Something to Consider about the Romo Starting Rumors

[DallasInDC]

The more I think about it, the more I think there may be something to this Romo starting this year talk. For those who think we have a shot at the playoff or even the SB this year, take a step back and think about how we will look next year.

Positives – young and talented defense with another year of NFL and 3-4 experience. No glaring holes. It gives our rookies another year in the off-season weight program and some real experience going into 2007. Our defense is basically set for years to come barring injuries and will only get better with improved depth. Offense will be in its second year of the 2 TE offense and I would expect big contributions from the Witten/Fasano combo. Columbo/Pettiti/McQuisitan (I don’t know why, but I have high hopes for this guy) will have another year of strength/conditioning and experience. Flozell will be nearly 2 years removed from his surgery. Several young WR’s, are showing some upside including Crayton, Hurd and Rector.

Negatives – Our #1 and #2 WR’s are on the wrong side of 30. TO may not be here next year depending on how he acts. Uncertainty along the entire OL. Will Flozell and Rivera start to show their age? Uncertainty at RB (can JJ stay healthy and be the back we all expect? If not can MB III carry the load or will we need to go out and get a new RB.

If we start to show promise with 2 of three negatives through the halfway point this year we should be able to address our weaknesses fully in 2007 through FA and the draft along with adding more depth.

This all leads me to my speculation on Romo. If all of the pieces are in place and Romo is being viewed as the QB of the future, would you want to leave this talented team in the hands of an old QB who is another year older less mobile and has consistently faded down the stretch (see DB 2nd half season thread) or a promising QB that still has not thrown a pass in an NFL game that counted? Or would you rather have Romo enter the season next year with 8 games of live experience and another year of off-season development. Unless DB comes in and has a career year to start off and our offense is clicking on all cylinders, I doubt they pull DB. But if our offense is mediocre and our defense is carrying us, I would not be surprised if Romo took over the starting position this year. Just a little something to consider.

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

The more I think about it, the more I think there may be something to this Romo starting this year talk. For those who think we have a shot at the playoff or even the SB this year, take a step back and think about how we will look next year.

Positives – young and talented defense with another year of NFL and 3-4 experience. No glaring holes. It gives our rookies another year in the off-season weight program and some real experience going into 2007. Our defense is basically set for years to come barring injuries and will only get better with improved depth. Offense will be in its second year of the 2 TE offense and I would expect big contributions from the Witten/Fasano combo. Columbo/Pettiti/McQuisitan (I don’t know why, but I have high hopes for this guy) will have another year of strength/conditioning and experience. Flozell will be nearly 2 years removed from his surgery. Several young WR’s, are showing some upside including Crayton, Hurd and Rector.

Negatives – Our #1 and #2 WR’s are on the wrong side of 30. TO may not be here next year depending on how he acts. Uncertainty along the entire OL. Will Flozell and Rivera start to show their age? Uncertainty at RB (can JJ stay healthy and be the back we all expect? If not can MB III carry the load or will we need to go out and get a new RB.

If we start to show promise with 2 of three negatives through the halfway point this year we should be able to address our weaknesses fully in 2007 through FA and the draft along with adding more depth.

This all leads me to my speculation on Romo. If all of the pieces are in place and Romo is being viewed as the QB of the future, would you want to leave this talented team in the hands of an old QB who is another year older less mobile and has consistently faded down the stretch (see DB 2nd half season thread) or a promising QB that still has not thrown a pass in an NFL game that counted? Or would you rather have Romo enter the season next year with 8 games of live experience and another year of off-season development. Unless DB comes in and has a career year to start off and our offense is clicking on all cylinders, I doubt they pull DB. But if our offense is mediocre and our defense is carrying us, I would not be surprised if Romo took over the starting position this year. Just a little something to consider.

Great points, but I don't see BP sacrificing this year to give a QB playing time if there's a better chance of going to the SB this year. You don't know what next year has to offer.

 

[Angus]

Yes, Parcells may be on a two year progrm. If everything clicks this year, fine. But shoot to have everythig in place for 2007, the last year of his contract. Including an experienced young quarterback.

 

[Tripod]

Not a snowball's chance of this happening.

 

[DallasInDC]

Great points, but I don't see BP sacrificing this year to give a QB playing time if there's a better chance of going to the SB this year. You don't know what next year has to offer.

I agree BP will not sacrifice this year that is why I stated:

But if our offense is mediocre and our defense is carrying us, I would not be surprised if Romo took over the starting position this year.

If the Team as whole is playing lights out then I don't see the switch. However, if Our offense starts to falter and DB is a part of that faltering, the argument can be made that Romo will give us just as much chance this year as Bledsoe. Bill knows what Bredsoe brings to the table and he also knows his shortcomings which includes lack of mobility and his penchant for trying to force the ball down field when pressed. If Bill is as impressed with Romo's development as it seems and that he believes The offense will respond to Romo beter than Bledsoe, it wouldn't surprise me if he started Romo. I am not saying it will happen, but I wouldn't be shocked if it did under these circumstances.

 

[eduncan22]

This is what I have been talking about...

Complete madness.

I hope BP starts Henson and plays him the entire game.

 

[DallasInDC]

Not a snowball's chance of this happening.

And this statement is based on what????

 

[DallasInDC]

This is what I have been talking about...

Complete madness.

I hope BP starts Henson and plays him the entire game.

What purposes would that serve? Henson's days as a Cowboy are numbered he is most likely the highest paid 3rd QB in the league next to todd Collins - but that should be caveated since it is the Commanders/snyder we are talking about.

 

[chinch]

Tuna plays for today, not next year.

if Romo plays it will be for this year, not his development.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

ROMO.....I want to see you play when the other team has gameplanned for you for a week

 

[peplaw06]

I agree with a lot of this. In fact looking at our schedule, I think if we're 5-5 or worse after the first 10 games, that Romo will be starting at least one game around that time.

IMO we should be at least 6-4 after the first 10 games, barring some catastrophic injury (knock on wood). Anything less and BP may get itchy to see what he has in Romo in a Regular Season game.

 

[DallasInDC]

Tuna plays for today, not next year.

if Romo plays it will be for this year, not his development.

This is where I think some people maybe losing sight. The perception is that if Romo, the rookie, plays it is sacrificing the season. I think it is possible that BP may view it as giving the team the best chance to win if he believes that Romo's shortcomings as a rookie QB are less than DB's shortcomings plus it gives him some real experience heading into next year.

Again, I am not saying this will happen. I am saying that I see it as a possibility that would not surprise me if it did happen.

 

[SultanOfSix]

As far as I know Drew Bledsoe's skills haven't diminished. What you have is what you get. The only way Romo will ever play is if he is significantly better than Bledsoe. It doesn't have to do anything with what advantages Romo provides over Bledsoe (such as mobility). Experience is almost always a far greater factor in determining who plays, unless you have a situation like the Tom Brady to Bledsoe situation. Of course, that is a possibility in the case of Romo, but all things considered, it is an extremely rare possibility.

The chances of Romo starting this year (barring injury) are the same as Henson's: slim to none.

 

[chinch]

This is where I think some people maybe losing sight. The perception is that if Romo, the rookie, plays it is sacrificing the season. I think it is possible that BP may view it as giving the team the best chance to win if he believes that Romo's shortcomings as a rookie QB are less than DB's shortcomings plus it gives him some real experience heading into next year.

Again, I am not saying this will happen. I am saying that I see it as a possibility that would not surprise me if it did happen.

Agreed. The possibility is definately there, although i'd have to think Drew would have to bungle the first few games (ie. Seattle last year).

Unfortunately we can't afford to throw away a couple of games if we wish to make the playoffs.

Going back to the Sims/Hostettler decisions he always played the guy giving him the best shot to win today (he basically benched Sims in the '90 season after the injury).

 

[WV Cowboy]

Only if Bledsoe gets injured will Romo get any extended playing time.

And if that should unfortunately happen, maybe Romo can come in and run things for a while.

 

[DallasInDC]

As far as I know Drew Bledsoe's skills haven't diminished. What you have is what you get. The only way Romo will ever play is if he is significantly better than Bledsoe. It doesn't have to do anything with what advantages Romo provides over Bledsoe (such as mobility). Experience is almost always a far greater factor in determining who plays, unless you have a situation like the Tom Brady to Bledsoe situation. Of course, that is a possibility in the case of Romo, but all things considered, it is an extremely rare possibility.

The chances of Romo starting this year (barring injury) are the same as Henson's: slim to none.

I agree, the Brady scenario is a rarity. I do get the feeling Romo maybe viewed as one of those rarities. I base this not so much on the last presason game (which was promising) as I do on the positive views of the coaching staff. It seems over the past couple years the coaching staff has been very high on Romo and if you believe that we were offered a 3rd pick for a player that hasn't even played a down then, then you have to believe that romo has something, even, if it is the intangibles. I also think the coaching staff has taken great care in developing Romo the right way - the way QB's used to be develop before FA. From what I've read, he understand the offense, is developing chemistry with his team mates, It has been said that he can make all of the throws and and has demonstrated leadership qualities. It is also been said that he is a quick learner so I assume he can recongize a multitude of defensive fronts and blitzes. If this is the case the real question is can he process everything and make the right reads/decision at full game speed against starter talent. for some players, this comes easily for others, they never get it. Rothelisberger I think is an example of someone who was able to get it quickly. This may be the case for Romo.

I think what affects a lot of peoples views on this is the fact that he was undrafted and came out of a division II school. To me that doesn't mean anything. I never believed that div I schools cornered the market on talented and capable players. LA and Jerry rice are prime examples of that. What we don't know is what the coaches have observed for the past 4 years with Romo.

Of course I could be way off in left field with this as well.