Remember when the Vikings got rid of Randy and thought they'd be better?

[TheCount]

How do we make sure that doesn't happen here? This isn't a pro-T.O. or anti-T.O. thread or about whether the team is better or worse without him, it's about what steps you think the team needs to take to make sure we don't end up in the same predicament.

For their part, they also had every reason to believe they had a franchise QB in Culpepper, failing to realize the part Randy played in his on-field success.

Might that be the case here? Will 2009 be the worst statistical year of Romo's career? And if so, will he bounce back?

 

[AbeBeta]

Randy wasn't 35 was he? Nor did the Vikings have a great team in the first place. They were mediocre at best and Culpepper suffered a serious injury that kept him out for some time.

And folks who care about Romo not having his best "statistical" year may need to focus a bit more on the field and a bit less on their fantasy team.

 

[the kid 05]

They were doing good, untill Culpepper tor his acl/mcl

 

[Stash]

How do we make sure that doesn't happen here? This isn't a pro-T.O. or anti-T.O. thread or about whether the team is better or worse without him, it's about what steps you think the team needs to take to make sure we don't end up in the same predicament.

For their part, they also had every reason to believe they had a franchise QB in Culpepper, failing to realize the part Randy played in his on-field success.

Might that be the case here? Will 2009 be the worst statistical year of Romo's career? And if so, will he bounce back?

I would argue that Romo's supporting cast is much better than what Culpepper had post-Moss.

I'm not saying I advocate the move, but the cupboard is far from bare in Dallas.

Romo might not put up the stellar numbers but the team's overall success may be better.

Or it may not, we'll have to wait and see if this move pays off.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I think that in the long run they are better off.....

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

TO made Romo.... Romo did not make TO.

Romo wont have as good of a year as his previous. I could care less how he looks on paper as long as he makes good decisions and we win.

Throwing ducks into triple coverage wont make me happy.

 

[1fisher]

Yea... they won as many SB's with Moss as we did with Owens

 

[TheCount]

While I'm sure some of you guys can turn any conversation into an argument, that's not what I'm talking about. So Abe, take a Zanex and relax.

Stash, I agree there's no way to know till we know. I think we definitely still have weapons, I'm actually hoping we get better run blocking this year and in year past. Our linemen, for as big as they are, aren't exactly known for pushing people off the line.

I don't know that the Vikings had as much in the running game to fall back on either.

As far as Minn, I don't think they were doing all that great BEFORE Culpepper got injured, but it certainly didn't get better.

 

[Smith22]

While I'm sure some of you guys can turn any conversation into an argument, that's not what I'm talking about. So Abe, take a Zanex and relax.

Stash, I agree there's no way to know till we know. I think we definitely still have weapons, I'm actually hoping we get better run blocking this year and in year past. Our linemen, for as big as they are, aren't exactly known for pushing people off the line.

I don't know that the Vikings had as much in the running game to fall back on either.

As far as Minn, I don't think they were doing all that great BEFORE Culpepper got injured, but it certainly didn't get better.

As you said, it comes down to the OL. If we can get the OL to perform at a high level, I think Romo & company will do just fine.

 

[ShiningStar]

I can see your discussion Count. Tho i cant say for sure I agree with it. I think this is the time Dallas will allow some younger players to emerge and get into the game.

What I personally think here is the breaking of Romo's old habits, either looking to Witten all the time and missing some open guys or always thinking Terrel would make the big play.

Maybe our WR coach is thinking these younger or soon to be drafted guys need to get into the mix more and make things happen as well. Hopefully if Romo can just get the ball in their hands, even if they make a big play or not, we are at least moving the chains.

I think the stalling of the drives is what really this new offense wants to stop. If that means running the ball more so be it, but I am hoping the offense is to move those chains instead of making a big play that can backfire.

 

[Woods]

How do we make sure that doesn't happen here? This isn't a pro-T.O. or anti-T.O. thread or about whether the team is better or worse without him, it's about what steps you think the team needs to take to make sure we don't end up in the same predicament.

For their part, they also had every reason to believe they had a franchise QB in Culpepper, failing to realize the part Randy played in his on-field success.

Might that be the case here? Will 2009 be the worst statistical year of Romo's career? And if so, will he bounce back?

I thought about exactly the question you raised.

IMO, I think the best way to ensure this team doesn't slide backwards (even more) is to

1. Construct a dominating defense.
Our defense was good last year, but to be dominating, we need to create more turnovers and we need another couple of players (at LB, NT and Safety).

Rather than having to ride Romo in December, I'd rather depend on a truly top notch defense. We're not that far away either.

2. Create a competitive, elite STs unit, specifically regarding coverage and returning punts.

I have no concerns with Folk, a healthy McBriar, and our LS.

3. Improve the OL depth with potential starting quality players.


If we can do these things, I think we can make the playoffs and do well in the playoffs.

If our OL is up to par, I have no doubt our offense will do well enough.

 

[NextGenBoys]

TO made Romo.... Romo did not make TO.

Romo wont have as good of a year as his previous. I could care less how he looks on paper as long as he makes good decisions and we win.

Throwing ducks into triple coverage wont make me happy.

Roy can actually come down with a jump ball though. TO could not.

All those times that we got mad at him for making a dumb decision, was him "having confidence" in his receiver to make a play. Yeah, that receiver did not make the pay. Going and getting the ball was never TO's forte. Roy can do that.

 

[jday]

How do we make sure that doesn't happen here? This isn't a pro-T.O. or anti-T.O. thread or about whether the team is better or worse without him, it's about what steps you think the team needs to take to make sure we don't end up in the same predicament.

For their part, they also had every reason to believe they had a franchise QB in Culpepper, failing to realize the part Randy played in his on-field success.

Might that be the case here? Will 2009 be the worst statistical year of Romo's career? And if so, will he bounce back?

This has been somewhat said, but I thought it better to just spell it out.

1. I think Romo has far more potential than Culpepper ever did (perhaps this is a bias speaking...not sure.)

2. The Vikings did not have a trio of rb's like Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

2. The Vikings did not have an elite TE like Jason Witten and potentially elite secondary TE like Martellus Bennett.

3. WR core left could be debated either way, but the Cowboys are far younger at receiver and, therefore, have for more potential then the Vikings did.

Now, obviously, it could go either way, regardless. The Cowboys vastly underperformed with T.O. in 08 so anything can happen. The Cowboys success largely depends on how Romo adjust to not having a crutch in T.O.'s deep play potential and learn to spread the ball around to keep the defense guessing. If he can do that consistently there is no reason why this team can't make the play offs and possibly a push to the big show. T.O.'s loss hurt our talent level, no question, but talent goes to Pro Bowl's and teams go to Super Bowl's!

 

[Ren]

We have a #1 to replace him with though Roy might not be as good as TO but he's a solid #1, We also have the best TE in football. It's really all on Garrett and Romo there's no reason why this shouldn't work and they'll be to blame if it doesn't

 

[Chocolate Lab]

We already accounted for this when we traded for Roy Williams. I'm betting he'll turn out a lot better than Troy Williamson did.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I believe with the pieces we still have in place that we're in far better shape to overcome this move than the Vikings were to get past the trading of Moss.

 

[NinePointOh]

How do we make sure that doesn't happen here? This isn't a pro-T.O. or anti-T.O. thread or about whether the team is better or worse without him, it's about what steps you think the team needs to take to make sure we don't end up in the same predicament.

Well, first of all, Minnesota was averaging 7.0 wins per season during Moss's last 4 years there, and in the 4 years since he left, they've averaged 8.25 wins per season. Even though they lost some offensive firepower (which was further magnified by the fact that they were starting Brad Johnson for a year and a half), they did get better as a team after he left, because they were able to significantly improve their defense.

If the question is how to limit the offensive downturn, the answer is easy: make sure you have other good players on your offense. Minnesota's cupboard was embarrassingly bare without Moss. I'll leave you to compare Jason Witten to Jermaine Wiggins, Marion Barber to Mewelde Moore, Leonard Davis to Adam Goldberg, Roy E. Williams to Nate Burleson, etc. Not to mention the Brad Johnson factor.

 

[NeonNinja]

You can stop with the agenda already mccords. TO doesn't make any Qb, he breaks them. You want to make a bet that Romo with be just fine without him?

 

[dadymat]

yea, this obviously isnt a T.O. thread.........

 

[TheCount]

We have a #1 to replace him with though Roy might not be as good as TO but he's a solid #1, We also have the best TE in football. It's really all on Garrett and Romo there's no reason why this shouldn't work and they'll be to blame if it doesn't

I actually think Roy is going to have a very good year next year, I think Witten might see some crazy coverages though.

We already accounted for this when we traded for Roy Williams. I'm betting he'll turn out a lot better than Troy Williamson did.

Well that's not saying much.