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SAN ANTONIO – New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, one of Tony Romo’s early NFL mentors, believes the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is “having the best year” of his career.
Payton was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2003-2005 and played a role in Romo, a fellow Eastern Illinois alumnus, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
“Just having the chance to watch three games myself on that side of the ball, he’s been very good in regards to his decision-making,” Payton said of Romo in a conference call Wednesday with the Dallas media. “He knows pre-snap where he wants to go. He’s got a quick way of getting through his progressions and the ball comes out extremely fast. He’s located the ball very well.”
Romo will lead the Cowboys (5-4) into the Superdome on Sunday night to face the Saints (6-2) in a nationally television game between division leaders.
Coming off a dramatic 27-23 win over Minnesota in which he directed a nine-play, 90-yard drive he capped with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Harris with 35 seconds left, Romo is among the NFL leaders in completion percentage (66.2), yards (2,553), TDs (20) and passer rating (100.0) while throwing just six interceptions.
For his career, Romo is 60-42 as a starter, including 22-4 in November, and has completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 28,290 yards, 197 TDs, 97 interceptions.
Romo’s career passer rating is 96.0, but he ranks first all-time with a fourth quarter quarterback rating of 103.1. For the season, he’s fifth in that category with a 114.4 rating.
“From a decision-making standpoint each year you’re seeing someone very comfortable in the system,” Payton said. “(Cowboys coach) Jason (Garrett) and those guys there have done a very good job of giving him throws that he’s very comfortable with.”
Payton also marveled at Romo’s ability to escape pressure and make plays downfield.
“The word isn’t improvise, but his ability to move and extend plays and avoid pressure and avoid sacks has served him well,” Payton said.
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Payton was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach from 2003-2005 and played a role in Romo, a fellow Eastern Illinois alumnus, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
“Just having the chance to watch three games myself on that side of the ball, he’s been very good in regards to his decision-making,” Payton said of Romo in a conference call Wednesday with the Dallas media. “He knows pre-snap where he wants to go. He’s got a quick way of getting through his progressions and the ball comes out extremely fast. He’s located the ball very well.”
Romo will lead the Cowboys (5-4) into the Superdome on Sunday night to face the Saints (6-2) in a nationally television game between division leaders.
Coming off a dramatic 27-23 win over Minnesota in which he directed a nine-play, 90-yard drive he capped with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Harris with 35 seconds left, Romo is among the NFL leaders in completion percentage (66.2), yards (2,553), TDs (20) and passer rating (100.0) while throwing just six interceptions.
For his career, Romo is 60-42 as a starter, including 22-4 in November, and has completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 28,290 yards, 197 TDs, 97 interceptions.
Romo’s career passer rating is 96.0, but he ranks first all-time with a fourth quarter quarterback rating of 103.1. For the season, he’s fifth in that category with a 114.4 rating.
“From a decision-making standpoint each year you’re seeing someone very comfortable in the system,” Payton said. “(Cowboys coach) Jason (Garrett) and those guys there have done a very good job of giving him throws that he’s very comfortable with.”
Payton also marveled at Romo’s ability to escape pressure and make plays downfield.
“The word isn’t improvise, but his ability to move and extend plays and avoid pressure and avoid sacks has served him well,” Payton said.
Continue reading...