Dallas Cowboys: 4 Reasons Tony Romo Could Be Benched Before Season's End

Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo has had a media filled, roller coaster of a 2011 season, with some fans and skeptics calling for No. 9 to be benched.

Four of Dallas' six games this season have been directly decided by Romo's play under center, resulting in two epic wins and two meltdown type losses.

If the skeptics have their way, there are four possible reasons why the Cowboys starter could find himself riding the bench by the end of the season.

Interceptions Continue to Cost the Team

The two meltdown losses caused mostly by Romo are due to some bonehead throws that resulted in interceptions, two of which were back-to-back pick six's against the Detroit Lions.

His interceptions have been costly at times for sure this year, but let's not forget the last time this Cowboy played a full season, he threw for 4,483 with 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

In fact, over his career Romo has thrown only 68 interceptions compared to his 128 touchdowns. Historically, the Eastern Illinois alum hasn't had huge issues keeping the ball out of opposing defensive backs hands.

Yes, we are six games into the season but expect Romo to get those pesky turnovers under control and get back to his old ways.

Four Quarter Issues

There is never a good time to throw an interception in a football game, but the fourth quarter is the absolute worst time; which is when Romo has thrown his most costly picks this year.

Cowboys fans have had to hold their breath every time the last quarter of play has started this season with the exception of last Sunday's game against the winless St. Louis Rams.

Many analysts have used the Detroit and New York Jets games from this season, along with his playoff record to back up claims that No. 9 is the opposite of clutch.

But if that's the case, how do they explain his comeback from two cracked ribs and a collapsed lung against the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year? Or the time he lead Dallas to their first playoff victory in over a decade by defeating NFC East rival Philadelphia for the third time in the 2009 season?

Romo has been up and down over 2011 and during his brief 2010 campaign, but don't let that fog your memory of his three Pro Bowl seasons, and his team record breaking 36 touchdown season back in 2007.

The guy knows how to play quarterback, and these fourth quarter troubles have only been apart of his career over four games in 2011.

Stephen McGee

Backup quarterback Stephen McGee's NFL career can be summed up with one syllable "Eh".

To be fair to the former Texas A&M quarterback, he's only started two regular season games and seen the majority of his professional action in exhibition bouts.

I've heard the comparison of Romo to former Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who is the man former head coach Bill Parcells benched in favor of the 2003 undrafted free agent.

In this comparison scenario, that would make unproven McGee the new Romo. The difference between No. 9 and his backup is the fact that Romo would usually impress during those preseason exhibitions whereas McGee has kind of failed to make any big splashes.

People are comparing Romo to Bledsoe like it's a bad thing. First off, in terms of playing style there are very few comparisons to be made between the two, but in terms of skill I think it's a pretty big compliment to compare the current Dallas QB to a potential 2011 Hall of Fame inductee.

Cowboys Fall out of Playoff Contention

Now Cowboys Nation won't want to hear this, but one obvious reason that could see Romo riding the bench is if America's Team finds themselves eliminated from playoff contention.

Now going into Week 8 of the season, Dallas sits at second place in their division with their opponents looking just as shaky, if not more than Big D.

The Washington Redskins can't figure out what quarterback is safer to start, the Philadelphia Eagles are anything but the "Dream Team" right now and the New York Giants have had injuries across the board. Therefore this scenario seems fairly unlikely, however still a possibility.

If the 'Boys play their way out of the playoffs, then there's reason to believe McGee would take the helm considering we all know what Jon Kitna can do and he isn't getting and younger.