Rumor or Reality: Tony Romo Edition
As a fan from the Lone Star State, yeah, I occasionally hate on Romo. Sometimes it’s hard to believe he has the stats to back up his sometimes-designated status as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
Although Romo has – don’t bother getting your calculators out – just one playoff win since taking over for Drew Bledsoe in 2006, he has pushed through a broken rib and made gutsy, successful read adjustments at the line of scrimmage and managed to dodge defensive players while in the pocket. Last year’s resume?
- Threw for 4,184 yards
- Just ten interceptions
- 66% pass completion rate
- QB rating of 102.5
Alas, it was to no avail as The Big D boys finished 8-8.
I’m not crying “that’s my quarterback” just yet, but I am starting to question if Romo’s reputation as a choke artist is overshadowing his status as an elite NFL quarterback. Only time will tell, but as long as Romo doesn’t make any dumb mistakes (like last year’s interception against the Jets), he should be able to lead the Cowboys to a winning season. And just look at the team of superstars to backing him up:
- DeMarcus Ware: Six-time Pro Bowler and, arguably the league’s best defensive player last year, with 19.5 sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles
- Jason Witten: His report card includes being the third-all time in receptions as a tight end and fourth all-time in receiving yards. Not to mention seven straight Pro Bowl appearances.
- Dez Bryant: I hesitantly include the potential mini-T.O., but Bryant is entering his third year as wide receiver for the ‘Boys and could have his big break out season, that is if he leaves his personal drama and attitude off the football field
- Phil Costa: As long as he and Romo took Communication 101 during the off season and can avoid bad snaps.
Does Tony Romo deserve to be considered an elite quarterback in the NFL, or do his fourth-quarter meltdowns eclipse his impressive statistics?
Whitney Starling is an assistant account executive at MarketWave, a national integrated marketing communications firm, in Dallas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. You can follow her on Twitter @Whit_Star and @MarketWaveWS.
