GRAPEVINE, Texas – Tony Romo did not attend Wednesday's Dallas Cowboys annual sponsor appreciation golf classic. Romo's an avid golfer and face of the franchise so it was somewhat surprising.
Some will speculate that Romo wasn't there because he's trying to cut back on golf to show his commitment to an increased role with the Cowboys' offense.
But is there any truth to that?
"I just think Tony's got a lot on his plate with his new role as coach," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones joked. "Tony's always been a team guy and he's obviously doing the things he needs to be doing."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after this year's NFL Draft that Romo's recent six-year contract extension included the 33-year-old quarterback spending "Peyton Manning-type time on the job." He then explained that Romo would be more involved in the team's offensive game-planning.
Before taking to the golf course, Stephen Jones briefly discussed Romo's increased role on Wednesday. The executive V.P. said Troy Aikman also had the type of influence Romo will have going forward.
"Tony's always influenced the offense," Stephen Jones said. "Obviously, as he matures more in his career, that's what happens with quarterbacks, they have more influence. I think he'll have even more this year. I do believe him, Bill Callahan, Jason [Garrett] and the offensive staff are on the same page. It's just that we want to do some things that we feel like may work better."
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has downplayed the idea that Romo is going to be more involved than he has been in the past. Garrett says Romo has always had influence on the team's offense and it will continue.
"Tony's been around our offense for a long time and we think the lines of communication are open in a really positive way, so we'll continue to have it that way, both in the offseason and during the season," Garrett said. "And Tony's worthy of that opportunity, and it's really been that way since he's been our quarterback."
