Romo gave us a glimpse of future, and shame on us for not realizing

Published 11:13 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Tony Romo is about to embark on his seventh training camp as starting quarterback. It will be his eighth season under center for the Dallas Cowboys, and in that time, the gunslinger from Eastern Illinois — who has drawn several comparisons to Brett Favre — has delivered one playoff win.

One. Not very Favre like.

I like Romo.

I think he is one of the most gifted passers in the NFL.

His decision-making skills sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but as far as a winner, Romo has shown time and time again that he is made of the right stuff.

But his decision making is the area that has continued to hold Romo and the Cowboys back.

Last year alone, Romo produced eye-popping numbers down the stretch (10 TDS and one interception) to give Dallas an opportunity to sneak into the playoffs. But then came Week 16 at Washington when the gunslinger started throwing passes to the wrong team — the final one a back-breaking “What were you thinking?” kind of pass that ultimately sealed Dallas’ fate in a three-interception 28-18 loss to the Redskins.

But should we be surprised about all of this?

No.

Romo gave everyone a preview of these kinds of peaks and valleys. He in fact laid out a blueprint for fans on what to expect when he was under center.

Don’t believe me?

Journey back to Oct. 23, 2006 on Monday Night Football.

The New York Giants lead 12-7 at halftime at Texas Stadium. Cowboys incumbent quarterback Drew Bledsoe has just burned his last bit of goodwill with head coach Bill Parcells by forcing the ball into coverage to his favorite receiver Terry Glenn and getting it intercepted, instead of throwing the other way to an open Terrell Owens.

The scuttlebutt is that Bledsoe and Owens are not getting along and he was focused in on Glenn.

Whatever the reason, the throw signaled the end of Bledsoe as starting QB for the Cowboys.

At the beginning of the second half, undrafted rookie Tony Romo is under center. Romo had impressed during preseason play, but who knew how we would perform under the pressure of the NFL and MNF spotlight?

No one knows whether it will be for a series or what, but Romo leads the Cowboys out on that first drive of the second half — and I am not making this up — intercepted on his first pass attempt.

Michael Strahan tipped Romo’s first pass and it was picked off by Antonio Pierce, who returned it to the Cowboys 14.

Sound familiar Cowboys fans? But wait there is more …

Eli Manning capitalizes on the opportunity with a quick TD pass that made it 19-7.

Parcells sent Romo back out after throwing for Dallas’ next drive. The Cowboys moved the ball, but an incomplete pass to T.O. on fourth down ended it.

The Giants then tacked on another TD to lead 26-7 and seemingly put Dallas down for good.

But what the world was about to find out was how Romo could rally a team back.

His third opportunity was the charm, Romo connecting with T.O for a touchdown followed by Romo rushing for a two-point conversion.

The Giants added a field goal followed by another Romo interception after he drove Dallas to the New York 11. It was returned for a TD to make the deficit 36-15.

So, let’s recap: interception — 4th down incompletion — touchdown — pick-6.

Romo drove Dallas back down the field again and this time put it in the end zone.

An onside kick would give the Cowboys more of a chance, but it was not to be. The Giants recovered and won.

Romo moves the offense — no one can say different.

But … peaks and valleys, or touchdowns and interceptions.

That was the first Romo effect game and there have been many more — some with happier endings, like when Romo overcame five interceptions to defeat the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas and Romo agreed to a contract extension and the Cowboys begin training camp later this week, which means several more of these peaks and valleys await.

No one can say we weren’t warned.