NFL Football Preview 2009: Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo And Wade Phillips' Jobs Are On The Line In 2009
Jul 30, 2009
During his first three seasons in the league, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was seen by some as the next Troy Aikman. In the 39 games he started, he threw for 10,562 yards and 81 touchdowns. However, he has been criticized for his performances in the later part of each season.
In the 13 games he has played in during the month of December, Romo has a 5-8 record. In two career playoff games, he is 0-2, including a home-loss to the New York Giants as a No. 1 seed in the Divisional Round in 2008.
Will Tony Romo Perform As Well Without Terrell Owens?
Many credit Romo's success to wide receiver Terrell Owens, who was released by the Cowboys in the offseason because he was seen as a "distraction." In his three seasons with the Cowboys, Owens hauled in 235 recepetions for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns. Romo felt comfortable having a player like Owens as a No. 1 wideout to throw the ball to down the field.
This season may make or break Romo's future with Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. Not only does he have to prove that he has what it takes to perform well near the end of the season, but he must prove that he is as great of a quarterback as he seems to be now that Owens is in Buffalo.
Despite Owens' Departure, Romo Still Has Other Targets In Williams and Witten
On the bright side, Romo still has former No. 1 Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams to throw the ball to in Dallas. Not to mention he also has one of the top tight ends in the league in Jason Witten too.
Williams was acquired from the Lions in the middle of last season for a first, third, and sixth-round draft pick in last April's NFL Draft. He started seven games, hauling in 19 receptions for 198 yards and a touchdown.
He may not have the same statistics as Owens, but Williams has shown us throughout his career he is capable of being a team's No. 1 option. In his first four seasons as the Lions' No. 1 wide receiver, he had 3,652 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns. If may be the deciding factor whether or not Romo is the starting quarterback for the Cowboys in 2010.
Over the last couple of seasons, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has emerged as one of the top players in the league at his position. Some have even described him as a wide receiver in a tight end's body.
In his first six seasons in the league, Witten has brought in 429 receptions for 4,935 yards and 25 touchdowns. He will be another great option for Romo to throw to now that Owens is gone, and could even see more balls thrown his way this season.
