With Romo: 5-9 record in December

[RainMan]

Romo has to learn to become a better manager of the QB position. He's masterful when the passing lanes allow him to throw for 300 yards -- which he does with much frequency. But playoff football doesn't usually allow for that kind of football. The winds are stiffer, defenes tougher and the ground harder.

He can win when throwing for 300, but seems to struggle to win when that's not the case. I've said it before -- he needs to learn to win like Aikman would. Sure, Aikman could throw for yards. But he was an artist at winning playoff-style games that dicated managing the position, not turning the ball over, knowing when to settle for small yards and when to take the big play.

Romo just can't help himself sometimes. He knows nothing's there, but he'll still chunk it -- almost as if just to double check nothing was there. You can't do that and succeed very often in playoff-type games.

Fortunately, I think (hope?) this is a correctable problem. IMO, this, not just an innate choking mentality, is Romo's problem. But unfortunately for us, who knows how long it will take for him to take his game to the next level in this sense.

 

[Bleu Star]

Romo has to learn to become a better manager of the QB position. He's masterful when the passing lanes allow him to throw for 300 yards -- which he does with much frequency. But playoff football doesn't usually allow for that kind of football. The winds are stiffer, defenes tougher and the ground harder.

He can win when throwing for 300, but seems to struggle to win when that's not the case. I've said it before -- he needs to learn to win like Aikman would. Sure, Aikman could throw for yards. But he was an artist at winning playoff-style games that dicated managing the position, not turning the ball over, knowing when to settle for small yards and when to take the big play.

Romo just can't help himself sometimes. He knows nothing's there, but he'll still chunk it -- almost as if just to double check nothing was there. You can't do that and succeed very often in playoff-type games.

Great post.

 

[coogrfan]

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. not saying Romo is the weakest link, but I can throw out tired cliche's that don't really pertain to the point of discussions too.

Uh-huh.

Until and unless this team (a term that includes, but is not limited to Tony Romo) ceases to beat itself with stupid penalties and mental mistakes, it won't matter who the qb is. Staubach in his prime couldn't will this bunch of knuckleheads to postseason success.

 

[28 Joker]

If the interior of the defense doesn't melt down at the end, Romo wins that game, imo.

He missed a couple of big throws, but this was a team loss.

 

[RainMan]

Uh-huh.

Until and unless this team ceases to beat itself with stupid penalties and mental mistakes, it won't matter who the qb is. Staubach in his prime couldn't will this bunch of knuckleheads to postseason success.

Romo is part of that equation though. He's not the only problem, and possibly not even the biggest. But it would help if our quarterback could manage the huddle better, get us lined up in time (though maybe it's not his fault?) and not toss up random interceptions.

 

[Cochese]

Romo has to learn to become a better manager of the QB position. He's masterful when the passing lanes allow him to throw for 300 yards -- which he does with much frequency. But playoff football doesn't usually allow for that kind of football. The winds are stiffer, defenes tougher and the ground harder.

He can win when throwing for 300, but seems to struggle to win when that's not the case. I've said it before -- he needs to learn to win like Aikman would. Sure, Aikman could throw for yards. But he was an artist at winning playoff-style games that dicated managing the position, not turning the ball over, knowing when to settle for small yards and when to take the big play.

Romo just can't help himself sometimes. He knows nothing's there, but he'll still chunk it -- almost as if just to double check nothing was there. You can't do that and succeed very often in playoff-type games.

Fortunately, I think (hope?) this is a correctable problem. IMO, this, not just an innate choking mentality, is Romo's problem. But unfortunately for us, who knows how long it will take for him to take his game to the next level in this sense.

A huge part of this is his coordinator. Its hard for Tony to 'manage the game' when Witten, TO and Roy are all atleast 15 yards downfield on designed pass plays.

 

[Rack]

Didn't you get the memo? Win/Loss records for QBs only count when they're WINNING records.

 

[gmb85]

Those INT's will never stop until someone gets in his face and challenges him. Holmgren had some success doing that with Favre but without Holmgren Favre hasn't done jack.

 

[coogrfan]

Romo is part of that equation though. He's not the only problem, and possibly not even the biggest. But it would help if our quarterback could manage the huddle better, get us lined up in time (though maybe it's not his fault?) and not toss up random interceptions.

True, and I have modified my earlier statement to reflect that. Would you at least agree that many (perhaps even most) of this teams problems are things beyond Romo's control? For example, our penchant for false starts and illegal formation penalties?

 

[RainMan]

True, and I have modified my earlier statement to reflect that. Would you at least agree that many (perhaps even most) of this teams problems are things beyond Romo's control? For example, our penchant for false starts and illegal formation penalties?

Oh without a doubt. I still want Romo around and am absolutely "hitched" to him for years to come. He's our guy and rightfully so.

I just think stylistically he needs to learn to manage the position better. I think his slingin' style can win 13 or 14 games, but you might need 16 wins to get a Super Bowl win. And for those extra few wins, I think a QB needs to be able to win even when not throwing for big numbers, instead taking check downs and setting up that one big strike or two.

 

[stiletto]

They compared us to the 70's Aints as having the worst December record over 10 years. That should tell everyone all they need to know about this organization. My how we've fallen from grace. Sad

 

[Randy White]

I'm really curious of just how much this team handcuffed itself by giving Romo that huge contract. I'm not saying I want Romo gone. However, I am saying I want there to be some competition at the position. Competition makes you better.

Naaa. That's counter productive. What would happen is that you'd create a good ol' QB controversy that could split the team down the middle. Not that the Cowboys are showing they're much of a team anyways, but another distraction is the last thing this franchise needs right now.

However, I do get where you're going with this, and I agree. Romo doesn't necessarily need competition as much as he needs a coach he can, at the very least, respect, if not fear. Tuna was that type of coach. I'm not saying everything he did was right, obviously this team's problems pretty much happened under him as well, but TR had a healthy fear of Tuna and played accordingly.

He doesn't have the same level of respect for the current staff.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Those INT's will never stop until someone gets in his face and challenges him. Holmgren had some success doing that with Favre but without Holmgren Favre hasn't done jack.

Exactly.

I'm starting the Holmgren bandwagon right now. Who's with me?!

 

[windward]

Exactly.

I'm starting the Holmgren bandwagon right now. Who's with me?!

I''ll see how we finish the year. If Wade must go, then Holmgren's the guy.

Right after we interview Stewart to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

 

[Da Hammer]

Romo like its been said a million times is jsut way too much of a gun slinger like brett favre. when he is in trouble he is just gonna throw it up a lot of times off balance or into double teams hoping he gets lucky. thats just not the type of football that wins in december and in the playoffs. im not saying i want him gone but we need a coach that will settle him down and put him in his place when he is making stupid mistakes. you know its easy to get stuck making the same mistakes over and over when everything is going your way but the truly great one's in any sport notice their mistakes even when it seems they cant play any better. Romo needs to realize that when he gunslings he is hurting this team! and before some moron says that im putting this loss all on him no i am not, he was/is just one of the many problems on this team today and the last few years late in the season/playoffs!

 

[gmb85]

It's not like Holmgren has done anything special in Seattle this year. Only God can help these Cowboys.

 

[Randy White]

Exactly.

I'm starting the Holmgren bandwagon right now. Who's with me?!

Not me. This team is not a good fit for Holmgren, even though they need somebody with his exact temperament.

For starters, the entire O-line is signed to long term contracts. This O-line is NOT designed for the WCO. The guy with the most experience in a WCO in this current O-line is Kyle Kosier ( 4 years ), everybody else is just 1 ( Gurode and Flo ) and that was about 5 years ago with Bruce Coslet ( I think Gurode was a back up if he was on the team at all ).

Bringing in Holmgren would require a complete change of philosophy on offense for this team, and I don't think Jerrah is willing to do that after spending so much money and time. Especially when the offense is still relatively young.

Now, you bring in somebody like say Bill Cowher, with an OC of the caliber of say Norv Turner, and now you're cooking. Turner is an excellent OC, just not a good HC and Bill, if Jerrah is willing to give him the dough, is the type of coach who lets his coordinators do their thing while he takes charge of the entire team.

Oh, and you can bet your bottom dollar that if that pipe dream comes true, none other than Dom Capers will be taking over the defense.

 

[RainMan]

Not me. This team is not a good fit for Holmgren, even though they need somebody with his exact temperament.

For starters, the entire O-line is signed to long term contracts. This O-line is NOT designed for the WCO. The guy with the most experience in a WCO in this current O-line is Kyle Kosier ( 4 years ), everybody else is just 1 ( Gurode and Flo ) and that was about 5 years ago with Bruce Coslet ( I think Gurode was a back up if he was on the team at all ).

Bringing in Holmgren would require a complete change of philosophy on offense for this team, and I don't think Jerrah is willing to do that after spending so much money and time. Especially when the offense is still relatively young.

Now, you bring in somebody like say Bill Cowher, with an OC of the caliber of say Norv Turner, and now you're cooking. Turner is an excellent OC, just not a good HC and Bill, if Jerrah is willing to give him the dough, is the type of coach who lets his coordinators do their thing while he takes charge of the entire team.

Oh, and you can bet your bottom dollar that if that pipe dream comes true, none other than Dom Capers will be taking over the defense.

Obviously, I could live with your scenario.

I think after tonight's deflating loss, barring something amazing that nets us a playoff victory, Jerry is going to have to overhaul this coaching staff. He's as much into marketing as he is into winning games (read: He desperately craves both) and he's not going to open up that billion-dollar stadium with Grandma (Phillips) or the Pseudo Genius (Red Ball) as the head man.

 

[Randy White]

Obviously, I could live with your scenario.

I think after tonight's deflating loss, barring something amazing that nets us a playoff victory, Jerry is going to have to overhaul this coaching staff. He's as much into marketing as he is into winning games (read: He desperately craves both) and he's not going to open up that billion-dollar stadium with Grandma (Phillips) or the Pseudo Genius (Red Ball) as the head man.

From your mouth to the football gods ears to Jerrah's brain.

No freaking way this coaching staff comes back next year. Somebody, I don't care who, needs to bring back some type of order into this organization. The penalties, the mental breakdowns, the inconsistencies, the lack of discipline.. I mean, I'm the last to worship at the Jimmah Jenius altar, but the reality is that this organization has been infected with those problems ever since he left and nobody has been able to eliminate them.

 

[Sarge]

I'm really curious of just how much this team handcuffed itself by giving Romo that huge contract. I'm not saying I want Romo gone. However, I am saying I want there to be some competition at the position. Competition makes you better.

Just keep in mind how this team looked with Brad Johnson in there. Romo INDEED played like crap - but he didn't give up 2 consecutive plays for 150 yards.