Tony Romo and Philip Rivers: Great Young QBs or Greatly Immature QBs?

[Gryphon]

by Saulo Padua

Tony Romo and Phillip Rivers are two franchise QBs. They are both leaders of very talented teams, who rally around them to win games.

Romo came to the NFL in 2003.

He played his college ball at Eastern Illinois, winning several awards in the 1-AA division, though they weren’t enough to make him get drafted. Shortly after the 2003 Draft he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, his current team.

Romo is a real highlight machine. With his gunslinger mentality, he flashes very good mobility and pocket presence, escaping the rush very often and making a play. His numbers are impressive to, as he’s thrown for over 10,000 yards and 81 TDs in two and a half seasons as the starter, with a remarkable QB rating of 94.7.

While coming from very different backgrounds, these two have a lot more similarities than the mere fact that they are both NFL starting QBs.

Both of them had to wait some time holding clipboards for a few years on the bench. Both possess a funky side-armed throwing motion, showing average at most arm strength and both had their breakout year in 2006.

But the other similarities between them are what caught my attention.

First, both players are known to be a bit immature. While Rivers has been seen several times taunting opposing team's QBs and yelling at his teammates, coaches, opponents fans, and even San Diego fans. It is well known that Romo likes to party. Romo is seen on a regular basis in the Dallas nightlife with his superstar girlfriend Jessica Simpson.

Second and most importantly, they both have the tendency to choke when it really matters, in the playoffs.

Romo, in his first postseason game, after the 2006 season, botched the hold for the game-winning kick in the final minutes of the game against Seattle.

In 2007, after leading the Cowboys to the first seed in the NFC, Romo lost to Eli Manning and the Giants in Dallas. It was the first time in NFL history that the first seed of the NFC was eliminated in the Divisional Round.

Rivers lost to the Patriots in the Divisional round in 2006, a game where he lost a fumble and threw one INT.

Then in the 2007 postseason he showed improvement beating the Titans. Then he was saved by Billy Volek, who lead an impressive winning drive in the last few minutes, to beat the Colts in the following week, a game where he yelled at Colts fans on his way to the locker room.

In the AFC Championship Game, Rivers lost to the unbeaten Patriots.

In the 2008 season, Rivers was the nation’s top passer, with a QB rating of 105.5, but again, failed to take the team to the big game, losing to the Steelers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. In this last game, despite throwing for over 300 yards, Rivers failed to keep his offense on the field in the second half, as the Chargers had only 15 seconds of possession in the 3rd period!

So as both quarterbacks show the ability to lead their teams to the offseason, they are yet to lead them to the big game, i.e. playing when it really matters.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

Rivers is a class above Romo right now.

 

[Rampage]

Rivers is a class above Romo right now.

agreed.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

agreed.

And that's not really a slight on Romo. But if I could choose one player to build my franchise around right now, I'd choose Rivers.

 

[Rampage]

And that's not really a slight on Romo. But if I could choose one player to build my franchise around right now, I'd choose Rivers.

I don't know if I would say that with Rivers old man knees. but I'm a fan of Philip Rivers except against my boys.

 

[parchy]

This article doesn't really offer anything.

 

[Ren]

by Saulo Padua

Tony Romo and Phillip Rivers are two franchise QBs. They are both leaders of very talented teams, who rally around them to win games.

Romo came to the NFL in 2003.

He played his college ball at Eastern Illinois, winning several awards in the 1-AA division, though they weren’t enough to make him get drafted. Shortly after the 2003 Draft he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, his current team.

Romo is a real highlight machine. With his gunslinger mentality, he flashes very good mobility and pocket presence, escaping the rush very often and making a play. His numbers are impressive to, as he’s thrown for over 10,000 yards and 81 TDs in two and a half seasons as the starter, with a remarkable QB rating of 94.7.

While coming from very different backgrounds, these two have a lot more similarities than the mere fact that they are both NFL starting QBs.

Both of them had to wait some time holding clipboards for a few years on the bench. Both possess a funky side-armed throwing motion, showing average at most arm strength and both had their breakout year in 2006.

But the other similarities between them are what caught my attention.

First, both players are known to be a bit immature. While Rivers has been seen several times taunting opposing team's QBs and yelling at his teammates, coaches, opponents fans, and even San Diego fans. It is well known that Romo likes to party. Romo is seen on a regular basis in the Dallas nightlife with his superstar girlfriend Jessica Simpson.

Second and most importantly, they both have the tendency to choke when it really matters, in the playoffs.

Romo, in his first postseason game, after the 2006 season, botched the hold for the game-winning kick in the final minutes of the game against Seattle.

In 2007, after leading the Cowboys to the first seed in the NFC, Romo lost to Eli Manning and the Giants in Dallas. It was the first time in NFL history that the first seed of the NFC was eliminated in the Divisional Round.

Rivers lost to the Patriots in the Divisional round in 2006, a game where he lost a fumble and threw one INT.

Then in the 2007 postseason he showed improvement beating the Titans. Then he was saved by Billy Volek, who lead an impressive winning drive in the last few minutes, to beat the Colts in the following week, a game where he yelled at Colts fans on his way to the locker room.

In the AFC Championship Game, Rivers lost to the unbeaten Patriots.

In the 2008 season, Rivers was the nation’s top passer, with a QB rating of 105.5, but again, failed to take the team to the big game, losing to the Steelers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. In this last game, despite throwing for over 300 yards, Rivers failed to keep his offense on the field in the second half, as the Chargers had only 15 seconds of possession in the 3rd period!

So as both quarterbacks show the ability to lead their teams to the offseason, they are yet to lead them to the big game, i.e. playing when it really matters.

this crap is getting old,.. the Cowboys lost to the Giants not Romo alone, If Crayton doesn't stop his route Romo's not a choker.
So to sum it up, If everyone did their Jobs the Cowboys win that game but since they didn't Romo and only Romo lost it

 

[Gryphon]

this crap is getting old,.. the Cowboys lost to the Giants not Romo alone, If Crayton doesn't stop his route Romo's not a choker.
So to sum it up, If everyone did their Jobs the Cowboys win that game but since they didn't Romo and only Romo lost it

I believe QBs are graded by their win lost record. For now Romo is what he is.

 

[Ren]

I believe QBs are graded by the win lost record. For now Romo is what he is.

we where not playing 1 on 11 football that day, there's enough blame to go around. It's not Romo's fault Crayton stopped his route, he doesn't play oline and pass block for him self and Romo wasn't playing defense in that pathetic display right before half time.

I'll give people the Seattle game, but there's no way in hell i'm blaming Romo for the Giants loss

 

[28 Joker]

Phillip Rivers is no better than Tony Romo. In fact, I bet most GMs would take Romo over Rivers.

That article fails to mention the Seattle ball boy and the rules change, regarding rubbing up the kicking balls. Peyton Manning was so concerned with the balls (after that game) that he hired guards to watch the ball boy rub the balls down before the Super Bowl. It fails to mention the first down that should not have been taken away from Jason Witten. It fails to mention the horrible pass interfernce call on Terence Newman. It fails to mention the Dallas defense letting Shawn Alexander loose on third down at the end of the game.

Also, it fails to mention a plethora of events that unfolded in the 2007 playoff game. That playoff game wasn't lost by Tony Romo. That game collapsed around Tony Romo. There was plenty to go around.



1.

Patrick Crayton stops on a sure game winning TD route. That ball was thrown perfect. The field level view shows it crystal clear. I don't know what Crayton is thinking. It was desperation time. Get your butt in the endzone.

2.

Patrick Crayton drops a huge gainer that should have at least set up a first and goal. This play lead to number 3.

3.

After Crayton's huge gaff, the punt team lets the Giants return the punt
into Dallas' side of the field. The game winning TD is set up.

4.

Anthony Fasano drops a TD right in his hands. The ball hits a wide open Fasano in the facemask and goes right through his hands.

5.

The refs blow an offsides call on Ware and an intentional grounding call on Tony Romo late in the game.

6.

Both starting tackles get hurt. Flozell Adams (after dominating Osi Umenyiora twice and the rest of the NFL) collapses in the second half after getting hurt in the game. As a result, Tony Romo gets pounded.

7.

Tony Romo has the ball slip out of his hands on a sure TD to Owens. This play comes after Fasano drops a sure TD, metioned above.

8.

The Great Amonte Toomer is allowed to catch a 10 yard curl route and score a TD because Anthony Henry and Greg Ellis missed tackles.

9.

The Cowboys call a defense (right before the half) that has Terence Newman release Steve Smith to the deep third and to Roy Williams. Smith catches a big gainer and sets up the game tying score at the half. My question is this. Why is Terence Newman going to release Steve Smith out of the slot and pass him to Roy Williams in that situation? Did anyone from the Dallas media ask Wade Phillips about that questionable zone call?



By my count, that is 8 things out of 9 things where Tony Romo had nothing to do with the outcome.

Yet, he gets all the blame for Dallas not winning a playoff game.

How is that fair?

It isn't.

I can't wait for this season. The team is going to be better than it was in 2007, imo. By the end of the year, I expect this team to be a serious threat for the Super Bowl if it stays healthy. It wasn't healthy last year.

 

[BIGDen]

Was this an article written for a high school newspaper?
And no...Rivers is not "a class above" Romo right now. Brady and P. Manning are a class above. Rothlisberger can throw his name in there too because of his big wins. The next group has guys like Rivers, Romo, Cutler and Brees. People can throw in their Elis and McNabbs...maybe even a healthy Palmer. The bottom line is that Romo is a top 10 QB and arguably top 5. Rivers and Romo both have years of great football ahead of them as they enter their primes. There are very few QBs I'd take over either of them.

 

[gbrittain]

we where not playing 1 on 11 football that day, there's enough blame to go around. It's not Romo's fault Crayton stopped his route, he doesn't play oline and pass block for him self and Romo wasn't playing defense in that pathetic display right before half time.

I'll give people the Seattle game, but there's no way in hell i'm blaming Romo for the Giants loss

You know I get the fact that often times QBs are measured by Super Bowl rings. Of course that is generally true, but not always true. Dan Marino will always be a better QB than Trent Dilfer was despite the 1-0 Super Bowl Championship advantage Dilfer has over Marino.

What I do not understand is the general inability of some to look at a game on its own individual merits and realize that the QB should not get all the blame or take all the glory.

I don't know how many times I have read where Romo is responsible for the Baltimore loss last year. The reason being had Romo played well enough the first 3 quarters the two late gaffes by the defense would not have mattered.

I am wondering if the same logic will apply if Romo plays well enough the first 3 1/2 quarters of a game for the win, but with less than 6 minutes to play Romo throws back to back INTs for TDs which results in a loss?

As for the subject of the thread, for me Rivers has not done enough to show me he is miles ahead of Romo to merit me wanting to swap a homegrown player for a Charger.

 

[Scranton Tiger]

this crap is getting old,.. the Cowboys lost to the Giants not Romo alone, If Crayton doesn't stop his route Romo's not a choker.
So to sum it up, If everyone did their Jobs the Cowboys win that game but since they didn't Romo and only Romo lost it

I'll go a little further than that and say Romo was the ONLY reason the Cowboys even had a shot to win that game. No one, and I do mean NO ONE else showed up that day. Crayton not only stopped on the third down pass on Dallas' last drive, he also dropped three key third down passes.

No, on second thought that was really Romo's fault. After all, he hit Crayton right between the numbers on those passes. How can Patrick be expected to catch those? Owens dropped a couple as well. Again though, Romo hit him in the numbers. What a bum of a QB is his. Barber was a no show for the whole second half. Of course that was Romo's fault too because he was the one who decided to scrap the two back system that worked all season. The offensive line must have been home watching the game because they sure as hell weren't in Texas Stadium. Also Romo's fault since he didn't use the Jedi Mind Trick to get the Giants defenders to run the other direction. The defense lets a receiver catch a five yard out and run 50 yards for a score. To top that off, they let the Giants go the length of the field with less than a minute to go in the first half to tie the game. Again though, Romo's fault. If he was really a team player, he would have played two way football and been on the field to stop those TDs. Yea, it was ALL Romo's fault.

I swear, the Romo haters out there are just amazing. Hearing and reading some of the garbage they produce helps me to see just how uncommon common sense really is. That's okay though. You Romo haters just keep on trashing the kid. Maybe you'll get your wish and J.J. will resign Quincy Carter.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Rivers is a class above Romo right now.

I completely agree. Rivers is my favorite QB in the league right now whose name isn't Peyton or Tom.

I believe QBs are graded by their win lost record. For now Romo is what he is.

They are, and that's fine, but that same grading should be applied to all 53 players, not just 1.

When the team wins Romo doesn't get credit for winning all on his own but when the team loses Romo gets the blame for losing it all on his own.

That's simply flawed logic, IMO.

we where not playing 1 on 11 football that day, there's enough blame to go around. It's not Romo's fault Crayton stopped his route, he doesn't play oline and pass block for him self and Romo wasn't playing defense in that pathetic display right before half time.

I'll give people the Seattle game, but there's no way in hell i'm blaming Romo for the Giants loss

Agree, completely.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

we where not playing 1 on 11 football that day, there's enough blame to go around. It's not Romo's fault Crayton stopped his route, he doesn't play oline and pass block for him self and Romo wasn't playing defense in that pathetic display right before half time.

I'll give people the Seattle game, but there's no way in hell i'm blaming Romo for the Giants loss

1 on 12. The idiot refs give the Vagiants a completely bogus offsides call against Demarcus on 3rd and 5. Instead of punting, they get a first down and score a TD.

Don't even get me started on that POS Jacques Reeves giving up a TD all by himself on a 47 second scoring drive that only cost the Giants one of their two timeouts. The only good thing that worthless pool of diarrhetic dog turds ever did was get us a compensentory draft pick.

Let's all review the greatness that was once again one of 34-32's great draft picks.

6-N.Folk kicks 54 yards from DAL 30 to NYG 16. 44-A.Bradshaw to NYG 29 for 13 yards (54-B.Carpenter). Return middle. 1-10-NYG 29 47) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete short right to 81-A.Toomer. Pass fell short at the NYG 41; Reeves closest. 2-10-NYG 29 42) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 12-S.Smith to DAL 49 for 22 yards (35-J.Reeves) [99-C.Canty]. Pass complete on fly pattern. Timeout #2 by NYG at 00:34. 1-10-DAL 49 34) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 12-S.Smith pushed ob at DAL 38 for 11 yards (35-J.Reeves). PENALTY on DAL-35-J.Reeves, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at DAL 38. 1-10-DAL 23 28) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete deep middle to 17-P.Burress. Pass incomplete on a post pattern in the back of the end zone. 2-10-DAL 23 21) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete short middle (99-C.Canty). Canty knocked down the pass at the line of scrimmage. 3-10-DAL 23 17) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 89-K.Boss to DAL 4 for 19 yards (35-J.Reeves).