The phrase "Monday morning quarterback" has taken on a life of its own in 2011 with respect to the Dallas Cowboys. Through five games, Dallas hasn't been able to take a snap from center without every "expert" scrutinizing the play. I admit that I have never been a Cowboys fan. However, I'm starting to realize that my reason for disliking Dallas, mostly the attention they receive from the media, is not always their fault.
What sent me over the top is the bashing that Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is receiving for running the ball late in the game against the New England Patriots. The same people who are criticizing Dallas for being conservative were criticizing the Cowboys just a couple of weeks ago for letting QB Tony Romo throw the ball with second half leads. Take a closer look at the ridiculous scrutiny to which the Cowboys are subjected.
Tony Romo
The only good thing about the aftermath of the Cowboys latest loss is that at least people aren't tearing Romo apart. Garrett is wearing the target this week instead of Romo. Yes, Romo deserves to shoulder part of the blame for the first two Dallas losses. However, throughout his NFL career, Romo has had to live his life under a microscope.
For some reason, dating Jessica Simpson was a "distraction" for Romo, but Patriots QB Tom Brady is a "lucky man" for marrying supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Even Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid bought into the hype and claimed that dating Simpson was a distraction for the Cowboys QB.
To make matters worse, Romo was also criticized for going on a vacation to Mexico with Simpson during a Dallas bye week. There are far worse places that many NFL players go during bye weeks. And do I even need to mention the character flaws of other NFL QBs such as Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick? Romo is also a far better citizen than many of the Cowboys who have called Dallas home in the past.
Yes, Romo only has one playoff win for the Cowboys. However, that is one more career playoff win than the majority of starting NFL QBs in 2011. Plus, Romo has played with broken ribs this season and Dallas is the only team that has defeated the San Francisco 49ers so far this year.
Considering that as an undrafted free agent, Romo is a three-time Pro Bowl player, has led the Cowboys to the playoffs three times and has a career record of 41-25, you'd think his accomplishments with Dallas would be celebrated more than his failures have been scrutinized.
2011
For all the unfounded criticism hovering around Garrett, Romo and Dallas, the Cowboys are only 1.5 games out of first place. Not only that, but Dallas is ahead of the Eagles, who were even more hyped than the Cowboys. Dallas is 1-0 in the division and still has five games left against NFC East foes. I'm almost afraid to root for Dallas to make the playoffs because I'd hate to see the criticism levied against Romo and the Cowboys if they lose in the postseason.
Patrick Michael was born and raised in New Orleans. A diehard fan since the age of five, Patrick is a huge fan of the New Orleans Saints and the NFC.
Sources
Tim MacMahon, "Eagles coach: Romo benefits from departure of distractions," espn.com
Michael David Smith, "Paparazzi Follow Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson on Bye Week Vacation," aolnews.com
"Franchise Encyclopedias," pro-football-reference.com
"Tony Romo," pro-football-reference.com
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