According to a report by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo may have forgotten what down it was when he threw an incomplete pass to Sam Hurd at the conclusion of Dallas’ loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Following the final incomplete pass to end the Cowboys hopes, a video caught on KDFW Fox-4 shows Romo seemingly telling his linemen to line back up. He then flashes three fingers to one of the game officials.
After hearing the response, Romo screams and walks off field.
If true, Romo apparently forgot about the spike to stop the clock on second down.
When asked about the series of events, coach Wade Phillips didn’t know anything about a discrepancy. He said that on the sideline they knew what down it was and any questions would need to be directed at Romo.
Romo is human – he makes mistakes like everyone else. But this is a biggie if it’s true. As a quarterback, you have to know the situation at all times, including what freaking down it is.
That said, if Phillips and the rest of the Dallas sideline knew it was fourth down, it’s part of their responsibility to let their quarterback know the situation. He’s got to worry about relaying what the play call is, how the defense is set up and everything else so a simple, “Hey Tony, it’s fourth down – this is it, buddy” could have been relayed.
The media tends to pin wins and losses solely on Romo, which is unfair. That said, he seems to be regressing as a decision-maker and he misfired badly on a couple of throws on Sunday, one of which got his marginally talented receiver Roy Williams decked in the ribs.
I’ve written several times in the past how Romo is at a crossroads in his career. Outside of a career day in Tampa, he hasn’t played well this season and he certainly didn’t help himself stave off criticism if he did forget what down it was on Sunday. If the Cowboys continue to stumble, an offseason quarterback change might be forthcoming.
