Galian Beast
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I've seen this new Romo myth popping up, and we need to squash this right now.
There is this idea that Romo was able to have a great year because he wasn't the focal point of the offence. First I would say this is ridiculous. When Romo had bad games or wasn't healthy this team still lost even with the running game, and when Romo wasn't there at all this team lost.
I've always thought Romo was an elite quarterback, and that we would see that if he had the following things
- an offensive line that could protect him
- a running game
- and a defense.
Basically if he was on a good team, you would see how elite he was as this is what elite quarterbacks have. I think Romo was elite last year. I know he lead the league in QB Rating, and I think he lead in QBR as well, not positive on the latter though.
But it wasn't about DeMarco Murray directly. It was about the time of possession battle that helped this defense stay on the right side of the ledger.
Who are the two standard bearers at the QB position? Rodgers and Brady.
Aaron Rodgers became a starter in 2008, a year and a half after Romo became a starter. Romo missed some time due to injury, but so did Rodgers, yet Rodgers has 1600 attempts with a lead compared to Romo who only has 1325 attempts. Romo actually has a higher qb rating than Brady when they play with a lead.
Hell, he has a higher quarterback rating than Brady when they both are trailing. The problem with Romo is that he has 1913 attempts when trailing compared to 1325 attempts with the lead. That inbalance is hugely detrimental to Romo, and causes him to be far more aggressive.
2.84 td to interception rating with the lead
2.08 td to interception rating when trailing
The reason Romo was so good last year is that he at least hit 50/50 last year between trailing and leading.
Did the running game help this defense last year and as a result help Romo? Absolutely. Can an improved defense allow Romo to pass more in a game, without taking unnecessary risks? Again, absolutely. The key end game is to have the lead while conducting offense and not be FORCED to pass the ball. As long as we are passing the ball on our terms, we will see efficient high quality play out of Romo regardless to an extent of how much we actually run the ball.
A lot of people look at pass attempts in a game, ignoring the fact that if Romo has to throw the ball 40 times, it's probably a bad situation in the first place.
This team should create an identity of not necessarily a rushing offense, but an imposing one. One that sets the pace of the game not just in terms of time of possession, but in terms of points scored. And you score points by passing the ball. It's time to impose this offense on other defenses with Bryant, Witten, Williams, Beasley, Escobar e.t.c. I hope the offensive line can get to the point where they don't need to keep tight ends in for help.
You score points with this offense early and often, and you let what looks like it could be a great defense pin its ears back. I see no reason this team can't be better than the 2009 Saints. Hell, I think we were better than them in 2009...
There is this idea that Romo was able to have a great year because he wasn't the focal point of the offence. First I would say this is ridiculous. When Romo had bad games or wasn't healthy this team still lost even with the running game, and when Romo wasn't there at all this team lost.
I've always thought Romo was an elite quarterback, and that we would see that if he had the following things
- an offensive line that could protect him
- a running game
- and a defense.
Basically if he was on a good team, you would see how elite he was as this is what elite quarterbacks have. I think Romo was elite last year. I know he lead the league in QB Rating, and I think he lead in QBR as well, not positive on the latter though.
But it wasn't about DeMarco Murray directly. It was about the time of possession battle that helped this defense stay on the right side of the ledger.
Who are the two standard bearers at the QB position? Rodgers and Brady.
Aaron Rodgers became a starter in 2008, a year and a half after Romo became a starter. Romo missed some time due to injury, but so did Rodgers, yet Rodgers has 1600 attempts with a lead compared to Romo who only has 1325 attempts. Romo actually has a higher qb rating than Brady when they play with a lead.
Hell, he has a higher quarterback rating than Brady when they both are trailing. The problem with Romo is that he has 1913 attempts when trailing compared to 1325 attempts with the lead. That inbalance is hugely detrimental to Romo, and causes him to be far more aggressive.
2.84 td to interception rating with the lead
2.08 td to interception rating when trailing
The reason Romo was so good last year is that he at least hit 50/50 last year between trailing and leading.
Did the running game help this defense last year and as a result help Romo? Absolutely. Can an improved defense allow Romo to pass more in a game, without taking unnecessary risks? Again, absolutely. The key end game is to have the lead while conducting offense and not be FORCED to pass the ball. As long as we are passing the ball on our terms, we will see efficient high quality play out of Romo regardless to an extent of how much we actually run the ball.
A lot of people look at pass attempts in a game, ignoring the fact that if Romo has to throw the ball 40 times, it's probably a bad situation in the first place.
This team should create an identity of not necessarily a rushing offense, but an imposing one. One that sets the pace of the game not just in terms of time of possession, but in terms of points scored. And you score points by passing the ball. It's time to impose this offense on other defenses with Bryant, Witten, Williams, Beasley, Escobar e.t.c. I hope the offensive line can get to the point where they don't need to keep tight ends in for help.
You score points with this offense early and often, and you let what looks like it could be a great defense pin its ears back. I see no reason this team can't be better than the 2009 Saints. Hell, I think we were better than them in 2009...
