Tony Romo’s best version looks good for Cowboys
IRVING, Texas – Tony Romo got an earful from Jason Garrett after the Dallas quarterback threw three first-half interceptions in a season-opening loss to San Francisco.
The coach’s message: These Cowboys have a chance to be really good, and so do you.
Sixteen weeks later, a four-year playoff drought is over and Romo is in the Pro Bowl with one of the best passer ratings in NFL history.
“The message is be who you are,” Garrett said about his conversation after the Cowboys fell behind by 25 points in a 28-17 loss to a 49ers team that had reached three straight NFC championship games. “You’ve been a great football player for a long time. Read things out. Throw it to the right guy and go play.”
Romo was admittedly frustrated early in the season, coming off back surgery that sidelined him for a third straight season-ending loss to keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs. He missed offseason workouts and took more time off than usual during training camp.
The 34-year-old looked rusty at best against the 49ers, just a few weeks after opening camp in California by telling reporters they would see “the best version of me” in the coming years.
He showed it the first year. Going into Sunday’s regular-season finale at Washington, Romo has 32 touchdowns, eight interceptions, a 70 percent completion rate and a 114.4 QB rating that ranks sixth in NFL history. He has a chance to move ahead of Peyton Manning, who’s fifth at 115.1 with Denver last year when the Broncos reached the Super Bowl.
“I don’t think about it in individual terms,” said Romo, who moved past Troy Aikman as Dallas’ career leader in yards passing in last week’s 42-7 win over Indianapolis that clinched the NFC East title. “I just thought our football team was getting better. I thought we had some players who were going to help.”
Topping that list: running back DeMarco Murray and three young first-round draft picks anchoring the offensive line. All four of those made the Pro Bowl with Romo.
Murray is the NFL rushing leader with 1,745 yards and needs 29 to break career NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith’s franchise record from 1995. Right guard Zack Martin is the first rookie offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl for Dallas, while Travis Frederick got his first nod in his second season and Tyron Smith is joining Murray and receiver Dez Bryant with two straight all-star selections.
“To me, he’s always been one of the best quarterbacks in the league, even the last two years when we went 8-8,” said receiver Cole Beasley. “You put guys around a quarterback like that, he’s always going to take off. Even with not many guys around him, he’s still going to have a good year. He’s that good.”