jmnichols75
Active Member
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Re: Tony Romo
I'm telling you now that I don't think he's done in Dallas...certainly not this year. Dak is still a rookie and injuries still happen.
That being said, even if he IS done in Dallas, this year and forever, he has been a terrific quarterback...a great quarterback. All the criticism has been ridiculously magnified. He has been unfairly maligned. I truly, genuinely rank him among the all-time greats. He had the "misfortune" of playing at the same time as 3 other players who make that list, 2 of which are in the conversation for best ever. That creates an impossible standard. He gets graded on an insurmountably steep curve.
Some people developed their opinion of him when he bobbled the snap against Seattle in 06. They weren't able to ever get that perception out of their heads or their hearts. They missed the development of a player who became one of the best and clearly loves to play the game. Who seemed to know how blessed he was to be where he was at.
There are others who couldn't stop trying to compare him to former franchise greats. Another "misfortune" that clouded people's judgment about him, his effectiveness, his overall play. He hadn't won three Super Bowls, so he isn't Troy Aikman. He hasn't even won a Super Bowl, so he's not even Roger Staubach. Because he isn't those players, he had his support reduced even among his hometown fans. When the haters' knives came out, fewer people had his back because large parts of his potential fan base had decided to judge him based on the number of Super Bowl trophies rather than his ability to contribute to winning them.
And yet, this undrafted free agent from Northern Illinois went on to start for America's Team. He set franchise records in passing yards, and touchdowns, and wins. But, there was always the last pick he threw. For a while, he had the highest rating of any active QB (may still have it, and that's quite an accomplishment given his generational cohorts)...but there was that one time he DIDN'T drive the length of the field...twice...for touchdowns...against a top 5 defense...during an away game...in bad weather...while injured.
I've seen him return to play after breaking a rib and suffering a punctured lung. Like Daniel freakin' Laruso after Miyagi worked on his leg, Romo returned to the field. He threw a great pass to a receiver who won his roster spot on a reality TV show for a last second 77-yard catch that lead to the game winning touchdown after spending a long time in the locker room barely able to breathe. Something he still struggled to do through the pain that persisted days later. But, he suited up the next week anyway.
He took a vacation to Cabo once. It clearly signaled a lack focus and commitment. He likes to play golf. Must be because he doesn't care about the team. Whatever...
He went toe-to-toe with Payton Manning in a shootout in Denver, throwing for 5 touchdowns and over 500 yards. He throws one pick at the end due to his throw being partly distrupted by the pressure the Broncos were applying, partly because of a great play by their linebacker. But even though the Cowboys offense scored 48 points and the defense did not force a single Broncos punt, it was supposedly Romo's fault that they lost.
In the face of impossible standards, he persevered. He honed his game. Cut back on the interceptions that DID somewhat cloud the early years of his starting career (though, even then, they weren't too bad). He clearly worked on himself as a man too. Antonio Romero Romo has shown how resilient, disciplined, and tough he can be...and he did for a long time on the field for the Cowboys too. When I was younger, I used to idolize football players because of their physical skills and talents. It's the same with Romo. But, now that I've gotten a bit older, I appreciate the determination it took for him to get where he's at from where he came from. And, I marvel at his ability to show grace in the face of ridiculous, unjustified criticism. Whatever happens, wherever he plays, I'll remain a Tony Romo fan.
When he's done playing, I hope he coaches...and, I hope it's with the Dallas Cowboys.
I'm telling you now that I don't think he's done in Dallas...certainly not this year. Dak is still a rookie and injuries still happen.
That being said, even if he IS done in Dallas, this year and forever, he has been a terrific quarterback...a great quarterback. All the criticism has been ridiculously magnified. He has been unfairly maligned. I truly, genuinely rank him among the all-time greats. He had the "misfortune" of playing at the same time as 3 other players who make that list, 2 of which are in the conversation for best ever. That creates an impossible standard. He gets graded on an insurmountably steep curve.
Some people developed their opinion of him when he bobbled the snap against Seattle in 06. They weren't able to ever get that perception out of their heads or their hearts. They missed the development of a player who became one of the best and clearly loves to play the game. Who seemed to know how blessed he was to be where he was at.
There are others who couldn't stop trying to compare him to former franchise greats. Another "misfortune" that clouded people's judgment about him, his effectiveness, his overall play. He hadn't won three Super Bowls, so he isn't Troy Aikman. He hasn't even won a Super Bowl, so he's not even Roger Staubach. Because he isn't those players, he had his support reduced even among his hometown fans. When the haters' knives came out, fewer people had his back because large parts of his potential fan base had decided to judge him based on the number of Super Bowl trophies rather than his ability to contribute to winning them.
And yet, this undrafted free agent from Northern Illinois went on to start for America's Team. He set franchise records in passing yards, and touchdowns, and wins. But, there was always the last pick he threw. For a while, he had the highest rating of any active QB (may still have it, and that's quite an accomplishment given his generational cohorts)...but there was that one time he DIDN'T drive the length of the field...twice...for touchdowns...against a top 5 defense...during an away game...in bad weather...while injured.
I've seen him return to play after breaking a rib and suffering a punctured lung. Like Daniel freakin' Laruso after Miyagi worked on his leg, Romo returned to the field. He threw a great pass to a receiver who won his roster spot on a reality TV show for a last second 77-yard catch that lead to the game winning touchdown after spending a long time in the locker room barely able to breathe. Something he still struggled to do through the pain that persisted days later. But, he suited up the next week anyway.
He took a vacation to Cabo once. It clearly signaled a lack focus and commitment. He likes to play golf. Must be because he doesn't care about the team. Whatever...
He went toe-to-toe with Payton Manning in a shootout in Denver, throwing for 5 touchdowns and over 500 yards. He throws one pick at the end due to his throw being partly distrupted by the pressure the Broncos were applying, partly because of a great play by their linebacker. But even though the Cowboys offense scored 48 points and the defense did not force a single Broncos punt, it was supposedly Romo's fault that they lost.
In the face of impossible standards, he persevered. He honed his game. Cut back on the interceptions that DID somewhat cloud the early years of his starting career (though, even then, they weren't too bad). He clearly worked on himself as a man too. Antonio Romero Romo has shown how resilient, disciplined, and tough he can be...and he did for a long time on the field for the Cowboys too. When I was younger, I used to idolize football players because of their physical skills and talents. It's the same with Romo. But, now that I've gotten a bit older, I appreciate the determination it took for him to get where he's at from where he came from. And, I marvel at his ability to show grace in the face of ridiculous, unjustified criticism. Whatever happens, wherever he plays, I'll remain a Tony Romo fan.
When he's done playing, I hope he coaches...and, I hope it's with the Dallas Cowboys.
