View from a Romo Apologist--by Adam

It took some time to update the status of America's team but besides widening the doorways and constructing wheel chair ramps around Valley Ranch for Monte Kiffin's return, there wasn't much to comment on until Jerry Jones decided to reward Tony Romo with the largest contract in Dallas Cowboy history. Many 'boys haters are salivating at the opportunity to trash Cowboy fans from Long Island all the way to the paradise island of Maui (and yes I do have a buddy who is a cowboy fan living in Hawaii). Jerry Jones continues to reward players with huge guaranteed money contracts and Tony Romo is the latest to benefit from his philanthropy.  Six years and $108 million dollars is the number with approximately $55 million guaranteed. As an opportunist I say good for Romo; as a Cowboy fan I say oh no not again plus about sixteen different curse words in 3 different languages.  Underachieving retired QB Donovan McNabb even called the deal out on Twitter:  "Tony Romo 6yr 55 million dollar extension. Wow, really with one playoff win. You got to be kidding me." This is the epitome of what many NFL fans are thinking.  Romo was named "most overrated player in the NFL" according to NFL player polls.  As I scratch my balding and flaky scalp and try to make sense of this, I can only come up with one conclusion--desperation. 

Think about the short term plan. The 2013-14 Cowboys have a win- now philosophy.  Based on the current makeup of the team with many high powered key position players such as Witten, Ware, Romo, Ratliff and Spencer in their prime, the team has to play to its strengths. If Romo didn't receive a new contract and flew the coop after this year, where would the team be? How could they survive without grooming a QB to replace Romo over the past 2-3 years? The answer is they couldn't and would be in complete disarray. When you cut through the dark clouds of disappointment over the past 18 years it becomes very clear what they need to do to have a 6th Lombardi in their trophy case. 

Lets breakdown a few simple points on how this team CAN win now and review the secret ingredients for success from the past few Super Bowl winners.  Considering the teams that came out on top over the past 5 years, the Cowboys have a chance.  Let's face it--between favorable playoff match ups and getting hot at the right time, there are probably 5 or 6 teams every year who can win it all. It's so close that one or two plays in the playoffs can seal the fate either way for a good NFL team.  Going into every season there are approximately 20 teams that can go 7-9  to 10 - 6. Look at last year's run by the Ravens. They lost 4 out of their last 5 regular season games. First round of the playoffs they crushed Indy. Next they go into Denver and get their feathers plucked for 3 quarters. But on that cold wintry evening one of the coolest QBs of all time decided to choke it away for the Broncos and add insult to injury; one of the coolest CBs of all time gave up two huge I mean HUGE TD throws to set up the Ravens for a triumph in double OT.  Look at the Patriots fortune in 2007 and 2012. Take your pick--Asante Samuel and Wes Welker had to catch relatively easy passes/INTs to lockdown their title as Super Bowl Champs but they blew it just as badly as Peyton and Champ. Pittsburgh's 100 yard INT of Kurt Warner by James Harrison is another example. Kurt Warner is one of the most accurate passers the NFL has ever seen.  But that play turned the game around. The Giants were a 5 seed when they won in 2007 and in 2012 they were only one of three teams to win the Super bowl with a 9-7 record. It's only a handful of plays that make all the difference. That's what makes this current NFL product so interesting to watch.  You just never know what's going to happen until the last football is hiked year to year.  

The Cowboys first priority is to stay healthy.  Staying healthy in the NFL is like trying to eat Matzah during Passover while touring a sour dough pretzel factory.  Aint happening.  So they need to try and minimize the number of injuries to their key players.  Five defensive starters out for the year for the 2012-2013 season was tough.  Second, where their defense goes they go. If they stay somewhat healthy can the Cowboys be ranked in the top ten in total defense?  If Monte has a little magic left in his 73 year old mind then they have a chance. Switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 will be a challenge but can be an opportunity for All Pro Linebacker Demarcus Ware to concentrate on rushing the QB more efficiently.  Again--look at the Ravens, Giants and Steelers defensive units. They were the real MVPs of those Super Bowl teams and should have received all the kudos--not Flacco, Ben or  Peyton's little brother.  Third, consistent play from Tony Romo. Is that too tall an order? It might be but I can't put the full blame on his shoulders for all the bad fortune this team has experienced over the past 6 years. He happens to be in the spot light as the QB of this famed franchise and it's easy for haters to pile on him if he isn't perfect. Romo's regular season numbers are staggering and are the key to this 108 million dollar contract. He has plenty of big play history under his belt in the regular season but the mishaps and lack of playoff production makes him not only the "goat" of the team but also the NFL.  For those who live by the philosophy of "what have you done for me lately", Tony's legacy has already been sealed in your minds. He is an undrafted Eastern Illinois University Quarterback who just received over $100 million dollars so he has to be doing something well. There are QBs that have won rings with much less ability. Romo has some top notch regular season performances but we all know that crunch time and playoff appearances make or break a player's career. Romo is closer to the big dance than you think. Now if he can only do it over a 19 or 20 game stretch and win a Super Bowl, Romo will not only be added to the prestigious Cowboy Ring of Honor but he might even receive a call from a very famous area code in Ohio inviting him to a celebration in his honor.