NFL.COM Blog: Stop the madness: Romo has only one flaw... He's a choke artist

[WoodysGirl]

Posted: July 13th, 2009 | Jamie Dukes | Tags: Jason Garrett, Jessica Simpson, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, Tony Romo, Troy Aikman

I’ve had enough of the Tony Romo amateur hour when it comes to explaining why his performance drops off in December and January. If you believe the reports, these flawed assumptions, are coming not only from the media, but also from within the Cowboys organization.

I thought it best to shoot down a few of the bogus arguments.

• Romo is not in shape: According to a report, offensive coordiantor Jason Garrett called Romo into his office to explain that the organization felt conditioning was the reason for his late-season swoons. This assumption is flawed. It doesn’t explain situations like the Ravens game last season or the playoff game against Giants in 2008. Romo’s performance was poor from the outset of the game. Conditioning can only be a factor as the games wear on.

• Romo is not focused: Tony is a bright QB who knows the offense. Just because he is a good athlete and a skilled golfer doesn’t mean he is not focused (notice I drew a distinction between being an athlete and playing golf, because golf is a skill, not a sport). There is nothing tangible that suggests Romo is not focused at the end of the season. It’s just sports talk radio psychobabble.

• Jessica is the problem: Well, Romo may have two flaws. Just kidding. Jessica Simpson, whether she’s in the picture or not, is no more a distraction than a player dealing with a wife and kids. She may be a combination of both, but at best, the pressures to live with her aren’t much different.

Bottom line, Romo is a legit QB in this league. But before we go any further, there is a distinction worth noting. Those who say Romo can’t win the big game are wrong. Beating the Giants, Eagles and Packers (2007) is testament to refute that argument.

Here’s the simple truth: Presently, Romo is a choke artist. When the stakes get the highest, he crumbles under the pressure. This is the pressure that Troy Aikman, Joe Montana and Roger Staubach thrived under. I know this doesn’t sound flattering, but it’s not a death sentence, either.

Students of the game recognize this is not a new phenomenon because we have seen it before. Peyton Manning was arguably on this list early in his career, but he came out just fine. I believe greatness is in Romo but he has to shake off the yips when it counts.

– Jamie Dukes

 

[CoCo]

I don't know that I would chose the term choke artist, nor would I place all the blame for late season and playoff losses solely at Romo's feet.

But this guy's assessment is very fair IMO. If Tony, and the team , want to shed the "choke artist" label, then just deliver a postseason win. Period.

Then again, does this story totally lose its foundation if the Cowboys win that Seattle game in 2006? I honestly blame no one for that loss. It was a freakish ending. The Witten spot, the slick ball/fumbled snap, the "within an eyelash" scramble by Romo. It was all freakish.

I still wonder if the defense stops Seattle if we make the FG. My guess would be no. Even then, we're talking about a defense that couldn't hold it instead of a Romo fumble.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't know that I would chose the term choke artist, nor would I place all the blame for late season and playoff losses solely at Romo's feet.

But this guy's assessment is very fair IMO. If Tony, and the team , want to shed the "choke artist" label, then just deliver a postseason win. Period.

Then again, does this story totally lose its foundation if the Cowboys win that Seattle game in 2006? I honestly blame no one for that loss. It was a freakish ending. The Witten spot, the slick ball/fumbled snap, the "within an eyelash" scramble by Romo. It was all freakish.

I still wonder if the defense stops Seattle if we make the FG. My guess would be no. Even then, we're talking about a defense that couldn't hold it instead of a Romo fumble.

I agree. One, I don't think we'd have had any of this talk if Romo hadn't dropped that snap. But at the same time, I've never thought that Tony "choked" right there. That ball was extremely slick for whatever reason, and Tony had held for other game-winning kicks during the year (like the dramatic Giants win just a few weeks before). Actually, I think he was pretty heads-up to immediately sprint to the endzone on that play, which doesn't indicate a panicky "choker".

And two, I think what Dukes says here is pretty reasonable. The title is a little too strong and will get everyone fired up, but if you read the article, he sounds like he's a Romo believer.

 

[Monster Heel]

This entire team gags collectively imo, but in general the QB has to take the welts for everyone. Romo doesn't help matters in that regard with how he carries himself.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

When the stakes get the highest, Romo crumbles under the pressure? Kind of like in that playoff game against Seattle, where Romo brought the team back as a QB? Wow, with the game's minutes ticking away the choke artist gets his team back in the game. Some choke artist. Thanks Jamie for that stellar insight. And the NFLN execs wonder why their ratings plateau. Maybe it needs to put DOWN its Dukes.

 

[Aikbach]

Tony Romo's auto biography to date should be titled "A Series of Unfortunate Events", but that's not reasonable really because good fortune brought him his opportunity as well.

He did not make the quarterback situation in Dallas so underwhelming that an undrafted free agent that was as raw as a boxer's bloodied nose could hang around and learn for three years.

He did not buy pot and shove it in to Quincy Carter's mouth thus keeping him on the roster for a season longer than expected.

He did not make Drew Henson flop on his face.

He did not make Drew Bledsoe enter a slump in 2006 that would eventually lead to his benching.

But he gained from all of those events.

Now he takes too much blame for his downfalls just as he is praised too much for his rise to prominence.

Football is about being an opportunist and it is what have you done for me lately, Romo was a prepared opportunist when secured the starting job now he must prove he is worthy of keeping it by maximizing good things from the opportunities Dallas has had to prevail in post season, so far he's missed those opportunities.

 

[bootyhunta]

Romo is going to have to win a playoff game and probably the super bowl to shake this reputation... maybe that's not fair, but almost every QB goes through it. Steve Young and Peyton Manning come to mind.

I really don't understand why people repeatedly bring up the Giants playoff game as an example of Romo's failings... He actually played pretty good in that game... it was several other players that lost that game (Fasano, Crayton, Reeves, OL).

Same goes for the Ravens game, if anything Romo kept us in that game, with zero help from the defense.

 

[CoCo]

I agree. One, I don't think we'd have had any of this talk if Romo hadn't dropped that snap. But at the same time, I've never thought that Tony "choked" right there. That ball was extremely slick for whatever reason, and Tony had held for other game-winning kicks during the year (like the dramatic Giants win just a few weeks before). Actually, I think he was pretty heads-up to immediately sprint to the endzone on that play, which doesn't indicate a panicky "choker".

And two, I think what Dukes says here is pretty reasonable. The title is a little too strong and will get everyone fired up, but if you read the article, he sounds like he's a Romo believer.

There is so much about that late drive in Seattle that makes me love having Romo as our QB.

That fumbled snap scramble came within an eyelash of becoming one of the greatest plays in Cowboy lore.

Like the Deion non-PI call in the 1995 NFC Title game, everytime I watch the replay there is part of me that thinks Romo is going to get the first down. As great a play as Romo made, Babineaux was equally as great making the game-saving diving tackle at EXACTLY the right time.

 

[Jay]

This entire team gags collectively imo, but in general the QB has to take the welts for everyone. Romo doesn't help matters in that regard with how he carries himself.

Exactly. Romo doesn't deserve any blame for that Giants playoff loss, he played pretty damn well. What about that Ravens game? Was it Romo giving up those two long touchdown runs?

Peyton Manning wasn't "arguably" on that list, he was front and center. His brother was making his way up to Peyton's status as well. Tony has had 3 shots.. against the Seahawks, Giants, and Eagles. I count the Eagles, because it was basically a play-in game. He's the one that led us to that field goal attempt against Seattle, even if he did bobble the snap. The Giants game I put blame on Jason Garrett, the playcalling in the 2nd half was a total joke. And the Eagles game.. well.. that falls on everyone.

Has his play gone down a bit in December? Yeah, I'd say it does.. but we've also faced some pretty damn good teams the past 3 years to close out the season.

 

[Juke99]

I think Mr Dukes is jumping the gun just a bit here.

Romo's numbers vs Seattle were just a fraction below a QB rating of 90...hardly a choke. And he did bring the team back at the end before the fumbled snap. The defense choked after Seattle got the ball back at the one yard line and gave up that huge run to Alexander.

Romo's numbers were not good vs the Giants...but that was a total team collapse...the OL was awful...especially as the game wore on...If Crayton didn't go into brain freeze mode, the game might have been very different. If Jacques Reeves was someone other than himself, the Giants drive just before halftime wouldn't have happen. Owens wasn't Owens in that game either...and let's face it, the Giants were on a run in the playoffs.

Last year, Romo brought the team back TWICE vs the Ravens...and that last game vs the Eagles was a total team disgrace.

I've seen Dallas Cowboy QB's choke in the past...Both Meredith and Morton. I don't see Romo in the same light.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I'd like for Dukes to be asked if he also used the "choke artist" label on Payton Manning his first few seasons as a starter in the NFL, where he could not win a playoff game. Hey, it's a legitimate question to see if Dukes is being objective or just finding a reason to hate on Dallas.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

There is so much about that late drive in Seattle that makes me love having Romo as our QB.

That fumbled snap scramble came within an eyelash of becoming one of the greatest plays in Cowboy lore.

Like the Deion non-PI call in the 1995 NFC Title game, everytime I watch the replay there is part of me that thinks Romo is going to get the first down. As great a play as Romo made, Babineaux was equally as great making the game-saving diving tackle at EXACTLY the right time.

What about the playoff game against the Giants the following year. The defense and Special temas kept giving the game away and there was Romo, battling back. What ultimately did not get the hob done was drops and mis-executions by receivers on perfectly thrown balls from the QB. So the fact that Romo deliverd and the WRs couldn't MUST make Romo the choke artist. Whatever! Thnaks Jamie Dukes, very subjective there you nitwitt!

 

[Stash]

I agree. One, I don't think we'd have had any of this talk if Romo hadn't dropped that snap. But at the same time, I've never thought that Tony "choked" right there. That ball was extremely slick for whatever reason, and Tony had held for other game-winning kicks during the year (like the dramatic Giants win just a few weeks before). Actually, I think he was pretty heads-up to immediately sprint to the endzone on that play, which doesn't indicate a panicky "choker".

And two, I think what Dukes says here is pretty reasonable. The title is a little too strong and will get everyone fired up, but if you read the article, he sounds like he's a Romo believer.

Well said, that's exactly what I was thinking. Dukes' choice of words may be harsh (and probably motivated by getting people to read it), but overall, I think he was fair to Romo and sounds like he feels he can be one of the league's best.

I wouldn't pin this team's disappointments squarely on Romo either.

 

[CoCo]

Tony Romo's auto biography to date should be titled "A Series of Unfortunate Events", but that's not reasonable really because good fortune brought him his opportunity as well.

He did not make the quarterback situation in Dallas so underwhelming that an undrafted free agent that was as raw as a boxer's bloodied nose could hang around and learn for three years.

He did not buy pot and shove it in to Quincy Carter's mouth thus keeping him on the roster for a season longer than expected.

He did not make Drew Henson flop on his face.

He did not make Drew Bledsoe enter a slump in 2006 that would eventually lead to his benching.

But he gained from all of those events.

Now he takes too much blame for his downfalls just as he is praised too much for his rise to prominence.

Football is about being an opportunist and it is what have you done for me lately, Romo was a prepared opportunist when secured the starting job now he must prove he is worthy of keeping it by maximizing good things from the opportunities Dallas has had to prevail in post season, so far he's missed those opportunities.

Really good post.

I was going to disagree and say Tony deserves all the praise he's gotten to this point. He deserves praise for being ready when opportunity knocked.

But your balance, if I'm reading this right, is that Tony's full praise should be deferred until such time as he plays great despite the lack of opportunity.

And that is a great point. Its one thing to prepare yourself to walk through an open door. Its quite another to find a way to bust that door down.

Romo I believe, truly is a very good QB. The Philly debacle last year is far from solely his fault. But if Romo is to be great, he needs to come through on the biggest stages AND make up for the stumblings of some others during that same hour. Then, he'll be great.

Not a perfect description on my part, but in the spirit I think of your original post.

 

[CoCo]

I'd like for Dukes to be asked if he also used the "choke artist" label on Payton Manning his first few seasons as a starter in the NFL, where he could not win a playoff game. Hey, it's a legitimate question to see if Dukes is being objective or just finding a reason to hate on Dallas.

Whether it was Dukes or not I remember many fans claiming exactly that about Peyton Manning. And it was stated in a definitive and final manner as if it would never be any different.

Though admittedly his "choke artist" label is harsh, as a couple others have pointed out, there also appears a readiness to give Romo his due when he like Manning gets over the hump.

Even that may be perceived as somewhat harsh. But personally I think its far from Dallas "hating."

 

[sonnyboy]

Romo is going to have to win a playoff game and probably the super bowl to shake this reputation... maybe that's not fair, but almost every QB goes through it. Steve Young and Peyton Manning come to mind.

I really don't understand why people repeatedly bring up the Giants playoff game as an example of Romo's failings... He actually played pretty good in that game... it was several other players that lost that game (Fasano, Crayton, Reeves, OL).

Same goes for the Ravens game, if anything Romo kept us in that game, with zero help from the defense.

People forget just how awesome the Giants defense was down the stretch in 2007. I saw all 4 Giants play-off games that year.

Romo's play compared to Garcia, Farve and Brady was like night and day. No comparison.

No bigger Romo fan on this board, but I agree with most of what Dukes is saying here. He does appear to be a believer in Romo's ability.

 

[Jay]

People forget just how awesome the Giants defense was down the stretch in 2007. I saw all 4 Giants play-off games that year.

Romo's play compared to Garcia, Farve and Brady was like night and day. No comparison.

No bigger Romo fan on this board, but I agree with most of what Dukes is saying here. He does appear to be a believer in Romo's ability.

We absolutely dominated that first half, sonny. Go back and rewatch it, or even just look up the play-by-play on NFL.com. I'm not sure what happened, but I think Andy Reid morphed into a skinny red-headed dude and took over our playcalling in the second half.

I had done nothing but praise Garrett that entire season, but after physically manhandling the Giants front seven at the point of attack the entire first half, we reverted into Andy Reid ball. Seriously, go take a look at the difference in playcalling in the half and tell me your stomach doesn't turn over.

That was the first time in his career as our offensive coordinator that it seemed to me that Jason Garrett was just over his head.

I still hold out hope, but that was one of the worst things I've ever seen out of any Cowboys coaches. It was a total joke. Combine that with the drops and receivers cutting off routes, and that loss can't be blamed on Romo. That's just reaching there.

 

[stilltheguru]

Peyton may not be a choke artist anymore but his legacy is not what many expected it to be at this point. Romos career is headed down that same path. You have Ben and Brady in one corner and Peyton and the rest in another.

 

[CoCo]

Peyton may not be a choke artist anymore but his legacy is not what many expected it to be at this point. Romos career is headed down that same path. You have Ben and Brady in one corner and Peyton and the rest in another.

Hmmm. Not sure I'm ready to take Ben over Peyton.

And while I will grant that Ben has the playoff and SB credentials that are far superior to any of Romo's accomplishments, in my view Ben has been largely (not exclusively) a bus driver.

To me, my sense is that Romo has had to carry a greater load. But its hard to say because the two teams seem so very different in style.

 

[sureletsrace]

Uh wait Jamie Dukes said this?