For the first time since 2012, Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is having a full off-season. The past two off-seasons have been marred with a back surgery in each of them.
"Obviously, the last two years have been a struggle in the off-season," Romo said Friday at a fundraiser for the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities in Dallas. "It wasn't deal. But I think it's been a very rewarding feeling to be able to do some of the stuff I've been able to do up to this point since February."
The 35-year-old quarterback is "excited" about continuing his normal off-season routine and the direction this healthy time off will take.
On the football field, Romo could have his career extended with the maturity of young first-rounder-turned-veterans in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick, and right guard Zack Martin. Then, factor in the recent signing of offensive lineman La'el COllins, and it would seem Romo could play to the end of the decade.
"I would tell that when you have a good offensive line like we do, the thought that entertains your mind is you're certainly going to do everything humanly possible to play longer than maybe you had envisioned," said Romo. "So, we'll re-assess that in a few years. But I do think that my wife will tell you I'm talking a little more long term than I maybe have been. So, we'll see."
In addition to a good offensive line, a good running back helped Romo stay safe for the most part in 2014. Running back DeMarco Murray led the NFL and set a franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards. In 2015 and beyond, not only must the Cowboys replace that production, but also replace Murray's pass protection. The back from Oklahoma only allowed Romo to be sacked 1.5 times. Protecting Romo from stray blitzers could help extend his career just as much as picking up blue-chip offensive linemen each draft.
