Recommended Photo: Romo INT from all 22

[dallasfan4lizife]

Romo forced a ball into an area with another receiver open, with the game on the line.

What's new?

Did anyone really think he was going to go down the field and score? I called him throwing a INT on that drive before it even started. Same ole crap

 

[Phoenix]

By the time Romo waits for the break, the pressure comes up the middle and Romo has to rush his throw.

Right. Looked to me that Frederick got beat pretty soundly on the inside rush on this play. And it was what, a 3-man rush...?

Who was the weak side slot WR by the 10 yard line? Looked like he could have gone for a LONG way if Romo had had time to throw his way...

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Witten?? He WAS double dovered, underneath and over the top, and that was an interception waiting to happen if that ball is thrown. Not sure what you're looking at all. Not comparable to Escobar's situation in the least. Escobar runs the route correctly and it's likely an incomplete pass, possibly 3rd and 7 or 8 if he makes a good play to catch it. If the throw isn't messed up by the pressure, it's probably 3rd and 5 or 6. If the throw goes to Murray, I'd say it's 3rd and 9 or 10. I don't think he gets all that far after the catch, especially since he was turning back towards the LOS.

No he wasn't. Witten was running a sideline with the DB trailing him. Look at the play again. If you throw that pass to Witten, only Witten can catch it.

Watch the Safety to the right side of the Defense. He is flat footed when Murray turns to Romo. He drifts to his left and then starts coming forward. I don't think there is any way he stops Murray for a gain of 6 or 7 and he's the only defensive player in a position to make the play. He's going to break down on Murray because he can't afford to whiff on the tackle. Murray is going to get good yardage on that play if Romo finds him IMO.

 

[theogt]

This is fantastic. Thanks for doing this hairic. I think the below image is the exact moment that Tony decides to let go of the ball. Here, the best option for getting the most amount of yards in my opinion is Escobar, not Murray. Despite being held by the defender (which very clearly in this image should have been a penalty), Escobar has the clear advantage on the route and is single covered. However, Escobar floats backwards in the route, allowing the defender to undercut him, which is a rookie mistake that cost us the game. Tony made the right read and the right throw.

 

[Crown Royal]

This is fantastic. Thanks for doing this hairic. I think the below image is the exact moment that Tony decides to let go of the ball. Here, the best option for getting the most amount of yards in my opinion is Escobar, not Murray. Despite being held by the defender (which very clearly in this image should have been a penalty), Escobar has the clear advantage on the route and is single covered. However, Escobar floats backwards in the route, allowing the defender to undercut him, which is a rookie mistake that cost us the game. Tony made the right read and the right throw.

This is exactly how I see it. To ABQ's point, coverage dictates the read. Right here, you have a 2-3 zone with Escobar splitting that zone. At worst he is 7 yards up field on Murray already and gets you into a 3rd and less-than-ten situation. Frederick is destroyed on his protection and there is no other time - in that split second, throw the ball.

You could throw to murray, but seeing this coverage and situation, Escobar is the absolute right read. The defender to the left side of the field just before the 30 yard line + two other shallow guys are going to get to Murray. The better throw is to Escobar.

But then Escobar and Romo are not on the same page, esobar floats and Romo doesn't expect it, not to mention 2-3 other things that happen. A pick is thrown.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This is exactly how I see it. To ABQ's point, coverage dictates the read. Right here, you have a 2-3 zone with Escobar splitting that zone. At worst he is 7 yards up field on Murray already and gets you into a 3rd and less-than-ten situation. Frederick is destroyed on his protection and there is no other time - in that split second, throw the ball.

You could throw to murray, but seeing this coverage and situation, Escobar is the absolute right read. The defender to the left side of the field just before the 30 yard line + two other shallow guys are going to get to Murray. The better throw is to Escobar.

But then Escobar and Romo are not on the same page, esobar floats and Romo doesn't expect it, not to mention 2-3 other things that happen. A pick is thrown.

I don't agree. Fredbeard is pushed but he is not destroyed. None of the pass rushers get to Romo so I don't think you can say anybody gets destroyed on this play.

If Escobar runs the route as he should, he is tackled right where he catches the ball, if he makes the catch. The LB is right on him and in good position to wrap him up or break up the ball. That's a 10 yard gain, if the catch is made. I just don't understand how you can say that this is a better option the Murray who is going to get you the same kind of yardage, at worst and is completely wide open. We just disagree.

 

[texbumthelife]

It was also illegal contact on the Denver defender that you could say cause Escobar to run his route poorly.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

It was also illegal contact on the Denver defender that you could say cause Escobar to run his route poorly.

After looking at the play again it was clearly illegal contact and it threw the timing of the route off. Plus the horse collar, chalk it up to missed calls by the refs. Doomed series from the start.

 

[TheCount]

Oh man, I still don't think it was a smart decision but Escobar runs a TERRIBLE route.

 

[theogt]

This is exactly how I see it. To ABQ's point, coverage dictates the read. Right here, you have a 2-3 zone with Escobar splitting that zone. At worst he is 7 yards up field on Murray already and gets you into a 3rd and less-than-ten situation. Frederick is destroyed on his protection and there is no other time - in that split second, throw the ball.

You could throw to murray, but seeing this coverage and situation, Escobar is the absolute right read. The defender to the left side of the field just before the 30 yard line + two other shallow guys are going to get to Murray. The better throw is to Escobar.

But then Escobar and Romo are not on the same page, esobar floats and Romo doesn't expect it, not to mention 2-3 other things that happen. A pick is thrown.

It also explains why the throw appeared too low. If Escbar was sitting on the 22 yard line, it would have hit him between the numbers. But sitting on the 25 yard line it's at his knees.

 

[Kevinicus]

No he wasn't. Witten was running a sideline with the DB trailing him. Look at the play again. If you throw that pass to Witten, only Witten can catch it.

Watch the Safety to the right side of the Defense. He is flat footed when Murray turns to Romo. He drifts to his left and then starts coming forward. I don't think there is any way he stops Murray for a gain of 6 or 7 and he's the only defensive player in a position to make the play. He's going to break down on Murray because he can't afford to whiff on the tackle. Murray is going to get good yardage on that play if Romo finds him IMO.

http://i110.***BLOCKED***/albums/n114/ChldsPlay/witten_zps2988b23f.jpg

This is open to you???? Witten is running a route to the sideline. The guy on his hip right here is looking back at the QB and has underneath. The other guy at the 27 has over the top. There is no window there at all. Escobar on the other hand has his man beat and is running into a window.

I think you overestimate Murray's ability to get around quickly and get going. I think he gets tackled around the 20 most likely (not for certain).

 

[TheCount]

I think you overestimate Murray's ability to get around quickly and get going. I think he gets tackled around the 20 most likely (not for certain).

Agreed, but he's wide open. Live to fight another down and all that.

 

[Crown Royal]

There is no doubt that Murray is open, but by the time he is open and the play is set, Romo has already decided to go to what should be at least a 65-75% guaranteed play. Why check that down when you have up to a 75% chance to get 20 yards and setup 3rd and short.

I don't believe Murray gets a lot of yardage. I can see up to 3-4 defenders who should stop him early.

 

[theogt]

Agreed, but he's wide open. Live to fight another down and all that.

He is wide open. But Escobar was open and likely higher up in priority of reads. You don't check all your reads and then throw to the most open. You go through your reads and throw to the first one open.

 

[Crown Royal]

He is wide open. But Escobar was open and likely higher up in priority of reads. You don't check all your reads and then throw to the most open. You go through your reads and throw to the first one open.

This times 11 thousand. Based on what is posted here, I have gone from just throwing my hands up and saying dude, Romo, STOP with the madness to holy crap, that was the absolute correct read and throw.

 

[joseephuss]

Agreed, but he's wide open. Live to fight another down and all that.

Murrary is wide open, but he is the last read. If Romo didn't think Escobar was open(and he was open) then Romo goes to his next read of Murrary. The decision to go to Escobar was sound. Three things made the execution not work. Escobar rounded off his route, the LB made a good play and Romo got his foot caught up with Smith causing there to be less zip on the ball and for the pass not to be further to the right. The foot stepping also could have impacted any attempted pass in Murrary direction. Considering that Murrary was the last read the next half second to make that decision to go to him and Romo may not have even been able to check it down to Murrary because he could have been sacked. I do think going to Murrary would have been a good option if no one was open, but Escobar was open. Sometimes things just don't work out.

 

[slomoxn]

Hmmm. Escobar drifted up field rather than cutting across. Murray was open but is probably the last read.

Keyshawn Johnson noted the same thing, Romo made the right read, Escobar drifted in his cut instead of going straight across and Romo was interfered with by his lineman. Coulda been a great drive.

 

[Zman5]

All you "should have thrown to Murray" people, go look at the play from the end zone angle.

As Romo is is going through his read, Murray is right in front of Frederick and a defender, out of Romo's view. Murray comes across and in view just as Romo starts his throwing motion.

It wasn't like Murray was in clear view of Romo screaming for the ball all through the play.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

http://i110.***BLOCKED***/albums/n114/ChldsPlay/witten_zps2988b23f.jpg

This is open to you???? Witten is running a route to the sideline. The guy on his hip right here is looking back at the QB and has underneath. The other guy at the 27 has over the top. There is no window there at all. Escobar on the other hand has his man beat and is running into a window.

I think you overestimate Murray's ability to get around quickly and get going. I think he gets tackled around the 20 most likely (not for certain).

Yes, in the NFL, that's open. As I was reminded earlier, you throw to a spot the receiver is supposed to be, not where he is. Witten is headed to the sideline. His defender has to turn and run with him. Witten is basically by his Defender already. The deep help is not even looking at Witten. He's looking at Escobar and his angle is also in the opposite direction of Witten's pattern. Yeah, that's open in the NFL, in our offense.

You think a Safety that is 13 to 15 yards away is going to tackle Murray three yards from where he makes the catch? Really? The only player who can tackle Murray and hold him to anything inside the 25 is the Safety and that's if he doesn't break down and he gets a hit on a squared up Murray that stops him in his tracks. Watch the play again. If Romo goes to Murray, he probably leads Murray towards the Sideline a bit more and Murray catches that ball in stride. He would then be going away from the Safety and that makes the tackle even harder. Murray sits down after the Ball doesn't immediately come to him. If Romo throws that ball on time to Murray, he's making yards IMO.

 

[texbumthelife]

Man that is some damn fine looking zone coverage. Single safety back and all!