The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with one of the most prolific pass-rushers in the NFL this past offseason without batting an eye. But the Jerry Jones family can't quit Tony Romo.
I know Jerry spent a good portion of this past offseason beating himself up for not drafting Johnny Manziel. But a lot of that was for show. He wanted to get it on the record that he coveted Manziel in case the former Aggie great took the league by storm. (That hasn't occurred).
Thanks to his son Stephen's advice, Jerry remembered that Romo was his first love. That's where he's made a huge investment. And that's why Jerry and Stephen have been so protective of Romo over the years.
The rest of the country may revel in Tony's failures, but the Jones boys have offered unconditional support. That was on full display when Stephen made his weekly visit to 105.3 on Wednesday.
"I think he'd be the first to tell you, anybody would, the only thing missing on his résumé at this point is a championship," he said of Romo. "And certainly that doesn't sit in Tony's lap. That sits in our lap, Jerry and our family's lap.
"In terms of the organization, we have to do better at putting better people around him. It falls on our personnel department, the coaching staff and the players around him. It's a team effort."
As a general rule, quarterbacks get more credit/blame than they deserve. Romo is in the fortunate position where management blames everyone but him for failures.
With the Cowboys at 7-3 at the bye, there's a narrative going around that suggests this is the first time Romo has been surrounded by talent. That's a crock when you consider what he had around him from 2007-09. There were Pro Bowl offensive linemen and an explosive wideout in Terrell Owens.
Romo certainly elevated receivers such as Laurent Williams and Miles Austin, but to say he didn't have any help is wrong. As hard as it is to believe, Marion Barber was a solid running back in 2009. That was the season Romo won his first and only playoff game.
"I think the only thing missing is the ring, the championship," Jones said. "I think that's going to ultimately come for Tony. I hope sooner than later, as I know we all do. At the end of the day, all these quarterbacks, more important than any of their numbers, any of their accolades, any Pro Bowls, any All-Pros, is to win championships.
"I think when Tony ultimately gets his, then I think certainly at that point there will be no second-guessing anything."
Romo is top-five in passer rating right now. He has a playcaller he admires and trusts in Scott Linehan. He's also been able to lean on the best running game in the league.
The key will be keeping Romo healthy. Playing three games in 11 days beginning Nov. 23 is asking for disaster.
And any absence would open the door for Brandon Weeden. And we've seen that movie.
Kyle Orton didn't play well Thursday in Miami, but he's been solid in recent weeks for the Bills. Jerry appeared to get duped by Orton.
Maybe Dez Bryant should check in with Orton's agent. The man knows how to double dip.
