Maybe I shouldn’t even bring this up but I’m worried about the Dallas Cowboys. After all the disappointment and turmoil they have gone through I hate to see more problems arise as they try to close out the season.
The reason I’m worried is because Tony Romo, their injured starting quarterback, is getting ready to return. It was reported Tuesday morning that he threw passes in a light warm-up on Monday although he did not dress out. If you’ll remember, Romo went down with a broken collarbone against the New York Giants on Oct. 25.
Some reports out of Dallas suggest that he could be ready to play on Christmas Day against the Arizona Cardinals. Another columnist wrote that why play Romo this year and take a chance on another injury if the Cowboys are out of the playoff picture?
Hey, I’m a Tony Romo fan. I’ve always wanted him to be successful as the Dallas Cowboy quarterback. Maybe It’s because of his last name. Maybe it’s because he has family in South Texas. Maybe it’s because his father’s godmother lives in Pleasanton. But after saying that, I’m also a fair person and I truly believe that John Kitna, a journeyman and backup quarterback, has done a whale of a job in Romo’s absence. Kitna is 2-3 as Romo’s stand-in and has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has been part of the resurgence of the Cowboys after the firing of Wade Phillips. I would not feel badly if Kitna stayed on as the starter. He’s earned it. Besides, there are many fans who don’t believe in Romo anymore. I have a good friend from Jourdanton whom I run into every Wednesday as we deliver to local stores. He told me once that he believed the Cowboys would fare better without Romo. I asked him would he change his mind if Romo took the Cowboys to the Super Bowl? “If that happens it
will be because of his teammates,” he answered. Hey, I respect his feelings. Besides he could be right. Maybe Romo will never take the Cowboys to the promised land.
If Romo plays this year it will be because Garrett and his staff believe that Romo is healthy enough to play and will be medically cleared by team doctors. But if he’s cleared to play and Garrett sticks with Kitna, there won’t be an argument from me. I like the way Kitna plays and I like his toughness. He’s not afraid to run with the ball and take hits when the opportunities have been there. He’s picked up key first downs that way. I also believe Kitna is right when he said that he always believed he could be successful in the NFL if he ever played for a team with the “right guys.”
Like I said, whatever happens will be all right with me. I just hate to see a quarterback controversy arise with the Cowboys after all that’s already happened to them this season.
