- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,435
Free from burden, Tony Romo rising up
October, 14, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Almost since the day he became the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, Tony Romo has had to carry the weight of the team.
At times he did it very well. At others he made big mistakes that have shaped a perception that does not tell his complete story.
So far this season, Romo is not putting up gaudy numbers but stretched out over 16 games he is on pace for 4,026 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is also on pace for his best completion percentage (68.6 percent currently) over a full season.
With the running of DeMarco Murray, Romo has been able to remain patient.
"I think the best thing that we've done as an organization is we've very purposefully tried to take the burden off our quarterback," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "At different times in Tony's career, he's had a lot of burden on him -- we haven't played great defense, we haven't been great on the offensive line, we haven't run the ball very well -- and all of a sudden the way we're going to move the ball and the way we're going to score points is by throwing it. We've made a very conscious effort as an organization to say, 'OK, let's get better on defense. Let's get better up front. Let's spread this burden around.' The best teams in this league, the best teams in any sport, have a burden that is spread around. It's rare that one guy can carry a team. It's really important for everyone to understand that they have a role, and the more that we can spread the responsibilities around throughout your football team, the better you're going to be as a team."
In the five-game winning streak, Romo has had moments of brilliance when it has been needed most. On third-and-20 from the Dallas 31 in the fourth quarter, Romo spun away from Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, sprinted out of trouble and found Terrance Williams for a 23-yard gain. Three plays later, the Cowboys had their go-ahead touchdown.
In the Week 5 win against the Houston Texans, he spun away from J.J. Watt and hit Williams for a 43-yard touchdown. He picked apart the New Orleans Saints and put the game away with a perfect back-shoulder touchdown throw to Dez Bryant in the fourth quarter.
To Garrett, Romo's mental toughness has been at his best in the big moments and that was on display against the Seahawks. After a fumble on a shotgun snap in the third quarter, Romo completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards.
"You can't let those circumstances bother you," Garrett said. "One of the best things we're doing as a team is converting on third downs. There's a comfort level and a confidence level that I think we have as a football team when we get in those situations, that, 'OK, we don't have to get it all right now. We can make some third downs and it comes to a third and manageable, or yesterday's case, a couple third and longs, we can survive the situation and make the necessary plays.' I think Tony is a big part of that -- that mindset and that poise and composure that he has to handle some of those (crunch-time) type situations."
October, 14, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Almost since the day he became the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback, Tony Romo has had to carry the weight of the team.
At times he did it very well. At others he made big mistakes that have shaped a perception that does not tell his complete story.
So far this season, Romo is not putting up gaudy numbers but stretched out over 16 games he is on pace for 4,026 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is also on pace for his best completion percentage (68.6 percent currently) over a full season.
With the running of DeMarco Murray, Romo has been able to remain patient.
"I think the best thing that we've done as an organization is we've very purposefully tried to take the burden off our quarterback," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "At different times in Tony's career, he's had a lot of burden on him -- we haven't played great defense, we haven't been great on the offensive line, we haven't run the ball very well -- and all of a sudden the way we're going to move the ball and the way we're going to score points is by throwing it. We've made a very conscious effort as an organization to say, 'OK, let's get better on defense. Let's get better up front. Let's spread this burden around.' The best teams in this league, the best teams in any sport, have a burden that is spread around. It's rare that one guy can carry a team. It's really important for everyone to understand that they have a role, and the more that we can spread the responsibilities around throughout your football team, the better you're going to be as a team."
In the five-game winning streak, Romo has had moments of brilliance when it has been needed most. On third-and-20 from the Dallas 31 in the fourth quarter, Romo spun away from Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Bruce Irvin, sprinted out of trouble and found Terrance Williams for a 23-yard gain. Three plays later, the Cowboys had their go-ahead touchdown.
In the Week 5 win against the Houston Texans, he spun away from J.J. Watt and hit Williams for a 43-yard touchdown. He picked apart the New Orleans Saints and put the game away with a perfect back-shoulder touchdown throw to Dez Bryant in the fourth quarter.
To Garrett, Romo's mental toughness has been at his best in the big moments and that was on display against the Seahawks. After a fumble on a shotgun snap in the third quarter, Romo completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards.
"You can't let those circumstances bother you," Garrett said. "One of the best things we're doing as a team is converting on third downs. There's a comfort level and a confidence level that I think we have as a football team when we get in those situations, that, 'OK, we don't have to get it all right now. We can make some third downs and it comes to a third and manageable, or yesterday's case, a couple third and longs, we can survive the situation and make the necessary plays.' I think Tony is a big part of that -- that mindset and that poise and composure that he has to handle some of those (crunch-time) type situations."
