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Tony Romo gets it done from the pocket, too
By Todd Archer
OXNARD, Calif. -- The signature plays of Tony Romo's career have been somewhat mesmerizing.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has had an uncanny ability to elude pass-rushers and side step blitzers, leaving some of the greats, like J.J. Watt, wondering how they did not come up with a sack.
Romo spun free from Watt last year and delivered a long touchdown pass to Terrance Williams in the overtime win against the Houston Texans.
But those plays are the exception more than the norm.
“I think if you ever sat down and watched tape you’d find me in the pocket is probably a little bit higher level play than you probably understand,” Romo said. “When I say that, I mean that obviously you get credit for making a guy miss and making a play, but that might happen twice in a game. I think the real gift of playing the quarterback position is, for me, getting through five guys in 1.3 seconds. I feel that doesn’t come across every week. For me, I think that’s probably been more my gift than the ability to make someone miss. The ability to get through that and process information, have spatial awareness all in one second. That will separate you over time.”
As good as the Cowboys’ offensive line is, there will be breakdowns. Tyron Smith missed Watt on that play. But Romo’s ability to process and discard information helps his line at times as well.
“He’s been a good quarterback in the pocket, too,” coach Jason Garrett said. "Although most of our routes call for our receivers to make several adjustments, Tony has been very professional in keeping the play alive while the routes develop."
It’s not always making decisions before the snap. Sometimes it is. In the divisional-round loss to the Green Bay Packers last season, Romo knew he was going to Dez Bryant on the go route on fourth down because the Packers were bringing an all-out pressure.
“More than that, you want to get rid of pre-determined what you’re going to do before the snap,” Romo said. “A lot of young guys get in trouble with that all the time, it’s just because they think they see something they’ve already decided, ‘I’m throwing to him, I’m throwing over here.’ That’s what defenses want.”
But Romo’s pocket play doesn’t make highlights. Not that he cares.
“I mean, I don’t mind, hey, give me credit for running around and making plays, sure. Give me credit for staying in the pocket,” Romo said. “It’s about winning. You’re going to get credit for winning. That’s what it comes down to. In whatever way that is, I don’t need to go pound-fist and say I’m actually like this. It seems silly. But I think, personally, my gift is the ability -- and if you talk to my coaches, I think they would agree with you -- is the ability to process information at a very fast, quick rate.”
By Todd Archer
OXNARD, Calif. -- The signature plays of Tony Romo's career have been somewhat mesmerizing.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has had an uncanny ability to elude pass-rushers and side step blitzers, leaving some of the greats, like J.J. Watt, wondering how they did not come up with a sack.
Romo spun free from Watt last year and delivered a long touchdown pass to Terrance Williams in the overtime win against the Houston Texans.
But those plays are the exception more than the norm.
“I think if you ever sat down and watched tape you’d find me in the pocket is probably a little bit higher level play than you probably understand,” Romo said. “When I say that, I mean that obviously you get credit for making a guy miss and making a play, but that might happen twice in a game. I think the real gift of playing the quarterback position is, for me, getting through five guys in 1.3 seconds. I feel that doesn’t come across every week. For me, I think that’s probably been more my gift than the ability to make someone miss. The ability to get through that and process information, have spatial awareness all in one second. That will separate you over time.”
As good as the Cowboys’ offensive line is, there will be breakdowns. Tyron Smith missed Watt on that play. But Romo’s ability to process and discard information helps his line at times as well.
“He’s been a good quarterback in the pocket, too,” coach Jason Garrett said. "Although most of our routes call for our receivers to make several adjustments, Tony has been very professional in keeping the play alive while the routes develop."
It’s not always making decisions before the snap. Sometimes it is. In the divisional-round loss to the Green Bay Packers last season, Romo knew he was going to Dez Bryant on the go route on fourth down because the Packers were bringing an all-out pressure.
“More than that, you want to get rid of pre-determined what you’re going to do before the snap,” Romo said. “A lot of young guys get in trouble with that all the time, it’s just because they think they see something they’ve already decided, ‘I’m throwing to him, I’m throwing over here.’ That’s what defenses want.”
But Romo’s pocket play doesn’t make highlights. Not that he cares.
“I mean, I don’t mind, hey, give me credit for running around and making plays, sure. Give me credit for staying in the pocket,” Romo said. “It’s about winning. You’re going to get credit for winning. That’s what it comes down to. In whatever way that is, I don’t need to go pound-fist and say I’m actually like this. It seems silly. But I think, personally, my gift is the ability -- and if you talk to my coaches, I think they would agree with you -- is the ability to process information at a very fast, quick rate.”
it's almost as if the offense is so passive, there is zero manipulation of the defense or imposing a look or design that gives defense a pause. "Okay they are coming to blitz me. Our formation is basically a simple Swiss cheese and I am dead on fourth down here. Only option is Dez."
