The VRR: Romo Stuff, Free Reign on Stage
by Dave Halprin on Jun 29, 2009 1:00 AM CDT
45 comments
No real 'football' news coming out from the Cowboys. Here are some links to the 'human interest' side of Dallas. Hey, it's the the 'dead zone' - but only a month to go!
From The Sporting News, a list of QB's that have yet to win a SB, but with a shot this year, includes Romo.
Romo, however, never has won a playoff game and has become perhaps the NFL's most scrutinized QB. The pressure on Romo never has been greater, following the Cowboys' late-season collapse and the decision to cut Terrell Owens. Yet, Romo insists he never has felt better about Dallas' chances.
"This has been the best offseason, as far as people competing at any extremely high level and people getting better," Romo said. "Just because stuff's going well now doesn't guarantee us success this year."
Free Reign gets the Deadspin treatment. Their conclusion:
But they play their own instruments, and they're competent, and that's enough to dub them best crossover athlete/musicians in history.
More VRR after the jump.
Newhouse: "I think the team is going in the right direction," said the former Houston Cougar, who still has many relatives that live in Marshall. "Will they win this year? I know they have a lot of great players. Will they mix? That's what they go to training camp for and what they work hard for to get those things done. I look for a pretty decent season this year."
Gowin: "I'd just like to see them win a playoff game," said Gowin, who grew up as a Cowboys fan in Jacksonville and who now resides in Tyler. "These days in the NFL, you never know who's going to come out and have a breakout year. Every year is different. One year the expectations are Super Bowl and then nothing happens. Maybe if the expectations are a little bit less, then they can not have so many distractions and they can take care of business and do well."
When Jason Witten started his annual football camp in his hometown of Elizabethton, Tennessee back in '03, 120 kids participated. This weekend, more than 1,800 campers and 3,500 spectators came to see the Pro Bowl tight end help teach teamwork and dedication.
Part of the draw is the chance to see Witten and receive instruction from the other football stars who volunteer their time to help out at the camp. Back for his second year was former Ohio State and current Cowboy linebacker Bobby Carpenter. Two of the newest Cowboys were also on hand - defensive backs DeAngelo Smith and Gerald Sensabaugh.
[snip]
Witten spoke highly of his old rival, Sensabaugh. "I think I lost two games on this field in high school and he was one of them," said Witten. "You come to Dallas to take over for Roy Williams and there's a lot of pressure. He's met every standard if not more. He's just an amazing athlete and I didn't really realize how talented he was. He's a great guy and has overcome a lot. I've developed a great friendship with him. He's a really, really good football player and people will see that this season."
Romo played in a golf tournament this weekend and was used as a measuring stick. Tom Halla, a 40-year old amateur who has been playing in Wisconsin tournaments for over two decades, had this to say:
"We have our own tournament, the LOG - low old golfer - and I'm happy to win that," [Halla] said. "And I beat Tony Romo by 10."
Romo, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback and a Burlington native, tied for 18th place at 1-under 287.
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Ugh.
That awesome stadium and the picture they produced was Rowdy?
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 29, 2009 1:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you notice they got a little bit of a dig in on Romo in the photos?
All of the photos with Romo include this line:
bq. When not gallivanting with girlfriend Jessica Simpson, Romo says he’s become more focused on protecting the ball and being a better leader.
The pictures of Wade and Davis kind of look like they’re acknowledging each other.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 29, 2009 2:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who still says "gallivanting"?
Did they have an 1850’s prospector writing the captions?
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jun 29, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were more pictures included at the DMN…and not just a picture of fans sharing Rowdy. I don’t hold a thing wrong with Rowdy by the way…
There is no right way to do the wrong thing. GO COWBOYS!!
by CCBoy on Jun 29, 2009 2:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked the one of Romo sitting by the lockers.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 29, 2009 2:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot find the link to that pic, do you know the link?
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
by cowboy78 on Jun 29, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was joking.
They had a pic of some goofy looking young guy in a #9 jersey.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 29, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Talk about absolutely NO news. No offense Grizz, my apetite for Cowboy news is never satisfied and I’m thankful everyday for this blog but does this warrant a post?
by StillHateTheGiants on Jun 29, 2009 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BTB handles
the off-season doldrums better than the rest. Yep, I would prefer lots of x’s and o’s and tough position battles, but it ain’t happening yet.
Have we all done our part in seeing that the BTB crew has a good room with a view at Training Camp?
Tip the wait staff.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on Jun 29, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In the first paragraph he made it clear there was no news during this dead period
I can’t wait for training camp, especially since I can’t watch baseball
by jointman13 on Jun 29, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the Witten/Sensebaugh high school rivalry was interesting.
I like that those two, although being on the opposite sides of the ball, are buddies. They will only make each other better in practice and Witten’s extracurricular activities in the community have already influenced newcomers Smith and Sensei.
Say what you will about Carp, but that dude is at seemingly every charity event in the Dallas area. Perhaps his big heart will help him have an even bigger impact on the field this year.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 29, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Elizabethton...
isn’t in the Dallas area. It’s the redneckiest place on earth, tucked underneath the Appalachian Mts near where I went to college at ETSU.
by Joey2zs on Jun 29, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yea, it's in Tennessee.
It just seems that whenever I run across some article about do-goody charity events—like the sushi one for Rich Behm—Carp is always there. He seems to be a good guy, and a willing contributor to the community. His Cowboy image is settling in, which hopefully translates to more field success.
All eyes on Free.
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 30, 2009 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think so.
I like having Cowboys links, even if they aren’t always hard hitting news.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 29, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No news
is good news this time of year!
Ahhhhhh, its good to hear the silence for once.
by Musiccitynorm on Jun 29, 2009 10:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
proctor
I can’t help but wonder if Free Reign is the reason we put a tender on Proctor. Either that or he must be one helluva snapper. Even if he had a little potential, Proctor is the kind of guy you just cut to appease the fans and just get rid of dead weight.
Remember the play where Proctor didn’t move after the snap for a good 3 seconds and Romo got sacked right away? Flo didn’t react right away either but that dude is HALF DEAF! What is Proctor’s problem and why is he still in Silver & Blue?!?!
It’s funny hearing about how Holland kind of sucks too because when he played last year, the line had their best non-Kosier day by far. Goes to show just how bad Proctor is!!!!
I wish Tex would take up his cross against Proctor.
by blee on Jun 29, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There's no payoff apparently in talking about linemen
Flo was bad last year (maybe hurt). Proctor was awful. I remember watching the Giants just load people up on the Dallas left side and run like h*** to the backfield. And yet not one word of criticism from the media (even the so-called experts) about line play. It’s Romo, or it’s TO, or it’s Garrett ,or Phillips or Jerry…
If nothing else, ti’s a reminder that the media is a business and they chase the stories that sell, not the ones with merit. QBs, WRs, RBs, owners and coaches sell, 350 pound guys in the trneches don’t. It’s hard to resist listening to the stuff and not starting to question what you see with your own eyes when it’s all you hear. But the line is the start and finish for any team trying to win a championship and I don’t think any team can win without at least solid play from their line.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jun 29, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steelers won the SB with pretty horrid OL play last year
Although I have to say they gave Roethlisberger all kinds of time on the game winning drive. Ben could have had a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper in a rocking chair before deciding to hit Holmes in the back of the end zone.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jun 29, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Steelers got away with Bad OL play because their Defense was so dominating...
I’ve watched a Roethlisberger a number of times, but I have never been impressed with his play in big games. It’s funny how a dominating defense can make you look better than you are…(Eli is another example)
by CaliFanInTx on Jun 29, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've seen Ben make as many bone headed decisions
in his career as Romo, it’s just that his defense bails him out all the time and Romo doesn’t have that luxury.
Like I said, it’s a team game.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jun 29, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
in the playoffs
Ben has been a GREAT qb. He plays well week in and week out in january. I thought Romo played very well in the giants game. Even though you could see parcells imprints all over the offensive gameplan, Romo really wasn’t anything too special against seattle. And the blown snap hurts him.
Terry, I’m in your camp when it comes to the general opinion on Romo, but i don’t see the hate when it comes to big ben (though i guess i have a similar irrational hatred of mcnabb being from philly). The guy comes through for his team game after game in january and only about 2 other qbs can say that
by foyesboys on Jun 29, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ben plays good...not GREAT...
Hey the guy has 2 Superbowl rings, and I respect the hell out of that…he plays consistent in the playoffs and that adds to the Steelers winning, but it’s that Defense that is great. Year in, Year out, doesn’t matter who the players are…Dick LeBeau comes with the goods…
by CaliFanInTx on Jun 29, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually I equate the two guys
Ben was taking a ton of crap this past season (unwarranted IMO) – holds the ball too long, makes bad decisions, throws picks, blah, blah, blah.
He has had exactly the same problem as Romo – an offensive line that is maybe worse than being bad, a line that is pretty good but inconsistent. One play Colombo whiffs, the next it’s Flo, then back to you Bigg… Romo make them look better with mobility/quickness; Ben makes his look better with mobility/strength. The only difference is the level of hysteria because Ben’s team has won a pair of SBs and Tony’s has not.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jun 29, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with your points...
again, the difference is the defense.
by CaliFanInTx on Jun 29, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree to a large extent
but I will say that Ben seems to become virtually untackleable in the playoffs which makes up for his line. Ben and the younger versions of McNabb and McNair all use their size to keep a play going despite whatever line they play behind. Romo does this too with his elusiveness, but I just feel like he hasn’t brought his game up a notch late in the year like ben does (but I will say i do think his december “swoons” are exaggerated by the media).
And the steelers don’t win just with their D. IN 2005, they won because their offense got them out to big leads in the two key AFC games (Colts and Broncos) which gave their D the chance to get in manning’s and plummer’s faces. Ben was INCREDIBLY against that very confusing blitzing broncos D. THey didn’t win just with their defense as Cali suggests
by foyesboys on Jun 29, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I pretty much agree, Ben has been really good
but I also have to think that a back problem that causes you to pass out after a game must have been a factor.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jun 29, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They didn't win "just" because of their D, but "primarily" because of their D. I seem to recall Ben had a very "so-so" game in the 2005 Superbowl.
by CaliFanInTx on Jun 29, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the games that got them there?
c’mon, your using selective memory, not the overall picture. Its like Romo haters saying because he played really bad agaisnt the steelers last year, he was bad throughout december.
The reason the steelers were in the superbowl was because their offense got them out to early leads against some really good Ds that year that allowed their defense to blitz the heck out of some really good offenses.
by foyesboys on Jun 29, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me stae for the record...I think Ben is an excellent QB...he was one of the reasons that the Steelers won 2 Superbowls.
I’m not bashing him, or have I ever bashed him. If he were the QB on my team I would be very satisfied, but, again, the D is what makes the Steelers elite not Ben.
by CaliFanInTx on Jun 29, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'd say both make them elite
you still need to score to win in this league, and in games against the Colts, Broncos, Chargers and Cards, they scored quite a lot, and a lot of that was needed.
by foyesboys on Jun 29, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hysteria?
winning super bowls and earning praise is hysterical?
by Joey2zs on Jun 29, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not good hysteria
hysteria on the part of judging the Cowboys. People are ready to drive off a cliff.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jun 30, 2009 6:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not throwing hate at Big Ben
I’m just saying he makes as many mistakes as Romo, but doesn’t get the criticism because he plays on a team with a great defense which masks those mistakes greatly.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jun 30, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on....
Are you serious? I know that you for have a deep hatred for everything Pittsburg, but most of that drive Big Ben was running around like he was on the playground.
Even Steve Young said something about it after the game.
it was weird, I... I mean you probably didn't hear about it because I went under the name of Mike Honcho. But I just wanted you to know that. If you can hear me, if it got into your brain somehow. That I spread my buttcheeks as Mike Honcho.
by AirforceBat on Jun 29, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can remember only one play
when he was hurried or flushed out of the pocket on that drive and like I said on his last two throws he had all the time in the world.
I’m just commenting on what I saw, has nothing to do with my dislike of the Steelers and truth be told, it’s not the Steelers themselves I hate, it’s their obnoxious fans.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jun 29, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
It all starts in the line play, both OL and DL.
Based on how the OL played last year, coupled with our apparent lack of quality depth and heath, those individuals clamoring against Romo should really be thankful that he’s our QB because there aren’t many QB’s who can make an OL look decent.
It all starts up front. The cohesive, jelled, meaner, nastier units that execute in the trenches go along way in determining winners and losers week in and week out. in the NFL. They’re not sexy to talk about, but they are the engine of the car.
by T Zig on Jun 29, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it would be better if Romo wasn't.
It would finally show that the problem lies with the line and not all with the qb. Naw, some would still blame the qb.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on Jun 30, 2009 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I personally hope that the Cowboys are not found to be at fault
in the negligence suit. It seems to focus on the firm. I’d be very sad though if this accident stemmed more directly from JJ’s choices
by AustonianAggie on Jun 29, 2009 1:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that would be lame.
I remember reading a while ago that after the Philly collapse, the company settled with the port authority and agreed to some contract clause where they couldn’t give the company a bad name.
I wonder if that was still in effect when JJ began initiating business with them.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 29, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
its in the DMN links above
the suit appears to focus on the engineering firm
by AustonianAggie on Jun 29, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it definately starts with the o line
however, Romo has to make better decisions when the protections breaks down. Dont get me wrong i think Romo when focused can be as good as any QB in the league, but sometimes when he holds on to the ball for that extra couple of seconds i cry a little on the inside and yell"EITHER THROW THE BALL AWAY OR TUCK IT AND RUN FOR A FEW YARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!".Take the sack even just secure the ball. I just dont understand how our QB has the Imortal Highlander slash Spider Sense to know where danger is coming from sometimes and other times the sense is on the fritz……just dont get it…….
by da universe's team on Jun 29, 2009 6:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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