Something STRANGE about last night

[CaptainAmerica]

To be honest, I came back to the tv after venting here at half time, and as I walked into the room, I heard the sideline reporter say that Romo was starting the second half and my first gut reaction was the same one you get when you are about to take off on a really cool rollercoaster. The nerves just hit me in an instant. I was excited, but honestly, I felt a little sick to my stomach. That kind of freaked me out, because I have been saying since the Philly game that I want Romo in there. But, when it actually came time, there was that nervous pause of "oh **** here we go!" Really wierd. The ONLY time a football game has done that to me was watching the Boys in NFC Championship games and the Super Bowls. Was a little freaky, in all honesty.

SS

I actually felt that way the Thanksgiving game Henson started. By halftime that rollercoaster had made me want to throw up! :laugh2:

 

[AsthmaField]

IMO, Bledsoe going somewhere else than where the play was designed to go and then on top of that... having it picked off at the goal line... sealed his fate. Had he done that and still scored... or gone where the play was designed and had it picked off... he might have stayed in.

He eventually would've been replaced by Romo anyway. It was inevitable, I think.

 

[Jimz31]

Yesterday Ed werder from ESPN breaks the story that several cowboys players told him that BP was keeping a close eye on Bledsoe. That it was concievable Bledsoe could be pulled, even DURING A GAME. Then, right before kickoff ESPN also breaks a story that Parcells had told Romo to BE READY. Now, im a Romo supporter, im GLAD the kid got put in. But, after hearing those 2 reports and knowing we were only down by 5 at the half, this whole thing strikes me FUNNY. I think Parcells had already made the switch before the game even started, think it was predetermined he was switching to Romo THIS GAME. Anyone agree?

I still think the switch was made due to the o-line playing sooooo poorly. It freed up other receivers by having a QB that can move back there.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

There's nothing strange about people seeing the writing on the wall,,, leading up to this game, everybody and their dog could see Bledsoe was playing like crap and the OL was playing like crap. It stands to reason that everybody would expect more of the same against a good Giants defense and that by half-time Bledsoe would deserve benching. That's why Bill would tell Romo to "Be ready".

Bada-bing, bada-boom, everything happens like you feared it would and Romo gets his chance.

 

[ddh33]

To be honest, I came back to the tv after venting here at half time, and as I walked into the room, I heard the sideline reporter say that Romo was starting the second half and my first gut reaction was the same one you get when you are about to take off on a really cool rollercoaster. The nerves just hit me in an instant. I was excited, but honestly, I felt a little sick to my stomach. That kind of freaked me out, because I have been saying since the Philly game that I want Romo in there. But, when it actually came time, there was that nervous pause of "oh **** here we go!" Really wierd. The ONLY time a football game has done that to me was watching the Boys in NFC Championship games and the Super Bowls. Was a little freaky, in all honesty.

SS

That's actually the exact same thing that I felt.

On one hand, I really did feel sorry for Drew. It's not like he hasn't tried. He's been a true professional and a real warrior for this team. I know how much that hurt him.

On the other hand, I was so excited for Romo to get his shot. I was extremely nervous too. I like the player a lot. I think he's going to be successful, and I wanted him to do the impossible last night.

 

[wileedog]

I still think the switch was made due to the o-line playing sooooo poorly. It freed up other receivers by having a QB that can move back there.

I think it was a combination of everything mentioned here. Poor O-line play, poor decision making by Bledose not only in this game, but throughout the season so far, poor execution all the way around. Enough was enough, even for Bill who does not make changes like this lightly.

No doubt in my mind Bill has been toying with this switch since pre-season. I think Jerry's insistance on a vet QB and Bill's own loyalty to Drew kept it from happening until now, but that first half INT was the last straw.

 

[percyhoward]

Here's a point to ponder.

Let's say Bradie holds onto that INT with 23 seconds left in the half, and doesn't run it in.

Who comes out on the field?

 

[dmq]

This had to be Ed Werders first breaking news story in years.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Yesterday Ed werder from ESPN breaks the story that several cowboys players told him that BP was keeping a close eye on Bledsoe. That it was concievable Bledsoe could be pulled, even DURING A GAME. Then, right before kickoff ESPN also breaks a story that Parcells had told Romo to BE READY. Now, im a Romo supporter, im GLAD the kid got put in. But, after hearing those 2 reports and knowing we were only down by 5 at the half, this whole thing strikes me FUNNY. I think Parcells had already made the switch before the game even started, think it was predetermined he was switching to Romo THIS GAME. Anyone agree?

I think he knew that he would put Romo in if Bledsoe made another dumb play.

If Bledsoe got that TD instead of the INT right before the half I don't think we would even be talking about it right now.

So in other words he had it set up but it was not something he was going to do unless Drew screwed up.

 

[BLEU3ASY]

i wnder does this have anything to do with his back?....maybe the other players knew this

 

[BulletBob]

Look, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what was going on.

Bledsoe performs horribly in Jacksonville.
He performs horribly in Philadelphia.
Now he performs horribly against the NYGiants.

We're just down 5 points in the half. We're not going to get better with Bledsoe just standing in the pocket, so why not go to the youngster.

If fault should be placed anywhere, it's the play calling. Instead of feeding the ball to the running backs, we immediately (I think it was his first play) roll Romo out and have him pass, only to have it intercepted. Even so, that was just a tremendous play by Strahan and one Romo couldn't have foreseen because he's never played. (Don't think he'll make that mistake twice. At least I hope not.)

So maybe Parcells was preparing Romo and just felt like the opportunity was after halftime.

I really don't care. I'm glad we're going in a new direction.

I agree with your premise, Tyke. I also believe that while all that you pointed out about the decision being pre-determined is true, the ultimate catalyst for the decision was panic.

Parcells knew that this game could be the turning point to the season. Win and we are in the cat bird seat of the NFC East, having won 2-in-a-row and finally beating an above-average team. Lose and we are a bunch of JAGs, inconsistent and mediocre, unable to string together 2 wins in a row.

Add to that mix a national audience, and a game against the first team he ever coached to a Super Bowl, and you have an environment ripe for panic if things do not bounce your way.

While I was glad to see Romo get his shot, it seemed to me to be very out of character for Parcells to make the switch. We were winning the turnover battle at that point, and were only down by 5, getting the ball back after the half. Usually Bill plays the percentages, and takes the low-risk path.

However, with what he believed to be the season (and perhaps his job at the end of the season) on the line, I think he felt he had to do SOMETHING. Keep in mind that he is desperate to burnish his reputation as a winner and turn-around artist. It's a big ego to feed.

Ego and panic ... two very powerful enablers. It's not that difficult to figure out why Parcells made that very un-Tuna-like decision.