Twitter: Tony Romo not yet on IR as Cowboys leave door open for playoff return

[Idgit]

There's not a team in the league who'd IR a franchise QB who was set to potentially return for a wildcard round when they're two games out of first place with five games to go and still two to play against the division leader. This really shouldn't surprise you guys.

Even if you think it's hopeless, which so many of you have so eloquently shared with the rest of us already, you still do this because it's the most efficient use of your roster space.

And the ones complaining about it most now would be the ones complaining the loudest in the wildly unlikely event that we somehow do win the NFCE this month and have a healthy Tony Romo on IR for the playoff grudge match game against a questionable GB team in GB.

 

[cowboyblue22]

at least Monday night the debate will be pretty much settled

 

[Idgit]

at least Monday night the debate will be pretty much settled

There's not really a debate. It was a reasonable move to make no matter what the outcome Monday. But you're right that if we lose on Monday it won't really matter either way anymore.

 

[Hailmary]

There's not a team in the league who'd IR a franchise QB who was set to potentially return for a wildcard round when they're two games out of first place with five games to go and still two to play against the division leader. This really shouldn't surprise you guys.

Even if you think it's hopeless, which so many of you have so eloquently shared with the rest of us already, you still do this because it's the most efficient use of your roster space.

And the ones complaining about it most now would be the ones complaining the loudest in the wildly unlikely event that we somehow do win the NFCE this month and have a healthy Tony Romo on IR for the playoff grudge match game against a questionable GB team in GB.

I get what you're saying but the guys at the cowboys break made a good point yesterday. Let's say by some miracle that we do make it to the playoffs and by some bigger miracle that we win in the first round to actually see GB. Are you actually going to sit Cassell, the QB that won 6 straight to get you there? 6 stressful, do or die, single elimination games? Would you rather play a rusty Romo at Lambeau over the hot QB?

Me personally, I would have IR'd him and try to save a kid like Trey Williams rather than holding out hope for a near impossible situation.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I get what you're saying but the guys at the cowboys break made a good point yesterday. Let's say by some miracle that we do make it to the playoffs and by some bigger miracle that we win in the first round to actually see GB. Are you actually going to sit Cassell, the QB that won 6 straight to get you there? 6 stressful, do or die, single elimination games? Would you rather play a rusty Romo at Lambeau over the hot QB?

Me personally, I would have IR'd him and try to save a kid like Trey Williams rather than holding out hope for a near impossible situation.

While I think bringing Tony back is dumb for health reasons, I find it laughable that people are suggesting that Cassel/Moore could become untouchable somehow. Cassel's last game against Tampa Bay was his worst yet, but despite his horrific showing the Cowboys win if Heath doesn't hold. While I agree that the Cowboys don't go on a run without at least some improvement from the QB spot, I'm pretty sure if they make the playoffs it will be in spite of the backups not because of them. There is literally no scenario where you don't play #9 (allowing for the fact that it's dumb he wouldn't be on season ending IR in the first place).

 

[big dog cowboy]

Monday night can't get here soon enough.

 

[Hailmary]

While I think bringing Tony back is dumb for health reasons, I find it laughable that people are suggesting that Cassel/Moore could become untouchable somehow. Cassel's last game against Tampa Bay was his worst yet, but despite his horrific showing the Cowboys win if Heath doesn't hold. While I agree that the Cowboys don't go on a run without at least some improvement from the QB spot, I'm pretty sure if they make the playoffs it will be in spite of the backups not because of them. There is literally no scenario where you don't play #9 (allowing for the fact that it's dumb he wouldn't be on season ending IR in the first place).

That's silly. In order to win 6 straight (including a playoff game), the QB (whoever that may be) most likely would have a huge role in those wins. Sure they could have a subpar performance or two, but their overall play would have to be pretty good.

 

[Idgit]

I get what you're saying but the guys at the cowboys break made a good point yesterday. Let's say by some miracle that we do make it to the playoffs and by some bigger miracle that we win in the first round to actually see GB. Are you actually going to sit Cassell, the QB that won 6 straight to get you there? 6 stressful, do or die, single elimination games? Would you rather play a rusty Romo at Lambeau over the hot QB?

Me personally, I would have IR'd him and try to save a kid like Trey Williams rather than holding out hope for a near impossible situation.

First, let's all be clear that we're talking about something exceedingly unlikely. Me, if Romo's healthy, I'm playing him no matter how hot Matt Cassel was during the interim. The only question is whether he's fully healthy or not.

Either way, though, your QB position group is deeper with Cassel/Romo than it would be with Cassel/Moore, so it's still a win.

If they really liked Trey Williams, they'd have been able to cut somebody else. Whoever that 53rd guy is, cutting him is not a tremendous risk.

The other thing that doesn't get brought up much is that keeping Romo active also sends a message of sorts to the team that they still have something to play for. It's in JG's interest to keep them out of the tank however he does it.

 

[movaughn88]

This is one of those times why it's fun to be a sports fan, to talk about the slim chance turn-around miracle seasons.

For instance, I have two sports teams - the Cowboys and the Mets (raised in Dallas, live in NYC). This June the Mets had probably a worse chance than the Cowboys currently do to make the playoffs....and if not for a couple of blown saves they might have won the WS. You never know. I'm not an idiot and can rationally recognize it's a near-zero chance, but the 53rd guy on the roster isn't worth throwing a powerball lottery ticket away early.

I think Romo would play with a high probability of re-injury, and we would have to let him.

 

[SHAMSzy]

How terrible is the idea of Cassel winning out, Cowboys bringing back Romo for the wildcard game, and Romo throwing 3 picks in the 1st quarter

The sick thing is it is something that would somehow happen to this team (and I'm a huge Romo fan)

 

[Hailmary]

First, let's all be clear that we're talking about something exceedingly unlikely. Me, if Romo's healthy, I'm playing him no matter how hot Matt Cassel was during the interim. The only question is whether he's fully healthy or not.

Either way, though, your QB position group is deeper with Cassel/Romo than it would be with Cassel/Moore, so it's still a win.

If they really liked Trey Williams, they'd have been able to cut somebody else. Whoever that 53rd guy is, cutting him is not a tremendous risk.

The other thing that doesn't get brought up much is that keeping Romo active also sends a message of sorts to the team that they still have something to play for. It's in JG's interest to keep them out of the tank however he does it.

What did you think of Romo's performance during the Miami game? Ok, but not great, right? Do you think ok, but not great will win you a game in the second round of the playoffs in a hostile environment? I'm guessing no. Realistically speaking, wouldn't ride the momentum of a guy who's won 6 in a row rather than a guy who's sat for 6 in a row?

 

[Idgit]

What did you think of Romo's performance during the Miami game? Ok, but not great, right? Do you think ok, but not great will win you a game in the second round of the playoffs in a hostile environment? I'm guessing no. Realistically speaking, wouldn't ride the momentum of a guy who's won 6 in a row rather than a guy who's sat for 6 in a row?

I suppose it really has to do with how Cassel plays during that stretch. In the unlikely event they're winning because he's playing better or hotter than he has during most of his career, I'd consider keeping him in there. I'm assuming, though, we'd be winning because we're playing well around him and that he's also playing ok, but not great. All things being equal, I'd take Tony's upside over Matt's, even if it cost me the season.

Tony's play in MIA I'd be fine with. I believe him crapping the bed v. CAR was one of those games he gives you every year or two and not necessarily something related to his injury or time off. He might feel differently. He talked about his timing being off, but the picks just looked like mistakes with where he went with the ball to me.

 

[Hailmary]

This is one of those times why it's fun to be a sports fan, to talk about the slim chance turn-around miracle seasons.

For instance, I have two sports teams - the Cowboys and the Mets (raised in Dallas, live in NYC). This June the Mets had probably a worse chance than the Cowboys currently do to make the playoffs....and if not for a couple of blown saves they might have won the WS. You never know. I'm not an idiot and can rationally recognize it's a near-zero chance, but the 53rd guy on the roster isn't worth throwing a powerball lottery ticket away early.

I think Romo would play with a high probability of re-injury, and we would have to let him.

Ummm...I don't know about the Mets comparison. Weren't they leading the NL east in June? I don't think anyone really expected them to go to the WS, but I don't think anyone was surprised that they made the playoffs, especially with their starting staff. I realize anything is possible but I think the Cowboys at this stage is in a far worse position than the Mets were in June or at any point in the season for that matter.

 

[Tabascocat]

Ummm...I don't know about the Mets comparison. Weren't they leading the NL east in June? I don't think anyone really expected them to go to the WS, but I don't think anyone was surprised that they made the playoffs, especially with their starting staff. I realize anything is possible but I think the Cowboys at this stage is in a far worse position than the Mets were in June or at any point in the season for that matter.

The Mets were a disaster until they picked up Cespedes. They were not expected to make the playoffs, even with the starting staff. It was an absolute surprise that they won the East.

 

[Hailmary]

The Mets were a disaster until they picked up Cespedes. They were not expected to make the playoffs, even with the starting staff. It was an absolute surprise that they won the East.

I'll have to take your word for it seeing as how I follow the Yankees and the American League. I'm just surprised because I thought they were either at or near the top of their division for most of the year. And with the Marlins, Phillies and Braves being as bad as they were last year, I never would've guessed it was a surprise that they won the east. Not a huge one anyway.

 

[Tabascocat]

I'll have to take your word for it seeing as how I follow the Yankees and the American League. I'm just surprised because I thought they were either at or near the top of their division for most of the year. And with the Marlins, Phillies and Braves being as bad as they were last year, I never would've guessed it was a surprise that they won the east. Not a huge one anyway.

Disaster is a strong word here. The Mets were on top at the end of April then hovered around .500 for a few months. The pitching got tired and could not carry the offense much. Mets were one of the worst offensive teams until they got Cespedes and Granderson woke up. Murphy didn't even really do that much until September.

The Nationals were expected to run away with the division and the Mets had a legitimate shot the next season.........those were the projections anyways.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

That's silly. In order to win 6 straight (including a playoff game), the QB (whoever that may be) most likely would have a huge role in those wins. Sure they could have a subpar performance or two, but their overall play would have to be pretty good.

No, they wouldn't. Lots of quarterbacks play competently every week while their team wins, but certainly not anywhere close to the level where you wouldn't replace them with a superior talent. Again, there is literally no scenario where you don't replace Cassel/Moore if the option is there.

 

[Alexander]

I suppose it really has to do with how Cassel plays during that stretch. In the unlikely event they're winning because he's playing better or hotter than he has during most of his career, I'd consider keeping him in there. I'm assuming, though, we'd be winning because we're playing well around him and that he's also playing ok, but not great. All things being equal, I'd take Tony's upside over Matt's, even if it cost me the season.

Two ways you can look at it.

Keep the QB that is winning ala Beuerlein over Aikman down the stretch in 1991 like Johnson did.

Or do what Shula did with Griese back in as soon as healthy over Earl Morrell in their unbeaten season.

But we are talking Matt Cassel here. Mr. Winless In This Offense Matt Cassel. Don't think there will have to be that kind of difficult decision to make.

 

[cowboyblue22]

the qb play for the cowboys this season has been average at best they cant win a game with out romo and now some think they will flip a switch and win 5 games in a row. they are 3 and 8 the team has stumbled and bumbled there way through eleven games they have been out coached and out played. People are talking about them tanking im not sure that they are able to keep from losing another game this team has changed so much from last year looks more like the 8 and 8 teams of the past.

 

[movaughn88]

Disaster is a strong word here. The Mets were on top at the end of April then hovered around .500 for a few months. The pitching got tired and could not carry the offense much. Mets were one of the worst offensive teams until they got Cespedes and Granderson woke up. Murphy didn't even really do that much until September.

The Nationals were expected to run away with the division and the Mets had a legitimate shot the next season.........those were the projections anyways.

Not trying to make this a baseball thread, but this graph even surprised me in the parallels. Mets offense in June = Cowboys offense without Romo. Cowboys would need exactly this type of turnaround (including sweeping a huge series against the division leader), but unfortunately our Cespedes is Romo and he broke his collarbone again.

http://www.fangraphs.com/coolgraphs.aspx?lg=NL&div=E&stat=poff