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Tony Romo trying to avoid punishing hits
December, 1, 2014
By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Philadelphia Eagles sacked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo four times on Thanksgiving Day. Three times, Romo fell to the turf before he was actually hit.
No one with common sense would question Romo's toughness -- he is playing with two fractures in his back -- and he has played through cracked ribs and punctured lungs and who knows what else.
Still, when a quarterback gives himself up multiple times during a game you have to ask him why.
"Probably one time," said Romo, when asked if he gave himself up to avoid getting decapitated. "I knew the route concepts and what was going on and there wasn't going to be an ability to create, per se, on the other.
"You're always weigh the positives to move around and make plays against the negatives that can come from it. A lot of it depends on where the defenders are coming at you. You can recognize very quickly whether you have a chance to escape and find a hole."
In the second quarter, Travis Frederick snapped the ball early and Romo ducked and crumpled to the turf before Graham could get a clean shot at him. By the time Tyron Smith got out of his stance, Graham was about to smash Romo.
Early in the third quarter, blitzing linebacker Casey Matthews pressured Romo heavily and the quarterback fell down before he could fall on him. It happened again later in the quarter, when Brandon Graham beat Ronald Leary badly.
At one level, it also makes sense for Romo to avoid absorbing a huge hit if he can. This is no time to be macho.
If he gets hurt again and has to miss a game or two, the playoffs could be a pipe dream before he returns. Given his health, there's nothing wrong with Romo protecting himself.
"I think he's got a great feel in the pocket," coach Jason Garrett said. "I think you've seen him do that throughout his career when he senses there's nowhere else to go, he goes downs protects the ball and protects himself.
December, 1, 2014
By Jean-Jacques Taylor | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The Philadelphia Eagles sacked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo four times on Thanksgiving Day. Three times, Romo fell to the turf before he was actually hit.
No one with common sense would question Romo's toughness -- he is playing with two fractures in his back -- and he has played through cracked ribs and punctured lungs and who knows what else.
Still, when a quarterback gives himself up multiple times during a game you have to ask him why.
"Probably one time," said Romo, when asked if he gave himself up to avoid getting decapitated. "I knew the route concepts and what was going on and there wasn't going to be an ability to create, per se, on the other.
"You're always weigh the positives to move around and make plays against the negatives that can come from it. A lot of it depends on where the defenders are coming at you. You can recognize very quickly whether you have a chance to escape and find a hole."
In the second quarter, Travis Frederick snapped the ball early and Romo ducked and crumpled to the turf before Graham could get a clean shot at him. By the time Tyron Smith got out of his stance, Graham was about to smash Romo.
Early in the third quarter, blitzing linebacker Casey Matthews pressured Romo heavily and the quarterback fell down before he could fall on him. It happened again later in the quarter, when Brandon Graham beat Ronald Leary badly.
At one level, it also makes sense for Romo to avoid absorbing a huge hit if he can. This is no time to be macho.
If he gets hurt again and has to miss a game or two, the playoffs could be a pipe dream before he returns. Given his health, there's nothing wrong with Romo protecting himself.
"I think he's got a great feel in the pocket," coach Jason Garrett said. "I think you've seen him do that throughout his career when he senses there's nowhere else to go, he goes downs protects the ball and protects himself.
