Romo actually looks great! Just picked him up off my waiver wire.
1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
bumpI hope this topic is locked
'Cause it took Joey four years of those performances, and because he was doing more to get the offense going than was Bledsoe.' date='Oct 24 2006, 12:20 AM' post='5780238']Why is Romo getting love for the same kind of performance that got Joey Harrington kicked out of Detroit?
As a Cowboy homer, I say he starts in Carolina.
The cat's out of the bag. You gotta go with him the rest of the way, now. Despite the INTs (which I will say were more because of a Favre-ian nature facing a huge deficit on the scoreboard) and some ill-advised fitting of the ball into spots most QBs wouldn't dare touch, the kid showed some moxie. I can live with some scares downfield with Romo because that means he's avoiding pressure in the pocket and at least getting the ball away with the potential of moving the offense.
I think we saw immediately last night how his ability to move immediately opened up the running lanes that were earlier clogged with LBs pressing the LOS.
I have to leave for work, but I will complete my thoughts there.![]()
As a Cowboy homer, I say he starts in Carolina.
bumpI hope this topic is locked
I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain. This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
Maybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Romo was sacked twice and threw 3 INT's which led to 17 points for the Giants. There's no way Bledsoe does worse than that in the 2nd half.I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Drop back 7 steps.
Pat the ball a few times
Wait for the pocket to push past him.
Pat the ball a few times
Don't step up.
Pat the ball a few times
Take sack
The saftey was Crayton's fault. I don't pin that on Bledsoe. The real turf in Texas Stadium kills punts and he should know that watching McBriar get his inflated stats using that advantage.
ETA: 4 sacks in the first half was a Cowboys record BTW
Romo has been with the Cowboys for 4 years, how much more practice does he need?SickThing said:As I said then the more weeks of needed practice Romo gets the better his chances of playing.
#######IT you people. Sometimes it's not about who is better. Real NFL doesn't = always start your studs.Romo was sacked twice and threw 3 INT's which led to 17 points for the Giants. There's no way Bledsoe does worse than that in the 2nd half.I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Drop back 7 steps.
Pat the ball a few times
Wait for the pocket to push past him.
Pat the ball a few times
Don't step up.
Pat the ball a few times
Take sack
The saftey was Crayton's fault. I don't pin that on Bledsoe. The real turf in Texas Stadium kills punts and he should know that watching McBriar get his inflated stats using that advantage.
ETA: 4 sacks in the first half was a Cowboys record BTW
I think it's more about some people just looking at stat lines.Romo clearly was better last night. He moves nicely in the pocket and avoids the rush.#######IT you people. Sometimes it's not about who is better. Real NFL doesn't = always start your studs.Romo was sacked twice and threw 3 INT's which led to 17 points for the Giants. There's no way Bledsoe does worse than that in the 2nd half.I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Drop back 7 steps.
Pat the ball a few times
Wait for the pocket to push past him.
Pat the ball a few times
Don't step up.
Pat the ball a few times
Take sack
The saftey was Crayton's fault. I don't pin that on Bledsoe. The real turf in Texas Stadium kills punts and he should know that watching McBriar get his inflated stats using that advantage.
ETA: 4 sacks in the first half was a Cowboys record BTW
Looked no better then Bledsoe. Its not the QB its the OLine. Sure he had more passing yards, thats all they were doing when he was in because they were done by alot and needed to throw. Giants played a prevent basically in the 4th.Giants simply outplayed them regardless of who was QB.Bledsoe sould start next week. If he does bad again, as in plays that were his fault, then you bench him. If Romo starts, id be pissed as hell if I was bledsoe because romo showed nothing that he should start.
Agree that the O-line also needs to play better, but so does the QB.The O-line is average at best. They are struggling on the right side...IMO.Looked no better then Bledsoe. Its not the QB its the OLine. Sure he had more passing yards, thats all they were doing when he was in because they were done by alot and needed to throw. Giants played a prevent basically in the 4th.Giants simply outplayed them regardless of who was QB.Bledsoe sould start next week. If he does bad again, as in plays that were his fault, then you bench him. If Romo starts, id be pissed as hell if I was bledsoe because romo showed nothing that he should start.I wonder if it is realistic that Parcels could get better performance from the OL. If so, then Bledsoe gives them the better shot at winning. If not, Romo has shown nothing to show that he can perform better under the pressure.
All the talk during the preseason about the cowboys on how much of a push they would be for the division, cause of owens, was overshadowing how bad their oline is.Agree that the O-line also needs to play better, but so does the QB.The O-line is average at best. They are struggling on the right side...IMO.Looked no better then Bledsoe. Its not the QB its the OLine. Sure he had more passing yards, thats all they were doing when he was in because they were done by alot and needed to throw. Giants played a prevent basically in the 4th.Giants simply outplayed them regardless of who was QB.Bledsoe sould start next week. If he does bad again, as in plays that were his fault, then you bench him. If Romo starts, id be pissed as hell if I was bledsoe because romo showed nothing that he should start.I wonder if it is realistic that Parcels could get better performance from the OL. If so, then Bledsoe gives them the better shot at winning. If not, Romo has shown nothing to show that he can perform better under the pressure.
Romo has been with the Cowboys for 4 years, how much more practice does he need?SickThing said:As I said then the more weeks of needed practice Romo gets the better his chances of playing.
Urinal Mint said:The cat's out of the bag. You gotta go with him the rest of the way, now. Despite the INTs (which I will say were more because of a Favre-ian nature facing a huge deficit on the scoreboard) and some ill-advised fitting of the ball into spots most QBs wouldn't dare touch, the kid showed some moxie. I can live with some scares downfield with Romo because that means he's avoiding pressure in the pocket and at least getting the ball away with the potential of moving the offense.
I think we saw immediately last night how his ability to move immediately opened up the running lanes that were earlier clogged with LBs pressing the LOS.
Still, though, the biggest problem with this team is the offensive line. You could put Steve Young behind that line and he would get murdered because you have tackles/guards blowing assignments and allowing pass rushers to sprint into the backfield without so much as a speedbump to leap. This was an issue before the season and the Cowboys did next to nothing to improve it. Instead they draft a kick returner that can't make the team and a tight end that can't block.
Now, watch Dallas come out Sunday night in Charlotte and maul Peppers & Co.![]()
Regardless of their other warts, I think Romo presents them with their best chance to win. You can teach a guy not to make a stupid pass, but you can't teach him to be more agile. I said before the season that the Romo change would only come if he played himself out of a job (like he did on the boneheaded Madison INT) or if the offensive line showed it couldn't protect him (all 3 losses this season). Now it's been shown that the offensive line definitely can not protect a guy like Drew Bledsoe.
So, do you take your lumps with Bledsoe, a known quantity that will eat sacks, or do you wing it with Tony Romo and see what he's all about? Give me the unknown.
Bankerguy said:As a Cowboy homer, I say he starts in Carolina.
Can you honestly blame Romo for 3 INT's? I mean really? Was not one of those passes tipped and then caught by another defender?Romo was sacked twice and threw 3 INT's which led to 17 points for the Giants. There's no way Bledsoe does worse than that in the 2nd half.I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Drop back 7 steps.
Pat the ball a few times
Wait for the pocket to push past him.
Pat the ball a few times
Don't step up.
Pat the ball a few times
Take sack
The saftey was Crayton's fault. I don't pin that on Bledsoe. The real turf in Texas Stadium kills punts and he should know that watching McBriar get his inflated stats using that advantage.
ETA: 4 sacks in the first half was a Cowboys record BTW
Yea, I thought they'd come out with a similar offensive gameplan that Arizona had against Chicago. 3 step drops, WR screens, quick slants, crossing routes. That is TO's game anyway and it would keep Bledsoe upright at least. Reminded me of the Raiders vs. Chargers MNF opener. Poor play calling.I'll throw in my vote for the offensive coaching staff. Bledsoe is dropping back 7 steps because that is what the play calls for. He isnt throwing the ball because the 2 or 3 receivers he has running patterns downfield cant get open before Bledsoe has to pull the ball down. Dallas's passing plays are just too slow developing, particularly with a spotty o-line. The 1 screen pass they threw picked up a huge gain. If it was Pittsburgh or New England or Indy they would have run that play 5 times in the first half until the defense figures out a way to stop it. Then they would find the hole this adjustment created... and so on. Poor offensive philosophy- garbage in, garbage out. Especially disappointing considering they have been running the ball well.
He should have thrown the first one away.Pierce was holding JJ, but that was a bad throw.Can you honestly blame Romo for 3 INT's? I mean really? Was not one of those passes tipped and then caught by another defender?Romo was sacked twice and threw 3 INT's which led to 17 points for the Giants. There's no way Bledsoe does worse than that in the 2nd half.I don't recall much running.MostlyMaybe because they were allowing Romo to sling the ball around without regard to the consequences? Bledsoe had to run for his life on half the pass plays because he was getting no blocking yet he did drove them 80 yards for a TD.Bledsoe was benched for getting sacked for a safety on a play from the 1 which no QB could have avoided and throwing an INT in the endzone that could have happened with any QB.I think in this case the score is extremely misleading. The yards for differential in the first half was astounding. Bledsoe was not moving the ball at all until the drive that he threw that god awful pick. The offense if nothing else was more exciting with Romo. With Bledsoe as soon as Hotel loses his block or just oles the guy you know the play is over. With Romo it's not for certain.cstu said:1st half with Bledsoe - Dallas 7, NY 122nd half with Romo - Dallas 15 (including a garbage TD), NY 24rupricht said:Sure Romo made mistakes but he was trying to make things happen. It is clear that the guy is talented...the Cowboys are a much better team with Romo at QB.
This is his team now for better or worse. Bledsoe can continue his freefall to the backup qb in oakland.
Drop back 7 steps.
Pat the ball a few times
Wait for the pocket to push past him.
Pat the ball a few times
Don't step up.
Pat the ball a few times
Take sack
The saftey was Crayton's fault. I don't pin that on Bledsoe. The real turf in Texas Stadium kills punts and he should know that watching McBriar get his inflated stats using that advantage.
ETA: 4 sacks in the first half was a Cowboys record BTW
I saw nothing from Romo last night that I believe can't be improved through coaching and experience. I was very impressed at his ability to make correct reads and check-downs and throw to open guys. He's no rookie in that regard. His bad passes were a result of "forcing" a play (e.g. the ill-advised screen pass and possibly the INT intended for Crayton) or trying to do too much and not accept a no-gain or even a sack to avoid an INT. Those are things that should improve with time.
Both!!!IGKYA!!! said:He just threw another interception!Romo or Bledsoe??!!!??!
I think Romo should of been named the starter weeks ago, BUT that was a terrible coaching call by Parcells last night. So, Bledsoe threw an INT, whats new. The game was well within reach at 12 7. They threw Romo to the wolves. What were the odds he was actually going to win the game? If he looked better than Bledsoe during the week, he should of been named the starter before the game.I don't think I've ever seen Parcells panic like that before. Romo "looked" better, but his stats stunk. His TDs were garbage time and with 2x as many attempts than Bledsoe, he managed 2x the yards and 3 x the INTs. The Cowboys are sunk. I do like what Romo brings to the team, and from a fantasy perspective I think he'll do better than Bledsoe if you don't get hurt by INTs. From an NFL perspective, the Cowboys and the Tuna are kaput.rupricht said:There is no way Bledsoe wins that game for the Cowboys if he played the 2nd half. Parcell's knew this hence the decision to start Romo. Parcells realised that the Giants were moving the ball with ease on his team....they dominated that first half and really should have been up by 2 TD's. So Parcell's logic was correct - he needed to throw points up on the board and with the Giants' agressive pass rush there is no way this would happen witha porous o-line and a statue at QB.Sure Romo made some terrible mistakes but it was clear that he opened up a whole new dimension for the Cowboys. Romo can buy some extra time with his feet and hit Witten and T.O. for some short gains while under pressure - he showed this ability last night. On each of those plays Bledsoe would have thrown the ball away or more likely taken the sack. T.O. can actually become more of a focal point in this offense with Romo under center....in the same was that Steve Smith is the focus in Carolina....not just a decoy. This ability also opens up the running game as the opposing team must account for that extra threat in the backfield...non existent with Bledsoe. It seems Bledsoe simply does not have the physical capability/reflexes/skills to play in the NFL in 2006. It is important for a QB not to see the rush but a QB should sure as hell must sense it to avoid the sack. Romo showed this ability last night. Bledsoe, on the other hand, could not sense a Mack truck if he was standing in the middle lane of the I-75.I'm actually very optimistic about the Cowboys' chances with Romo. He reminds me of a more mobile Jake Delhomme. As long as the defense steps up Sunday the Cowboys with Romo under center beats the Panthers in Carolina. There I said it so get out your popcorn and get ready for the Romo show.![]()
I agree that maybe Bill made the change too early in the game, but disagree with the contention that Bledsoe didn't make multiple mistakes already by then. I agree Romo was thrown to the wolves, but at least it finally shows us a bit about how he performs in a real game under the pressure bad circumstances. The answer was; not all that great, as expected. I also disagree that the Cowboys are kaput in a division where all the teams have had struggles and they are right in the mix. They're not looking like a team going anywhere in the playoffs, but they do have a decent chance of getting there still. Getting back to when BP decided to pull the trigger... I thought his post-game comments were interesting. He apologized to the Cowboys fans. I have to wonder if that train of thought considering the fans isn't why he made the change... for all those fans yelling for Romo.I think Romo should of been named the starter weeks ago, BUT that was a terrible coaching call by Parcells last night. So, Bledsoe threw an INT, whats new. The game was well within reach at 12 7. They threw Romo to the wolves. What were the odds he was actually going to win the game? If he looked better than Bledsoe during the week, he should of been named the starter before the game.I don't think I've ever seen Parcells panic like that before. Romo "looked" better, but his stats stunk. His TDs were garbage time and with 2x as many attempts than Bledsoe, he managed 2x the yards and 3 x the INTs. The Cowboys are sunk. I do like what Romo brings to the team, and from a fantasy perspective I think he'll do better than Bledsoe if you don't get hurt by INTs. From an NFL perspective, the Cowboys and the Tuna are kaput.rupricht said:There is no way Bledsoe wins that game for the Cowboys if he played the 2nd half. Parcell's knew this hence the decision to start Romo. Parcells realised that the Giants were moving the ball with ease on his team....they dominated that first half and really should have been up by 2 TD's. So Parcell's logic was correct - he needed to throw points up on the board and with the Giants' agressive pass rush there is no way this would happen witha porous o-line and a statue at QB.Sure Romo made some terrible mistakes but it was clear that he opened up a whole new dimension for the Cowboys. Romo can buy some extra time with his feet and hit Witten and T.O. for some short gains while under pressure - he showed this ability last night. On each of those plays Bledsoe would have thrown the ball away or more likely taken the sack. T.O. can actually become more of a focal point in this offense with Romo under center....in the same was that Steve Smith is the focus in Carolina....not just a decoy. This ability also opens up the running game as the opposing team must account for that extra threat in the backfield...non existent with Bledsoe. It seems Bledsoe simply does not have the physical capability/reflexes/skills to play in the NFL in 2006. It is important for a QB not to see the rush but a QB should sure as hell must sense it to avoid the sack. Romo showed this ability last night. Bledsoe, on the other hand, could not sense a Mack truck if he was standing in the middle lane of the I-75.I'm actually very optimistic about the Cowboys' chances with Romo. He reminds me of a more mobile Jake Delhomme. As long as the defense steps up Sunday the Cowboys with Romo under center beats the Panthers in Carolina. There I said it so get out your popcorn and get ready for the Romo show.![]()
Parcells ponders: Bledsoe or Romo?By JAIME ARON, AP Sports WriterOctober 24, 2006Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the Cowboys football game against the New York Giants in Irving, Texas, Monday, Oct. 23, 2006. Bledsoe was replaced by backup Tony Romo in the third quarter of the Giants 36-22 win.AP - Oct 24, 3:22 pm EDTMore PhotosIRVING, Texas (AP) -- Drew Bledsoe doesn't carry a clipboard, and he's not into playing big brother.He's either a starter or one unhappy veteran.That's just part of the dilemma Bill Parcells faces this week while deciding whether Bledsoe or Tony Romo should be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.Bledsoe lost his grip on the job after throwing an interception shortly before halftime Monday night. With the Cowboys in position to score a go-ahead touchdown, Bledsoe instead made one of the bad decisions Parcells had warned could get him yanked.So Bledsoe spent the second half seething, watching his backup not do much better.ADVERTISEMENTIn the first meaningful action of his four-year career, Romo was intercepted on his first play and twice more, including one returned 96 yards for a touchdown. Dallas (3-3) went from being down by five points when Romo took over to losing 36-22.But Romo also showed he could be effective. He scrambled and completed 14 of 25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, and flashed more footwork running for a 2-point conversion. Fans certainly rallied behind him and teammates such as Terrell Owens seemed more energized, too.That leaves Parcells mulling these options:-- Does he go with Bledsoe, who needs more time than his offensive line often can provide and tends to make bad decisions, but knows what he's doing after 194 career starts?-- Or does he go with Romo, who'd thrown only two passes until Monday night and immediately reminded everyone that he's going to have some growing pains?Actually, it's not even that simple.Parcells also has to weigh the upcoming schedule (beginning Sunday night in Carolina against NFL sack leader Julius Peppers, then two more road games), the team's playoff hopes and the long-term impact of either move.Stick with Romo and Bledsoe could become a burden, or go with Bledsoe and he'd waste a chance to see whether Romo is the quarterback of the future. And what might the decision mean to Parcells' future in Dallas?No wonder team owner Jerry Jones was happy to be in New Orleans on Tuesday, attending an owners meeting instead of dwelling over it all. Still, the quarterback question was fresh on his mind."I thought the best chance for us to be where we wanted to be, which was continuing in the playoffs, was to go with an experienced quarterback in Drew and I don't know that I've changed my mind," Jones said. "But we've got to win games."There's no question Romo's got ability and he can mitigate some of the problems we have with Drew's mobility. It'll be a tough decision."Romo and Bledsoe both believe they deserve the same job, which already is generating friction.Wearing a visor and a scowl, Bledsoe stood on the sideline the entire second half. He constantly tugged the collar of his jersey, almost as if he was ready to rip off his uniform, and didn't offer Romo a single word of advice."He's a competitor," Parcells said. "He doesn't want to come out."It goes deeper than that, though.Bledsoe left New England and Buffalo because he didn't want to be a mentor or an insurance policy. He's hinted that Dallas is his last stop and has indicated that if he's not starting, he'd rather be home playing with his kids.Of course, what Bledsoe wants matters little to Parcells. All the coach wants is the QB who gives the Cowboys the best chance of winning.That can still be Bledsoe, as evidenced by his six touchdown passes and one interception in Dallas' three victories. But those have all been against teams with losing records. Against playoff contenders Jacksonville, Philadelphia and the Giants, he has one TD and seven INTs.Romo arrived in Dallas in 2003 and has outlasted Jones-picked quarterbacks Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson and Drew Henson, mostly on ability but also with a mix of intangibles that Parcells admires. Jones believes in him, too, with a recent contract extension for next year serving as proof.Mobility is Romo's biggest selling point. That could be more necessity than luxury considering the way the line played Monday night.Romo also plays with a gunslinger mentality, which sometimes means throwing passes with an I'll-cram-it-in-there bravado. Experience could help team him when he can and can't. (For what it's worth: Bledsoe's never had a three-interception half for Dallas.)"I definitely would have liked to have performed better," Romo said.Then there's the Parcells factor.Whether it's stubbornness, loyalty or both, Parcells rarely changes quarterbacks midseason. Cowboys fans learned that the hard way two years ago, when he stuck with 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde.Things are different now. Romo is ready and the team is far more primed to challenge for a playoff berth. A miss would make it three straight years, a blow to Parcells' reputation.Some answers will come Wednesday, when Parcells holds his next news conference. The real answer probably will have to wait until Sunday night.AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.
Parcells ponders: Bledsoe or Romo?By JAIME ARON, AP Sports WriterOctober 24, 2006IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Drew Bledsoe doesn't carry a clipboard, and he's not into playing big brother.He's either a starter or one unhappy veteran.That's just part of the dilemma Bill Parcells faces this week while deciding whether Bledsoe or Tony Romo should be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.Bledsoe lost his grip on the job after throwing an interception shortly before halftime Monday night. With the Cowboys in position to score a go-ahead touchdown, Bledsoe instead made one of the bad decisions Parcells had warned could get him yanked.So Bledsoe spent the second half seething, watching his backup not do much better.In the first meaningful action of his four-year career, Romo was intercepted on his first play and twice more, including one returned 96 yards for a touchdown. Dallas (3-3) went from being down by five points when Romo took over to losing 36-22.But Romo also showed he could be effective. He scrambled and completed 14 of 25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, and flashed more footwork running for a 2-point conversion. Fans certainly rallied behind him and teammates such as Terrell Owens seemed more energized, too.That leaves Parcells mulling these options:-- Does he go with Bledsoe, who needs more time than his offensive line often can provide and tends to make bad decisions, but knows what he's doing after 194 career starts?-- Or does he go with Romo, who'd thrown only two passes until Monday night and immediately reminded everyone that he's going to have some growing pains?Actually, it's not even that simple.Parcells also has to weigh the upcoming schedule (beginning Sunday night in Carolina against NFL sack leader Julius Peppers, then two more road games), the team's playoff hopes and the long-term impact of either move.Stick with Romo and Bledsoe could become a burden, or go with Bledsoe and he'd waste a chance to see whether Romo is the quarterback of the future. And what might the decision mean to Parcells' future in Dallas?No wonder team owner Jerry Jones was happy to be in New Orleans on Tuesday, attending an owners meeting instead of dwelling over it all. Still, the quarterback question was fresh on his mind."I thought the best chance for us to be where we wanted to be, which was continuing in the playoffs, was to go with an experienced quarterback in Drew and I don't know that I've changed my mind," Jones said. "But we've got to win games."There's no question Romo's got ability and he can mitigate some of the problems we have with Drew's mobility. It'll be a tough decision."Romo and Bledsoe both believe they deserve the same job, which already is generating friction.Wearing a visor and a scowl, Bledsoe stood on the sideline the entire second half. He constantly tugged the collar of his jersey, almost as if he was ready to rip off his uniform, and didn't offer Romo a single word of advice."He's a competitor," Parcells said. "He doesn't want to come out."It goes deeper than that, though.Bledsoe left New England and Buffalo because he didn't want to be a mentor or an insurance policy. He's hinted that Dallas is his last stop and has indicated that if he's not starting, he'd rather be home playing with his kids.Of course, what Bledsoe wants matters little to Parcells. All the coach wants is the QB who gives the Cowboys the best chance of winning.That can still be Bledsoe, as evidenced by his six touchdown passes and one interception in Dallas' three victories. But those have all been against teams with losing records. Against playoff contenders Jacksonville, Philadelphia and the Giants, he has one TD and seven INTs.Romo arrived in Dallas in 2003 and has outlasted Jones-picked quarterbacks Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson and Drew Henson, mostly on ability but also with a mix of intangibles that Parcells admires. Jones believes in him, too, with a recent contract extension for next year serving as proof.Mobility is Romo's biggest selling point. That could be more necessity than luxury considering the way the line played Monday night.Romo also plays with a gunslinger mentality, which sometimes means throwing passes with an I'll-cram-it-in-there bravado. Experience could help team him when he can and can't. (For what it's worth: Bledsoe's never had a three-interception half for Dallas.)"I definitely would have liked to have performed better," Romo said.Then there's the Parcells factor.Whether it's stubbornness, loyalty or both, Parcells rarely changes quarterbacks midseason. Cowboys fans learned that the hard way two years ago, when he stuck with 41-year-old Vinny Testaverde.Things are different now. Romo is ready and the team is far more primed to challenge for a playoff berth. A miss would make it three straight years, a blow to Parcells' reputation.Some answers will come Wednesday, when Parcells holds his next news conference. The real answer probably will have to wait until Sunday night.AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.