Dak Prescott

Cowboys Organization Torn On Romo, Prescott

November 16th, 2016 at 9:59pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Tony Romo has graciously accepted his new role as the Cowboys’ backup quarterback, and some in the organization are now hoping he steps aside for good at the end of the season, reports Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. Even though injuries limited Romo to four games in 2015 and sidelined him for the Cowboys’ first nine contests this season, there’s no indication that the soon-to-be 37-year-old is considering retirement.

Longtime teammate and Hall of Fame-bound tight end Jason Witten indicated Wednesday that Romo’s nowhere near done, saying, “I don’t think he’s planning on retiring anytime soon. I wouldn’t bet against him” (Twitter links via Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News).

Witten added that “it hasn’t entered anyone’s mind” that Romo has taken his last snap as a Cowboy, but it’s a possibility with the way rookie Dak Prescott has fared. Dallas has gone an NFL-best 8-1 with the fourth-rounder at the helm, and Prescott has been one of the NFL’s most effective quarterbacks in the process.

In the first action of his pro career, Prescott has accounted for 18 touchdowns (14 passing, four rushing) against two interceptions and completed 66.8 percent of his 280 aerial attempts. Moreover, Prescott ranks third in the league in yards per attempt (8.35) and fourth in passer rating (106.2), yet some on the Cowboys’ staff still expect the team to need Romo this season, according to Robinson. A team source told Robinson that four of the Cowboys’ wins this year could have been losses, implying that luck has been on Prescott’s side. While the Cowboys have gone 4-1 in one-score games this year, the source’s critique would hold more weight if the Prescott-led club didn’t have the league’s best point differential (plus-88) and third-ranked DVOA backing up its record.

In the event Romo does take the reins back sometime this year – whether through an injury to Prescott or a dip in the 23-year-old’s performance – it would provide much-needed closure to the organization, Robinson writes. By returning to the helm, Romo would answer on the field whether he or Prescott is the better man for the job at present.

Of course, if Prescott continues to thrive, Romo’s playing days in Dallas could indeed be finished. The Cowboys reportedly aren’t considering a Romo trade, but if they do shop him during the offseason and don’t find a taker, releasing him to collect $5.1MM in cap savings would become a possibility. If that happens, it’s conceivable Romo could remain in the state and sign with the Texans, tweets Robinson (links here). However, Robinson notes that the Texans’ cap situation would likely require Romo to take a significant pay cut compared to the $14MM salary he’s scheduled to rake in next season.

The Broncos would also be in the mix for Romo, adds Robinson, though the Texans clearly have the bigger need. While Broncos starter Trevor Siemian has been mediocre in 2016, former Denver passer and current Texan Brock Osweiler has been an abject disaster in his first year in Houston. Osweiler, who received $37MM in guarantees from the Texans during the offseason, ranks last among 33 qualifying QBs in yards per attempt (5.61) and 31st in passer rating (74.1). The Texans have gone 6-3 in spite of Osweiler, which makes one wonder how much better they’d perform with a healthy Romo (not to mention J.J. Watt) in 2017.

Jerry Jones: Tony Romo To Serve As Backup

November 15th, 2016 at 9:39am CST by Zachary Links

Over the weekend, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed that Dak Prescott will start for the Cowboys in Week 11 while Tony Romo serves as the backup. Jones stopped short saying that the rookie will start for the remainder of the season, but in an interview this morning he implied that the job belongs to Prescott and he will not be on a short leash. Prescott “won’t be looking over his shoulder,” Jones said (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Star Telegram).

Jones also told 105.3 The Fan that he has had the conversation with Romo about dressing and being the backup (Twitter link). Romo, we’ve heard, is not overly pleased with the situation. Jones said that he thinks Romo will make a great offensive coordinator when his playing days are through, and that’s likely not much of a consolation for the 36-year-old.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Romo, but the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to make any other choice as they sit atop the NFL with an 8-1 record.

Cowboys Going With Prescott Over Romo

November 13th, 2016 at 8:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tony Romo will suit up for the Cowboys next week for the first time this season, but the longtime starter will do so as the backup, Jerry Jones said Sunday night (via Todd Archer of ESPN.com).

Dak Prescott will start in Week 11 for the Cowboys against the Ravens, with the owner pointing out the obvious after the rookie led Dallas to its eighth straight victory on Sunday.

“We’re going to let this decision in this case make itself,” Jones said. “Dak’s got a hot hand, and we’re going to go with it. It’s not hard at all,” he added. “Tony would make the same decision. That’s what you do.”

These updates and non-updates have become commonplace in the NFL news cycle over the past few weeks, with the 36-year-old Romo nearly ready to return to action after suffering a severe back injury in the preseason. Jones previously said the team was going to ride the hot hand, and with the Cowboys having won eight straight regular-season games for the first time since their 1977 Super Bowl championship season, Prescott has it. The Mississippi State product completed 22-of-32 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 35-30 win over the Steelers.

Sunday represented Prescott’s first 300-yard passing game as a pro, and although Ezekiel Elliott again played the lead role for Dallas, its fourth-round rookie proved capable in a big spot.

We heard earlier today Romo was going to serve as the backup going forward, and the Pro Bowl passer has “taken it hard.” While probably a more reliable passer at this point in the quarterbacks’ respective careers, Romo has become a major injury risk in his mid-30s, having missed 21 of the Cowboys’ past 25 games. The organization’s decision obviously doesn’t make the Cowboys’ 10-year starter a full-time backup, but it certainly gives Prescott the upper hand.

Latest On Tony Romo, Dak Prescott

November 13th, 2016 at 9:35am CST by Rory Parks

On the latest installment of “The Young and the Romo,” we learn that, although Tony Romo will not be in uniform for this week’s matchup against the Steelers, his return is imminent. As David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes, Romo was a full participant in practice for three days this past week for the first time this season. If he continues on that trajectory, there is a good chance that Romo will be active as Dak Prescott‘s backup against the Ravens next week.

The key word there, of course, is “backup.” With Romo so close to being activated, ESPN’s Ed Werder hears from a team source that, although Prescott himself continues to handle the situation professionally and diplomatically, Romo’s impending availability and the chance that he could usurp Prescott could have a negative impact on Dallas’ team chemistry (Twitter links). After all, Romo surely has his supporters in the locker room who would like to see him return to action as soon as he is ready, but it would be difficult to justify such a move considering how well the team is performing under Prescott’s young but steady hand.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that, once activated, Romo will indeed serve as Prescott’s backup, but that Prescott must continue to perform in order to keep his job. Rapoport adds that the entire situation has been difficult for Romo, who has “taken it hard.” Nonetheless, Rapoport says that the veteran signal-caller will be a “good team guy” and will bide his time as the Cowboys’ backup until he is called upon (Twitter links).

With Prescott running the show, the Cowboys have jumped out to a 7-1 record and a two-game lead in the NFC East. The Cowboys are increasingly viewed as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and their rookie quarterback is one of the biggest reasons why.

Latest On Cowboys’ Quarterbacks

November 8th, 2016 at 8:38pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Cowboys are an NFC-best 7-1 under rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, but that doesn’t mean he’ll keep the starting job ffor the rest of the year. Prescott only took the reins in the first place because of the broken bone Tony Romo suffered in his back in an Aug. 25 preseason game. Now, with Romo’s return perhaps drawing closer, owner Jerry Jones isn’t willing to commit to either signal-caller.

“What we are going to do — play by play, series by series and game by game – is (consider) what’s in the best interest of winning the game,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday (via A.J. Perez of USA Today).

Jones’ comments are a departure from his assertion last month that Romo would take over upon coming back, but he has still left the door open for the four-time Pro Bowler to usurp the starting job from Prescott at some point. Dallas would first have to activate Romo, who Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Sunday isn’t close to returning. Jones seems somewhat more confident, saying Tuesday that Romo will step up his work in practice this week in advance of the Cowboys’ game in Pittsburgh.

“He has to absolutely get ready to play at his top level,” Jones stated.

While Romo has a laundry list of accomplishments in his 14-year career and still expects to reclaim his longtime role, it’s difficult to imagine the Cowboys turning away from Prescott barring a collapse. As evidenced by the Cowboys’ record – not to mention their third-ranked passing DVOA and NFC-leading point differential – they’ve been resoundingly successful this year, and Prescott hasn’t merely been a passenger. The fourth-round pick from Mississippi State is toward the top of the NFL in yards per attempt (8.15) and passer rating (104.2). Prescott has also completed 66.5 percent of aerial attempts and added 16 touchdown (12 passing, four rushing) against a meager two interceptions. Despite his statistical brilliance, it seems the 23-year-old will have to continue making a weekly case to remain Dallas’ top option under center.

Extra Points: Romo, Cousins, Giants, Browns

November 4th, 2016 at 9:33pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

It’s possible rookie sensation Dak Prescott has permanently taken Tony Romo‘s job as the Cowboys’ No. 1 quarterback, but the injured veteran still expects to start when he’s healthy enough. At the same time, he’s pleased with Prescott’s success. “Tony wants the organization to be left in good hands when he’s finished playing, and he can see that Dak is going to be that guy,” one of Romo’s friends told Jason King of Bleacher Report. “They’ve found his successor, and Tony is happy about that.” Romo returned to practice last week from the broken bone he suffered in his back during the Cowboys’ penultimate preseason game on Aug. 25. That injury opened the door for Prescott, who has helped the Cowboys to an NFC-best 6-1 start while posting superb numbers.

Extra Points: Cowboys, Richardson, Penn

October 29th, 2016 at 12:19pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL…

Sheldon Richardson is hoping his versatility will pay off… literally. The Jets defender has contributed on the defensive line and at linebacker this season, and the 25-year-old is hoping other team’s will recognize his versatility when he reaches free agency after next season. “I think it’ll give me more money, just to be honest,” Richardson said (via Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press). “My film don’t lie. You took a three-technique (lineman) that was drafted in the first round and put him at outside linebacker and he held his own…That’s just building up a resume for that.”
In 2014, left tackle Donald Penn saw his eight-year tenure with the Buccaneers come to an end after he was unceremoniously released. The 33-year-old, who now plays for the Raiders, will be making his return to Tampa Bay this weekend, and the veteran was adamant that he wants to stick it to his former team. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It’s very huge,” Penn told Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “You know me, I’m a straight forward guy. That’s definitely in my mind. I mean that’s something I’m never going to forget, when they released me.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter details how the Cowboys ultimately landed rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, despite the fact that the team explored every other possibility at the position. The team brought in a whopping seven rookie quarterbacks for workouts (including Prescott, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch, Christian Hackenberg, Jacoby Brissett, and Connor Cook), and the team also took a look at veterans Nick Foles and Josh McCown.
In case you missed it, we learned yesterday that a number of teams are eyeing reinforcement on their offensive lines.

Dak Prescott To Start Through At Least Week 9

October 27th, 2016 at 9:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott will remain the Cowboys’ starter through at least the club’s Week 9 contest against the Browns, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). After that game, Dallas will likely face a decision between Prescott and veteran Tony Romo.

The Cowboys, of course, have leapt out to a 5-1 record and lead the NFC East in no small part thanks to Prescott’s contributions. Through six games, the fourth-round pick has completed 68.7% of his passes for seven touchdowns and one interception, adding another three scores on the ground. Prescott has been so impressive that Cowboys COO Stephen Jones hedged in August when asked if Romo would immediately reclaim his starting job.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where Tony’s not our quarterback when he’s ready,” Jones said. “But things happen. You know that. You know what happened to [Drew] Bledsoe and [Tom] Brady. I’m sure Tony’s aware of that. But the reality is, Tony’s going to come back for us and play great, we believe.”

Romo, 36, returned to practice today but was listed as “limited” as he recovers from a preseason back injury.

NFC Notes: Dak, Vikes, Panthers, Packers

October 19th, 2016 at 8:51pm CST by Zachary Links

As expected, the Cowboys are starting quarterback Dak Prescott after the team’s bye week against the Eagles, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Tony Romo may not be ready to be considered for the following week against the Browns either, Rapoport hears.

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Rhodes, Rams, Panthers

October 16th, 2016 at 9:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jerry Jones did not say whether the Cowboys will turn back to Tony Romo or stick with the surging Dak Prescott after the team’s Week 7 bye, but the owner identified this as a good problem to have.

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than go into [the] last half of the season with a ready-to-go Tony Romo and a winning Dak Prescott,” Jones said, via Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter links). “I dream of being able to make that decision. We are not there yet by the way. We are not there.”

Reports have oscillated between the Cowboys having confidence the 36-year-old Romo will resume his post and how Prescott’s rise has inspired his teammates enough to possibly anoint the rookie as the full-time starter. Prescott connected on 18 of his 27 throws in Dallas’ win over Green Bay today, throwing for three touchdown passes. He’s completing 69 percent of his passes this season for the Cowboys, who are 5-1 for the second time in three seasons after failing to win five of their first six in the previous six slates.

Here’s more from around the league as its Sunday-night AFC South tilt commences.

A long-term contract extension for cornerback Xavier Rhodes should be atop Vikings general manager Rick Spielman‘s to-do list, opines Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. Rhodes’ overall performance ranks a below-average 63rd among Pro Football Focus’ 114 qualifying corners, but as Krammer notes, the 26-year-old has held his own against stiff competition since last season. In matchups against Rhodes, star receivers Julio Jones, Odell Beckham, DeAndre Hopkins and Alshon Jeffery have combined to catch 13 passes — not even half of their 30 targets — for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings exercised Rhodes’ fifth-year option for 2017 last May, so the 2013 first-round pick will remain with the club for at least another season after this one.
The Rams‘ Week 8 bye following their London trip represented a reasonable window to make the change from Case Keenum to Jared Goff, but the stopgap veteran’s performance in Sunday’s loss to the Lions could delay that timetable, Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times writes. In completing 27-of-32 passes for 321 yards and three touchdown passes, Keenum broke Jim Everett’s franchise record by hitting on 19 straight passes today.
The Panthers‘ decision to rescind Josh Norman‘s $13.952MM franchise tender continues to induce young talents to take their lumps, with Drew Brees setting the career 400-plus-yard passing games record against Carolina today. As Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer notes, Dave Gettleman has also yet to say why Bene Benwikere — a 14-game starter for the Panthers over the past three years and their longest-tenured corner coming into the season — was the scapegoat for Matt Ryan‘s 500-plus-yard day. Carolina, which started third- and fifth-round rookies Daryl Worley and Zack Sanchez against the Saints, has upwards of $17MM in cap space. The Panthers hope second-rounder James Bradberry will be back after the team’s Week 8 bye, per Person.
A resolution on the Cam Newton concussion investigation stemming from Week 1 is expected to arrive by Monday, Florio reports. The NFL wants a joint press release between the league and the NFLPA, but the union is resisting, according to Florio. The verdict is expected to reveal no violation of the concussion protocol occurred, but this outcome is also likely to produce more changes on how it comes to be known whether or not a player needs to be evaluated.

Connor Byrne contributed to this report.

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