DMN: Jason Garrett explains why Cowboys’ Tony Romo will play vs. Washington

[TwoCentPlain]

To save this team, can't we just make Garrett inactive for this meaningless game? Just give him and his wife some tickets to Cabo or something. Listen, Jason, since you are doing so well ever since we stripped you of almost all duties except throwing the red flag (when told by Wade Wilson and others) on game day, we want to reward you with a week (several weeks in my opinion) off. Don't worry. I'm sure Marinelli and Linehan can hold the fort down.

 

[jblaze2004]

and if we rest starters and they come out and play like poo in the wild card those same people will crucify him saying we should have kept momentum going

Tru also.

 

[Kevinicus]

I hear ya, but you can't coach scared. Romo's been hurt all year. He's needed a pain killer 30 minutes before each game. Do you think we should have sat him all year? If so, no playoffs this year for us.

The other games are different. Making the playoffs and or seeding were on the line in those games. Of course he should play. This week's game is a preseason game. Do you think Romo should start and play all 60 minutes of preseason games?

 

[jblaze2004]

These arguments useless same could be said the 1st snap of the playoff game. This is a young team, with an old QB that needs to follow a routine. Plus you CANNOT sit all your starters it is feasibly impossible. But for this game I would make Vaughan the 2nd string QB.

no not saying sit the starters the whole game. I would go in like a preseason game. A good drive or 2 and pull the starters or shall i say star players, especially the injured guys.

 

[elcowboi]

I really don't see a problem with it like I used to. When you hear ex-players talk about it they said they would start the regulars as well. They said you don't want to mess up the rhythm of the team. You do risk the chances of someone getting injured but that's just football.

A few of the players gave examples of when they rested players and didn't do so well in the playoffs and when they played everyone til the end and it lead to a Championship. I really think the option to make every game meaningful makes sense. I think if it's out of hand one way or the other, the starters will be pulled.

 

[jrumann59]

To save this team, can't we just make Garrett inactive for this meaningless game? Just give him and his wife some tickets to Cabo or something. Listen, Jason, since you are doing so well ever since we stripped you of almost all duties except throwing the red flag (when told by Wade Wilson and others) on game day, we want to reward you with a week (several weeks in my opinion) off. Don't worry. I'm sure Marinelli and Linehan can hold the fort down.

Yes Marinelli and Linehan one of whom had a season where he won Zero games.

 

[30yrheel]

Momentum is theoretical, injuries are real life.

 

[romothesavior]

Historically, resting players on hot teams comes back to bite them.

Good call, Coach.

I have no problem starting most of the starters. It's Romo who should sit or be very limited. A virtual bye week would be HUGE for him, especially if this is a short week.

 

[ufcrules1]

Romo is playing the best football of his career. Garrett wants to keep that streak going. You cant play scared. Scared teams lose in the playoffs.

Poorly coached teams lose in the playoffs too.

 

[coult44]

Last two games against Skins = two back injuries. Coincidence???

 

[DallasDomination]

If someone gets hurt he's a moron if we come out blazing against whoever in the playoffs he's a genius.

 

[adbutcher]

You're getting sillier with the hyperbole with every post. No one is saying the players in the Washington game shouldn't give 100 percent. But key players who we cannot win in the playoffs without are playing through injuries. Garrett's stated reason for playing Romo is to get a bye but winning this game affects that about one tenth of one percent. We earned bye THIS week by clobbering Indy

I take silly and winning Instead of being butt hurt of circumstances that's out of my control.

I have also been in the moment of triumph after being counted out. Maybe one day you will win at something and understand.

Loser talk is spoken by losers while the winners are popping champagne bottles and dancing with the pretty girls.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

and if we rest starters and they come out and play like poo in the wild card those same people will crucify him saying we should have kept momentum going

in the last 2 games with the Commanders tony romo is 2 for 2 with major injuries.

They have nothing to play for except to ruin our playoff hopes...injuries is a good way to do that.

the chances of injury far outweigh playing like poo after rest.

 

[adbutcher]

I love you man
The way I say it is: "scared money can't win "

I'm done with this thread. These people can dry up a wet dream as prematurely as they come.

We are playing with house money, we already won. The mediots, pundits, and self hating fans are already scrounging for bitter words to say while hoping for the moment when they can say, "I knew they would screw it up". Meanwhile, most of us have been enjoying the ride and having a great time talking shssh to our cowboy hating friends.

If and when we win the super bowl I will be unbearable.

 

[Clove]

Romo has a bad back coach. This is your bye. Don't be foolish. If tony goes down so does our season and you will be torched. Hand him the clipboard and let weeden play. It's the smart thing to do

What if Tony goes down in our first playoff game, would it be foolish for him to have let him play in that game?

 

[adbutcher]

I really don't see a problem with it like I used to. When you hear ex-players talk about it they said they would start the regulars as well. They said you don't want to mess up the rhythm of the team. You do risk the chances of someone getting injured but that's just football.

A few of the players gave examples of when they rested players and didn't do so well in the playoffs and when they played everyone til the end and it lead to a Championship. I really think the option to make every game meaningful makes sense. I think if it's out of hand one way or the other, the starters will be pulled.

Great post!

 

[unionjack8]

in the last 2 games with the Commanders tony romo is 2 for 2 with major injuries.

They have nothing to play for except to ruin our playoff hopes...injuries is a good way to do that.

the chances of injury far outweigh playing like poo after rest.

and in doing so you show what confidence in your OL and scheme that you cant protect him against a 4 win team?
what if weeden plays and throws a pass cross the middle behind dez and in trying to catch it he gets nailed by a s and seperate his shoulder?
you play to win the game with your best players

 

[gimmesix]

We have some scared defeatest fans. It's time to put your big boy pants on and roll into the playoffs; not peeping over your shoulder and around corners while hoping no one see you sneak in.

I think there's two sides to it, either of which necessarily deal with scared, defeatist fans. One, is where Garrett is coming from: Play for the opportunity for the bye. That means one less game you have to play in the playoffs, which is more important than taking a "bye" this week. Keep the momentum going.

The other side is that the chances that we get the bye even if we win is very slim and we have some injured players who could use some time to heal, so why not take the guaranteed "bye" now?

I lean toward resting the players now and preparing to play in the first round of the playoffs. Washington just isn't likely to matter enough to risk injury before the playoff run.

 

[gimmesix]

and in doing so you show what confidence in your OL and scheme that you cant protect him against a 4 win team?
what if weeden plays and throws a pass cross the middle behind dez and in trying to catch it he gets nailed by a s and seperate his shoulder?
you play to win the game with your best players

I wouldn't play Dez, either. I'd start Williams and Beasley at receiver, Vaughan at quarterback and Randle at running back. I'd rest Martin and Free on the line. That would be my offense for this essentially preseason game.

Winning this game and losing any of those players without our seeding changing would be a hollow victory. If we were clearing playing for seeding, that's worth the risk. This just isn't.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Huh? Those games got us in the playoffs. This game won't. Everything was done all year for the playoffs not to beat Washington in a meaningless week 17 game.

Not meaningless. These Cowboys don't have enough playoff success to rest. They need to keep their edge. They've admitted that they've been in playoff mode since December 1st. So far they're 3-0. Whose to say they'll be sharp if they sit key players? I think JG knows this. Last question: would Jimmy sit key players right before the playoffs? I don't think he would.