Recommended Photo: Romo INT from all 22

[ABQCOWBOY]

This is completely and utterly wrong. No presnap read dictates that you automatically check down to a back coming out of the backfield -- ever. In fact, it may be the case that a blitzing rusher would prevent the back from leaking out. Regardless, the presnap read here should indicate a likely one-on-one coverage on Escobar by a linebacker, which is exactly what happened.

Romo made the right read and threw the perfect pass (despite having his foot stepped on screwing up his throwing motion). Also, it's impossible to tell if the holding/illegal contact resulted in the poor route by Escobar.

This is just not true but I'm not going to argue the fact with you. You don't want to accept it, thats OK but there are many, many cases where QBs go to the open man, based on a pre-snap read and what they see the defense doing after the ball is snapped.

At the end of the day, you need to get positive yards out of that play and we didn't. You can say that it's the right play but what is right and wrong is based on results and the result of that play was about as far from positive as you can get.

Romo played the best game I've probably ever seen him play and among the best I've ever seen from a Cowboy QB but on that play, he made a mistake IMO. He still played great and I still admire the effort.

 

[Crown Royal]

This is just not true but I'm not going to argue the fact with you. You don't want to accept it, thats OK but there are many, many cases where QBs go to the open man, based on a pre-snap read and what they see the defense doing after the ball is snapped.

At the end of the day, you need to get positive yards out of that play and we didn't. You can say that it's the right play but what is right and wrong is based on results and the result of that play was about as far from positive as you can get.

Romo played the best game I've probably ever seen him play and among the best I've ever seen from a Cowboy QB but on that play, he made a mistake IMO. He still played great and I still admire the effort.

I don't agree about the mistake, but I respect the argument. I do want to say that I agree completely with a QB deciding to go to the RB out of the backfield before the ball is snapped. Manning did it several times when he realized the RB was going to be uncovered.

 

[JBond]

After watching that play over and over, I do not believe Murray had a prayer of making significant yardage. He lacks the vision and speed necessary to be a truly special RB. Our O-Line let us down again. I was a bit of a jerk yesterday regarding Romo. He was near perfect. The deal Jones made with the devil for the Championships in the 90's will haunt this franchise until he is gone.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't agree about the mistake, but I respect the argument. I do want to say that I agree completely with a QB deciding to go to the RB out of the backfield before the ball is snapped. Manning did it several times when he realized the RB was going to be uncovered.

If the situation was different, say 3rd quarter and tied or even down, I would have no problem with the decision either. To be honest, I don't really fault Romo to much now because I honestly believe he did more then his share to win that game. But in that situation, knowing that you must pick up the 1st down and run clock, I think you have to go with what affords you the best chance to pick up positive yards. It's strictly a cut and dry analysis on my part. I don't hate Tony and I don't worship him. I'm basically just trying to look at it from a position that is unbias as is possible. It's not fair that Tony gets raked over the coals for this game but there really isn't much he or anybody can do about that.

I would have loved to have seen Tony make a play there and pick up that 1st down. It would have gone a long way towards healing a lot of unfair criticisms and probably helped him, as a player, down the road. That didn't happen and now we gotta go beat the snot out of Washington.

Go Cowboys. Go Romo.

 

[theogt]

This is just not true but I'm not going to argue the fact with you. You don't want to accept it, thats OK but there are many, many cases where QBs go to the open man, based on a pre-snap read and what they see the defense doing after the ball is snapped.

At the end of the day, you need to get positive yards out of that play and we didn't. You can say that it's the right play but what is right and wrong is based on results and the result of that play was about as far from positive as you can get.

Romo played the best game I've probably ever seen him play and among the best I've ever seen from a Cowboy QB but on that play, he made a mistake IMO. He still played great and I still admire the effort.

You're flaunting your ignorance of the game here. Pre-snap reads should inform who may be open. But they don't dictate who is open. And they never EVER dictate that you absolutely have to throw it to the back coming out of the backfield.

And, by the way, you don't judge a decision based on the result but by the information that was available at the time the decision was made. Romo didn't know Escobar was going to float backwards in his route. If he could see the future, he'd be one heckuva QB that's for sure.

 

[Crown Royal]

You're flaunting your ignorance of the game here. Pre-snap reads should inform who may be open. But they don't dictate who is open. And they never EVER dictate that you absolutely have to throw it to the back coming out of the backfield.

And, by the way, you don't judge a decision based on the result but by the information that was available at the time the decision was made. Romo didn't know Escobar was going to float backwards in his route. If he could see the future, he'd be one heckuva QB that's for sure.

I agree with your statement, but that is exactly where manning and romo have gotten into trouble in the past. They both live off reading coverages and often time they throw an interception because the read the coverage right, but the play wasnt there (either because the defender actually made a mistake and was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be, or the offensive player made a mistake and wasn't where he was supposed to be).

 

[DFWJC]

I wonder if the ref in the middle of the field confused things? Just curious, as this all happens so quickly.
Romo had been threading the needle all day...but in obvious hindsite, I wish he hadn't throw it.

He was brilliant, otherwise.

BTW, earlier in the game when Dallas had a 1st and goal inside the 5 and went backwards, resulting in a FG. I had a crappy feeling those 4 pts would be the difference.

 

[Crown Royal]

If the situation was different, say 3rd quarter and tied or even down, I would have no problem with the decision either. To be honest, I don't really fault Romo to much now because I honestly believe he did more then his share to win that game. But in that situation, knowing that you must pick up the 1st down and run clock, I think you have to go with what affords you the best chance to pick up positive yards. It's strictly a cut and dry analysis on my part. I don't hate Tony and I don't worship him. I'm basically just trying to look at it from a position that is unbias as is possible. It's not fair that Tony gets raked over the coals for this game but there really isn't much he or anybody can do about that.

I would have loved to have seen Tony make a play there and pick up that 1st down. It would have gone a long way towards healing a lot of unfair criticisms and probably helped him, as a player, down the road. That didn't happen and now we gotta go beat the snot out of Washington.

Go Cowboys. Go Romo.

I see your point and respectfully disagree. I just wanted to point out that I DO agree that you can make that pre-snap read. If you know the defense is going to play quarters and you are running deep routes, adjust the line protection and go with the RB.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

You're flaunting your ignorance of the game here. Pre-snap reads should inform who may be open. But they don't dictate who is open. And they never EVER dictate that you absolutely have to throw it to the back coming out of the backfield.

And, by the way, you don't judge a decision based on the result but by the information that was available at the time the decision was made. Romo didn't know Escobar was going to float backwards in his route. If he could see the future, he'd be one heckuva QB that's for sure.

Well, Theo, with you, it's always everybody else is dumber and you are smarter. Forgive me if I don't buy into your theory of things.

1. They do dictate who should be open pre-snap but the game is not played in a vacuum. That's why you also look at what the Safeties and LBs do once the ball is snapped. The Pre Snap read allows you to formulate a plan of attack if certain things happen on a play. Once you read the defense at the snap, then you know if your options are still viable.

2. As I have already explained, the game situation sets priorities on what is important and who you should go to. I never ever said that pre-snap dictates that you must go to any receiver, based on pre-snap reads. In fact, I said just the opposite. I said that our offensive scheme allows our QB to have flexibility within any given play. I don't believe I EVER said that the QB must check down, based on the pre-snap reads. What I did say is that he must know who will be open, based on those reads and the reads he makes immediately after the snap and that is an accurate statement.

3. You don't judge a decision based on results. That does not mean the coaching staff, or others don't. In fact, I find that most decisions are critiqued, based on results by a very large margin. However, I do agree with you that it is important to consider all available data when carrying out this process. All the more reason to validate that things like pre-snap reads and field situations are considered in any decision. You can't just pick the data points that help your argument. You have to consider them all. Based on that, you have to say that those kinds of facts are vital to the decision making process.

As I read your post, you make a lot of assumptions, it seems to me. Credit me for things I never said. I know it is better for you to further your point of view by changing the parameters of the discussion but that doesn't help the actual discussion so I'm going to keep this discussion on what has actually been discussed an not stuff that is interjected as fact with no basis.

I hope you can understand the reasoning for that.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I see your point and respectfully disagree.

That's OK. It's allowed.

 

[Crown Royal]

That's OK. It's allowed.

Now that we're buddies, I'm going to ABQ for thanksgiving (grandparents live there). Where is your fav place to get mexican food?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Now that we're buddies, I'm going to ABQ for thanksgiving (grandparents live there). Where is your fav place to get mexican food?

At home, but if I have to eat out, there are some places around here. Depends on what you are looking for. If you want Dinner or if you want Lunch or Breakfast. Also, what part of town.

 

[Crown Royal]

At home, but if I have to eat out, there are some places around here. Depends on what you are looking for. If you want Dinner or if you want Lunch or Breakfast. Also, what part of town.

Grand parents live in Rio Rancho, that great big neighborhood off 528 just south of the Santa Ana Star.

 

[jobberone]

We had 3 timeouts then and more than 2 minutes. Using one timeout would not have been crucial. We never use these timeouts anyways to strategize like some other teams do. Heck Staubach and Landry would usually talk things over rather than make irrational decisions back then. Maybe they were smart? Isn't that what the coach is there for? To make sure that the play is the best play for that appropriate time?

The coach is there for one reason. He is there to make sure we win and to use every means possible to do so. If he could have prevented Romo from being placed in a situation from throwing a pick then thats a sign of great coaching. However, thats not Garrett. He sits back and lets things happen. He fails miserably during crunch time and depends too much on Romo to win games for him.

You're assuming a timeout can be wasted. But if we get to their 37 and don't have a timeout to stop the clock and time runs out before we can kick a FG or they have to hurry so much he misses it then Jason Garrett is a total fool and for good reason. We had a timeout in the form of the two minute clock. Romo just has to NOT turn the ball over. Sure he made a ton of tight passes before that. But there are three things that can happen when you pass and two of them are bad and one is a game ender at that end of the field with that team that game. It's just like Garrett said. Murray was the guy to go to and ABQ is right. Romo knows the minute he sees three down linemen with no blitz and deep coverage that Murray is the guy to get the ball unless there is a breakdown in coverage somehow. Or just throw the ball away if necessary. Instead he tried to make a riskier pass and the law of averages finally caught up to him. Having receivers fall down, your pass messed up with a tip, or having your foot stepped on causing an errant pass is part of the equation for INTs and failed passes.

The goal there was to eat the clock up and score near the end of the game without turning the ball over and the secondary goal was to get to overtime without allowing Denver to score. I'd rather punt the ball and hope they turn it over than to give them the ball on my side of the field.

 

[blindzebra]

Interesting link.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9796309&ex_cid=espnapi_public

 

[jobberone]

I take it you haven't actually read the thread, because this has been explained throughout.

The ball was intercepted because of some combination of (i) the defender holding Escobar and (ii) Escobar drifting backwards in his route. Had he stayed on the 22 yard line rather than drifting to the 25 yard line the pass would have hit him in the numbers and it'd be third and about 5.

I'm responding to you and others who fail to understand. I don't care that Escobar was a little bit open. I don't care because you have an essentially zero risk pass to get you the yards you need to have a reasonable chance on third down and if Murray makes a play or the defender fails to make a tackle then you might even have short yardage or better. You take the much lower risk pass or you throw it away there. I'm not arguing that Romo didn't know his foot was going to be stepped on or that Escobar would round the route off without blocking out the defender. In that situation there is no need to try to get ten yards to Escobar when Murray gets you 6-8 or more. Third and five is better than third and eight but not worth the risk.

 

[jobberone]

Wow.. Jobberone are you starting to come to the dark side?

Absolutely not. Romo is one of the greatest QBs I've ever seen. But I've said since day one Romo has to learn to protect the ball better. He just needs to know he doesn't have to take risks in that situation that play. He needed to be a gunslinger earlier in the game and he almost won it. You're not going to see the likes of Romo again for awhile. He is almost unique in NFL history in my eyes. That was perhaps the greatest performance by a QB you're ever going to see.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Grand parents live in Rio Rancho, that great big neighborhood off 528 just south of the Santa Ana Star.

I live in Rio Rancho also. The Ranch is located in Bernalillo and that's not too bad.

There is a place off 4th St called Casa De Benivedes. That's a little expensive if you want to have Dinner there but they have a little take out counter, towards the back and you can order, basically the same stuff, for a cheaper price if you just want Breakfast or Lunch.

My favorite Burritos are from a place called Acapulco Taco. It's a little hole in the wall place off Wyoming and Candelaria. This is not close to your Grand Parent's house but if you should find yourself in town, it might be a place you can stop and grab a quick hand held burrito to go.

One of my favorite places to eat in Albuquerque is a place Called El Modelo. The food is great, it's down by the Rail Road Tracks, on 2nd Street. It's not easy to find and it's not in a great part of Town but the food there is very good. It is strictly a locals spot so Tourists are not going to know this place. Everything is good there but it's a good ways away from where you will be. This might be a planned thing if you should decide to go there. This is not a sit down place. You go there, you park, you walk in, you wait in line and they take your order. There is a table or two outside but really, you take this home or you sit in your car and eat. Food is worth it but you have to consider the part of town and the distance.

Those off the top of my head are worth doing. There are lots more but really, almost anyplace you go in New Mexico will give you decent Spanish Food. But to get the best, well, you would have to be in my Wife's Kitchen.

 

[ufcrules1]

Absolutely not. Romo is one of the greatest QBs I've ever seen. But I've said since day one Romo has to learn to protect the ball better. He just needs to know he doesn't have to take risks in that situation that play. He needed to be a gunslinger earlier in the game and he almost won it. You're not going to see the likes of Romo again for awhile. He is almost unique in NFL history in my eyes. That was perhaps the greatest performance by a QB you're ever going to see.

He is very unique in my eyes too. Some days he plays out of his mind and even elite and then other days he is horrible. Sometimes on the days he plays elite he chokes at the end. I have zero confidence in him in big time games at the end. You are right, he does need to learn that he doesn't have to take risks in those situations.. but we are now 8 years down the road and he still hasn't learned yet. Any idea when he will suddenly get it?

Fyi.. I applaud you for calling him out in this situation. A lot of other posters are defending his interception.. even saying it wasn't his fault.

 

[jobberone]

It's hardly a "tight window". He has about a 8 foot by 6 foot window to throw into. Hell, I'm anything but an NFL QB and I could hit that window at that distance.

Murray is open with a huge window with little risk (tipped ball). And a lot of room to run around in. You're looking at that pic and I'm looking at the entire situation. Garrett says its the right play to go to Murray. I'll take his opinion over anyone else. Esp since one of those 2 or 3 things did go bad. Getting your foot stepped on yada is part of every pass play.