NFL Draft 2012: Cowboys Must Protect Tony Romo with Draft Picks

Questions of Tony Romo's ability to lead the Dallas Cowboys are well documented. Following in the footsteps of great QBs with the last names Meredith, Staubach and Aikman, Romo carries the disappointing weight of a franchise that has only won one playoff game over the course of his tenure as a starter.

After a disappointing 8-8 season in 2011, criticism in Romo's leadership and ability to win big games was not scattered lightly. Calls for his dismissal from America's Team will not stop until he leads the Cowboys further than he ever has, which in this case is the NFC title game. 

Team owner/general manager Jerry Jones recognizes that Romo is the the unquestioned present and future of Cowboy QBs. Jones recently put showed his hand by alluding to the possibility of Romo retiring a Cowboy, and also dispelled any rumors of the Cowboys trading for a top pick to draft Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.

That should speak volumes to the level of commitment we're talking about, whether fans like the decision or not.

Romo is the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. It's going to stay that way for the next two years minimum, since his contract expires after the 2013 season. Knowing that, the next step seems to be surrounding a franchise player with tools to be successful.

Jones also did something that should be used as a gauge for how they're going to address this offseason. He criticized the offensive line for its poor play, citing player departures and youth as things holding the unit back in 2011.

The Cowboys will attack their needs aggressively in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, and if you are assuming Romo is the glue that is holding together the draft-day agenda, then the offensive line will be a point of emphasis for Jones and the rest of the Cowboys' brass.

Stats don't lie. Romo finished in the top 10 of all NFL QBs in yards, touchdowns, passer rating, completion percentage and percentage of passes not intercepted in 2011. The telling stat, however, is the one that reveals the Cowboys finished sixth in sacks allowed (36).

It's about time the Cowboys protect their investment.

That's why is why the draft is a crucial to the success of the quarterback, and more importantly, the success of this team. An offensive line unit that rid themselves of bad contracts in Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis struggled at times in 2011, but developing young talent seems to be the theme around Valley Ranch these days.

Consider this: From 2007 (first draft after Romo became the full-time starter) to 2010, the Cowboys selected a total of four offensive lineman. Over 28 rounds, they took four guys that might be able to protect a guy they're investing over $60 million in.

In 2011, Jones drafted three. Selecting future left tackle Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick was totally out of character for this team. Jones goes on to take two more, including fourth-round guard David Arkin and seventh-round center Bill Nagy.

With Smith and Doug Free as the tackle bookends of the team for years to come, it seems interior line playing time is up for grabs. Arkin and Nagy will compete with incumbents ranging from Kyle Kosier, Phil Costa and Kevin Kowalsky, and that list could also include free agents Derrick Dockery and Montrae Holland.

Those players and any that come to the team through the draft or free agency will also benefit by the direction of new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, the former Oakland Raiders and University of Nebraska head coach.

With the 14th pick, it's my personal opinion that the 'Boys should draft defense. I think they can use the draft to bolster the offensive line in later rounds, and still make a positive impact elsewhere with that high pick.

If they choose to go offensive line, however, Stanford guard David DeCastro seems to be the name floating out there as one of the "can't-miss" attractions at his position. It's likely the Cowboys will schedule a visit with him during the interview process of the draft, and he might wind up being a good fit.

Romo isn't getting any younger. The days of his voodoo magic escaping the pass rush are more limited now than they were when he was 26, and his 32-year-old body doesn't need any extra hits.

If they want Romo to be successful, the Cowboys will focus on trending towards protecting him in the form of their draft picks. It sets the tone for the future of the entire offensive line, and gives Romo the satisfaction of knowing he can spend less time running for his life or on his back and more time looking down the field.

The decision to put Romo in charge of America's Team seems to be an easy one. Finding five guys to consistently protect him should, too.