Saw HogsareLegends and since he wasn't nasty and seemed genuinely interested, I decided to post my point of view cause I've been thinking for some time about how Romo able to develop to the point he has. Hope it helps.
1. Didn't start playing football till older then most kids so no track record for larger schools to see so no football scholarship at major school.
2. Natural athlete who can successful play many sports including basketball, golf, etc. Family who saw his athleticism and encouraged him to work at it.
3. Lucky enough to attend East Illinois University where he attracted the attention of Broncos HC Shanahan & former Giant/Cowboys OC Sean Payton. 4. Invited to combine where he scored well on both speed/strength of ball throw and was off the chart on the intelligence test.
5. Was projected to be drafted on 2nd day but his size (6-2 1/2), lack of speed & gunslinger reputation caused teams not to draft him. However, about 20 teams supposedly interested in signing in as an undrafted FA including Bills, Broncos, Cowboys, Cardinals, etc.
6. Despite fact Cowboys only offered him $10,000 & Shanahan himself at our TC confirmed he very much wanted Romo and offered him $20,000, Romo decided on Cowboys cause he thought he'd have a chance in Dallas due to our unstable QB. Believe Sean Payton's presence (left Giant job to become Dallas OC) was big factor cause Payton had been bragging about Romo for at least 1-2 years while with the Giants.
7. Parcells credentials give him authority to keep whoever he wanted and he saw something in Romo. Payton & David Lee went about developing Romo and he was essentially kept under wraps and allowed to develop w/o media scrutiny and fans demand that he play. By Romo's own admission he stunk in 03. Also Romo credits Vinny Testeverde a lot for his mentoring. Testeverde helped him see how to study film, keep meticulous notes on certain things he saw, importance of physical conditioning for a QB beyond what most teams stress, etc.
8. Romo succeeding cause he's very much an athlete, not just a big QB with an arm. He's an unbelievably hard worker in the gym/film room/paid attention to what going on around him and learned from every QB who came across including buying Peyton Manning & Belicheat books.
9. Romo had progressed to the point where in 2005 Sean Payton wanted him to become the Cowboys starter. Payton did not want Bledsoe cause he lacked some of Romo's tangibles including pocket mobility, etc. When Payton become NO HC, he offered 3rd rounder for Romo but Jerry smart enough (probably with Parcells staring over his shoulder) to turn that down.
10. The NFL has an absolutely horrible record of drafting QBs. During Romo PC signing, Jerry Jones mentioned success rate of drafting QBs was about 50%. Try 33%. Yes it's that bad. Their criteria is totally out of whack. They want QBs of certain height -- 6-3 - 6-6. Romo was too short at 6-2 1/2. BTW: Favre is 6-2. Maybe he should have to give back the records he rewriting. Romo considered to slow a runner. QBs don't need to run 40 yards; they need mobility in the pocket and ability pick up first down when necessary.
11. If you have time, go back to the 2002 draft and pull together a list of QBs drafted from 2002 through 2005. You will be stunned to see how many QBs (including first rounders) are busts -- either benched or no longer with team. I think it was something like 9 out of 27 still in NFL. BTW: Only Carson Palmer who was one of top picks in 2003 draft is still valued at that spot and independent analysis (sorry can't recall which one but you probably will come across it) puts Romo right after Palmer if the NFL knew then when they know now.
12. Want to emphasize the importance of giving time for young QBs (like Romo to sit and learn). As an undrafted FA, he cheap enough for Cowboys to keep around and patiently develop. No pressure on Parcells to deliver him to the lions (so to speak) to save his job.
Don't know enough about Campbell, but it possible he just needs more time on the bench to see the field clearer. Unfortunately in this day and age first rounders don't get that time.
13. Lots of skill, hard work, luck and God given talents helped make Romo. He might not be 6-4, but God gave him mobility, quick release, smarts and incredible accuracy. His family did much of the rest along with coaches who believed in him.
14. Finally, Romo's personality. He's a natural leader. Don't have to pound his chest, yell and scream that it's his team, or even demand their attention in the huddle. Understand several well-regarded Cowboy players (including some vets) went to Parcells a few games into the 2006 & asked him to consider replacing Bledsoe with Romo. Many of those players had worked on offense with Romo & on defense against him and had seen him do things in practice that stunned them. How much that finally influenced Parcells decision we'll will never know. BTW: A few weeks ago one of the Dalls media wrote an article that essentially said that, despite all of Romo's talent, it was his personality that makes him invaluable and drives this team.
