Tony Romo's Performance Was Not Outstanding, but His Resolve Was

As a Cowboy’s fan, I have sort of become immune to Tony Romo’s blunders. I accept them because I firmly believe he is a top-10 quarterback in this league and has the ability to lead the Cowboys to the promised land. What I cannot accept is his reaction and attitude towards mistakes and failure.

It genuinely bothers me to see him smiling with his cap backwards talking about his loss during postgame interviews or in a press conference. Throwing a ridiculous interception, getting an unthinkable sack or botching a snap calls for regret and a lesson-learned. Not a go-lucky, all-is-well attitude.

This has been Romo’s demise over the other last couple of years in the eyes of loyal Cowboys fans. Take a look at his postgame comments in 2007 after a playoff loss. He stated that “if something in sports is the worst thing that ever happens to you, you’ve lived a pretty good life.”

Mr. Romo, what are you thinking? Is that how you respond, is that how you show your teammates that you will become better and improve for next season? Where is the passion, the enthusiasm? Do you even want to win, or are you content being the starting quarterback of the Cowboys and dating A-list celebrities left and right?

All this being said, something dramatic has happened between now and the last few years. It is the combination of a fractured clavicle (thank you Michael Boley) and a new coaching staff with a new attitude. When Romo was knocked out for the 2011 season during the primetime Cowboys versus Giants game, Cowboys fans knew the season was over. Romo did. Jerry Jones did. And three weeks later, Wade Phillips saw his tenure end. In came Jason Garrett.

I have already discussed the impact Garrett will have on the Cowboys franchise. Although I did not expect his mojo to rub off on his players this quickly, it is absolutely clear that Tony Romo has bought into Garrett’s philosophy. Why is it so obvious?

Here is how Romo responded to critics after this week’s Jets loss: “We're going to be a good football team…this team is going to come back with great energy this week. I'm going to come back with great energy and we're going to play good football going forward…I just can't wait to get out on the field this week."

That is what I am talking about. You are the franchise, Mr. Romo. It goes where you go.

While I disagree with Jerry Jones that Tony Romo played one of the best games of his career and had an “outstanding performance,” I am thrilled to hear Romo’s tenacity and determination to improve his game and his team’s chances to win week-in and week-out. There was no smiling, no joking and that damn hat was sitting on his head the right way. He was confident in his abilities and accepted his mistakes.

Most importantly, he showed a lot of grit and gained a lot of confidence from his teammates.