TheFinisher
10-04-2011, 01:46 PM
Many people, including myself, didn't expect much from Dallas this season. Maybe they could sneak in as a wildcard if the defense can just get a little better from last season and the new faces along the offensive line begin to gel around week 8, but that was a long shot. No high profile additions to the team and most likely, this would be a rebuilding year for Dallas. Expectations were low and Tony Romo seemed to be in a pressure free situation heading into the season.
My, how so much can change within a month.
Rob Ryan has turned one of the league's worst defenses from a year ago into the #3 ranked unit in the NFL through 4 weeks. He seems to have lit a fire under the butts of Mike Jenkins, Anthony Spencer and co. while Sean Lee is playing like an early DPOY candidate. The young offensive line that was supposed to be abused early in the season against the Jets and the Lions, has stepped up to the challenge and limited the amount of pressures Tony Romo has seen this year.
The pieces of the team that were considered weaknesses in the off-season have emerged as solid units, and in the defense's case a great unit.
But all is not well in Big D. Sitting at 2-2 going into the bye week, Dallas' 2 losses unfolded in spectacular fashion, both setting franchise records for biggest collapses in team history. The man behind it? Tony Romo.
Romo's turnovers and reckless play have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory twice in four games. He has now posted a record of 3-7 in his last 10 starts while Dallas enjoyed a 5-3 finish last year under the leadership of the great Jon Kitna. He is now being looked at from the outside as one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, problems on that football team. It appears his label as a choker is no longer perception, but in fact reality.
With questions about the Defense and Offensive Line being answered, the only question remaining is Tony Romo. The pieces seem to be in place once again, no more excuses... Can you deliver? This is make or break time for Romo and if he fails to get Dallas into the playoffs the weight of Dallas Cowboy nation will come crashing down on his head.
My, how so much can change within a month.
Rob Ryan has turned one of the league's worst defenses from a year ago into the #3 ranked unit in the NFL through 4 weeks. He seems to have lit a fire under the butts of Mike Jenkins, Anthony Spencer and co. while Sean Lee is playing like an early DPOY candidate. The young offensive line that was supposed to be abused early in the season against the Jets and the Lions, has stepped up to the challenge and limited the amount of pressures Tony Romo has seen this year.
The pieces of the team that were considered weaknesses in the off-season have emerged as solid units, and in the defense's case a great unit.
But all is not well in Big D. Sitting at 2-2 going into the bye week, Dallas' 2 losses unfolded in spectacular fashion, both setting franchise records for biggest collapses in team history. The man behind it? Tony Romo.
Romo's turnovers and reckless play have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory twice in four games. He has now posted a record of 3-7 in his last 10 starts while Dallas enjoyed a 5-3 finish last year under the leadership of the great Jon Kitna. He is now being looked at from the outside as one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, problems on that football team. It appears his label as a choker is no longer perception, but in fact reality.
With questions about the Defense and Offensive Line being answered, the only question remaining is Tony Romo. The pieces seem to be in place once again, no more excuses... Can you deliver? This is make or break time for Romo and if he fails to get Dallas into the playoffs the weight of Dallas Cowboy nation will come crashing down on his head.