QB controversy in Dallas?

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

Cowboys' quarterback issue in limboBy MAC ENGEL

STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

IRVING ? No decision has been made.

The Cowboys have not determined whether Drew Bledsoe or Tony Romo will be their starting quarterback on Sunday night when they play in Carolina against the Panthers.

But the owner made a subtle vote on Tuesday.

?I?ve thought the best chance for us to be where we wanted to be, contending in the playoffs, was to go with the experienced quarterback in Drew, and I don?t know if I?ve changed my mind there at all,? Jerry Jones told reporters while he attended the NFL?s owner?s meetings in New Orleans on Tuesday.

?But we have to win games. We have to give ourselves every opportunity. There is no question Romo has mobility and he can mitigate some of the problems we have with Drew?s mobility. On the other hand, you saw (against the New York Giants) we give up some good stuff experience wise. It?ll be a tough decision.?

The decision has left the Cowboys in limbo. Publicly, the Cowboys are saying the correct things about the ?quarterback controversy.? But it has left a team wrestling with their feelings about both players: Do they go with the known quantity with Bledsoe, or do they gamble and hope the unknown in Romo is the better alternative.

Bledsoe, who was pulled at halftime of the Cowboys? 36-22 loss on Monday Night against the New York Giants, politely declined an interview request on Tuesday.

Clearly, though, Bledsoe is ticked off, and thinks he?s the best man for the job. He showered as Parcells talked to the team and left quickly.

The last thing he was heard saying on Monday night was, ?It was a very bad decision.?

It?s a decision that seemingly every member of the Cowboys can?t decide on.

There are those who want Romo, mostly because he can make plays with his feet to negate some of the obvious flaws of the offensive line. They liked what they?ve seen in him as a player, as a person, and as a potential leader.

While they support Romo, however, they know the odds of a rookie quarterback winning in the NFL. They?re awful in the regular season. Awful in the postseason. And although he?s in his fourth NFL season, just about everybody at Valley Ranch regards Romo as a rookie.

Romo was intercepted three times on Monday, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Only 30 of his 227 yards passing came when the game was within reach.

But as Monday?s loss pointed out, ?We have many more issues besides (the quarterback),? Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said.

And then there are those who want Bledsoe. That despite his flaws, he gives this team a better chance to win this season.

?I lean toward how to give us the best quarter or the best half or the best game as opposed to the long term,? Jones said. ?At some point it has to give way. It?s what?s best for the future.?

This season, and specifically this offense, has never been about the future. It?s been about this season.

Since before this season started, Bledsoe was adamant that not only will he not be a backup, but that he was the best option for this team.

Four days before the regular season began, Bledsoe said, ?When I watch what?s going on I?m able to look as that it?s obvious to me I?m the player that?s going to play unless someone is completely crazy.?

It?s doubtful that should he not start on Sunday against the Panthers that the 34-year-old Bledsoe would retire on the spot.

Parcells may decide to return to Bledsoe on Sunday. That he will rely on the ?he gives us the best chance to win this week.?

Or he could say he?s had enough of Bledsoe, and wants Romo to be the guy for the remainder of the season.

No one knows for sure just yet.

?We know the two quarterbacks we have can get the job done,? receiver Patrick Crayton said. ?I have no idea who it will be. I guess whoever is under center first when we practice again.?

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please bench bledsoe, i need points from Romo.

[cappital92]

I thought the 'Skins would be in last come January,but hopefully not after this!

[NJTank]

I think after pulling Beldsoe like he did it will be Romo next week.

[Brendan]

well romo wasn't any better anyways

[SEMOSTLfan]

From what I've seen the Cowboys need to scrap both these guys and bring in someone else, couldn't do any worse.

[Guest]

How about Kyle Orton? He wins games!

[whitedawg22]

To paraphrase Bill Walsh talking about Steve DeBerg, Bledsoe is just good enough to get you beat. He has a cannon arm and great touch, but he's hopeless when he gets pressured and makes some questionable decisions (e.g. Sam Madison interception). He will look really good at times, but any good team will put pressure on him and confuse him into a couple costly turnovers. Bledsoe is a talented QB, but you can't win playoff games with him.

Not saying Romo is the answer, but they need to try SOMETHING else.

[Shumway]

Parcells just announced it - Romo's in.

[rams80]

QB's not the problem necesarilly folks. Judging from the problems they have with both that position and running the ball, I'd say their problem is centered more on the O-Line.

[Gary]

From what I've seen the Cowboys need to scrap both these guys and bring in someone else, couldn't do any worse.

I say they need to draft a QB in their first round next year in the draft, Romo or Bledsoe are not doing anything for the Cowboys. I also think that if they do not make the playoffs this year I can say that Bill "Tuna Melt" did not work in Dallas like it did in New York and New England

[Tazz013]

The o-line needs help, too, but it's not the reason their QBs have thrown the most INTs in the league and they're only completing 54% of their passes. I mean Green Bay has a very young o-line, but Favre has only been sacked half as many times as Deadslow and Ohno. Dallas is averaging 138 ypg on the ground, which is fifth in the NFL, if they were having line problems they wouldn't be fifth.

[See Red]

QB's not the problem necesarilly folks. Judging from the problems they have with both that position and running the ball, I'd say their problem is centered more on the O-Line.

Yeah, but the problem is that having Bledsoe in makes it even harder to protect the QB because he has no mobility and isn't afraid to hold on to the ball.

This was Romo's first game in which he threw more than two passes, guys. Give the kid a chance.

[FiddySicks]

QB's not the problem necesarilly folks. Judging from the problems they have with both that position and running the ball, I'd say their problem is centered more on the O-Line.

Yeah, but the problem is that having Bledsoe in makes it even harder to protect the QB because he has no mobility and isn't afraid to hold on to the ball.

Hes starting to remind me of Rob Johnson.

[Coast2CoastAM2006]

So much for the Cowboys go to the super bowl. They'll be lucky if they get to 6 wins.

Romo really is a rookie qb even though hes been a back up for 4 years now. WHat needs to happen is play Romo through the rest of the season and see what you have. Maybe look to draft a QB in the draft. Even if the cowboys loses all there games here on out, at least they will get a high round draft pick. They aren't going to the playoffs, they have proven they can't beat good teams so ditch Bledsoe, write the season off, evaluate Romo and think about the draft.

[Discrim]

Parcells just announced it - Romo's in.

heh, seeing as our local players don't usually make it to the NFL, and he's from the county (Burlington's a little less than a half hour west of Racine), Romo's promotion made the front of our sports page. heh, I been a Bledsoe fan since his Pats days, but I been rootin for Romo to make it, so this is bittersweet.

[CS85]

Just like to say that I wish Romo the best of luck, I'm attending his alma mater and I'm sitting in his chair in the same class he took years ago.

[Jigga]

Just like to say that I wish Romo the best of luck, I'm attending his alma mater and I'm sitting in his chair in the same class he took years ago.

Does it actually say "Tony Romo once sat here"? That would be really cool.

[Tentomushi5150]

Hmm...purely hypothetical here, but I think some of the parties involved are just crazy enough to do it.

Bledsoe along with the cowboys #1 pick to the Raiders for their #1(probably a top 3 pick). Raiders get yet another washed up QB with a cannon for an arm, the Cowboys can draft their next QB of the future(assuming Romo doesn't pan out).

Just a thought.