USA Today Ranks Romo 23rd Best Player 5th Best QB

[DandyDon1722]

For as much as I defend him I'm kind of surprised by this because it's so chic for the media to downgrade him.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...omo-nfls-23rd-best-player-fifth-best-qb.html/

However, I do see a tide turning with the fan base in comments on ESPN and the DMN. Even JJT mentioned this week that fans seem to be accepting other aspects of the team's shortcomings. He looked sharp in OTA's and I think he's going to have a monster year if the offensive line holds up.

Still, I get it and so does Tony -- it's all about winning.

BTW I guess McGee really struggled this week. Garrett called him "up and down." That's being nice.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yeah, that's about where I would put him.

 

[JBell]

I would put him 6th behind Big Ben. 7th if Peyton returns to form.

One Lombardi is what Romo needs to be considered Top 5.

 

[sureletsrace]

Wait, is the media saying this about his ranking on our team, or in the NFL?

 

[D29Murray]

I would put him 6th behind Big Ben. 7th if Peyton returns to form.

One Lombardi is what Romo needs to be considered Top 5.

Big Ben isn't better, IMHO, he just has more rings.

 

[SDCowboy]

NFL netword had a Giants player (o'hara) on a couple days ago and HE said Romo is a top 4 QB. I was shocked.

 

[BoyGenius]

Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady & Drew Brees are the only QB's I would say are clearly better than Tony Romo. Peyton Manning as well if he's 100% which I'm not so sure about. But I would say Romo, Roethlisberger, Rivers & Eli Manning are so close it's really too hard to call.

 

[RastaRocket]

Big Ben isn't better, IMHO, he just has more rings.

I agree.

 

[Idgit]

Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady & Drew Brees are the only QB's I would say are clearly better than Tony Romo. Peyton Manning as well if he's 100% which I'm not so sure about. But I would say Romo, Roethlisberger, Rivers & Eli Manning are so close it's really too hard to call.

Yep. That's about where I'd rank them, too.

 

[speedkilz88]

NFL netword had a Giants player (o'hara) on a couple days ago and HE said Romo is a top 4 QB. I was shocked.

Did they happen to ask him about Eli?

 

[SDCowboy]

Did they happen to ask him about Eli?

Not on this segment. It was about Dez which is why Romo got brought up.

 

[JBell]

Trent Dilfer separated the QB's into tiers perfectly IMO:

Parameters: When I was asked to break down the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL, I studied a lot of different factors. I used the tape, for starters, and the backroom words from evaluators and other QBs, the guys seeing it up close. I looked at the numbers, like QBR and passer rating, and win totals. I considered trajectory, and which way the play is trending. But I also took into account perception, because it absolutely plays a role in the way a player is valued around the league, and that matters. Labels stick.

You are also welcome to read into the order in which guys are placed within each section -- that's not declarative, but it's not an accident.

Hall of Fame Level

This category is reserved for guys who are considered the current Mount Rushmore among NFL quarterbacks -- they have legacies secured through things already accomplished. The numbers, status among peers, Super Bowl rings and franchise-leader status are all there. Plus, you'll see in each case, losing is a rarity even in a league built for parity. Trajectory is not an issue.

Peyton Manning (Colts): May not be back in 2012, but his legacy is entirely secure. From pure performance -- i.e., discounting number of Super Bowls discussion -- may be considered the best QB of his generation by his peers across the league.

Tom Brady (Patriots): New weapons have staved off decline questions, and a fourth Super Bowl win would put him in the best-ever discussion if he's not already there. Brilliant player.

Aaron Rodgers (Packers): Currently the most complete player in the NFL. Capable of becoming one of the handful of all-time greats.

Drew Brees (Saints): Record numbers, a ring and an impeccable reputation across the league as a leader. Quietly on pace for 60,000-plus yards.

Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers): This might turn heads, but Big Ben has reached this level. Two Super Bowls, an 80-33 regular-season record, and now putting up big numbers, too. And he's still on the right end of 30.

The Eli Zone

Eli Manning (Giants): Gets his own category because a second Super Bowl would really shift league perception. Minus that, he's probably more set in the next category.

A Ring Away

This category reflects quarterbacks who have the shown the ability play at an elite level or are winning at an elite level and need a Super Bowl win to validate the perception of them. They don't have job-security questions and have proven vital within their offenses. Most display a solid career trajectory and have proven themselves as winners, if not title winners.

Philip Rivers (Chargers): Struggled behind a bad O-line in 2011, but there's nothing he can't do as a passer. With four straight 4,000-yard seasons and respect around the league, he just needs to get to that next level as a winner.

Tony Romo (Cowboys): Wildly underrated, mostly based on overblown "clutch" questions, Romo just finished a season with 31 TD passes against 10 INTs. He was behind only Rodgers, Brees and Brady from a statistical standpoint, while playing dinged up. Want to know where Romo stands, just ask fellow quarterbacks.

Matt Ryan (Falcons): Faces trajectory questions after another bad playoff performance, but very highly regarded among evaluators. I don't put a ton of stock in "QB wins" but Ryan has a 43-19 record as a starter and is only 26. He adapted quickly to the NFL, now must take the next step.

Joe Flacco (Ravens): Enigmatic, but quietly pretty good, too, and with elite arm strength. I put Flacco here because I think his trajectory could continue to get better with more help, and also a different offensive philosophy. He played well enough to get his team to the Super Bowl this year.

Matthew Stafford (Lions): He won't be 24 until next week, but Stafford showed off just how wildly talented he is this season. He just had the best age-23 season since Dan Marino, and now is showing he can lead a winner. Only this low because putting it together for two straight seasons (including health) matters. He's got a Hall of Fame trajectory if he can stay healthy.

Jay Cutler (Bears): Rose in my perception this year from lower group based on how he carried the Bears' offense. Like Stafford, an extremely talented player who I think still has tremendous upside if the Bears get him some help. I don't think there's any reason at this point to say Cutler isn't capable of leading a Super Bowl team. Improved trajectory.

Matt Schaub (Texans): It's not unfair to say that the Texans would be a good bet to reach the Super Bowl had Schaub been healthy. He has limitations, but might be the best deep passer in the game. Good trajectory.

 

[speedkilz88]

He should have broken it up a little more. It's an insult to have some of those guys on the group with Romo and Rivers. Flacco and Cutler being the most obvious.

 

[Kingsmith88]

This may not be popular, but I think Little Eli is closer to the HOF level then The rapist.

 

[SDCowboy]

Did they happen to ask him about Eli?

Here's the video of him talking about Romo (and Dez)...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...ung-wide-receivers?module=HP11_content_stream

 

[BoyGenius]

He should have broken it up a little more. It's an insult to have some of those guys on the group with Romo and Rivers. Flacco and Cutler being the most obvious.

Yeah dude I definitely agree. But personally I would also say it's a little insulting to have Ryan & even Stafford in that same group because they are so young & unproven in terms of consistency, but they are both really really talented & played very well last season so I understand.

On the flip side, I'm glad to see Matt Schuab getting some respect. Dude is one of the better & more talented QBs in the NFL & it's like he's the forgotten man. No one ever talks about him anymore. Houston was my pick to go to the SB when he was under center.

 

[jblaze2004]

seems right. only haters will argue over this saying he should be lower. Or he chokes in the 4th quarter. I mean he has one of the highest 4th quarter ratings in the league. Men lie, women lie, numbers don't.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Trent Dilfer separated the QB's into tiers perfectly IMO:

ost:

 

[Gemini Dolly]

WOW

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

I would put him 6th behind Big Ben. 7th if Peyton returns to form.

One Lombardi is what Romo needs to be considered Top 5.

Not sure if serious.

Romo has far superior numbers compared to Big Ben. Ben just is lucky he's had an elite defense something Romo doesn't. Big Ben's performance in the Super Bowl have been awful.