D.C. Sports Bog: Brian Orakpo says Tony Romo’s injury was blown way out of proportion (and comments on Hall)

[ACW]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...tZ4K_blog.html

To me they blown it way out of proportion,” the linebacker said on ESPN 980’s John Thompson Show on Tuesday. “I mean, they tried to make it seem like the guy was hospitalized the night before the game, just so we could build it up if they was to win the game — oh he’s a courageous player to go out there and play. The guy was playing just like Tony Romo, running around, making throws. He got hit throughout the whole game and still getting up. I mean, it was blown way out of proportion, but it is what it is.”

Orakpo also shared your frustration and amazement at the way all those crazy snap mistakes wound up in Romo’s arms, unless you’re a Cowboys fan, in which case you believe he’s uniquely skilled at scooping up bouncing balls.


“I mean, Romo got some type of lucky charm in his back pocket,” Orakpo said. “Because it seemed like every time the ball was on the floor, he was able to scoop it up, not fumbling one time, scoop it up and pick it up and try to at least make a play. Very unfortunate for us. I mean, I’m so disappointed in the outcome. We left a lot on the table. We could have easily won that game.

“D-Hall’s good,” Orakpo said. “We actually was talking about the game and stuff afterward on the plane. Everybody’s talking, just trying to get everybody’s head back straight. The only negative thing about being a professional athlete, when you lose the game, they stick a camera right in your face, right after you lose. And I mean, no holds barred after that.

“I mean, I don’t blame him,” Orakpo continued. “He’s angry, he’s upset, and all the sudden they’re asking you all kind of ridiculous questions, and you’re gonna say something that you wish you could take back. And he knows he wish he could take it back, but I don’t blame him. He’s already a hothead, so why would you put a camera in his face? They got what they deserved. I love playing with him. I’ve got his back, any day of the week; we’ve all got his back.”

[gamecokskins703]

Orakpo speaks the truth. Maybe he's got a cracked rib... but punctured lung? i dont think so. As people were saying before the MNF game, punctured lungs dont heal in a couple days.

I feel like the media along with Romo tried to build it up to the point where any hit on him would mean a flag. I remember everytime Romo was on his back he was lookin for the flag. I HATE that.

[ACW]

Or as Total Access has it, he "critsizes" Romo

[seancarter]

Haha what a bunch of tools...NFL network has Darryl Johnston, a former Cowboy, answer the question if Rak was wrong in saying that or not. He ended with Romo played better than our defense expected it and it was courageous....of course.

[Lil Kenzo]

I think everybody needs to realize that the Dallas Cowboys are America's darlings. Was is blown out of proportion? Of course it was. A punctured lung that heals in days, c'mon man! Then they strap him up like he's going to Iraq. If the Redskins would have won, Romo would have been the victim. If they lost, Romo is a hero....

Here's the issue, these players need to hold their tongues. because now the Redskins are going to look like sore losers. Look, you walked into the game talking and then you hold a pre game ceremony in the middle of their field. You talked the talk then fell flat on your faces. Take the loss, move on and back up your talk.

[RANSKINS98]

This is a good read and is actually true I believe if Romo's injuries were what they were made out to be he wouldn't have played, I think he played hurt which most NFL players do, but his injuries were blown way out of proportion. NFL network and ESPN will do anything to play the pity card for the cowboys.

And he is right we could have easily won that game;
Our offense and especially our special teams screwed us.(my opinion)

[cnhnyy]

You do not question other guy's injury. Karma could be the *****

[authentic]

Well i'm still trying to understand how you puncture your lung and then it miraculously heals 2 days before the game. Yeah "overblown" is an understatement.... But of course they conveniently bring Moose Johnston on there to add his 2cents, talking about the Redskins players need to look in the mirror, and not discredit another team. NO Moose!! how about your center not try to discredit another player and accuse him of mixing snap counts at the LOS, which is cheating!

---------- Post added September-28th-2011 at 06:56 PM ----------

You do not question other guy's injury. Karma could be the *****

No don't question another guy's injury when its a Cowboy. Everybody else is fair game...

[Rodskins]

I couldn't have said it better Seancarter! Sterling Sharpe said it best that he played with broken ribs, and that it was very difficult for him to play like himself. Then they get Moose to rebuke it. Anyone else notice the look Sterling gave when that wrapped up?

[-JB-]

I dont know about blowing his injury out of proportion but Orakpo was spot on when speaking on the ridiculousness of every single ball that hit the turf bouncing right into Romo's arms.

[C26 Run]

This is a great criticism of the sports media (ESPN). The love affair the announcers had with Romo was sickening. This past week, I hated watching ESPN leading up to the Redskins game because everything was about Romo's injury. So if they lost, we beat up on a team that was beat up. But if they won Romo was courageous, as it played out. ESPN raised the level of biased coverage for the Cowturds to a completely new level.

[wit33]

It's going to be nice having Orakpo be one of the Redskin leaders for years to come. When he comments on something he means and people listen. He seems to have that respect already early in his career.

Glad he spke out and stuck up for DHall. This type of leadership allows Dhall's comments to become a non issue quickly.

[gsliberty]

I can see fans still discussing this, but players should really try hard to put this one behind them. next Sunday is all that matters now.

[Mad Mike]

Who gives a crap what the talking heads said about Romo. Overblown or not. They shouldn't have been listening to the talk anyway. And WTF does that have to do with why we lost? If Rak or anyone else thought that Romo was going to fall over for them they are idiots.

STFU and play.

[Skins4SB]

Orakpo is doing the right thing by sticking up for his teammates, even if we may disagree with some of the things he said. Yeah, they are pros -- experienced ones at that, and should know better than to say what D-Hall did.