DMN: Romo jokes about his perfect fundamentals, setting records in the weight room

[Irving Cowboy]

Romo jokes about his perfect fundamentals, setting records in the weight room, singing 'Ring of Fire'
By Jon Machota

OXNARD, Calif. -- Tony Romo was in a playful mood after the Cowboys' first training camp practice in pads. Having what he calls "the best offseason I've had in a long time" might have had something to do with that.

For over 20 minutes, the Cowboys quarterback took questions from reporters Monday evening. In several responses he not only cracked jokes about himself but playfully took shots at several reporters.

The fun started when Romo was asked about a recent photo that made him appear to be overweight. It continued when he fielded a question about how much longer he wanted to play.

"You don't really think about that," he said. When Romo was told Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to mention four to five more years, he flashed a big smile and joked: "Yeah, we're on the same timetable."

The jokes then turned to sarcastically bragging about himself "setting records in the weight room."

How long does it take Romo to get used to wearing the pads again?

"When you have 'perfect fundamentals' it just goes the right way," he said.

What did Romo think of what appeared to be a very good day from cornerback Morris Claiborne?

"He did a good job," he said. "He broke up a pass that I threw, which is pretty tough to do."

Romo's lengthy interview session ended with a discussion about Ezekiel Elliott's singing ability. The rookie running back sang in front of the team Saturday and Sunday night.

"He struggled Day One," Romo said. "But Day Two was a little better. ... He might have to go again."

What did he sing?

"He tried the Ohio State Buckeye alma mater song," Romo said. "We booed him off the stage for that one. But he came back with something strong."

What was the team looking for?

"The way to win in those drills is to sing a song that everyone knows," Romo responded. "If no one knows your song, you have no chance."

What did Romo sing his rookie year?

"It was 'Ring of Fire' and it was in San Antonio," he said. "Didn't go over very well. Not everyone knew 'Ring of Fire,' and the one guy who did, Dan Campbell, didn't like it."

 

[Irving Cowboy]

How is Tony Romo treating Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott? 'Believe me, I'm in his ear enough'
By David Moore

A collection of observations, random thoughts and opinions heading into the second day of padded practices at Cowboys training camp.

Tony Romo spoke for the first time in this training camp at the conclusion of the first practice in pads on Monday night. He touched on a wide range of topics in his 14th training camp, among them his thoughts on rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott and an old friend.

On if he gets tired of training camp: "No, it never gets old. If anything, you get more excited each year to come back and play and go prove yourself. There's a great joy in getting to a point in your career where you know what it takes, you know what the expectations are, you know what to expect out of yourself and then you've got to go out and do it.

"There's a reward in there to go prove it to yourself and also to your teammates.''

On running back Ezekiel Elliott: "He's done a good job. There's a lot to learn in the offense. It's not easy coming into the NFL and having a system, especially like ours, where we ask you to do so much in the run game and the pass game.

"I think he's handled it well. You can see his ability. We're excited about him coming out and playing good.''

On if Elliott has been asking the right questions: "Yeah, he can ask a few more, I think. He's done a good job. Believe me, I'm in his ear enough. I think at this point he tries to stay away a little bit.

"It's good for him to hear about a lot of the little intricate stuff that is going to come up at some point. You don't want to overload him too much right away. At the same time, he's got to hear it and go through it. He'll make mistakes, but every rookie does. The good ones learn from it, come back and don't make it again.''

On what impresses him about quarterback Dak Prescott: "Honestly, his demeanor, his intelligence. He's a smart kid. He picks things up quickly. And for rookies that's not always the easiest thing.

"So I think that's been as impressive as anything, his ability to pick it up and the go do it. Sometimes you can say it, but then you got to see it and react as far as who is the Mike (middle linebacker), certain things. Reads are going to come. You're going to make mistakes. You're going to go through your reads faster each year.

"But some of the other stuff that is just systematic takes a little while. He'll pick that up pretty quick. He's done a good job.''

On DeMarcus Ware winning the Super Bowl with Denver: "Ware is one of the best teammates I ever had. He is such a great guy. I couldn't help but be happy for him.

"He deserves it. We have nothing but love for him.''

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Good to see Romo being light-hearted again. Seems like the last few years he has been kind of mopey with the press. Maybe it's a season thing and it's only TC now, who knows?