Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys / Photo: Newscom

How did the Cowboys do it? For starters, they had a balanced attack on offense, controlling the game clock (36:26 to 23:34) and keeping the high-powered, quick-strike New Orleans offense on the sidelines. They also ran the ball and stopped the run (145 yards to 65 yards), which is every team’s goal prior to every game. Plus, the Cowboys sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees four times (two by DeMarcus Ware and two by Anthony Spencer), hurried him countless other times and intercepted him once. It wasn’t that it was an entirely unique game plan offensively or defensively, but it was executed to near-perfection.

I thought Tony Romo played as good a game as I’ve seen him play. Up to this point, I considered Tony to be one of—if not the most—overrated quarterbacks in the NFL, especially in the clutch when games matter the most. In a game the Cowboys had to have—against an unbeaten team in a very hostile environment—he played outstanding (22-of-34 passing for 312 yards and a touchdown).

On a down note, the Cowboys will be shopping for a new kicker immediately. Had they lost this game, kicker Nick Folk would’ve had to find a different means of transportation than the team plane to get home. As it stands, he’s missed more field goal attempts than any other kicker in the NFL this season. His confidence appears completely shot, so I don’t expect to see him back with the team this coming week.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dallas Cowboys Answer December Doubters

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys / Image: Zuma Press

After yesterday’s 31-24 loss to the N.Y. Giants, Tony didn’t want to talk about another December slump:

“We don’t care about December talk. The season will be written when it’s over with, no matter what happens in December. I know that’s part of it until we win in December, but I just think this team needs to win.”

Uh, yeah. But with streaking San Diego (seven straight wins) and New Orleans (12 straight wins) still on the Cowboys’ remaining four game schedule, Dallas will once again be very lucky to simply make the playoffs. In fact, I’ll predict the Cowboys will not only lose those two games but also their December 27 game against the cursed hopeful Washington Redskins. And if they fail to make the playoffs (again) this season, there could be a substantial housecleaning in order in Dallas.

Source: SportingNews.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Cowboys Beginning Another December Drought?

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys / Image: Zuma Press

Roy admitted some turmoil with QB Tony Romo exists, but insisted he was still the Cowboys’ top receiver:

“It’s just not even close. It’s not even funny. Not even close. I’m the number one receiver. But things are just going number two’s way. He gets the ball thrown correctly his way. I’m stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody (else) who’s been here’s balls are there. Our footballs (from Romo to Williams) are everywhere right now.”

Everywhere but on target is what he’s trying to say. It just sounds like a lot of whining and complaining to me. Rather than moan to the media about his trials within the Cowboys’ offense, Roy should take a meeting with his quarterback and maybe schedule some extra practice time so they’re on the same page the rest of this 2009 season. I believe Dallas’ playoff hopes depend on it.

Source: ESPNDallas.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Roy Williams: ‘I’m the Number One Receiver’

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys / Image: Zuma Press

Maybe it’s just us Pitt grads thinking alike, but Cowboys Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett said:

“I don’t know why on God’s earth Tony Romo has been anointed a superstar in the National Football League. Tony is very young in his career. Not to say you can’t be young in your career and be a superstar because you’ve got one up there in Minnesota in Adrian Peterson. But the thing is this: You have a guy who hasn’t done much and quarterbacks in the National Football League, most of them go through this growing curve. (Romo) hasn’t gone through that growing curve, but he was anointed this great player all of a sudden.”

Source: SportsRadioInterviews.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Why is Tony Romo Such a Big Deal?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Dallas Cowboys officially waived oft-troubled cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones today (because it was the first day teams could start “waiving” goodbye to players for the 2009 season). So, I’m wondering if receiver Terrell Owens is next? I seriously doubt it. On paper, it seems like a ridiculous notion anyway. Terrell just had the ninth 1,000 yard season of his career. For the eighth time in his career he had double-digit touchdown receptions. And since 2006 he has more touchdowns than any other active receiver — more than Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald. But he’s never going to change his tune as a whiner and a complainer when things don’t go his way. He’s all about what’s best for him and not the team. And that makes him a big distraction. Of course, word is that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t interested in parting ways with T.O. anyway, which doesn’t surprise me because Mr. Jones enjoys the drama he has created in Dallas. But I don’t believe the Cowboys will ever win a championship with Terrell Owens — or Tony Romo for that matter.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Is Terrell Owens Done in Dallas?

After being lambasted by the Philadelphia Eagles 44-6 yesterday, the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from postseason contention with a finishing 9-7 record. It was one of the bigger surprises of the 2008 season considering the Cowboys were preseason favorites (by many fellow sports writers and general football folk alike) to go to Super Bowl XLIII. With arguably more talent than any other team in the NFL, it was almost unfathomable that Dallas played as poorly as they did in the month of December. But this has become the norm for the Cowboys. As much publicity as they get for being “America’s Team,” the fact remains they haven’t had a winning record during the month of December in 12 seasons. The team is still living off the past glories of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. Nevertheless, change is necessary if Dallas is going to turn back the clock and Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is all for it:

“We have to (make) changes as far as overall the team. But there are other things, including off-seasons, mini-camps and practices that I have to look at and alter some things and modify some things. But to get to the standard we want and our fans want, I don’t see any other way.”

If the coaching staff is not going to change (and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says that it will not), I believe the necessary change begins with personnel. Job one should be to get rid of receiver Terrell Owens. NFL Network analyst Terrell Davis was in a bit of an argument with NFL.com’s Michael Lombardi on this very subject on Total Access this evening and I completely agreed with T.D. — get rid of Terrell Owens. He’s a cancer to this team. As far as T.O. is concerned, it’s always going to be about him first and foremost. He’s proven that time and time again. He’s a very talented but spoiled diva athlete. His stats and his catches and his involvement as a highlight in an offense will always be more important than the team and I would recommend trading him this offseason because there is a team out there stupid enough to take a chance on his talent in exchange for what will absolutely be a distraction at some point in their season. Plus, the Cowboys stand to cash-in on valuable Draft picks or a proven, team-oriented talent as part of a deal for T.O.

Still, I wonder if the Cowboys are smart enough and truly committed to the kind of change they desperately need? As long as Jerry Jones is in charge of the organization, I have my doubts. Mr. Jones likes big name athletes and a lot of drama. That’s why he’s spending over a billion dollars on his new stadium. He’s all about image and making a grand presentation. Unfortunately for him, this does not usually equal success in terms of wins and losses — which is really all that matters when you get right down to it.

Other than dealing T.O., I think releasing Adam Jones is a no-brainer. Enough said. And I’m still not sold on quarterback Tony Romo. I never was. When it seemed the rest of the world was going crazy over Tony and whatever celebrity female he was dating at the time, I was left wondering what was so great about him. Let’s face it. He’s an average QB with below-average performances in games that count the most. He may still come around and prove to be one of the league’s better signal callers, but he’s going to need to be put in a position to succeed and right now he’s not even close.

Source: DallasCowboys.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dallas Cowboys Need to Change Their Ways

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

According to multiple sources within the Dallas Cowboys organization this week, receiver Terrell Owens has expressed resentment toward quarterback Tony Romo because he’s jealous of Tony’s relationship with tight end Jason Witten. T.O. thinks Tony and Jason hold private meetings and create plays without including him. An anonymous Cowboys player weighed-in:

“He’s insecure about it. The thing that bothers me more than anything about this problem is that it’s always something with him — San Fran, Philly and here; always something. And he brings other people into it. You know, he talks to Sam Hurd and Roy Williams, who just got here and doesn’t really know these guys. T.O. talks to him and so now he probably thinks Witten politics with Tony for the ball. That’s so far from the truth. You think Tony is throwing to him because that’s his buddy? His best buddy is Bobby Carpenter, and that’s not helping him too much. It’s crazy to think that, and I hate that he acts that way.”

T.O. has resorted to private meetings between his fellow receivers and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. He won’t talk to Tony because he “seldom talks to Romo, unless it’s on the football field.” Of course, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Wade Phillips say there is no such “Terrellnoia.” But they’re just trying to keep the whole operation from imploding, which it will most likely do Sunday night if the Cowboys lose to the N.Y. Giants.

What needs to happen for Terrell Owens to be happy? The team needs to revolve around him. He needs to have the most catches (which he currently does not — Jason Witten does) and he needs to be the focal point of not just the offense, but the entire organization. A distant second is winning. If Terrell Owens were having a lot of personal success (leading the team in catches, for instance), I don’t really think he would care if the team were losing games. He says it’s all about winning, but his behavior doesn’t reflect that.

The entirely dysfunctional Cowboys amuse me. This is not a team that has adopted the true team concept and there is no way they’re winning a championship with this group of personalities. Nobody can talk to anybody. Private meetings. He said this and he said that. I believe it starts from the top and trickles down. How many other owners do you see giving postgame quotes every week? Let the coaches and players handle that. Jerry Jones is like a puppet master. So with all that money spent and the tremendous publicity and expectations this season, it’s entirely possible the Cowboys will lose all of their remaining games against the Giants, Ravens and Eagles.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Terrell Owens is Angry and Jealous

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Forget seconds. How about thirds? That’s the appetizer on the National Football League Thanksgiving menu this Week 13 of the NFL season — three Turkey Day servings of football, followed by a whole lineup of games on Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday. Even the players will be in their easy chairs. Like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning:

“I remember watching Thanksgiving games as a kid. Even in high school and college, and now in the NFL, you practice, you come home and you watch Thanksgiving football.”

Football has been a part of my Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m relaxing with my family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina or home for the holidays in snowy Pennsylvania (like this year), you can bet we’ll have all three games on — even if in the background during dinner. Thanksgiving Day has always been about family, food and football. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Here’s what’s on the pigskin platter:

TENNESSEE TITANS at DETROIT LIONS (CBS, 12:30 PM ET): Fans will see two of the top rookie rushers in the league in Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (second among rookie RBs with 833 yards) and Detroit’s Kevin Smith (fourth with 599 yards). Kevin has consecutive games of 96, 112 and 86 yards. The 10-1 Titans are smarting from their first loss to the Jets last week. “It was a great run,” says Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher. “We’ve got to win our next game.” With a win and an Indianapolis loss, the Titans take the AFC South.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS (FOX, 4:15 PM ET): The final Thanksgiving game in Texas Stadium, where some of the most memorable NFL games on the holiday have been played (Cowboys Thanksgiving record in the stadium: 21-14). The Cowboys look like they’ve regained their early-season swagger. The Seahawks will have to bottle up receiver Terrell Owens, who comes off his second-best career yardage day — 213 yards on seven catches. “He’s still got it,” says Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Whatever.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET): The QBs are riled! And that’s not good for the DBs. The Cards’ Kurt Warner, after Arizona lost to the Giants on Sunday, says, “We can play with anybody if we eliminate the mistakes.” A win and the Cards capture the NFC West. QB Donovan McNabb, benched for the first time in his career Sunday, is still the starter for Philly. “Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way, and Donovan will do that,” says Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Thanksgiving 2008

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Just as the Dallas Cowboys seemed to be getting healthy — welcoming back quarterback Tony Romo and cornerback Terrence Newman — the team announced today that rookie running back Felix Jones would miss the rest of the 2008 season with an injured toe that will require surgery. Felix justified the Cowboys drafting him 22nd overall this past April by making his presence felt immediately. In his first six NFL games, he was averaging almost nine yards/carry with three touchdowns. It’s really a crushing blow to a Dallas team who briefly enjoyed his big play ability not only on offense but also returning kicks. Felix joins the other unfortunates — receiver Sam Hurd, punter Mat McBrier and safety Roy L. Williams — on injured reserve.

Source: DallasCowboys.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Felix Jones Done For Season

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo appears ready to return to the starting lineup after missing the past three games with an injury to his throwing hand. Head coach Wade Phillips is optimistic his QB will be ready for Sunday night’s showdown with NFC East division rival Washington:

“He’s throwing with more zip on the ball. He looks more comfortable. He’s getting better and better in getting back to where he was.”

Translation — he’ll play. Tony’s return can’t come too soon for the desperate Cowboys whose problems really began before he was injured. But they’re certainly a better team with Tony than without him. The Cowboys are also hoping running back Felix Jones can return from a lingering hamstring injury. If these two players can go and the offensive line’s play isn’t so — offensive — the Cowboys might be able to resume with their preseason hype.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Romo Appears Ready to Return