Pick a QB scenario

[erod]

Here's the scenario:

Dallas has two more games, and are fully healthy. Sunday, they will play Seattle for the NFC Championship. Next Sunday, they'll play New England in the Super Bowl.

Does 2016 Dak Prescott or 2014 Tony Romo give you the best chance at that sixth title?

What an interestingly complex and baffling scenario in Dallas. Is it full Dak ahead? Or is Romo still that guy? Two terrific quarterbacks that give you two very different skillsets at this date and time.

And to think, just 12 months ago, there was no present and no future at that position. Now, there's a plethora of both. Dak is unquestionably the future, while Romo is possibly still the present.

I like being a Cowboys fan right now.

 

[waldoputty]

Here's the scenario:

Dallas has two more games, and are fully healthy. Sunday, they will play Seattle for the NFC Championship. Next Sunday, they'll play New England in the Super Bowl.

Does 2016 Dak Prescott or 2014 Tony Romo give you the best chance at that sixth title?

What an interestingly complex and baffling scenario in Dallas. Is it full Dak ahead? Or is Romo still that guy? Two terrific quarterbacks that give you two very different skillsets at this date and time.

And to think, just 12 months ago, there was no present and no future at that position. Now, there's a plethora of both. Dak is unquestionably the future, while Romo is possibly still the present.

I like being a Cowboys fan right now.

Oh boy, you know how to start one...

I would start Dak:
1. Run option 'cancels' out Romo's advantage in presnap reads
2. Less mistakes. Yes there was a fumble, but much less INTs.
3. Team seems to be on Dak's corner - did you see how he went to talk to every linemen before the last drive in Pittsburgh
4. Momentum
5. Romo is so fragile that he is better coming in as the backup - Romo going out as starter would be huge morale blow. If Dak is already replaced, then Romo coming in and getting knocked out is less deflating and frankly would not matter.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I'll stay with Dak all the way through unless he really starts to struggle in multiple games. I don't think Romo can stay healthy enough to last long term. He's better as the backup. The team is rolling now. Longest winning streak since 1977. The future is now.

 

[erod]

Oh boy, you know how to start one...

I would start Dak:
1. Run option 'cancels' out Romo's advantage in presnap reads
2. Less mistakes. Yes there was a fumble, but much less INTs.
3. Team seems to be on Dak's corner - did you see how he went to talk to every linemen before the last drive in Pittsburgh
4. Momentum
5. Romo is so fragile that he is better coming in as the backup - Romo going out as starter would be huge morale blow. If Dak is already replaced, then Romo coming in and getting knocked out is less deflating and frankly would not matter.

I'll play devil's advocate on each one:
1. Dak didn't run the read option against Pittsburgh once. That's overstated, but I do get the mobility angle to run for first downs. That's in his favor. Romo's pre-snap abilities can't possibly be understated.
2. Romo threw 34 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions in 2014. He should have been the MVP. Dak takes almost no chances, and that won't beat Seattle or New England. You have to let it go.
3. Agree. But they love Romo, too. Especially the veterans.
4. I'm not talking about Baltimore. I'm talking about beating the best two teams, including one with a SUPREME defense, and one with an offense that will light up our defense like a Christmas tree.
5. This assumes Romo can stay upright. There's not a decision if he's hurt. Dak can get hurt, too, by the way.

 

[DFWJC]

Here's the scenario:

Dallas has two more games, and are fully healthy. Sunday, they will play Seattle for the NFC Championship. Next Sunday, they'll play New England in the Super Bowl.

Does 2016 Dak Prescott or 2014 Tony Romo give you the best chance at that sixth title?

What an interestingly complex and baffling scenario in Dallas. Is it full Dak ahead? Or is Romo still that guy? Two terrific quarterbacks that give you two very different skillsets at this date and time.

And to think, just 12 months ago, there was no present and no future at that position. Now, there's a plethora of both. Dak is unquestionably the future, while Romo is possibly still the present.

I like being a Cowboys fan right now.

Playing with Zeke and this year's defense or with the teams they had each season?

 

[erod]

I'll stay with Dak all the way through unless he really starts to struggle in multiple games. I don't think Romo can stay healthy enough to last long term. He's better as the backup. The team is rolling now. Longest winning streak since 1977. The future is now.

Agree with all that, except:

Dak against Seattle's defense?

New England against the Cowboys' defense?

That's the real dilemma. What's it going to take to win those kinds of games? Dallas hasn't faced anything like that so far.

 

[erod]

Playing with Zeke and this year's defense or with the teams they had each season?

Zeke and this defense....against Seattle's defense, and then New England's offense.

 

[DFWJC]

Zeke and this defense....against Seattle's defense, and then New England's offense.

I do know this about the turnover discussion--Romo threw just 6 ints in the last 16 games (including playoffs) in 2014. Oh, and 37 TDs

 

[erod]

I do know this about the turnover discussion--Romo threw just 6 ints in the last 16 games (including playoffs) in 2014. Oh, and 37 TDs

Yup. He was brilliant. Too bad they took so long to finally build him an offensive line. He took a beating.

 

[Diehardblues]

Here's the scenario:

Dallas has two more games, and are fully healthy. Sunday, they will play Seattle for the NFC Championship. Next Sunday, they'll play New England in the Super Bowl.

Does 2016 Dak Prescott or 2014 Tony Romo give you the best chance at that sixth title?

What an interestingly complex and baffling scenario in Dallas. Is it full Dak ahead? Or is Romo still that guy? Two terrific quarterbacks that give you two very different skillsets at this date and time.

And to think, just 12 months ago, there was no present and no future at that position. Now, there's a plethora of both. Dak is unquestionably the future, while Romo is possibly still the present.

I like being a Cowboys fan right now.

We won't like it as much if we have to second guess if we should have put Romo in after being knocked out in playoffs.

Which I think even with Romo in there with our defense I still like Seattle but he increases our chances.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

t

Agree with all that, except:

Dak against Seattle's defense?

New England against the Cowboys' defense?

That's the real dilemma. What's it going to take to win those kinds of games? Dallas hasn't faced anything like that so far.

First it was wait until we play Cincinnati and then GB. Dak has passed all the tests. The Cowboys have been scoring pretty well. As for NE if we meet it will be in the SB. Everything is on the table for that game. Romo will be available if he's needed. Don't really think he will be because I have confidence in Dak.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Also if Seattle has such a great defense I don't know why people thing Tony can survive that. They knocked him out in the pre-season.

 

[waldoputty]

I'll play devil's advocate on each one:
1. Dak didn't run the read option against Pittsburgh once. That's overstated, but I do get the mobility angle to run for first downs. That's in his favor. Romo's pre-snap abilities can't possibly be understated.
2. Romo threw 34 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions in 2014. He should have been the MVP. Dak takes almost no chances, and that won't beat Seattle or New England. You have to let it go.
3. Agree. But they love Romo, too. Especially the veterans.
4. I'm not talking about Baltimore. I'm talking about beating the best two teams, including one with a SUPREME defense, and one with an offense that will light up our defense like a Christmas tree.
5. This assumes Romo can stay upright. There's not a decision if he's hurt. Dak can get hurt, too, by the way.

Ok, let keep going:
1. Dak did not run the read option once but everyone is wondering why. I suspect Pittsburgh was expecting it, and that alone changes the defense. Romo's resnap abilities are important, but I suspect Dak is getting better every week there, as we have seen how fast he has learned.
2. I would disagree that Dak takes no chances. What comes immediatly to mind was the 50 yd bomb to Dez. And the slant to Dez thrown with lots of anticipation that was thrown for the 1st down in a critical 3rd down late in the game. Dak is clearly improving here while minimizing mistakes.
3. I think the team is now more in Dak's corner and they believe in his ability to make it happen when the chips are down. I have never been so calm watching the team drive in the last minute. You are not expect an INT.
4. Our D is the problem, and Romo does not play D either.
5. Assuming Romo can stay upright is a huge assumption at this point looking at his last 4 games.

 

[Diehardblues]

Yup. He was brilliant. Too bad they took so long to finally build him an offensive line. He took a beating.

Not to mention having some of the worse defenses in Cowboy history.

An average defense might have been enough. A top ten defense probably going to several championship games with Romo.

 

[erod]

t

First it was wait until we play Cincinnati and then GB. Dak has passed all the tests. The Cowboys have been scoring pretty well. As for NE if we meet it will be in the SB. Everything is on the table for that game. Romo will be available if he's needed. Don't really think he will be because I have confidence in Dak.

The season has showed that there are basically four good teams. Green Bay got throttled by Tennesee. Cincinnati can't beat anybody. Even Pittsburgh has five losses.

We'll know a LOT more about where Dak is today after the New York and Philly games.

I am not the least bit worried about him in the future. He's going to be brilliant. I only question if Romo is the better playoff option right now.

 

[erod]

Ok, let keep going:
1. Dak did not run the read option once but everyone is wondering why. I suspect Pittsburgh was expecting it, and that alone changes the defense. Romo's resnap abilities are important, but I suspect Dak is getting better every week there, as we have seen how fast he has learned.
2. I would disagree that Dak takes no chances. What comes immediatly to mind was the 50 yd bomb to Dez. And the slant to Dez thrown with lots of anticipation that was thrown for the 1st down in a critical 3rd down late in the game. Dak is clearly improving here while minimizing mistakes.
3. I think the team is now more in Dak's corner and they believe in his ability to make it happen when the chips are down. I have never been so calm watching the team drive in the last minute. You are not expect an INT.
4. Our D is the problem, and Romo does not play D either.
5. Assuming Romo can stay upright is a huge assumption at this point looking at his last 4 games.

1. Read option QBs get killed. I'm most excited about Dak because he's a true pocket QB.
2. Bombs are not risky. They're relatively safe throws. It's the deep stuff over the middle that he avoids. That's where big plays are, but also where lots of defenders are. Romo and experienced elite QBs make their money there, but it takes a keen understanding.
3. The team loves both. Dak's poise and personality are pleasantly surprising everybody.
4. In a true passing shootout, which is what it will take to beat New England, Romo can play in those waters. Rememember 51-48 with Peyton?
5. Doctors here say that the collarbone and recent back injury are perfectly fine. Yes, I worry about the lower back, but that isn't what the past two injuries were. However, I share your concern about his health. We're talking two games here in this scenario.

 

[erod]

Not to mention having some of the worse defenses in Cowboy history.

An average defense might have been enough. A top ten defense probably going to several championship games with Romo.

I'm guilty of this blasphemy, but I'll say it again.

Romo with Aikman's teams would have won 4-5 Super Bowls.

Aikman with Romo's teams would have won half as many games.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

There are zero situations where I want a dink and dunk rookie against Seattle or Belichick's defense. He will get his pants pulled down on national TV like every other rookie in the history of the NFL who tried to win a Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, how much better is a Romo who hasn't played in a year going to be thrown in at the last minute? Now Romo's pants will get pulled down. At this time it's best going with the players who have actually been, well, playing.

 

[waldoputty]

1. Read option QBs get killed. I'm most excited about Dak because he's a true pocket QB.
2. Bombs are not risky. They're relatively safe throws. It's the deep stuff over the middle that he avoids. That's where big plays are, but also where lots of defenders are. Romo and experienced elite QBs make their money there, but it takes a keen understanding.
3. The team loves both. Dak's poise and personality are pleasantly surprising everybody.
4. In a true passing shootout, which is what it will take to beat New England, Romo can play in those waters. Rememember 51-48 with Peyton?
5. Doctors here say that the collarbone and recent back injury are perfectly fine. Yes, I worry about the lower back, but that isn't what the past two injuries were. However, I share your concern about his health. We're talking two games here in this scenario.

1. read option qbs get killed, and we are all glad he is not running 10 times a game. we all notice he runs out of bounce or slides when he runs. a few runs a game when done in a 'safer' way makes the defense's job much tougher.
2. if you look at the steelers game, i dont think we would say he is not taking chances. some of those throws were in pretty tight windows. with elliott, dak can take less chances. I will take the less-risk lower-int approach over Romo's houdini approach any day, particularly in a big game. And you cannot really ask Romo to dial it back. It is what makes Romo homo.
3. -
4. Dak just won a shootout against a Steelers team playing their 'superbowl' this year. The ref calls were clearly biased towards Steelers.
5. The idea of a QB getting you there getting benched for the last 2 games would be an enormous shock to the system. Football, much less than baseball, depends on momentum and trust.

 

[erod]

1. read option qbs get killed, and we are all glad he is not running 10 times a game. we all notice he runs out of bounce or slides when he runs. a few runs a game when done in a 'safer' way makes the defense's job much tougher.
2. if you look at the steelers game, i dont think we would say he is not taking chances. some of those throws were in pretty tight windows. with elliott, dak can take less chances. I will take the less-risk lower-int approach over Romo's houdini approach any day, particularly in a big game. And you cannot really ask Romo to dial it back. It is what makes Romo homo.
3. -
4. Dak just won a shootout against a Steelers team playing their 'superbowl' this year. The ref calls were clearly biased towards Steelers.
5. The idea of a QB getting you there getting benched for the last 2 games would be an enormous shock to the system. Football, much less than baseball, depends on momentum and trust.

1. Brady doesn't run. Peyton didn't. Brees doesn't. Roethlisberger doesn't. Pocket mobility is the real key and both Dak and Romo have it.
2. Look at Dak's throw chart. Everything was outside. Now, it's obvious teams are trying to limit Beasley, but I'm talking about those deep seam routes. Those are where the big chunks are as long as you don't throw it to a drifting safety. That's for down the road. Dak doesn't have that game yet.
3.
4. Dak played well as always, but the run and screen game was the key. I loved those late throws to Witten, but he was all over the place on some throws. Just a rookie learning his way.
5. This thread isn't about benching anybody. I'm just asking which QB is better equipped to beat Seattle and New England in back-to-back weeks.