On the NFL Network they often air conversations between legends discussing their outlook on the year’s major players. Last week, Deion Sanders and Brett Favre sat down for a chat that didn’t include the juicy stuff like their divorce proceedings and naughty texts. Instead, Sanders questioned Favre on the current big name QBs.
Favre proclaimed that the “GM on the field” is Peyton Manning and Drew Brees is in “a league by himself.” But his most interesting declaration came when talking about Dallas’ own, Tony Romo, as the player he most relates to.
“Romo is probably more like me than any of those guys,” says Favre. “Way too much is cast upon him. Good and bad. At times he’s underrated.” Favre goes on to explain how he has watched Romo make something out of nothing, even though he is struggling to get
his teammates in place right before the snap.
First off it’s a shame Romo has been working with a less than stellar offensive line. But are Romo’s and Favre’s experiences really that similar? Favre was adored in Green Bay, win or lose. Local fans even tolerated him while in New York and Minnesota. Around DFW if you mention Romo, you’ll get a mix of conversation that ends with “he better do something or he’s got to go.”
After years of playing well, there comes a point where stats no longer matter. Just ask LeBron James. The only missing pieces to a great legacy are the championship titles. The 2011 season was the best statistical season of Romo’s career. And I bet you didn’t know that because he wasn’t in the playoffs.
The entire situation is frustrating because while we see glimpses of greatness, we are haunted by the memories of lost opportunities. And I’m afraid that if he doesn’t march his team into postseason success he’ll be shipped off somewhere else, and we’ll be going through this all over again with some new unsuspecting QB.
Being the starting quarterback here in Dallas is easily the most pressure packed job around. Fans will never stop expecting astronomical results in a small window of time. If Romo can continue playing hard and learn to make those much needed adjustments in the second half there is a good chance there can be another playoff win in his future.
Jerry Jones and company picked five defensive players in the 2012 draft, in hopes that these young players will hold off the opposition so Romo can shine. Jones will end up either growing tired of defending his QB and make some serious changes or he’ll be
in his element as he reassures the world that he is the great and powerful Oz who always
knows best.
Basically this is it. Romo will be held responsible for every win or loss this upcoming season. But the fans are weary, and fair or not, the buck stops with him. This is the last act in the longest audition.
By Keysha Hogan – @TheKeysha