One of the story lines coming out of Dallas following last Sunday's demoralizing loss to the Steelers was that quarterback Tony Romo chokes in big games. Eh, I'm not buying it. Sure, Romo botched the snap during the '06 wild-card game against the Seahawks, but he wasn't the reason the Cowboys lost to the Giants last year. Either way, it's hard to argue that Romo didn't play a humongous role in what transpired in Pittsburgh, but if we're going to scrutinize his three interceptions, Terrell Owens stopped his route on the first one, and Jason Witten admitted that he was partly responsible for the last one. (No. 2 was all on Romo, for what it's worth.)
That doesn't absolve Romo of throwing the ball, it just highlights that not every bad pass is on the quarterback.
The Kansas City Star's Jason Whitlock, writing for FOXSports.com, makes the case that Romo's choke-tastic label has everything to do with Terrell Owens' divisive presence. Which, given his recent comments, probably won't go over too well with Mr. T.O. I'm guessing Whitlock is fine with that.
I like Romo and have a theory that he's just the latest talented QB to be undermined by a dysfunctional, bipolar relationship with Terrell Owens. It's just a theory. I'm not ready to swear to it.That's a pretty solid theory, actually. And no, there aren't many (any?) examples of quarterbacks who were able to win the Super Bowl with someone as distracting as Owens catching passes. Plaxico Burress might come the closest, but he never called out Eli Manning, he just didn't show up for meetings. Big difference.
But T.O. and his sideline histrionics wear on a quarterback. He's like the hot stripper you tried to clean up and convert into a real girlfriend. It's a lot of fun until the moment she has her second drink while out to eat with your parents. You unravel quicker than she does. Romo appears to come unglued in December when the outcomes mean the most. ...
It's probably unfair, but I blame T.O. The environment he creates with all of his ranting and raving is not one conducive to consistent QB play. Can we agree that Joe Montana was the best big-game QB in NFL history? Do you remember Jerry Rice acting like a deranged idiot on the sideline?
You can't turn a T.O. into a housewife.
Whatever the reason for Romo's late-season nosedive, the bottom line is that the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game this decade. And given owner Jerry Jones' fondness for basket cases, I don't see Owens going anywhere anytime soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-11-2008 @ 6:04PM
dubbz3000 said...
Marion barber not playing also factored into Dallas' loss. their pass game was overly exposed. I know i seen the first interception coming a mile away. The head coach is to blame for not being able to use TO, WHITTEN, and roy williams correctly. You should have plays that focus on TO and go totally opposite from him. If Boldin and Fitzgerald can do it, TO and anyone else can. R.Moss and Welker do it every week. if its not Moss, its welker. if its not welker, its moss
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12-11-2008 @ 6:06PM
Lex said...
I live in San Francisco. When Owens first came to that team, he was a shy, quiet, polite young man. Somewhere he discovered the camera, ESPN highlights, and even bad press, is good pres$ ! he threw Jeff Garcia, Donavan McNabb both under the bus... Tony Romo, Jerry Jones...hear that 60 Minutes show clock ticking LOUDER right about now. you opened the door to your own poison, enjoy the kool-aid and don't ask for help when he pee's on yoru new stadium next year too.
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12-11-2008 @ 7:40PM
jerome said...
I am still waiting for one of his spineless teamates to get in T.O's face next time he drops a pass during crunch time. Thats one thing he is good for. He is always in the face of the other guys when they screw up. I know if I was on that team, that is one of the things I would do. I wouldn't take that crap from him. And by the way, Romo does tend to choke it off in big games. He did it again last Sunday.
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12-12-2008 @ 8:07AM
smittydog said...
Jerome and old fat ass Jason Whitlock, here is the deal TO is right , Romo is a idiot sometimes at QB, apparently Jason was dazed or drunk or something, other receivers are open and he look for whitten, Romo is definitely trying to please Whitten as for TO get over it, this is old news he is a football player, this happens in football, you guys want players to be quiet and not celebrate or speak up when things go wrong that's bullshit, player need to speak out.
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12-11-2008 @ 9:48PM
Sports Fan said...
The Cowboys need to grab Shockey, He'll call out TO. I'd get my popcorn ready for that.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:31AM
Sports Fan said...
Does anybody here think that the Cowboy players think TO is a leader? He "speaks up" almost constantly. Are they affected by his noise? I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if they turn a deaf ear to him.
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12-12-2008 @ 10:01AM
LA26 said...
Well ain't like there going to the playoffs anyway.Romo has been known to drop the big games.This is common knowledge.
T.O is extremely outspoken,but 75% of the time he's spewing facts.
T.O is a playmaker there's no question about it,but when your own teammates are unable to handle what should be in-house issues it gets brought to light.
It just further proves Romo can't lead.This is his team and his offense.If you can't keep your WR in check don't step on the field Sunday.The greatest QB's all share one thing...they were all field generals/they owned the huddle.
What Romo should be doing is demanding that T.O be benched for disrupting chemistry,and say if you don't bench him I'm not throwing to him.Run Two TE set's and get marcellis on the field more because the kid can play.
No one stands up to T.O. that's why he runs over everybody.Reign him in and exploit his talent.
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12-12-2008 @ 11:26AM
Sam said...
TO is not and has never been a team player in his NFL life!
At this point in his career, that is never going to change! Period! To date, I have never seen anyone give him a taste of his own medicine. I would love to see how he would react to someone getting in is face everytime he drops a pass that is right in his hands! ( which is quite often! ) Yes, he does make plays and yes he is very talented when he does actually catch the damn ball! He will never grow up as long as the media and others continue to let him be a brat and give him so much PR when he does! He loves the attention just as much off the field!
Yes, he can bring a whole team down by himself. I just don't understand why his team mates continue to let him do that!
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3-08-2009 @ 1:08PM
caleb darby said...
When TO comes back to the huddle huffing at Romo why didn't you throw to me, I was wide open. It disrupts any QB's focus on his 1st look, 2nd look etc...........plays are designed for certain players to be open if not go to 2nd option then third etc...TO is so selfish he only wants QB's to look for him and only him every play. I have seen him drop so many passes but no one throws the same bull shit back at him. Are they afraid of him?
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