Rosenthal: 11 Current Players on the HOF Bubble

[Section446]

Tony Romo, Eli Manning among players on HOF bubble

LONG SHOTS


Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys


One season could change so much. A twilight-years playoff run might just be the best story possible in this league, and it would do an enormous amount to alter the perception of his career. Perhaps a Super Bowl push would make folks start to notice that only one quarterback in NFL historyhas a higher net yards-per-attempt average than Romo (7.09): Peyton Manning (7.23).

Few players are more unfairly maligned for the disorganization around them. Romo ranks high in supposed "clutch" stats like comebacks (25, 14th-most since 1960) and game-winning drives (30, tied for 16th since 1960). He's thrown eight touchdowns against two picks in his six playoff outings, yet all anyone remembers is a fumbled snap he never should have taken. Romo has hung on the edges of the top five quarterbacks in football during a golden age for the position.

People who knock Romo ignore that he has authored only one losing season as a starter, his aborted six-game run in 2010. A quarterback's record is a highly imperfect stat in a team sport, yet Romo's value to his uneven organization stands out. Since he took over for Drew Bledsoe in 2006, the Cowboys are 78-49 with Romo under center. They are 7-20 without him.

Luckily for Romo, he has the talent around him in Dallas this season to pile up points and victories again. One magical season is all it would take to stop those weak Twitter jokes before they happen. Like so much of his career, it would be a blast to watch.

 

[Joe Realist]

Eli yes, Romo - no friggin way

 

[Vanilla2]

If you take where Romo came from he definitely deserves consideration.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

Romo ranks up with the greats statistically--he can't help that he played on bad teams. Don't mention that tired crap about winning SBs--those are team awards. Being great on a bad team is actually a point in his favor.

 

[Section446]

If you take where Romo came from he definitely deserves consideration.

I think he'll get consideration, just might be a while before he gets in.

 

[BubbleScreen]

If Romo takes this team to a Super Bowl win, you'd have to immediately enshrine him, wouldn't you?

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Eli yes, Romo - no friggin way

So if SB's are the only consideration I guess your Eagles will never have a representative?

 

[darthseinfeld]

Amount of playoff wins is going to hurt him

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Romo ranks up with the greats statistically--he can't help that he played on bad teams. Don't mention that tired crap about winning SBs--those are team awards. Being great on a bad team is actually a point in his favor.

Romo has had some very good teams. That's a myth he's had bad teams.

 

[Carson]

If Romo takes this team to a Super Bowl win, you'd have to immediately enshrine him, wouldn't you?

They wouldn't. They would all say all great QBs have at least two!!! Lol

 

[slick325]

One ring would change so much...he and his team have to make it happen. Do that and he is going into the Football Hall of Fame.

 

[tyke1doe]

Without a Super Bowl win, Tony Romo will not get in.

 

[DFWJC]

Eli yes, Romo - no friggin way

I think Eli left a deposit on your chin...need to clean that up.

For those with dirty minds...I meant a Giants' decal.

 

[DFWJC]

Without a Super Bowl win, Tony Romo will not get in.

I agree.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Philip Rivers as a best bet? I'm a Rivers fan, but no.. Not even close. He is in the same boat as Romo at best.

 

[DFWJC]

Romo has had some very good teams. That's a myth he's had bad teams.

a myth?

2007 (his 1st full year starting) was a very good team. The decline started soon after, though teams were still pretty good thru 2009. After than, forget it....especially if you include all phases.

 

[tyke1doe]

So if SB's are the only consideration I guess your Eagles will never have a representative?

It's not just Super Bowls, and it is Super Bowls. Romo's contemporaries (Brady, Rodgers, Peyton, Eli, Brees, Roethlisberger) all have Super Bowl rings AND, in some cases, multiple Super Bowl rings. But Brady, Rodgers, and Peyton have won league MVPs. Brees, Roethlisberger, Brady and Peyton have led the league in passing.
Romo has NONE of those titles.
Unfortunately, players are judged by their class. With those six possessing more accolades in key areas than Romo, I don't see how Romo gets in without a Super Bowl.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

a myth?

2007 (his 1st full year starting) was a very good team. The decline started soon after, though teams were still pretty good thru 2009. After than, forget it....especially if you include all phases.

Well that 2007 team didn't just get cut. That 2007 core was here for a few years. They've had some good teams here. I won't blame Romo solely for why we haven't gotten a Super Bowl but he has been part of the reason. IT all starts from the top down. NO one should be immune of that.

 

[DFWJC]

Amount of playoff wins is going to hurt him

Fair or not, that's how it is.

It's a shame because 3 of the 4 losses went down to about 1-2 plays. 2-4 could have easily been 5-1 in those games.
8 TDs and 2 picks and a decent playoff QB rating, but not much to show for it.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Fair or not, that's how it is.

It's a shame because 3 of the 4 losses went down to about 1-2 plays. 2-4 could have easily been 5-1 in those games.
8 TDs and 2 picks and a decent playoff QB rating, but not much to show for it.

Exactly. Romo at least deserve strong consideration. But its the voters that are going to pick him apart