Putting Dak's Numbers in Perspective

[bsbellomy]

I started this year as a Romo guy... and I still have nothing but love and respect for Tony. However-- I have been blown away by Dak and think this article pretty much nails it for me:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features...-playing-about-as-well-as-tony-romo-ever-has/

DP is getting to play an entirely different game than every other QB in the NFL, with the 5 they put in front and the one the put behind him. Osweiler would be an all pro here.

 

[bsbellomy]

Show me a highlight - just one - of Romo setting up a screen like that. I'll wait right here.

Who set up the screen? Eze E did all the work.

 

[stilltheguru88]

DP is getting to play an entirely different game than every other QB in the NFL, with the 5 they put in front and the one the put behind him. Osweiler would be an all pro here.

You're ignorant if that's the conclusion you get from the article and you have an agenda, you're also a garbage fan. Congrats

 

[Kevinicus]

Show me a highlight - just one - of Romo setting up a screen like that. I'll wait right here.

Setting it up? He did a fake handoff, moved a little to the right and dumped it off. You are honestly suggesting that Romo can't do that? There's not a QB (and a lot of players at other positions) who could not do that.

 

[JJHLH1]

Absolutely nothing in the Pittsburgh game that Romo can't do.

Guide the team to 8-straight wins?

 

[windjc]

Setting it up? He did a fake handoff, moved a little to the right and dumped it off. You are honestly suggesting that Romo can't do that? There's not a QB (and a lot of players at other positions) who could not do that.

Good grief man. Screens are all about timing. Romo has never excelled on timing routes. It took him years to even master the back shoulder throw. Check my freaking post history before you assume I have anything against Romo. But I call a spade a spade. There is a good chance Romo would not have won in Pittsburgh.

 

[Proximo]

I'm going to preface this by saying I'm a huge Romo guy, always have been. My post history doesn't lie.

BUT, if we're being objective, Dak has without a doubt earned the starting job as our QB. The fact that we're even comparing the FIRST NINE STARTS OF HIS CAREER to Romo's best streak of games says all that needs to be said.

And I'm starting to see more and more revisionist history as the weeks pass. Like the guy earlier in this thread going on about how "300 yards in a game is child's play for Romo" only to be smacked with the fact that he barely hit 300 yards in 2014, arguably his best season.

I'll always love me some Romo, but Dak needs to stay the starter unless he gets injured...or somehow goes into a HORRIBLE funk. Like, unthinkable.

 

[drawandstrike]

In 2014, Romo never reached 300 yards at the end of 4 quarters. Not once.

It's not the volume that matters, it's the efficiency.

True. Unlike you, many people who advance this are making the wrong argument.

Romo never reached 300 yards in 2014 because he was handing off the football 20 times a game to DeMarco Murray behind our offensive line. That offense ran like a finely tuned Corvette. There was no NEED for late game, deep throwing 2 minute drill heroics from Romo to pull out games due to the usual complete total meltdowns by the Cowboys defense. [During the regular season, at any rate. In the playoffs, as we'll recall, our defense was helpless in the face of Aaron Rodgers. Many argue even IF the refs had given Dez that TD it wouldn't have mattered, that Cowboys defense was NOT gonna stop Rodgers with that much time left]

What he was doing with Murray back there in 2015 is the exact same thing he'd have been doing this year if he'd played all 9 games thus far, except he'd be handing off to Ezekiel Elliott.

People who think the QB'ing of this team would have SUFFERED or something with a healthy Romo driving it this year instead of Dak really, really have no clue what they are talking about. Some of them even seem to imply with Romo back there for the last 9 games we might not even have a winning record right now.

Let the record reflect it's still a fact that;

1. Romo is better at throwing the football with more consistency than Dak
2. Romo is better at reading NFL defenses right now than Dak
3. Romo is better adjusting this offense presnap than Dak
4. With 10+ years experience running a pro style NFL offense, Romo is STILL better than Dak at that, who is in his 1st year in the system and is still learning it in his very first season.

So no, let's not indulge this fantasy that says THANK GOD that subpar scrub loser took a shot to the back in preseason and our season got SAVED or something when he was sent to the sidelines so Dak could get the starts.

Dak is doing fantastic for a rookie. We all know this. But pretending this team would've been WORSE off or something with Romo playing QB these last 9 games, that's the kind of stuff that is just so laughable.

 

[erod]

Erod I suggest you read the article. It states that Dak is playing just as well as Romo has ever played during his entire career. Thus it would not be wise for Romo to take over while we have momentum going into the 2nd half of the season.

Secondly, if Romo did come in and lay a dud. What then? We would lose all momentum and possibly home field advantage to the Seahawks. It would be wise to go with Prescott all the way from here on out.

If the article says that, it's a crock of you know what. That is ridiculous.

Romo has played VASTLY better than this in his career.

 

[drawandstrike]

If the article says that, it's a crock of you know what. That is ridiculous.

Romo has played VASTLY better than this in his career.

"The rookie in his 1st year running a pro offense is already JUST AS GOOD as Tony Romo's ever been! Isn't that amazing!"

Yes, some people actually buy this.

 

[ConstantReboot]

If the article says that, it's a crock of you know what. That is ridiculous.

Romo has played VASTLY better than this in his career.

Maybe your right. Romo has outplayed Dak. However, no one knows what Romo will show up. Will it be the Romo that played in 2014? Or will it be the Romo of 2015 - which he was absolutely terrible against Carolina. Which Romo will show up?

Frankly, I don't know why you can't believe that Dak has been pretty good. If he hasn't been good then quite possibly they would have replaced him. Results matter. We don't need a QB to be elite. We just need a QB that can drive the bus and get us wins. Dak is doing that pretty well it seems.

 

[windjc]

True. Unlike you, many people who advance this are making the wrong argument.

Romo never reached 300 yards in 2014 because he was handing off the football 20 times a game to DeMarco Murray behind our offensive line. That offense ran like a finely tuned Corvette. There was no NEED for late game, deep throwing 2 minute drill heroics from Romo to pull out games due to the usual complete total meltdowns by the Cowboys defense. [During the regular season, at any rate. In the playoffs, as we'll recall, our defense was helpless in the face of Aaron Rodgers. Many argue even IF the refs had given Dez that TD it wouldn't have mattered, that Cowboys defense was NOT gonna stop Rodgers with that much time left]

What he was doing with Murray back there in 2015 is the exact same thing he'd have been doing this year if he'd played all 9 games thus far, except he'd be handing off to Ezekiel Elliott.

People who think the QB'ing of this team would have SUFFERED or something with a healthy Romo driving it this year instead of Dak really, really have no clue what they are talking about. Some of them even seem to imply with Romo back there for the last 9 games we might not even have a winning record right now.

Let the record reflect it's still a fact that;

1. Romo is better at throwing the football with more consistency than Dak
2. Romo is better at reading NFL defenses right now than Dak
3. Romo is better adjusting this offense presnap than Dak
4. With 10+ years experience running a pro style NFL offense, Romo is STILL better than Dak at that, who is in his 1st year in the system and is still learning it in his very first season.

So no, let's not indulge this fantasy that says THANK GOD that subpar scrub loser took a shot to the back in preseason and our season got SAVED or something when he was sent to the sidelines so Dak could get the starts.

Dak is doing fantastic for a rookie. We all know this. But pretending this team would've been WORSE off or something with Romo playing QB these last 9 games, that's the kind of stuff that is just so laughable.

This is all true. Perhaps. But look at it this way. Yes, Romo can read defenses pre and post snap better. However, we are 8-1. So the standard for "Romo would have done better" is pretty freaking HIGH. Romo would have had to go 8-1 or 9-0. That's it. However, what if Romo would have gone 7-2 or 6-3? Its possible. Why? Because Dak has only 2 INTs and has 4 rushing TDs. Dak is a bigger threat with his feet and he doesn't give the ball away in the air. Romo might have had 16 TDs and 6 interceptions for example. It's possible. Just because he is better at reading defenses doesnt mean he doesn't potentially turn it over more. So would 4 more interceptions have cost us a game or even two? Yes, its possible.

So being "better" at experience doesn't mean a better result.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

He has?

I had no idea that Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, DeMarco Murray, Marion Barber, and good to great OLs were considered "poor personnel".

My guess is at least half the league would kill to have the offensive support Romo's had at his disposal throughout his career.

You think Romo spent most of his career with good to great OL play?

What team do you follow?

 

[Hawkeye19]

DP is getting to play an entirely different game than every other QB in the NFL, with the 5 they put in front and the one the put behind him. Osweiler would be an all pro here.

If there is any hyperbole in this thread-- what you just posted is it.

 

[roughneck266]

First one that came to my mind also. That was a beautiful play.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

One of my pet peeves is when people assume things like this. We don't know this.

Romo is a bit of a gunslinger so there's a very real chance that if he were the starter he'd have a few more turnovers. There's also a higher chance that he strays away from plays the coaches call and checks into his own plays at the line or go overboard with the "kill, kill, kill" and inexplicably abandons a strong run game; which we've seen him do from time to time.

And lets not forget last year he was a turnover machine in the games that he played in.

First.... Kill kill kill isn't necessarily a pass play.

Next I hated how Romo abandoned the pass game in 2014....oh wait...

 

[Hawkeye19]

True. Unlike you, many people who advance this are making the wrong argument.

Romo never reached 300 yards in 2014 because he was handing off the football 20 times a game to DeMarco Murray behind our offensive line. That offense ran like a finely tuned Corvette. There was no NEED for late game, deep throwing 2 minute drill heroics from Romo to pull out games due to the usual complete total meltdowns by the Cowboys defense. [During the regular season, at any rate. In the playoffs, as we'll recall, our defense was helpless in the face of Aaron Rodgers. Many argue even IF the refs had given Dez that TD it wouldn't have mattered, that Cowboys defense was NOT gonna stop Rodgers with that much time left]

What he was doing with Murray back there in 2015 is the exact same thing he'd have been doing this year if he'd played all 9 games thus far, except he'd be handing off to Ezekiel Elliott.

People who think the QB'ing of this team would have SUFFERED or something with a healthy Romo driving it this year instead of Dak really, really have no clue what they are talking about. Some of them even seem to imply with Romo back there for the last 9 games we might not even have a winning record right now.

Let the record reflect it's still a fact that;

1. Romo is better at throwing the football with more consistency than Dak
2. Romo is better at reading NFL defenses right now than Dak
3. Romo is better adjusting this offense presnap than Dak
4. With 10+ years experience running a pro style NFL offense, Romo is STILL better than Dak at that, who is in his 1st year in the system and is still learning it in his very first season.

So no, let's not indulge this fantasy that says THANK GOD that subpar scrub loser took a shot to the back in preseason and our season got SAVED or something when he was sent to the sidelines so Dak could get the starts.

Dak is doing fantastic for a rookie. We all know this. But pretending this team would've been WORSE off or something with Romo playing QB these last 9 games, that's the kind of stuff that is just so laughable.

I agree with all your points... At this point, Romo is the more technically skilled QB. But he's simply not been able to stay healthy. Reliability and dependability matter. Dak is leading this team to wins-- and while it is sad for Romo personally, this is a team sport and the team is thriving right now.

The focus of the article in the OP is simple: Dak isn't just managing the game, his stats over this 8 game stretch are comparable to Romo's stats over the best 8 games of his career.

I'm not saying "Romo sucks and can't play QB in the NFL!" I'm simply saying Romo has been unavailable and we have a QB now that is leading us to wins and whose production is not a significant drop-off from Tony's. Romo said it best himself: "The NFL is a meritocracy." Nothing is handed to you-- you have to earn it. In order to earn it, you have to be on the field.

 

[Kevinicus]

Guide the team to 8-straight wins?

That's would be impressive to do in one game.

 

[Kevinicus]

Good grief man. Screens are all about timing. Romo has never excelled on timing routes. It took him years to even master the back shoulder throw. Check my freaking post history before you assume I have anything against Romo. But I call a spade a spade. There is a good chance Romo would not have won in Pittsburgh.

You are comparing a screen to other timing routes and back shoulder throws? This is absurd to the nth degree.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

will it be the Romo of 2015 - which he was absolutely terrible against Carolina.

& was his 2nd game back from injury against a team that ended up with a 15-1 record & in the Super Bowl. It's not like he was terrible against the Browns or something.