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

[Ultra Warrior]

I believe that is for the number one seed. We have an outside shot at the 2 seed albeit small.

We don't need to Win to gain that #2 seed. Was pointed out to me, so long as the Rams defeat the Seahawks & the 49ers defeat the Cardinals, we'd earn the #2 seed, regardless if we Win or Lose our game.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

A warrior's mentality doesn't require conventional thinking. It requires a belief that's so intrenched that it baffles all that's not a part of it. Conventional thinking had this team winning 1 to 8 games this year. I'm rolling with the wefense and warriors.

A warrior's mentality is why Weeden had to play against the Cardinals. If Romo would have stayed out of the Commanders game instead of trying to make a heroic comeback, he might have been able to suit up the next week. I hope the same doesn't happen this time around.

 

[Clove]

So now the personal attacks? Yes LOL I have played sports, football, basketball, HS and college. I understand all that. Sometimes things do happen. Yes, Romo could get hurt in the first playoff game. Yes he could get hurt in the shower. It's about mitigating risk at this point. Weighing playing him in what is essentially a meaningless game to hopefully win a bye so that he can rest. Just seems pointless to me. But it's my point of view, nothing more. Unlike a lot of people taking stands on this issue, I can easily see it from the other point of view. Keeping momentum going. If he hadn't have had major back surgery, followed by more back trauma this year I'd be all for it. Just thinking in this case, it isn't worth it.

That's all. But no point in bringing in the "you've never played sports before" because obviously you don't see things my way. Keep that nonsense out of the equation and have a meaningful debate.

There is no such thing. It's a regular season game, you play until the game is in hand. Period, no questions asked. Does it backfire sometimes, YES. Tornado's hit just one house sometimes. What are the odds of that? Crap happens. But this is a regular season game, and a slight possibility to get the #1 seed.
And if you don't mind, I'll say whatever I want to say. I disagree with your opinion and you disagree with mine. But if you think you can avoid injuries, then you're naive. Either way, he's playing so you're wasting your breath.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

This team cant afford to have Romo hurt. At this particular moment in time of the franchise trying to become respectable again....

i think every situation is different for many reasons. And at this time, for this franchise and this team, the smart move would be to sit Romo.

Its much more important to win a playoff game. Romo isn't going to lose momentum. Romo doesn't need more game time...

He is a 34 year old QB in todays NFL, with a gimpy back. Romo will be just fine with a week off....

The players know all this. The players know this game is meaningless and the real show is against Detriot

Yeah, they will all go out there and play hard and try and get Murray that record and try to diomaite the game. But that extra little "bit" of intensity wont be there..

My biggest fear is we dont get up on them. And it becomes a slugfest, and close game all the way into the 4th qrt. With Romo taking big time hits.....

to win this game so........................................................................ we can keep momentum.

nauhhh. The risk is not worth the reward in this situation for this team. for this franchise. for romo....and this particular moment in time.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Again, I would expect the starters won't play the entire game and remember this.

The NFC Wildcard games are on Saturday which is one less rest day for Tony. No way do I play him the entire game.

 

[Clove]

This team cant afford to have Romo hurt. At this particular moment in time of the franchise trying to become respectable again....

i think every situation is different for many reasons. And at this time, for this franchise and this team, the smart move would be to sit Romo.

Its much more important to win a playoff game. Romo isn't going to lose momentum. Romo doesn't need more game time...

He is a 34 year old QB in todays NFL, with a gimpy back. Romo will be just fine with a week off....

The players know all this. The players know this game is meaningless and the real show is against Detriot

Yeah, they will all go out there and play hard and try and get Murray that record and try to diomaite the game. But that extra little "bit" of intensity wont be there..

My biggest fear is we dont get up on them. And it becomes a slugfest, and close game all the way into the 4th qrt. With Romo taking big time hits.....

to win this game so........................................................................ we can keep momentum.

nauhhh. The risk is not worth the reward in this situation for this team. for this franchise. for romo....and this particular moment in time.

Who says he's gonna get hurt? You have a crystal ball?

 

[Texas_Pete]

What kind of odds you want on the GB-Det game ending in a tie?? I'll take that bet every single time. That's the only way winning means anything. The #2 can be had whether we win or lose, which is why winning and hoping for that tie between GB-Det (who are both playing for something) is as close to moot as you can get.

Point taken regarding the #1 seed. There is still a chance of a 1st round bye though. That will equate to 2 weeks off and we don't get swept by our division rival.

I'm just not a fan of thinking a game doesn't matter. To tell that to one of the youngest teams in the league - when you're trying to establish a culture of winning like in the 90s - is a huge mistake.

 

[Clove]

If to win the game it means playing Romo the entire game, so be it.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

Who's says he's gonna get hurt? You have a crystal ball?

No I dont. But neither does Garrett or anybody else....

Just imagine Clove. The biggest game for this franchise in a long long time, since we played the giants in 07 playoffs.....everyone knew we were going to get beat by minny in the last tournament.

this year we actually have a shot to beat some teams.

so the biggest game in forever, and we field........................Weeden?

becuase we wanted to keep momentum?

 

[links18]

It's simple. To sit Romo, the risk of injury has to outweigh the risk of "losing momentum" or whatever intangible AND the infinitesimally small chance of getting the #1 seed. I think it does.

 

[Clove]

We don't need to Win to gain that #2 seed. Was pointed out to me, so long as the Rams defeat the Seahawks & the 49ers defeat the Cardinals, we'd earn the #2 seed, regardless if we Win or Lose our game.

It doesn't matter. We're playing the starters for more than just the opportunity to get the #2 or #1 seed. We're playing our starters because that's the culture of this team now. This team plays to win the game. Have you heard that before? That's why we play. We have to establish a non wus attitude and go out and take care of business. I don't care if they blitz all night long, or all day long. We need to show to ourselves that we're ready for anything. I'll bet if we kill that blitz, teams will not try that crap in the playoffs. But for now, if we play scared and don't prove we can break that blitz, if I'm a D-coordinator, I send the house at Romo 2nd down through 4th down.

We just have things to work on, and we need momentum, and I can go on and on. But actually, I don't argue with internet studs anymore, it's pointless. And not only that, Garrett says he's playing them so continue to piss and moan, peace out.

 

[windward]

Again, I would expect the starters won't play the entire game and remember this.

The NFC Wildcard games are on Saturday which is one less rest day for Tony. No way do I play him the entire game.

There is one NFC game on Saturday and one on Sunday.

 

[john van brocklin]

Valid good points on both sides of this argument.
Garrett coached this team to the 2 big December wins over the Eagles and Colts.
I think i will trust his judgement to make the right drcision on this.

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

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Published: December 25, 2014 6:07 pm

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Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News

Dallas head coach Jason Garrett is pictured on the sidelines in the second quarter during the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Dallas Cowboys NFL football game on Thursday, November 27, 2014.


It’s unlikely that the Cowboys, win or lose, will be able to escape the No. 3 seed in the NFC. They face an opponent in the regular season finale that has broken Tony Romo’s back — literally — the last two times these teams have met.



So why play Romo?



“There’s a playoff scenario with us winning the game that will give us an opportunity to get a first-round bye so we’re going to take advantage of what we can take advantage of,’’ head coach Jason Garrett said. “There are 16 opportunities to play and guys who are healthy are going to play in this game and practice this week and play in the game. Ballgames are important to us.’’



And what about the argument that this game is as close to meaningless as a team can get?



“There are no meaningless games,’’ Garrett said.



Cowboys TE Jason Witten finds holiday cheer in going to work

• Cowboys must find way to fix pass protection against Washington

• Dallas Cowboys LB Rolando McClain returns to practice but RB DeMarco Murray sits out because of illness

• Sturm: How Cowboys' defense has shielded its warts

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...approach-there-are-no-meaningless-games.html/

Valid good points on both sides of this argument.
Garrett coached this team to the 2 big December wins over the Eagles and Colts.
I think i will trust his judgement to make the right drcision on this.Valid good points on both sides of this argument.
Garrett coached this team to the 2 big December wins over the Eagles and Colts.
I think i will trust his judgement to make the right decision on this.

 

[djmajestik]

There is no such thing. It's a regular season game, you play until the game is in hand. Period, no questions asked. Does it backfire sometimes, YES. Tornado's hit just one house sometimes. What are the odds of that? Crap happens. But this is a regular season game, and a slight possibility to get the #1 seed.
And if you don't mind, I'll say whatever I want to say. I disagree with your opinion and you disagree with mine. But if you think you can avoid injuries, then you're naive. Either way, he's playing so you're wasting your breath.

I'm not wasting anything LOL it's a forum where people debate back and forth. No amount of words from you or I are going to determine what happens. Say whatever you want, you are entitled to any opinion you want. Just leave the personal crap out. Yes, tornadoes hit homes. It's why insurance costs much more in areas that tornadoes happen. Its' riskier. Now if you have a great reason for living there, have at it. If Red wants to keep momentum going that's his decision. Just seems risky to me. Crap happens. It's about risk and mitigating crap happening to you. I wouldn't risk running out in a tornado UNLESS I had valid reason. Playing to win for the #1 seed when that is such a remote possibility just doesn't make sense to me. Then to do it so you have a first round bye to rest your starters?

 

[Clove]

No I dont. But neither does Garrett or anybody else....

Just imagine Clove. The biggest game for this franchise in a long long time, since we played the giants in 07 playoffs.....everyone knew we were going to get beat by minny in the last tournament.

this year we actually have a shot to beat some teams.

so the biggest game in forever, and we field........................Weeden?

becuase we wanted to keep momentum?

I'm sorry, last answer for me, promise.

I remember when we were out of the playoff so to speak and Philly was riding high. There were so many people saying, we need to at least win 2 games, and hope that this happens and hope that that happens. Well, thank God Garrett doesn't think like that. I've been critical of Garrett for being a soft wimp, and scared little mouse. I said we needed to win out, and I'll guarantee you that's what Garrett told his players. Garrett smells blood right now. There's no time to get conservative. He became conservative in the Chicago game and it could have cost us. He learned from there. He creamed Philly, took their heart out. He creamed Colts took their heart out. And now he's taking no prisoners.

Get used to this. We're coming at teams no matter what the risks are. This is who we are now, get used to it. It's not gambling to me. Romo has missed 1 game, there's no evidence he's going to get hurt. And if he does, next man up. This is the reality of the new Cowboys team right now.

 

[djmajestik]

Point taken regarding the #1 seed. There is still a chance of a 1st round bye though. That will equate to 2 weeks off and we don't get swept by our division rival.

I'm just not a fan of thinking a game doesn't matter. To tell that to one of the youngest teams in the league - when you're trying to establish a culture of winning like in the 90s - is a huge mistake.

To that point, I completely agree and understand that keeping them on a roll makes some sense. To play for a bye doesn't. But with Romo's back and Murray's hand, is it worth the risk to try and win against the Commanders and secure a bye that will then ...... allow your stars to rest?? That's all I'm saying.

 

[Coy]

That'd be great if it were true. Watch that Pats game closely this Sunday.

Well, they would get 2 weeks off if the starters don't play, so it's a bit different.
I would play them for a half at the most.

 

[djmajestik]

It doesn't matter. We're playing the starters for more than just the opportunity to get the #2 or #1 seed. We're playing our starters because that's the culture of this team now. This team plays to win the game. Have you heard that before? That's why we play. We have to establish a non wus attitude and go out and take care of business. I don't care if they blitz all night long, or all day long. We need to show to ourselves that we're ready for anything. I'll bet if we kill that blitz, teams will not try that crap in the playoffs. But for now, if we play scared and don't prove we can break that blitz, if I'm a D-coordinator, I send the house at Romo 2nd down through 4th down.

We just have things to work on, and we need momentum, and I can go on and on. But actually, I don't argue with internet studs anymore, it's pointless. And not only that, Garrett says he's playing them so continue to piss and moan, peace out.

First off man, why get so heated and upset. Differing opinions are not "internet studs". I have played and followed football my whole life, and that in no way makes my opinion anymore valued than yours does. Everyone has points and everyone can debate them. To keep momentum and keep the culture of the team intact, I agree, that makes sense. But with the injuries to an older Romo and Murray, wouldn't it make more sense IN THIS CASE to rest them. If they were better, or if they had no injuries, yeah, keep the train rolling.

But resting key starters for a playoff run that could desperately use it is not playing scared and not playing wuss-ball. Some teams do it. Some teams have won. And others lost. It's just a philosophical difference in coaching. I don't think there is a definitive right wrong answer. But weighing the pros and cons, to me getting some rest for the playoffs would help a few players right now.

But I really don't get the heated debate over this. There is no right/wrong. It's everyone's opinions.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I see it like this: there are times in a game when its smart for Romo to slide or just go down and take a sack.. and there are other times in a game when Romo has to dive over the pile for the first down or twist and turn in the pocket to make a play....

now is the time to just go down. and hold the clipboard for this game. next week, he dives for that first down.............

 

[djmajestik]

I'm sorry, last answer for me, promise.

I remember when we were out of the playoff so to speak and Philly was riding high. There were so many people saying, we need to at least win 2 games, and hope that this happens and hope that that happens. Well, thank God Garrett doesn't think like that. I've been critical of Garrett for being a soft wimp, and scared little mouse. I said we needed to win out, and I'll guarantee you that's what Garrett told his players. Garrett smells blood right now. There's no time to get conservative. He became conservative in the Chicago game and it could have cost us. He learned from there. He creamed Philly, took their heart out. He creamed Colts took their heart out. And now he's taking no prisoners.

Get used to this. We're coming at teams no matter what the risks are. This is who we are now, get used to it. It's not gambling to me. Romo has missed 1 game, there's no evidence he's going to get hurt. And if he does, next man up. This is the reality of the new Cowboys team right now.

I definitely understand your point and get it. But the next man up is ....... Weeden.