Five Thoughts After Seeing Romo Mic'd Up
by TimSchultz36 on Sep 17, 2009 10:08 AM CDT
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Anyone who hasn't watched the Romo video needs to go, and needs to go now. It's highly entertaining, but also highly instructive about what happened during the game. Five thoughts...
1) The Buc's "busted coverages" were caused by Romo and Garrett, not by simple defensive brainfarts. Do you remember in 2007, we were toasting teams' secondaries every week, and the other team would say "we missed assigments..."? Actually, when the 'Boys offense is working, they use motion to create coverage mismatches and force the 2nd rate DBs that every team has to make split second decisions about who to take, which Romo makes tougher with his shoulder fakes. Romo obviously saw something that made him beg Garrett to call the particular play on the Roy TD, and then Romo audibled into the Crayton TD play, freezing the safety with a pump fake and then throwing over the top. Notice how Romo was getting lots of love on the sidelines after the Crayton TD...it's because while it looked easy in real time on TV, re-watching the action up close shows that Romo made that play, and his teammates knew it.
2) It's obvious why the Dallas media is pretty nice to Romo...he's a really likeable guy. His conversation with McGee about his "tough upbringing in Burlington, Wisconsin" is classic. His "I'll give you a kiss" banter with Jason Garrett is runner-up. It's obvious from Garrett's non-plussed response that he's a pretty serious dude, and I like that.
3) I'm cautiously optimistic that Romo is "getting it" on emotional leadership. Tony has a huge personality, but not the "perfectionist asshole" personality of Aikman or Manning that falls more easily into leadership. Romo has a cerebral, "technical fix" approach to football that he's borrowed from golf, which is his first love. In golf, emotion is the enemy. What I think he's realizing is that most positions in the NFL are not at all like golf (QB may be the exception), and that not all players are as self-motivated as he is. Seeing him in the middle of the pre-game scrum (albeit spouting cliches) shows that he may be getting that he has to supply emotional energy to the team. His personality...and I hate to say this...is much more like Brett Favre. But who can argue that Favre was a legit leader, especially before he got too big for his britches late in his career?
4) Our big plays demonstrate that raw speed is overrated as a factor in big plays. Jason Garrett said before the season "it's not speed, it's route-running." How many times is a touchdown when a fast guy just burns past his man on a fly or post? This explains why Patrick Crayton has a higher TYC in his career than Devin Hester. Sure, all other things being equal, I'd rather have a guy who is fast AND runs perfect routes (e.g., the underrated Terry Glenn). And sure, there's a minimum "suddenness" requirement that explains the failure of Mike Williams and the non-big-playness of Keyshawn Johnson. We have two tight ends capable of splitting out who are too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers. So defenses have to either concede 10-20 yard passes to our TEs, or put corners on our TEs, which is going to leave safeties and nickel corners on Williams/Crayton/Austin, who are all too big and fast to be well covered by these lesser athletes.
5) I like Kitna so much more than Brad Johnson, and not just for perfomance reasons. Kitna has always been an emotional guy. He's out there doing flying chest bumps with Romo, he's right in the middle of the offensive meeting after Ronde's sack. He's assertive, and I think it will help Romo be assertive and emotional, too. Remember, Carson Palmer attributes his best season in large part to Kitna, and Kitna also seems to be "The Roy Whisperer."
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That's great!!!
“The Roy Whisperer”! Perhaps he could have worked wonders with our former safety as well!
+1 Greatness
A Cowboy fan from Dallas residing in enemy terretory since 1990..
Great observations.
Did anyone else love seeing him telling the line that they need to step it up? And even more often telling them great job?
It was great seeing Kitna that excited and fired up. I totally agree that he will help Romo in much the same way that Dan Campbell helped Witten.
I was actually surprised at the interaction between Garrett and Romo. I loved seeing that Garrett is that dialed in and focused even as Romo is that loose and having fun. We really don’t see enough articles or interviews about Garrett. We see a lot about his Xs and Os, but about his coaching style, etc.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 17, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions
I definitely enjoyed seeing him getting on everybody about their performance...
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Sep 17, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Quick observation
I’d imagine Kitna was fired up cuz I think it’s the first game his team has won since he beat the Cowboys in ’06. Ok, maybe not that long ago, but close.
Nice observation on the Campbell and Witten link. Never thought of that before. Good call.
Not sure what you saw with the Garrett and Romo interaction. Every time I saw them together… Garrett was stone faced and Romo was still yucking it up. I must have missed the interaction you described.
by Road Warrior on Sep 17, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the Romo - Garrett interaction
you are talking about is the same – stone faced Garrett, live-wire Tony.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
I think that was an excellent insight into Romo's relationship with the line...
….and a lesson to those who constantly say “I need to see Tony make his OL accountable, get in their face, emotionally lead, etc.”
Tony is clearly holding other players accountable to the extent he can, but that does not have to come in the form of him visibly screaming at them on the field. As fans, it is clear that it’s very for us to tell what’s being communicated on the field, and sometimes we just need to accept that and hope that leadership is happening in some form out there.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
Knocked me off my chair
The Roy Whisperer
by One.Cool.Customer on Sep 17, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions
First I laughed, but the more I think about it...
Kitna was already a seasoned pro when Roy Williams was a rookie… which leaves him in a good position to offer advice, despite his current back-up role. Whether it’s simple motivational stuff or technique issues, Kitna’s insight can only be good for Roy.
Remember Kitna’s comment to Romo, “I told you Roy can run that Post…” or something similar? It doesn’t take a genius to see that Kitna’s talent as a QB is only part of his value to the ’Boys.
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
Don't forget...
Don’t remember which touchdown throw it was, but right after Romo said something along the lines of “Yeah, yeah, now who almost let me get killed?” to his lineman.
He was hit from the left on the TD pass to Austin
you can actually hear him shout as he’s hit, he then asks the question to 63 (Kosier) and 76 (Flo), who are sort of milling around after the play.
“It’s ok. Touchdown. You get a free pass”
by One.Cool.Customer on Sep 17, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL
"It’s ok. Touchdown. You get a free pass"
I forgot about that line … leadership come in many forms, including humor!
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
Me Tarzan, you Jane... leadership come
(add the “s” and suddenly my IQ doubles)
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
Great post
I like the video for the mere fact that you get to know a key player a little better in a game situation. You may very well be right about his leadership style. At any rate, it’s an insightful perspective.
One lesser point, but one I found interesting anyway – the most golf-like position has to be place kicker, followed maybe by punter and long snapper. QB is maybe fourth because although it is very technical (Peyton Manning and Tony seem to approach it that way) it’s also emotion and athletic.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
cautiously optimistic
that Romo indeed “gets” his leadership role. We will know for sure in about 4 months…
"What we've got here is failure to communicate"
Well, we might know
he could lead like Audie Freakin Murphy and have the defense fall apart and it’ll be for naught.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
LOL! Good point, sir.
And I’m old enough that I get the Audie Murphy reference.
"We'll see." --Bill Parcells
Good post, Tim.
I loved Garrett’s (studiously non-)reaction to Romo’s banter. Romo’s a guy I’d want to play with and Garrett’s a guy I’d want to play for.
"Everybody wants something but nobody wants to pay the price" - Michael Irvin
I find it ridiculous...
That you would put this up and not provide the link. For shame.
Otherwise, rec’d.
Everything's looking up, Milhouse!
by accidental innuendo on Sep 17, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions
Great audio, terrific write up!
The numbers Romo put up last Sunday were sick. Not sure which writer said it but that game is one to keep on the DVR. Having the privilege of watching it live was even better. Romo is a likable, talented guy and to play golf at the level that he does, to me at least, shows that he is mentally gifted as well as physically. Hopefully this is the year that he leads this team back to the promised land.
I love this post...
I loved the video even more. They need him mic’d up after every game. Especially the wins… So, I’m looking forward to seeing him at least 16 times, mic’d up after a game like that.
Well said, sir
But it did seem like Romo was trying a bit too hard to fit the role of “leader”, which I honestly think is unnecessary. Hold guys accountable, yes. But he doesn’t have to be that “rah-rah” guy who gets his team pumped and what have you. He simply needs to hold guys accountable, and lead by example. I think that’s what he’s good at.
I did like his calm demeanor. I think it helps in an intense situation to have a guy who’s calm and clear headed, and I think that’s what Romo provides.
Epic Fail since 1985
I'd like to hear him miked up when they are down by 2 scores in the 4th.
Well, no I wouldn’t, because I don’t want them to be in that situation, but… If they were, I’d like to hear him then. I think that would be really interesting.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 18, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Good point
They didn’t really show us any of the stuff he said on the drive we ended up punting or kicking FGs. That’s TV for ya’. Romo might benefit from the opposite of what NFL Films did to MartyB. They tried to make ‘Tellus look like a lazy bum who didn’t care about anything. It’s clear they’re trying to make Romo seem like a player who’s “coming into his own as a leader”. He could just be going about his normal game routine. Who knows.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Sep 18, 2009 5:15 AM CDT up reply actions
actually on the NFL Network they did
and he was yelling at the offense, “we’re getting our asses kicked, we have to play better!”
In Romo we Trust
Trying too hard?...seemed natural to me...
by CaliFanInTx on Sep 18, 2009 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
Romo looked the same as what we normally see him, now we just had words to go along with his actions that we see. I mean every time he throws a touchdown, he’s just like Favre in that he’s jumping on his OL and doing chest bumps with everybody. To me, that was classic Romo, now I could just hear what was being said.
"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber
The whole "helluva job" thing got overplayed and seemed forced sometimes.
For the majority of the video, he seemed like a leader, but not in the typical sense of it. Much more loose (cracking jokes like growing up in the hood of Wisconsin) but still expected his teammates to do their job. I really liked that he took command in the pre-game pep talk, I just wish he came up with something better than “This is what we worked all summer for guys!” Maybe he’ll get better as the year progresses and he gets more practice.
But it was a great way to start the season. Can’t wait to whoop on the Giants and open up the new stadium by sending a message to the league.
by UCIrvine kings fan on Sep 18, 2009 1:23 AM CDT reply actions
Normally, I wouldn't respond to these types of post but your comments on Romo are ridiculous.
Do you even know what leadership is? typical sense? Are you serious?
May wanna' relax a tad...
I believe he was simply saying didn’t look like the cliche “LET’S KICK SOME ASS!” Ray Lewis/Michael Strahan types, or like a prick(Troy Aikman, for instance). A little more subdued, and a bit more laid back. I totally agree with him.
Might help to try to actually comprehend what you read, as opposed to just going off on a dude who actually made a valid point.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Sep 18, 2009 5:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm relaxed. The veins are popping on my head or anything...
Just didn’t agree with this part…
" The whole “helluva job” thing got overplayed and seemed forced sometimes.
For the majority of the video, he seemed like a leader, but not in the typical sense of it. "
I generally think there is this belief that Romo needs to mimic a certain “type” of leadership. It drives me crazy when I think people are so narrow in their perspective…granted, I could have worded my response better…
Maybe you could have worded it better
but the core of your point is on the money. I think the team wanted him to be more vocal and he’s doing it, but obviously it’s going to be in his own way. There is no “right way” to keep your team mates’ heads in the game and fired up.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
I just laugh because Romo is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't...
If he says nothing, then we would have a post about how he isn’t a leader. But when he does talk, we start breaking down exactly what we liked and what we didn’t. The fact is that I only care about what works and what doesn’t. And judging by how our offense responded in the second half, I would stick with what he was saying.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Sep 18, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
It's possible he kept saying it because he knew he was miked and wanted to keep it clean.
I think if you put two of my best seasons together it wouldn't come up with the numbers he's going to have at the end of the season. -Troy Aikman on Tony Romo
by Big D Bam Bam on Sep 18, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure they do, but he still might have felt the need to modify his language...
Tony strikes me as a guy who doesn’t mind a good cuss when the fancy takes him, but he’s caught enough flack for innocuous comments that he’s probably extra aware when microphones are around. That’s not to say that his enthusiasm or humor was an act. We’ve all seen him enough by now to know that he has a blast on the field, and he’s a very witty guy.
One of my favorite all time comments was his answer to the question “How has your life changed after signing the big contract extension?” A: “Well, I have more money now, so obviously that makes me a better person.”
“Hellova job” just sounds to me like something he plugged in whenever he felt like he was about to go somewhere more profane. I could be wrong though.
I think if you put two of my best seasons together it wouldn't come up with the numbers he's going to have at the end of the season. -Troy Aikman on Tony Romo
by Big D Bam Bam on Sep 18, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I seriously doubt that he even remembered he was mic'd
These guys are focused on the game and the moment, I don’t think they think about there being a mic in their helmet somewhere.
Plus, I’m sure NFL Films tells these players to be geniune, like they normally play.
In Romo we Trust
I loved his "Let's finish them!" statements. That's the right instinct to have
We knew he was a competitor— not surprising, just good to see
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
That's one of the funny things
outside Dallas fans (and maybe inisde) people assume that he’s not a competitor, and yet, it’s the first thing his coaches and teammates say about him. Oh, well. I guess I should be glad that he doesn’t worry about what the media says.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
O’ god of battles
steel thy soldiers’ hearts
take from them now, their sense of reckoning
’ere the opposed numbers…
oops, that’s Henry IV Part 2
And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply ...
http://twitter.com/BloggingTheBoys
by Aaron Novinger on Sep 19, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, he might need to come up with a new variation on "Helluva job"
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
dude, don't you have the NFL Network?
They’ve showed it about 5 times there already.
In Romo we Trust
Great takeaways from the Romo Mic'd up Tim
I think you pretty well nailed exactly what I was thinking about after watching it a couple times.
So it begins...
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