Hot Air: Babe Laufenberg on Tony Romo and why Brandon Weeden will play this season
By BARRY HORN
Published: 01 August 2014 01:40 PM
From his daily place on the training camp sideline, Babe Laufenberg has a unique perspective on Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
He has watched every snap. With an expert eye.
Laufenberg, the Cowboys radio analyst and KTVT-TV (Ch. 11) sports anchor, played quarterback in the NFL.
He also has had back surgery similar to Romo’s. Same surgeon. Same rehab center. Same therapists.
Here’s Laufenberg’s advice to Cowboys fans:
“You better be prepared to see Brandon Weeden play some games this season,” Laufenberg was saying over the phone from Oxnard this week.
And that’s not just one former backup quarterback rooting for a member of the fraternity.
Laufenberg simply knows the pain.
First, a disclaimer from Laufenberg: Every back is different. Every surgery is different and pain thresholds vary. He was 45 when he had the first of his two discectomies. Romo was 33 when the back injury and surgery ended his 2013 season.
Still: “I can see all the symptoms of a herniated disk the way Tony moves,” Laufenberg said.
“You have to have a level of concern,” he added. “He’s now had two back surgeries. Troy Aikman was retiring at the age (34) Tony is returning. It was Troy’s back that forced it.”
Epilogue: Just the other day in a television satellite truck, Laufenberg’s back went into a spasm and he dropped to his knees in pain. There was no contact.
“Just one move and I was in agony,” he said.
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Get ready, folks, it's The Branden Weeden Show coming to a TV set in your home sooner than you'd hoped.