zrinkill
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IRVING — Whatever the reason — the breakup with Jessica Simpson, the departure of Terrell Owens, the alignment of the sun and stars or possibly just natural maturation — take heed, Dallas Cowboys fans.
Quarterback Tony Romo is as comfortable as ever, but far from content, and poised for a big season.
"I do think as a player you are always trying to improve always trying to get better," Romo said. "Either you are trying to get better or you are content as a player. I am not content. I don’t think this team is."
Romo was flawless in training camp and has been close to perfection in the two preseason games. He has completed 22 of 30 passes for 228 yards, with one touchdown, no turnovers and a quarterback rating of 106.0.
He feels very comfortable in the team’s new up-tempo and Owens-less offense.
He is getting more and more comfortable with new No. 1 receiver Roy Williams, remains laser-locked on Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and excited about his new beastly toys — running back Felix Jones and tight end Martellus Bennett.
"Yeah Tony’s looked like Tony," said coach Wade Phillips, who acknowledged that the starters will play into the third quarter in Saturday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers in what will amount to a dress rehearsal for the season.
"He’s a very efficient passer. He has a real high percentage anyway, and he’s been very productive, obviously, in this league. I think he feels comfortable right now."
But it’s not just about that. Romo understands as much as anyone that gaudy stats in the regular season much less the preseason mean little to Cowboys fans if he doesn’t have any success in the postseason.
The Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1996, and Romo is 0-2 as a starter in the playoffs with a 5-10 record in the months of December and January.
To that end, not only does Romo understand the criticism that he has received over the past year, but he gets it.
That’s what is fueling him. It’s why he has shed some of the baggage of his past. It’s why he worked during the off-season to get in better shape. It’s why he worked to cut down on turnovers and take better care of the football.
So no matter what he said after the Philadelphia Eagles game last year "I wake up tomorrow and keep living" — and no matter that he’s already poised to break every Cowboys passing record and has a 27-12 regular-season record as starter, Romo is far from satisfied. He "is not content."
"That is part of the position," Romo said of the criticism of his late-season foibles. "Until we do something that people want to be really proud of, they are going to say that. I understand.
"But it’s not going to stop me from working. Obviously the way I was before wasn’t getting the job done to the extent to the goal you want to accomplish."
Romo readily admits now — even if he didn’t in the past — that he is a different quarterback than he was two years ago or even last season.
And while many would like to point to the departure of the controversial Owens or the much-publicized breakup with Simpson as possibly being the difference in 2009, he points to old-fashioned maturity, experience and hard work. Romo is entering just his third season as a full-time starter.
"I laugh sometimes now when I think about two years ago or three years ago or even last year when I think about certain reads or the approach I would take on certain down and distances," Romo said. "You gain experience. You gain an understanding, and I feel much more comfortable in a lot of areas than I have in the past. It’s just a case of learning and experiencing."
Phillips acknowledges that Romo is growing and learning. But he says it was Romo’s hard work that has already made him a two-time Pro Bowler. And Phillips wouldn’t want anybody else leading his team into the 2009 season.
"The guy is a great quarterback in my opinion," Phillips said. "I see how he works. I see how he competes; how he is trying to get better. That’s what you want: a guy with talent that works. He is my quarterback."
http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1558738.html
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Quarterback Tony Romo is as comfortable as ever, but far from content, and poised for a big season.
"I do think as a player you are always trying to improve always trying to get better," Romo said. "Either you are trying to get better or you are content as a player. I am not content. I don’t think this team is."
Romo was flawless in training camp and has been close to perfection in the two preseason games. He has completed 22 of 30 passes for 228 yards, with one touchdown, no turnovers and a quarterback rating of 106.0.
He feels very comfortable in the team’s new up-tempo and Owens-less offense.
He is getting more and more comfortable with new No. 1 receiver Roy Williams, remains laser-locked on Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and excited about his new beastly toys — running back Felix Jones and tight end Martellus Bennett.
"Yeah Tony’s looked like Tony," said coach Wade Phillips, who acknowledged that the starters will play into the third quarter in Saturday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers in what will amount to a dress rehearsal for the season.
"He’s a very efficient passer. He has a real high percentage anyway, and he’s been very productive, obviously, in this league. I think he feels comfortable right now."
But it’s not just about that. Romo understands as much as anyone that gaudy stats in the regular season much less the preseason mean little to Cowboys fans if he doesn’t have any success in the postseason.
The Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1996, and Romo is 0-2 as a starter in the playoffs with a 5-10 record in the months of December and January.
To that end, not only does Romo understand the criticism that he has received over the past year, but he gets it.
That’s what is fueling him. It’s why he has shed some of the baggage of his past. It’s why he worked during the off-season to get in better shape. It’s why he worked to cut down on turnovers and take better care of the football.
So no matter what he said after the Philadelphia Eagles game last year "I wake up tomorrow and keep living" — and no matter that he’s already poised to break every Cowboys passing record and has a 27-12 regular-season record as starter, Romo is far from satisfied. He "is not content."
"That is part of the position," Romo said of the criticism of his late-season foibles. "Until we do something that people want to be really proud of, they are going to say that. I understand.
"But it’s not going to stop me from working. Obviously the way I was before wasn’t getting the job done to the extent to the goal you want to accomplish."
Romo readily admits now — even if he didn’t in the past — that he is a different quarterback than he was two years ago or even last season.
And while many would like to point to the departure of the controversial Owens or the much-publicized breakup with Simpson as possibly being the difference in 2009, he points to old-fashioned maturity, experience and hard work. Romo is entering just his third season as a full-time starter.
"I laugh sometimes now when I think about two years ago or three years ago or even last year when I think about certain reads or the approach I would take on certain down and distances," Romo said. "You gain experience. You gain an understanding, and I feel much more comfortable in a lot of areas than I have in the past. It’s just a case of learning and experiencing."
Phillips acknowledges that Romo is growing and learning. But he says it was Romo’s hard work that has already made him a two-time Pro Bowler. And Phillips wouldn’t want anybody else leading his team into the 2009 season.
"The guy is a great quarterback in my opinion," Phillips said. "I see how he works. I see how he competes; how he is trying to get better. That’s what you want: a guy with talent that works. He is my quarterback."
http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1558738.html
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