By Kevin Sherrington Follow @KSherringtonDMN ksherrington@dallasnews.com
Staff Columnist
Updated: 02 December 2015 09:26 AM
Whether Jerry Jones really believes Tony Romo -- at 35, coming off a third broken collarbone and not long removed from two back surgeries -- has another four or five years in him is beside the point.
Jerry's window, at 73, is closing just as fast as Romo's. And when Jerry's is shut, there's no re-opening it.
Bottom line: Jerry is even less inclined than ever to develop a quarterback because his shelf life, like mine, ain't what it used to be.
The fact that he's so touchy about Romo's future, as he showed on his radio show Tuesday, is evidence of his true feelings. He gives lip service to developing a quarterback, but his track record says something else. Five quarterbacks drafted over 26 years isn't exactly a trend.
But this is: three broken collarbones, which only come two to a customer.
Without question, Romo should be the Cowboys' starting quarterback going into next season. For one thing, they won't find a better alternative.
Finding Romo's heir, however, should become a priority. If the Cowboys end up 5-11, which seems more likely every day, and they have a top five pick, they should consider a quarterback. Not that they have to take one in the first round. Frankly, they shouldn't paint themselves into a corner on any position. What the losing streak proved above all else is that they could use an elite player just about anywhere, and the best player available is still the way to go.
No matter what the Cowboys do in the first round, they still must identify a quarterback they like and believe they can develop, figure out where he probably would go in the draft and proceed accordingly.
What does that mean for next year? It means bringing back Matt Cassel or a similar veteran as Romo's back-up and keeping a third quarterback on the roster. They've done it before, and with less talent. Or so you hope.
The key for Jerry is taking a page from another general manager in the area. On the SportsDay podcast this week, the Rangers' Jon Daniels was asked what he planned to do in left field. Josh Hamilton will start, Daniels said, but he'll be looking to fortify the position just the same, based on Hamilton's history of injuries.
Translation: Hope for the best and plan for the worst, or what history tells you. What it tells me is that Romo will be 36 next year, large men will continue to fall on him and he doesn't always get up so quickly.
Twitter: @KSherringtonDMN
Staff Columnist
Updated: 02 December 2015 09:26 AM
Whether Jerry Jones really believes Tony Romo -- at 35, coming off a third broken collarbone and not long removed from two back surgeries -- has another four or five years in him is beside the point.
Jerry's window, at 73, is closing just as fast as Romo's. And when Jerry's is shut, there's no re-opening it.
Bottom line: Jerry is even less inclined than ever to develop a quarterback because his shelf life, like mine, ain't what it used to be.
The fact that he's so touchy about Romo's future, as he showed on his radio show Tuesday, is evidence of his true feelings. He gives lip service to developing a quarterback, but his track record says something else. Five quarterbacks drafted over 26 years isn't exactly a trend.
But this is: three broken collarbones, which only come two to a customer.
Without question, Romo should be the Cowboys' starting quarterback going into next season. For one thing, they won't find a better alternative.
Finding Romo's heir, however, should become a priority. If the Cowboys end up 5-11, which seems more likely every day, and they have a top five pick, they should consider a quarterback. Not that they have to take one in the first round. Frankly, they shouldn't paint themselves into a corner on any position. What the losing streak proved above all else is that they could use an elite player just about anywhere, and the best player available is still the way to go.
No matter what the Cowboys do in the first round, they still must identify a quarterback they like and believe they can develop, figure out where he probably would go in the draft and proceed accordingly.
What does that mean for next year? It means bringing back Matt Cassel or a similar veteran as Romo's back-up and keeping a third quarterback on the roster. They've done it before, and with less talent. Or so you hope.
The key for Jerry is taking a page from another general manager in the area. On the SportsDay podcast this week, the Rangers' Jon Daniels was asked what he planned to do in left field. Josh Hamilton will start, Daniels said, but he'll be looking to fortify the position just the same, based on Hamilton's history of injuries.
Translation: Hope for the best and plan for the worst, or what history tells you. What it tells me is that Romo will be 36 next year, large men will continue to fall on him and he doesn't always get up so quickly.
Twitter: @KSherringtonDMN
