So the Dallas Cowboys are currently one of the best teams in the NFL. Good for them. It’s been quite a long time since they have enjoyed this type of hype. One of the main reasons behind their recent and current success is the play of rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot, who is proving to be worth his high draft pick and looks to be a premiere back in the league for years to come (barring an injury, of course), and also rookie quarterback sensation Dak Prescott. However, the Cowboys, once again, are not enjoying this success without controversy.
However, their controversy this year is kind of nice, unlike what they’ve been used to in the past (namely which player(s) are consuming massive amounts of illegal substances). What they are currently hearing is will Dak Prescott continue to be the starter when veteran quarterback Tony Romo recovers and returns from his most recent debilitating injury. And to that I have to ask, is that a serious question?
While many people think it might be obvious to go back to the veteran right away, let’s keep in mind that this particular veteran QB is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. It’s Tony Romo. While Romo is one of the best regular season quarterbacks, statistically speaking, in recent years, he is also notorious to having his season cut short by terrible, hard-to-recover from injuries. Personally I’ve lost track of how many back surgeries he has had. And when he does manage to make it to the post season with his team, which is a very rare occurrence, he either puts up horrible numbers or flat out chokes and almost single handedly loses the game for his team (anyone remember that extra point attempt against Seattle some years back?).
Prescott on the other hand, has put up nearly identical numbers through his first 6 games as Romo did his last six. Prescott also just broke the record for most pass attempts to start his career at quarterback without an interception, a record that was held by the one and only Tom Brady; pretty good company to be in. Prescott is also responsible for more touchdowns through his first six games than Romo was through his last six. Prescott is also bigger, more mobile, and has a better arm. He’s shown poise and confidence beyond his years, and most importantly, is NOT injury prone. Those are all pretty interesting things to consider when Jerry Jones decides to make a decision (although Jerry Jones might not be the best decision maker. He did after all call Greg Hardy a “true leader of the team” last season.).
Let’s not forget the fact of how Romo got his shot at the starting job in the first place, by replacing an aging and embattled Drew Bledsoe, considered to be one of the better quarterbacks in league history, who happened to be on the tail end of his career, yet another interesting point to consider. So, it would probably be in the best interest of the Cowboys to give the rookie a chance to continue to shine on the field, and move on from Romo.
However, their controversy this year is kind of nice, unlike what they’ve been used to in the past (namely which player(s) are consuming massive amounts of illegal substances). What they are currently hearing is will Dak Prescott continue to be the starter when veteran quarterback Tony Romo recovers and returns from his most recent debilitating injury. And to that I have to ask, is that a serious question?
While many people think it might be obvious to go back to the veteran right away, let’s keep in mind that this particular veteran QB is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. It’s Tony Romo. While Romo is one of the best regular season quarterbacks, statistically speaking, in recent years, he is also notorious to having his season cut short by terrible, hard-to-recover from injuries. Personally I’ve lost track of how many back surgeries he has had. And when he does manage to make it to the post season with his team, which is a very rare occurrence, he either puts up horrible numbers or flat out chokes and almost single handedly loses the game for his team (anyone remember that extra point attempt against Seattle some years back?).
Prescott on the other hand, has put up nearly identical numbers through his first 6 games as Romo did his last six. Prescott also just broke the record for most pass attempts to start his career at quarterback without an interception, a record that was held by the one and only Tom Brady; pretty good company to be in. Prescott is also responsible for more touchdowns through his first six games than Romo was through his last six. Prescott is also bigger, more mobile, and has a better arm. He’s shown poise and confidence beyond his years, and most importantly, is NOT injury prone. Those are all pretty interesting things to consider when Jerry Jones decides to make a decision (although Jerry Jones might not be the best decision maker. He did after all call Greg Hardy a “true leader of the team” last season.).
Let’s not forget the fact of how Romo got his shot at the starting job in the first place, by replacing an aging and embattled Drew Bledsoe, considered to be one of the better quarterbacks in league history, who happened to be on the tail end of his career, yet another interesting point to consider. So, it would probably be in the best interest of the Cowboys to give the rookie a chance to continue to shine on the field, and move on from Romo.