DMN: Dallas Cowboys' Romo freed up by T.O.'s release

[tr1]

12:13 PM CDT on Thursday, March 12, 2009
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....2a739ca0.html


IRVING – Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones believes the release of Terrell Owens will allow Tony Romo to spread the ball around more. Sam Hurd said the same thing the day Owens was cut.

"I know it takes a lot of pressure off Romo focusing on one main feature, like Terrell," Hurd said. "As a guy like him, he demands the ball and it made you want to try to get him the ball. With him being released, [Romo] doesn't have one main guy, so he can look at every one of us and see whichever one is open on any play and get the ball to him."

Jones said the decision to cut loose Owens had little to do with locker room chemistry, but he admits it had something to do with on-field chemistry.

When you have a receiver like Owens, quarterbacks cater to him whether they know it or not. He was the target of 140 throws last season, tied for ninth in the NFL. He needs, wants, craves the football and even when he was the intended target 20 times against Washington – whether the passes were catchable or not – he wasn't happy.

The Cowboys will look to replace Owens' production by spreading the wealth.

Roy Williams gets his crack to be a No. 1 receiver on a playoff contender. Jason Witten will continue to catch 80 to 85 passes a year at tight end. Patrick Crayton needs to return to his 2007 form and Miles Austin needs to reach his potential.

Marion Barber caught 52 passes last year. Tashard Choice caught 21. A healthy Felix Jones will be a plus out of the backfield. Martellus Bennett will get his chances after catching 20 passes as a rookie.

Romo will have the opportunity to make these players better in the passing game.

Owens is not the type of receiver to make a quarterback better. For his build, he is not a physical receiver. He doesn't go up and take the ball away from defensive backs. He doesn't make the tough catches enough. He is among the greatest ever when he can catch the ball in stride.

Larry Fitzgerald is a physical receiver. Think of Arizona's playoff run. Think of the catch he made against the Cowboys when he picked it off the top of Anthony Henry's helmet. Kurt Warner makes the throw because he knows either Fitzgerald will make the catch or knock it down. Owens doesn't do that. Williams said he can. Now he gets to prove it.

Tom Brady won three Super Bowls in New England with Troy Brown, David Patten, Kevin Faulk, Daniel Graham, Deion Branch and Patrick Pass catching most of his passes. They weren't superstar players, but Brady made them better.

Romo will now have that opportunity and he starts from a better place with Williams having a 1,000-yard season under his belt and one of the game's best tight ends in Witten.

Jones said the goal this off-season was to be Romo-friendly.

By cutting Owens, Jones is making sure this team is as Romo-friendly as possible.

[tr1]

When will the excuses stop for Romo? Romo benefited from TO as much as he suffered from him.

It's a wash.

[KingGibbs]

As much as I can't stand Owens I think there is now even more pressure on Romo to perform. But regardless, we already know what's going to happen come December.

[tr1]

As much as I can't stand Owens I think there is now even more pressure on Romo to perform. But regardless, we already know what's going to happen come December.

Goober doesn't have the substance to be great NFL qb. He's already content that he's a starter in the NFL.

[dreamshatterer]

Goober doesn't have the substance to be great NFL qb. He's already content that he's a starter in the NFL.

It was very sad to hear him say that. Just knowing that he will "keep trying" instead of "doing what it takes" makes me happy that he is in Dallas.

[bubba9497]

boy has the TO tune in Pokeville changed

[TheMalcolmConnection]

When will the excuses stop for Romo? Romo benefited from TO as much as he suffered from him.

It's a wash.

I wouldn't even give Romo THAT much credit. Does anyone remember when TO was out those few games? People were like, "Wow! What happened to Dallas's offense?!"

It's going to be the same thing all over again.

[Riggo#44]

Roy Williams gets his crack to be a No. 1 receiver on a playoff contender.

The guy has had one 1,000 yrd season. He is Michael Westbrook. He had 19 catches in 10 games last year, 1 TD.

[Big Blue Joe]

Owens is not the type of receiver to make a quarterback better. For his build, he is not a physical receiver. He doesn't go up and take the ball away from defensive backs. He doesn't make the tough catches enough. He is among the greatest ever when he can catch the ball in stride.

Wow.
Then why did Steve Young, Jeff Garcia, and Donovan McNabb all have their best statistical season throwing the ball to T.O?

[SirClintonPortis]

Boohoo. Roy Williams should be easy pickings for Carlos Rogers. Does he even need to be double-covered all the time? Romo's stats will take a nosedive and be exposed.

[doncherry]

When will the excuses stop for Romo? Romo benefited from TO as much as he suffered from him.

It's a wash.

Sadly, you are right on the money...

[Peregrine]

I am not sure I would want Romo spreading the ball around...What, now he throws picks to all three linebackers instead of just the SAM backer? I thought he was pretty free in the first place, and a big part of the problem was with how free he was with the ball...

But what do I know, I don't run an NFL team that collapses every season.

[Thinking Skins]

I'm so eager to see how this develops. I want to see what the excuse for the collapses is now.

[LeftCoast Skinz FAN]

I'm so eager to see how this develops. I want to see what the excuse for the collapses is now.

True, no TO, no Pacman, no Roy Williams (safety). What is the excuse going to be this year!!!



Still waiting on the "Go Skins!/TO Sucks!" smiley.

[coolbeans]

True, no TO, no Pacman, no Roy Williams (safety). What is the excuse going to be this year!!!



Still waiting on the "Go Skins!/TO Sucks!" smiley.

There's still Wade Phillips!!!!