Romo and Grossman: The same player (right now)

[Egg]

Most everyone as well as the media seem to be really high on Tony Romo, and really low on Rex Grossman. In my opinion they're the same player. Both had been in the league for a couple years, but never got any noteworthy playing time until last season. They were essentially "rookies" with a better understanding of the system. Both started out very strong, and faded down the stretch.

While Grossman has more of a tendency to be bipolar, I'm willing to bet that had Romo not started later in the season, we would have seen a couple abysmal games from him as well. The fact that both have been outstanding at times shows they have the tools and understanding of the game. Their problems are obviously a mental hurdle.

I'm not trying to play favorites between the two, or make predictions as to how their careers will eventually turn out, but ranking Romo as 3 stars along with Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, Marc Bulger, etc is a ridiculous stretch at this point.

[Walter]

First of all, welcome to the forums, Egg.

I have to disagree with you. While you made a valid point that Grossman and Romo started off hot and faded, Grossman's fade was 1,000% worse than Romo's.

I know stats don't tell everything, but I think these do:

Grossman faded due to his own ineptness. Let's just take a lot at his three worst games:

vs. Arizona - 14-of-37, 144 yds, 4 INTs, 2 fumbles. His defense/ST carried the team.
vs. Minnesota - 6-of-19, 34 yds, 3 INTs. His defense once again made the difference.
vs. Green Bay - 2-of-12, 33 yds, 3 INTs, 1 fumble. His defense couldn't prevent that loss.

Now, let's look at Romo's three worst games as a starter:
vs. Saints: 16-of-33, 249 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs. His defense surrendered 42 pts. to the Saints.
vs. Philly: 14-of-29, 142 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs. His defense surrendered 23 pts to Jeff Garcia at home.
vs. Detroit: 23-of-32, 321 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 4 fumbles. His defense allowed 39 pts. to Detroit.

Tell me you don't see a huge difference in the stats. While Romo either hit less than 50 percent, or fumbled too many times, he still was able to lead the Cowboys to a few touchdowns. Grossman couldn't do that.

I would argue that if Romo had Chicago's defense and running game, he would have won all three of those games, maybe with the exception of Philadelphia. Remember, Dallas' defense looked horrible at the end of the year because Greg Ellis suffered a season-ending injury.

Also, look at those opponents. Grossman struggled vs. Arizona, Green Bay and Minnesota (as well as Miami). Romo played poorly vs. two playoff teams and an offense his defense couldn't contain.

If I haven't convinced you that Romo is much better than Grossman, I never will.

[Craig Smith]

I still don't think Romo is everything he is hyped up to be. Is he worse then Grossman? No, Grossman just has the luxury of playing opposite a defense that is like a brick wall. He also benefits from being in not only the weak NFC north, but the NFC all together.

Chicago will again challenge for the best record in the NFC and comfortably walk away with the NFC North title, and in my opinion, another Super Bowl appearance. It's just a shame they dont have a quarterback.

San Diego, Detroit and New Orleans are the only three teams i see on Chicago's schedule that may be able to out gun/over power their defense.

Thats why i see Dallas drafting a QB in the first round of 08' and Chicago won't.

Sorry for that bit of news Bears fans.

[Egg]

I don't think Grossman's worst games had anything to do with the defenses he was facing, but rather, his own mental (as in, he needs to see a shrink) issues.

I'm not really trying to argue that one is better than the other, but rather, that both are a big wildcard right now. Ranking Romo in the top 10 quarterbacks in the league is crazy. How would you have ranked Grossman after the first 5 games last season?

[Walter]

I think Romo's extremely underrated right now. He was so hyped up that when he slipped, every fan of his turned against him.

I listed his three worst games. Did he play that poorly in any of them? I don't think so. His defense let him down. Besides, he was essentially a rookie!

Maybe I'm way off here, but I'm expecting big things from Romo in '07

[Walter]

I don't think Grossman's worst games had anything to do with the defenses he was facing, but rather, his own mental (as in, he needs to see a shrink) issues.

I'm not really trying to argue that one is better than the other, but rather, that both are a big wildcard right now. Ranking Romo in the top 10 quarterbacks in the league is crazy. How would you have ranked Grossman after the first 5 games last season?

I'll admit much higher than I have him now. But like I said, Romo's rock bottom was much better than Grossman's. Grossman looked like a high school QB at times. Romo was simply asked to outscore the other offense because his defense sucked.

[Matt McGuire]

I'm not going to judge Grossman on last season. He was pretty much a rookie.

Same for Romo.

Also, I think Grossman would have been better off with receivers such as Terry Glenn, T.O. Patrick Crayton, and Jason Witten. Not Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammed, and Desmond Clark.

[Craig Smith]

I think Romo's extremely underrated right now. He was so hyped up that when he slipped, every fan of his turned against him.

I listed his three worst games. Did he play that poorly in any of them? I don't think so. His defense let him down. Besides, he was essentially a rookie!

Maybe I'm way off here, but I'm expecting big things from Romo in '07

This just goes to prove how much of a wildcard Romo is. I myself never bought into his hype, i thought he was over rated before his first start and i still think he is today. I think of Romo as Matt Schuab wit hplaying time.

Another sign that Romo is not a safe bet at QB is Jerry Jones refusal to rework his contract until after this season. If Jones had that much faith in him, he would already be locked up long term.

[Walter]

That's a good point about Jerry Jones. I guess I have more faith in Romo than other people do. I just know Dallas' offense was stagnant when Old Man Bledsoe was at quarterback, and Romo rejuvenated the team and kept Terrell Owens happy - all as a rookie.

But I guess time will only tell if Romo can be successful.

[Craig Smith]

That's a good point about Jerry Jones. I guess I have more faith in Romo than other people do. I just know Dallas' offense was stagnant when Old Man Bledsoe was at quarterback, and Romo rejuvenated the team and kept Terrell Owens happy - all as a rookie.

But I guess time will only tell if Romo can be successful.

Once upon a time the Lions offense was stagnant with Charlie Batch at QB, and then Mike McMahon came in and rejuvinated it. The Lions parted ways with Batch and anointed McMahon the starter.

Point being, that after all that, Charlie Batch is still #2 in Pittsburgh and Mike McMahon is out of the NFL.

It may not be the best example, but again i think one of the big 3 QB's, whether its Brohm, Woodson or Henne will get taken with one of Dallas' two first round picks.

[Walter]

I see what you're trying to say, but McMahon never led them to the playoffs, and he never looked as good as Romo.

[giantsfanmike]

vs. Arizona - 14-of-37, 144 yds, 4 INTs, 2 fumbles. His defense/ST carried the team.
vs. Minnesota - 6-of-19, 34 yds, 3 INTs. His defense once again made the
Whats also interesting is that those two teams were ranked 30th(Cardinals) and 32nd (Vikings) against the pass in the league as well.

I really don't rate Grossman at all. All he is asked is to take care of the ball, which he often failed to do last year in a schedule filled full of weak opponents, and with Thomas Jones gone and a more difficult schedule I doubt he improves.

[Walter]

That's exactly what I'm thinking, Mike.

What are your thoughts on Romo?

[Matt McGuire]

Once upon a time the Lions offense was stagnant with Charlie Batch at QB, and then Mike McMahon came in and rejuvinated it. The Lions parted ways with Batch and anointed McMahon the starter.

Point being, that after all that, Charlie Batch is still #2 in Pittsburgh and Mike McMahon is out of the NFL.

It may not be the best example, but again i think one of the big 3 QB's, whether its Brohm, Woodson or Henne will get taken with one of Dallas' two first round picks.

I think it would be smart to spenda first on a QB, but with so many good 2nd tier QBs in next year's draft, they might wanna go cornerback and runningback in round 1. Cleveland's pick is likely to be in the top 10-12. That gives the them almost a lock to get Steve Slayton or the top corner come late April.

And then in round 2, you can spend that 2nd rounder on a guy like Erik Ainge or Matt Ryan.

[Matt McGuire]

Also, the Cowboys have the ammunition to trade up and get a guy like Andre' Woodson or Brian Brohm or Chad Henne if Romo really sucks next year. The Cowboys have a lot of versatility within their draft.

[giantsfanmike]

That's exactly what I'm thinking, Mike.

What are your thoughts on Romo?
I actually think he is pretty decent, better than Bledsoe anyway, and he brung a bit of harmony to the field which obviously helped the team as a whole and their production since TO and Bledsoe apparently did not get on. I definetly think he is better than Grossman, despite the better talent he has.

[Adam Mac]

I just can't wait for Grossman to shine this year and prove everyone wrong! I'm ready for a new Super Bowl Shuffle!