Werder needs to go to Bill Parcells School for Offensive Football Game Mangement. Then, he needs to tell Jason Garrett to go, too.
It is the coaches job to help the quarterback manage the game. How do you do this, especially with a gunslinger like Tony Romo?
Hmm. Let's see.
1. You manage the game based on field position. Hey, Jason. That means don't put your quarterback in risky positions by calling vertical pass plays when backed up in your own territory. That could mean calling safer plays in the passing game or simple run it and punt it.
(ie. Don't call deep fade routes in the wind while deep at your own end, Don't call pass plays when backed up inside your own 5 yard line, especially when you have seen the heat the quarterback is under, ect... Use your running game or screens or shorter throws. Give yourself some room before you allow Romo to launch missles or throw down the field, especially against top defenses or in tight defensive games. You need to have "the feel" of the game and manage it. That is instinctive.
2. Tony Romo needs structure and discipline built into the offensive system. He needs parameters set for him in regards to his risk taking, not a leash, but parameters. He needs a quarterbacks coach who will not allow him to be sloppy with his fundamentals. Romo has less than 3 years of real time experience.
How do you get structure and discipline in the offense. Hmm. You don't run a Tecmo Bowl offense where you live and die by the bomb or plays over 20 yards. This wasn't Norv Turner's offense. This wasn't even the offense I saw last year. There are plenty of other intermediate and short pass patterns you can run. There are even routes designed to get the ball out faster when facing severe heat. Plus, getting the ball out of the quarterbacks hand faster, instead of looking for the kill shot too much, actually allows you to move the ball and protect your quarterback.
Which leads me to number 3. Playcalling
3. You can protect Tony Romo with your playcalling and run game. That wasn't Tony Romo torching the Giants on third down in the playoff game last year after heavy runs were called and executed, was it? Why are we throwing the ball 45 times against the Ravens? Your passing game has to be more efficient. Tony Romo is a very efficient passer. Romo missed two deep throws, and both could have been TDs. However, when you live by the bomb, you die by the bomb. Giving him higher percentage throws or routes and allowing him to work the ball down the field, patiently, would allow you to over come the over throws in that game.
We need to cut Romo a little slack with his comments after the game. He is under enormous pressure, and he was managed very, very poorly in some of the critical losses.
It is the offensive coordinator's job to help the quarterback manage the game. He has to set parameters for the quarterback and protect the quarterback through his play calling and game plans and in game adjustments. Garrett was inconsistent in doing this. It cost the Cowboys.
