Is it dangerous to play Romo if we clinch home field?

[ksadler1]

That's why you play him just enough to show teams what he can do. You also want to play him with the starters so that he can have success. Even if he stays healthy, I doubt he puts up impressive numbers with the 2nd and 3rd team. So that hurts his stock too.

Like I said, it's a double edged sword. It can backfire either way.

 

[xwalker]

I think everyone would agree that it would be dumb to sit Dak (and the rest of the starters) for the final 1-2 weeks if these games are meaningless. I also think everyone would agree it would be dumb to play them all 60 minutes if these final games are meaningless. So there's a strong likelihood that we'll insert Romo to finish out the final 2-3 quarters of these games so that we can show him off to potential suitors. That being said, would you really want to put in Romo behind our backup O-line against teams playing for playoff hopes?

It would only be 2 of 5 backup OL at most.

I'm fairly certain that if Romo plays they'll keep the starting OL in with him.

I would like to see him play. Unfortunately it's a road game, but the fans will still get to see him play (on TV) his final regular season game for the Cowboys.

Also, if he plays and does not get injured, then he could have legit trade value this off-season.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

I don't see the sense in playing Romo for the sake of playing him. Our goal is to show teams he can still throw at a high level so that we can get something for him. All it takes is 2-3 quarters of good football to do that. If we're gonna bench all our starters, I'd rather have Sanchez back there taking the beating. Romo is no use to us (and another team) if he can't play next year.

I think the smart thing to do is: 1) play Dak the first two drives, 2) play Romo with the starters the remainder of the 1st half, 3) play Sanchez with the backups the 2nd half... That way, you keep Dak fresh but also healthy, you show teams that Romo can still produce behind a good offense, and you let Sanchez and the backups take the rest of the beatings.

IMO this is the smartest plan.

 

[SDCowboy]

I'd honestly go with Sanchez in player-rest situation. Too much can go wrong by starting Tony, IMO.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Like I said, it's a double edged sword. It can backfire either way.

Nothing is going to backfire because no GM is going to make any decisions based on 2-3 quarters anyway. Regardless of what he does, he and every other NFL player are about to go through an entire offseason of inactivity and being a year older anyway. The only Romo that matters is the Romo who shows up to your training camp. Which requires a leap of faith for any older player, quite frankly.

 

[ksadler1]

Nothing is going to backfire because no GM is going to make any decisions based on 2-3 quarters anyway. Regardless of what he does, he and every other NFL player are about to go through an entire offseason of inactivity and being a year older anyway. The only Romo that matters is the Romo who shows up to your training camp. Which requires a leap of faith for any older player, quite frankly.

No GM? That's a bit of a stretch. After Sam Bradford, anything is possible.....

 

[mrmojo]

I don't know, I think JG plays it straight up and plays his starters regardless. If we get up by a lot then maybe they will put him in. Best bet though is they activate Sanchez and he comes in.

 

[KJJ]

I agree however I doubt Garrett would throw him out there with nothing but backups. I think the Cowboys will want to see Romo have success and will play many starters with him if he does play. That does not mean those starter will get as many snaps as they normally would but I don't see the Cowboys putting Romo behind a backup OL

I don't foresee a situation where they'll be nothing but backups in there. We had everything wrapped up heading into the season finale in 2014 and it took until around the 3rd quarter before Garrett started pulling any starters. When asked why he stayed with the starters so long, Garrett said that's just how we do things here. He wants to keep the team sharp and playing well and not have them lay down like we did in 07 against Washington in the season finale. We still have a chance to win 14 games which would be a franchise record.

To continue playing well into the playoffs we still have to play to win the season finale regardless if it's meaningless so you can't be pulling all your starters. I just feel if Romo is going to be the QB we're going to be counting on in the playoffs if Dak goes down, he needs some work. They may fear him being injured and not play him but his game is bound to be somewhat shaky if he doesn't take a snap during the regular season.

 

[DandyDon1722]

ryan nassib

I knew Nassib but I had never heard of Josh Johnson.

Now I have - drafted in the 5th round by Tampa Bay in 2008 - so he's been around for a long time.

Attended San Diego - has 5 career TD's in 10 years.

Think Eli will get the ball out a tick faster now than he already does?

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't foresee a situation where they'll be nothing but backups in there. We had everything wrapped up heading into the season finale in 2014 and it took until around the 3rd quarter before Garrett started pulling any starters. When asked why he stayed with the starters so long, Garrett said that's just how we do things here. He wants to keep the team sharp and playing well and not have them lay down like we did in 07 against Washington in the season finale. We still have a chance to win 14 games which would be a franchise record.

To continue playing well into the playoffs we still have to play to win the season finale regardless if it's meaningless so you can't be pulling all your starters. I just feel if Romo is going to be the QB we're going to be counting on in the playoffs if Dak goes down, he needs some work. They may fear him being injured and not play him but his game is bound to be somewhat shaky if he doesn't take a snap during the regular season.

I agree. if all is wrapped up then getting Romo out there playing would be the smart thing to do. As you said if Dak goes down we need to make sure Romo is ready to go and since he has not seen any real action since Carolina game it would benefit him and the Cowboys to get him some meaningful snaps. I don't think playing him has anything to do with showcasing him since in the end I don't see any team who would be willing to give up significant picks to get him not at 36 with the injuries he has sustained. You playing so he can be ready if needed

 

[JJHLH1]

The Giants' defense is playing at a Super Bowl level right now. I think Carson Wentz's struggles are going to continue on Thursday night when he faces them. I hope I'm wrong but I see NY winning that game handily. That means we will have to play our first teamers the entire game against Detroit. Personally I don't see Romo taking another snap with the Cowboys, but we shall see.

 

[plymkr]

I'm thinking more of a different route. Ben R. for the Steelers has a rookie record of 13 wins in a season. If we play Romo during the last two games, assuming we got HFA secured up. If Dak starts the game and plays for a quarter or a half and then Romo comes in and we go 14-2, does Dak get the rookie record of wins even if Romo plays, or does Dak have to play the whole game? Could Dak play a series or two and then hand it over to Romo and still get the record?

 

[Super_Kazuya]

The Giants' defense is playing at a Super Bowl level right now. I think Carson Wentz's struggles are going to continue on Thursday night when he faces them. I hope I'm wrong but I see NY winning that game handily. That means we will have to play our first teamers the entire game against Detroit. Personally I don't see Romo taking another snap with the Cowboys, but we shall see.

No one is really all that surprised to see you project your fantasies into real life.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I don't see them playing Romo at all, unless there is an injury to Dak. If Romo lights it up and looks like the Romo of 2014 and the offense blows it up.. then there would be a lot of pressure to go to Romo if the O struggles in the Post season. I don't think the coaches will put that kind of pressure on Dak. Just play Sanchez.

 

[plasticman]

So we play him behind our backups and either 1) get him killed or 2) make him look lousy playing with no talent, so that we destroy his chances of having any trade value?

Play behind our backups? Who would that be? There isn't another 5 guys, half of the starters would still be there, besides, if he can't last a few quarters playing behind backups then how can we depend on him through the playoffs?

He has very little trade value, he will either be cut or retire.

 

[MSCowboyFan]

Probably the 4th quarter if we clinch on monday. Most likely garrett plays romo for a quarter at philly.

fwiw the giants put their back up qb on IR today. Their backup is josh johnson now.

Meh...whatever. When was the last time Eli was hurt? Say what you want, but he is durable as hell. Never gets hurt...NEVER. (see what I did there?) While I'm at it...Russel Wilson never gets hurt either. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[willia451]

We report. You decide.

 

[Bleu Star]

If Romo can't stay healthy for 2-4 quarters, he will be totally unreliable in the playoffs

This

 

[Jstopper]

I'm thinking more of a different route. Ben R. for the Steelers has a rookie record of 13 wins in a season. If we play Romo during the last two games, assuming we got HFA secured up. If Dak starts the game and plays for a quarter or a half and then Romo comes in and we go 14-2, does Dak get the rookie record of wins even if Romo plays, or does Dak have to play the whole game? Could Dak play a series or two and then hand it over to Romo and still get the record?

It doesn't matter how long or short you play. If you take the first snap at qb you are considered the "starter" no matter if you come out after first series of not.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I'm thinking more of a different route. Ben R. for the Steelers has a rookie record of 13 wins in a season. If we play Romo during the last two games, assuming we got HFA secured up. If Dak starts the game and plays for a quarter or a half and then Romo comes in and we go 14-2, does Dak get the rookie record of wins even if Romo plays, or does Dak have to play the whole game? Could Dak play a series or two and then hand it over to Romo and still get the record?

It's a phony made up stat that isn't recognized by the NFL. Choose whatever criteria you want. If you want to say that the first QB off the bus gets the "win", you can. It's totally up to you.