By Rainer Sabin
rsabin@dallasnews.com
Tony Romo’s passes have the same velocity as they always have. That’s what teammate Jason Witten said Tuesday when asked about the Cowboys quarterback who underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in December – his second back operation in a span of eight months.
“He is throwing good,” said Witten, who co-hosted the Albertsons All-Star Gala at the Hilton Anatole. “I have caught a lot of balls over the years and it’s the same zip, same as always. He looks good.”
It was an encouraging report from Witten, the nine-time Pro Bowler who happens to be also one of Romo’s closest friends.
Along with his teammates, Romo has been participating in off-season workouts since they began earlier this month. According to the rules during this period of sanctioned activities, Romo, 34, is only permitted to throw to receivers who are not being covered by other players.
Still, Romo’s involvement is a significant step after he was held out of organized team activities last year after having a cyst removed from his back.
“This year is different than last year,” Witten said. “You didn’t see him do much last year. I don’t know if it’s because [the surgery] happened later or what. But he’s been running and working out with us and doing the normal stuff. I think he is excited and I know he is embracing this challenge of people watching and thinking, ‘Is he going to be able to come back from this?’
“I think just the will that guy has — it’s at the top of the list of the players I’ve seen. Like I said, we know what people are going to say. But I think for us and for him it’s just go out there and get better and kind of perfect that craft so when you get to the chance, you take advantage of those opportunities. He looks good.”
