, he didn't seem to have the same 'playground' enthusiasm that he had before.

I don't know if it was pressure, problems with Owens, or whatever, but he did seem different and less enthusiastic.

But his outright defiance in terms of the importance of leadership scares me.

He seems to not get it and not want to get it either.

He wants to play it his way and be just another guy.

Good luck winning a championship that way...

I'd much rather see a public blow-up between Owens and Romo and Owens run out of town rather than the 'supposed' friction and problems continue.

 

[BigDFan5]

No, I don't think he's that low, but there are a # of QBs who could. Thinking there are only 5 is pretty much a joke.

Ok name 20 QBs who would have a legit shot at beating him out of a job

 

[rcaldw]

Were they talking that way about Troy after his 2nd season as a starter? Or after they won a Superbowl?

I think players respected Aikman pretty early on. I just don't buy the idea that winning produces the PERCEPTION of leadership where it wasn't already there. I think winning CONFIRMS leadership, it doesn't PRODUCE it. Aikman already worked as hard as anyone on the team, and took up a leadership mantle, but winning then gave him that confirmation that he needed.

My question is, is that what we have in Romo? Do we have a guy who already is perceived as a leader and just needs to be confirmed by winning?

 

[Stash]

I don't agree with Roshi on his assessment of Aikman's leadership really being a product of the winning, but I do agree with Roshi in this regard. I think you can have a great leader at QB who will still be limited when his head coach and those above the head coach don't have the same philosophy as the QB.

That is what happened to Aikman. In a sense it didn't matter what he or Johnston or Irvin said after Jimmy was gone, because it is just human nature, that when a person doesn't want to work hard or be accountable, if there is no FINAL AUTHORITY who will require it of him, he just won't do it. In addition you had the introduction of a guy like Deion into the mix who laughed at the idea of film study and that kind of thing. He brought his own influence into the locker room and that indirectly undermined a perfectionist like Aikman as well.

So, even though I don't think Romo is a good leader, and I think it is a very real problem, until we get a head coach with leadership, and an Owner/GM who will support that leadership, it really won't matter what kind of leader Romo is.

I'd certainly agree with that.

 

[wileedog]

No, I don't think he's that low, but there are a # of QBs who could. Thinking there are only 5 is pretty much a joke.

P Manning
Brady
Brees
Rivers
Warner maybe, although age is an issue

Some borderline like Roth and Cutler.

Don't see many others that are clear cut, I'd absolutely take over Romo.

 

[TNCowboy]

Ok name 20 QBs who would have a legit shot at beating him out of a job

In what esteem do you hold Tony Romo?

Given his December meltdowns, I'd say roughly 2/3rds of the starting QBs in the NFL. He's arguably only the 3rd best QB in his own division.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Romo has the leadership qualities of a 10 year boy playing QB for the first time when the first and second stringers get hurt.

He doesnt have a clue what it means.

 

[TNCowboy]

P Manning
Brady
Brees
Rivers
Warner maybe, although age is an issue

Some borderline like Roth and Cutler.

Don't see many others that are clear cut, I'd absolutely take over Romo.

The issue was challenge Romo. McNabb, E. Manning, Warner, Hasselbeck, Brees, Ryan in the NFC alone. There are at least 10 guys in the AFC as well.

I hope Romo works out. I'm praying he does. But I don't get this assigning to him the near-status of a Manning or Brady. When it's mattered most, he's played average or in some cases, worse.

 

[wileedog]

I think players respected Aikman pretty early on. I just don't buy the idea that winning produces the PERCEPTION of leadership where it wasn't already there. I think winning CONFIRMS leadership, it doesn't PRODUCE it.

I think its both.

A guy who is is laid back and wins still gets a lot credit for it. A guy who gets in people's faces and loses is considered an ***hole.

Seemed like his teamates believed a lot more in Tony Romo when he could throw 5 picks in the Buffalo game and still lead a last second drive to win, then the one who threw away the Pitt game this year.

Aikman already worked as hard as anyone on the team, and took up a leadership mantle, but winning then gave him that confirmation that he needed.

I agree with this, and every player and coach has said there is no harder working guy on the team than Romo. We have been inundated with stories about him calling Wade Wilson or David Lee just to go throw in the middle of the week. Supposedly he is a film room rat.

What's missing is the validation of winning.

My question is, is that what we have in Romo? Do we have a guy who already is perceived as a leader and just needs to be confirmed by winning?

He's never going to perceived like Aikman because he is not Aikman. He is just not as intense a personality, and I think he is absolutely speaking the truth when he says this is a game to him, not the life and death struggle some wish it were to every single player.

That said, everything we have ever read about him talks to his competitve nature and the fact of the matter is you don't go from undrafted small school QB to $67M starter by not working fiercely at it.

Again, I don't think Romo will ever be Aikman. But there are other ways to lead without being a screaming perfectionist, and Romo needs to find his. And if he wins, he will be validated. If not, he'll be questioned til the end.

 

[EPL0c0]

Tony Romo: "You wanna know why Michael Jordan was a great leader? He won six NBA championships. Then, all of a sudden, when he gets in people's faces, he's a great leader."

Wrong Tony, MJ had great talent, but he was always a good leader, which is partly why he went onto six NBA championships. He was in peroples' faces far before the Bulls ever won, but it was that kind of leadership that took them to the first championship and through the rest of that championship journey.

It really troubles me that Tony Romo is just anatagonistic about this whole thing and still doesb't get it. From one side of his mouth he'sa talking about the importrance of good leadership and his need to do it, and from the other side of his mouth he continuously demonstrates how he really dosn't understand and/or buy into it.

If I were Jerry Jones that would be enough for me to want to draft a QB -- someone who can be a leader for Tomy Romo, or at least "push him" into more of leadeship stance by making him fear his starting job-status, just a tiny bit.

It's funny. When TO talks, it's easy to ignore because we know we can get another WR. But when you hear Tony talk like this...it's very disheartening.

Reading this, I immediately pictured that scene on the sidelines when Terrell's getting in McNabb's face and McNabb just rolls his eyes. Yet, Owens got all the blame...

I wonder if this attitude plays any role in the divisions in the lockerroom?

 

[BigDFan5]

In what esteem do you hold Tony Romo?

Given his December meltdowns, I'd say roughly 2/3rds of the starting QBs in the NFL. He's arguably only the 3rd best QB in his own division.

Could you name the 20 that could actually have a chance to start over him here thanks

 

[Alexander]

Ok name 20 QBs who would have a legit shot at beating him out of a job

We aren't talking only a top 20 QB now are we?

If so, let's not change the bar up and down when it suits us. That wouldn't even put him in the top 50 percent of QBs in the league. Most of our fans when he is performing well claim with a straight face they wouldn't take but 2-3 in the game before him. Now, all he has to do is prove he's within the top 20?

He's in the top ten, perhaps even five. But that doesn't speak a word to his challenges. Not a bit.

 

[BigDFan5]

We aren't talking only a top 20 QB now are we?

If so, let's not change the bar up and down when it suits us. That wouldn't even put him in the top 50 percent of QBs in the league. Most of our fans when he is performing well claim with a straight face they wouldn't take but 2-3 in the game before him. Now, all he has to do is prove he's within the top 20?

He's in the top ten, perhaps even five. But that doesn't speak a word to his challenges. Not a bit.

Umm Alex I am not the one that said 20 QBs could challenge Romo for the starting job, the other poster did

 

[wileedog]

The issue was challenge Romo. McNabb, E. Manning, Warner, Hasselbeck, Brees, Ryan in the NFC alone. There are at least 10 guys in the AFC as well.

I hope Romo works out. I'm praying he does. But I don't get this assigning to him the near-status of a Manning or Brady. When it's mattered most, he's played average or in some cases, worse.

I wouldn't take McNabb or Hasselback over Romo. Both are system QBs and McNabb is horribly inaccurate and the definition of choker.

I'd like to see Ryan do it again for a full season before I take him, he looked awful in that playoff game.

Who else in the AFC? I'm not sure I would even take Roth over him, he threw more pics than Tony with 9 less TDs.