I hesitate to respond to James Williamson's open challenge to Dallas Cowboy haters. I do so because it is obviously a transparent attempt to get closer to his stated goal of becoming an NFL analyst by striking an antagonistic pose. He hopes this will generate comments and reads to get into the popular or most read column.
Young James is obviously NOT interested in a reasoned, mature, and objective debate. I made just such an argument in support of a position he didn't like (Romo's overrated), and he responded by implying I had no brain, calling me a "dumbbut" I believe was his unique phrasing.
Now he has responded with an obviously subjective challenge while trumpeting his reputation for objectivity.
The only interest I have in this website is catharsis, not an exhibitionist debate. Being a professional sports columnist would be great, but so would being an astronaut. I'm taking a more realistic approach to success and just sat for the California Bar, so I write for myself.
If people like it or not and are inspired to respond, that is awesome and I appreciate each response (except the ones questioning my intelligence and anatomical possessions).
However, I do enjoy a good challenge, and it will be simple to prove to a reasonable person that I am the objective analyst, and James is not. I might even prove to some people that Romo is the most overrated player in the NFL.
Here we go.
First, in his challenge, he says he has trashed talked and it makes him sick. As I pointed out, he was lobbing sophomoric insults at me in the last couple days. More hilariously, later in the very same article, he implies I am either jealous, ignorant, deceiving myself, etc.
Forgive me if his contrition seems a little insincere and self-serving. Not exactly the best way to start a supposedly objective discussion.
Second, his entire argument for Romo being one of the best QBs in the NFL is statistic-driven. I suggest this is the product of playing too much fantasy sports or just growing up under the fantasy curtain that has fallen.
Statistics are great, but they do not always indicate greatness since greatness is measured by championships (in basketball and football at least).
Ask Dan Marino or Joe Montana. Or just look at recent history. Until the last several years, the unquestioned statistical virtuoso at QB was Peyton Manning. However, equally unquestionable was that the best QB was Tom Brady. Both played behind good lines on good teams, but Brady always won (don't everyone freak out, I said this has changed).
And here's where my argument destroys his.
I say Romo is the most overrated QB in the NFL. This can be true even if there are only three QBs better than he (i.e. Brady, Manning, Brees as seems to be the consensus).
14 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michoel Botwinick 9 months ago
Well said once again, Andrew. Poor James Williamson could learn a thing or two from you.
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
Thanks man. The kids got heart, but he needs to be honest with himself. Either be objective or acknowledge that you're not. No shame in either.
Plus I don't know what he's so excited about. I'm not saying Romo's bad, or even average. Hilarious what gets some people's goat.
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Isaac Barrow 9 months ago
Dude Michoel I like and respect you but:
there is no way tony romo is overrated.
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James Williamson 9 months ago
They can judge you too. You said Jamarcus Russell was a better qb than Romo. That is beyond ridiculous. and btw statisitics get people in the hall of fame, not just championships.
Dan Fouts is there and he didn't even go to the Super Bowl. George Blanda and Warren Moon fit the bill perfectly there too.
Romo has done the impossible. Come out as a free agent and start for America's Team. He may have messed up a bit but as you say he is only in his third year. three times the charm wisecrack. He will win a playoff game, I guarantee it, if he is healthy. He is better than some qbs that have made the Super Bowl. You may say he's overrated cause of no success in playoffs. Manning took forever, Young it took forever. It doesn't matter if u win in playoffs, it matters whether you win it all. Lock, stock and barrel. If either Manning had lost the Super Bowl then everyone would be criticizing them.
You talk way too soon to say Romo is overrated. I at least have a 13-3 season to back up my talk. and who knows? they just might win every single game from here on. I doubt it but it could happen.
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
Bro, I said I MIGHT take Russell, Cutler, and Garrard over Romo because of their natural skills and what I had seen. I did not say they were better.
And you just keep missing the point. You keep pointing out that it took other QBs time to win, that Romo's only in his 3rd year, etc., etc. These all bolster my argument that he is not CURRENTLY one of the best, which is all I ever said. He may become one of the best. Shoot, he may become the best ever.
Neither would change the fact that HE IS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME OVERRATED.
I'm losing patience with you and will soon take the gloves off.
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James Williamson 9 months ago
Why? Because I am not going to let you talk nonsense about Tony Romo when he has only lost one game? The fact is he is one of the best because of what he has done so far. He has taken a team and a city that thought that playoffs where a dream and given hope. You think I'm not objective? I said the fan was going to come out dude.
You urself said you were not really objective cause Steve Young kept losing to Troy Aikman. Why is it that every single nfl analyst thinks romo is great, that a lot of people who have read my article think he's great, yet you think he's overrated.
Gloves off. look I live in Texas. You going to hit me from across country. I'm not the only one who thought your article was bad. It just sent me over the edge cause I was sick that after one regular season loss, you say he's overrated.
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Michoel Botwinick 9 months ago
One regular season loss, one regular season loss...
Why do you keep bringing that up? We're not even up to Week Five, and there's a lot of 3-1 teams out there.
Also, I think you're missing Andrew's points because of the obvious fact that, as a Cowboy's fan, you are not willing to stare the truth in the face no matter what. Despite what you may think, it's not his job to convince you, nor is it your job to keep ignoring what he brings to the table.
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
Jesus man, just when you say things so stupid and ignorant that I think I'm spent after I respond, you say something even worse.
I WROTE THE ARTICLE BEFORE THE WASHINGTON GAME AFTER THE PHILLY WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN.
If I wrote this after the Redskins game, why didn't I mention any specifics? Why didn't I mention the pick he threw? Why didn't I mention the loss by specific reference?
The playoffs were a dream in Dallas? Romo's given them hope? Are you actually on stage right now? Dallas is just like Pittsburgh and SF. We all have 5 rings. The playoffs are never a dream and we never give up hope. Even now, the Niners have been GOD AWFUL for what 50 years now? I still have no doubt we'll be back soon.
As for the gloves coming off, it just shows how insecure you are that you think that was a physical threat. First, I'm 6'3" 210 and have too much integrity to pound on a youngster like yourself. Second, this is cyberspace, you could be on the other side of the world (instead you appear to be on a different planet). I meant that I had been kind up until this point. But now you're putting words in my mouth (Russell is better than Romo, I'm biased b/c Young kept losing to Aikman, etc.), calling my writing garbage, and all the while claiming to be some holier-than-thou, paradigm of objective analysis who wouldn't sink to trash talking.
In fact man, James Williamson in Texas. Keep lying, keep making up shit, and keep insulting people. That's a good way to make that first million by the age of 28.
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
James, you keep playing that wounded lamb, holier-than-thou nonsense. Once again, stay objective.
Who insulted whom first?
I wrote an article about Tony Romo, you responded that I had no brain and was a dumbbut (devestating by the way). The rest is history for all to see.
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James Williamson 9 months ago
Not really. I get a kick of watching this 6'3 man get pissed by the fact that I disagreed with you and called you a hater. you haven't even given me a challenge. No i wasn't on stage, I was telling you what romo has done for dallas fans in texas. I've seen it firsthand. And insults. I haven't called you anything to you personally other than rudely refute your article. I apologize for that, it was immature and actually yeah a lot of people accept that teams are rebuilding. To think the cowboys would win the Super Bowl in 2004 would be wishful thinking at best.
As for me. I'll enjoy my season.
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
Yawn, this is no longer interesting. Like arguing with a religious fundamentalist.
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Marty Ogelvie 9 months ago
Overrated is only important to fans of other teams. Cowboy fans don't care if Romo is overrated or not. Cowboy fans only care if he wins, which he does. He has not won a playoff game yet and until he does, he will always have pundits pointing that out, which is fair. Personally, I don't care where you or any so called NFL enthusist rank Tony Romo. It's irrelelvant. What is relevant is what Tony does on the field and what he does on the field is far better than most other QBs in the game today. I will take that and the wins that go with it. You can rate him poorly or as the best in the game, it doesn't impact his play.
Is he the best I have ever seen? nope
Is he the best in the game today? I don't think so
Is he better than 95% playing today? no doubt
Would I trade him for ANY OTHER QB in the game today? NO I would not.. you can keep Brady, Manning and Brees.. all are great and all may be better than Romo but I have a feeling Romo will still be tossing TD passes long after these 3 have retired.. just a feeling. a knock on on wood feeling..
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Marty Ogelvie 9 months ago
Overrated is only important to fans of other teams. Cowboy fans don't care if Romo is overrated or not. Cowboy fans only care if he wins, which he does. He has not won a playoff game yet and until he does, he will always have pundits pointing that out, which is fair. Personally, I don't care where you or any so called NFL enthusist rank Tony Romo. It's irrelelvant. What is relevant is what Tony does on the field and what he does on the field is far better than most other QBs in the game today. I will take that and the wins that go with it. You can rate him poorly or as the best in the game, it doesn't impact his play.
Is he the best I have ever seen? nope
Is he the best in the game today? I don't think so
Is he better than 95% playing today? no doubt
Would I trade him for ANY OTHER QB in the game today? NO I would not.. you can keep Brady, Manning and Brees.. all are great and all may be better than Romo but I have a feeling Romo will still be tossing TD passes long after these 3 have retired.. just a feeling. a knock on on wood feeling..
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Andrew Nuschler 9 months ago
Very fair and I agree with almost all of the above (better-than-95% part, bump it down to 90% and I'd agree). He does win a lot and he is young so he's got plenty of time to improve. And you or any other Dallas fan shouldn't care what I have to say. Neither should nor does Tony Romo. Some of your fellow fans have pointed this out like it was my reason for writing the above which is hilarious; the man is dating Jessica Simpson but sitting around reading Bleacher Report and fretting over a random blogger?
Anyway man, my point was only that he is not yet one of the best in the NFL so he is overrated. But you know what, you have to be pretty good to get overrated so I don't know what some of your compadres are getting so heated about.
I mean, true or not - until a guy performs well in the biggest games, there will be questions about his ability to do so? As long as that exists, you would have to prefer a guy about whom that question does not exist i.e. Brady, Mannings, etc. So until Romo does that (and I am NOT saying he never will), he's not one of the best. I don't see that as being so controversial.
Anyway, I appreciate that you disagreed (and pretty vehemently) without going berserk like some of these other people. Good luck with the rest of the season although I'll be rooting against your boys every step of the way. Nothing personal - just a natural consequence of a rivalry.
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