The Great Romo Debate Thread

According to NFL.com, Romo had 14 interceptions and 7 lost fumbles (he fumbled 13 times) in 2008. I think I can recall every one of his turnovers. Let’s see:

Cleveland (1 int, 0 fumbles): Romo threw an end zone interception to Terrell Owens. I believe Owens ran a post from the 10 yard line. Rookie Felix Jones didn’t really pick up a blitzing defender, who hit Romo as he threw. Nevertheless, the ball probably should not have been thrown in the first place, and it took away at least 3 points from the Cowboys.

Philadelphia (1 int, 1 fumble): Romo was under heavy pressure and miraculously ducked a sack, but then drilled an ill-advised pass to Miles Austin that was intercepted by Ashante Samuel. The pick was deep in Dallas territory and led to an Eagles’ TD. On the next drive, Romo dropped the ball while dropping back to pass, he was untouched. Instead of falling on the ball he picked it up and tried to run with it, but was hit and dropped the ball, it was recovered in the end zone for an Eagles’ TD.

Green Bay (1 int): Romo threw an ill-advised pass to Jason Witten in the end zone, I believe Witten ran a post from the 10-15 yard line. The int cost the Cowboys at least 3 points on offense, plus it was returned 61 yards to the Dallas 43, leading to a Packer FG. Later in the half, on a 1st and 10 on the GB 11 and :38 seconds left, Romo was hit while scrambling and fumbled. One of the offensive linemen fell on it for a 15 yard loss. While they were still able to kick a FG, it possibly cost the team 4 points.

Washington (1 int): Romo threw what I think was a short hook to Miles Austin, maybe 10-15 yards downfield. Redskins rookie safety Chris Horton jumped the route and intercepted the pass. Maybe if Romo threw it harder it wouldn’t have been intercepted, in my mind this was not so much a bad decision but a bad throw. The Redskins took over at the Dallas 44-yard line, and scored on a FG shortly thereafter.

Cincinnati (1 int, 1 fumble): On 1st and 10 on the Bengal 35 yard line, Romo’s pass to Jason Witten was intercepted at their 20, it was returned 39 yards into Dallas territory, the Bengals scored a FG off it. Then on 3rd and 2 on their own 30 with 2:00 left in the first half, Romo scrambled for six yards but loses a fumble, the Bengals score a FG right before halftime.

Arizona (1 fumble): Immediately following one of the Cowboys’ rare turnovers, Romo was sacked and fumbled on the AZ 32 yard line. This cost at least 3 points. Then on 3rd and 9 on the Arizona 32 yardline, Romo is sacked and fumbled (recovered) on the AZ 47, taking the Cowboys out of Nick Folk range. In overtime, Romo is sacked, fumbles and recovers, and breaks his hand on the play. Soon thereafter the Cardinals block Matt McBriar’s punt and return it for the game-winning TD in overtime.

Washington (2 ints): On 3rd and 3 from the Redskins 27, Romo throws a quick slant to Terrell Owens, but he throws behind the receiver and it is intercepted. A poor throw that costs at least 3 points. Then on 2nd and 4 from the Redskins 25, another quick slant to Owens in picked off, costing at least another 3 points

San Francisco (1 fumble): This is a queer play, Romo throws a screen to Tashard Choice, which the rookie apparently bobbles until it hits the ground and Manny Lawson recovers. It is ruled a backward pass, hence a fumble by Romo. This puts the ball deep inside Dallas territory, but fortunately Anthony Henry intercepts the 49ers next pass.

Seattle (1 int): On 1st and 10 from the Dallas 40, Romo throws long to Owens, who appears to be tripled covered. The ball is intercepted in the end zone.

Pittsburgh (3 ints, 1 fumble): On the 3rd play of the game, deep inside their own territory, Romo throws a sideline pass to Terrell Owens which is intercepted. Pittsburgh misses a FG. Later on 3rd and 8 on their own 48, Romo is sacked and loses his fumble. Although Pittsburgh recovers in Cowboys territory, they do not score. Later on 1st and 10 on their own 8 yard line, Romo threw a sideline pass to Owens that was intercepted, Pittsburgh converted that turnover into a field goal. And finally, with 1:51 remaining in a tie game, Romo was intercepted at his 25 yard line, and it was returned for a touchdown.

Giants: On 1st and 10 from their own 4-yard line, Romo fumbled the snap but picked it up and completed a 3-yard pass to Jason Witten. Later, Romo was caught unawares by a Gurode snap deep in their own territory, he knocked the ball out of the end zone for a Giants’ safety.

Baltimore (2 ints): On the games opening drive on 2nd and 3 from the Dallas 49, Romo’s bomb to Roy Williams was intercepted. Later, on 3rd and 2 from their own 37 with :32 seconds left, Romo avoided a sack and threw long for Terrell Owens, it was intercepted and returned 29 yards to midfield. This led to a Baltimore FG right before the half. In the second half, facing a 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 16, Romo pitches an option to Tashard Choice, which he cant’t control and goes out of bounds after a 5-yard loss. This cost the offense possibly 4 points.

Philadelphia (1 int, 2 fumbles): Romo’s deep sideline pass to Roy Williams is intercepted and returned into Dallas territory, which leads to an Eagles’ touchdown. In the second half, deep inside the Eagle’s territory, Romo is scrambling and sacked, fumbles and it is returned 73 yards for a touchdown. Later, Romo is sacked and fumbles, recovered by the Eagles which becomes a FG.

   
So 21 turnovers in 13 games is bad enough. But what’s worse is that many of these turnovers led directly to points for the other team: Three touchdowns on returns (not counting the safety against the Giants) and nine drives that led to 2 TDs and 7 FGs. And finally, seven of these turnovers occurred when the Cowboys were at least in FG range (inside their opponents 35 yard line). Of his 21 turnovers, 12 led directly to points for the other team, and seven took away potential points from his own team. Only a couple turnovers by Tony Romo had "no effect" on the scoreboard in 2008. Ouch.

And for anyone who is interested, seven of Romo’s interceptions were passes to Owens, three were for Witten, two were for Roy Williams and two were for Miles Austin.

He is good enough to fool you into thinking he is your guy, but after 7 or 8 seasons he will exist in complete mediocraty for NFL stats and career playoff performance, and he will never win a superbowl. Dont get me wrong I wish I was as good as Jake Plummer. Tony lacks the leadership of a Staubach and Aikman. He lacks the fire of a Farve. He will never be what we want him so desperately to be. He is our Waterloo our Vietnam he is our Jake Plummer. The Cowboys MUST draft a QB and groom him in case this is correct.

First, Plummer was a high 2nd round pick from a major college. Romo didn’t cost the Cowboys anything to get. Second, Plummer was never really good statistically. Romo has incredible stats. Third, Plummer at least did win a couple playoff games. Maybe if Romo had to play the Cowboys in the playoffs like Plummer did in 1998 he’d win a post-season game too.

Well Jake Plummer was an elusive QB like Romo. I think if Romo had played at Arizona State he would have been a circa 2nd. Anyway, he got his money in the end, so early comparison you are right. Later on is what I am getting at. Plummer had everyone believing in him at Arizona he was their guy and, he was going to be the next John Elway in Denver. He could scramble and make plays, but he did throw pics and fumble a bit. Romo is costing the Cowboys now David, big time, and he will wreck the Cowboys if he is not the elite QB we hope he is instead of being a Jake Plummer. Truth is I think Romo would rather play Golf, no big deal, if I was Romo I might would rather play Golf too, but Id need a few more years of Football to make sure I could play Golf for the rest of my life. Winning Superbowls doesnt seem to push that guy and he doesnt lead a team like I think a QB should.

without winning anything, because if he goes even one more year not making the playoffs or not winning a playoff game, then the team definitely should start looking for someone else.

hopefully for the sake of Chargers fans everywhere Rivers will do better than 4 turnovers that led directly to 10 points.

but he brings up the obvious point, one that we all need to recognize, that winning is a team effort.

I will give Romo 2 more years to win something.

Tony Romo had the keys to a 2008 Ferrari, who made the playoffs?

performed far more admirably than the Cowboys in 2007. But that’s not meant to take anything away from Ryan. I wouldn’t cry if Jerry made a straight up swap involving those two tomorrow. But there’s no way Atlanta would agree to that deal!

girlfriend effect? Or are we not to mention that.

I have a question.

What was the Cowboys record and Romo’s QB rating in games that Kosier played?

but Kosier played in the Green Bay and and the second Washington game, if I’m not mistaken. Romo’s stats were as follows:

30-17-260-1-1
27-19-198-1-2
39-23-341-3-0 (I think Kosier went out at some point in that game)
 
Total – 96-59-799-5-3

At first glane that seems like a rating of about 95, but look at the running stats. Barber had two 100-yard games, and Jones had his 60 yard TD against the Packers. The team won two tough away games. They missed Kosier the other 13 games.

maybe the writer thought better of defending Romo…

2nd OT or DT or DE
3rd OT or DT
4th S
5th QB

We also need to trade for as many draft picks as we can get, and if the Falcons are interested Romo for Ryan straight up. Maybe this year Jerry wont give the Dolphins our players and instead get something in return..