Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback, Tony Romo, only played in four games last season and well the Cowboys only won four games last year. However the one benefit that came from a dreadful. last place finish in the NFC East was the high draft pick, fourth to be specific, that the Dallas Cowboys received in the NFL Draft. The Cowboys used that pick on Ohio State star running back Ezekiel Elliot who ran for 1,821 yards in his senior season. This pick was likely made, at least partially, because the Cowboys were attempting to become less dependent on Tony Romo for success.

Romo threw for 884 passing yards and five passing touchdowns last season despite only playing in four games, the Cowboys were 2-2 in games Romo played. The year before the Cowboys had one of their best seasons in recent history finishing 12-4, winning the NFC East (and a competitive playoff game against the Lions), and nearly reaching the NFC Championship (if only catches were more defined). That season Romo threw for a career best 113.2 passer rating as well as a career high 34 passing touchdowns. Romo was one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the NFL and with Murray in the backfield (leading the league in rushing) the Cowboys looked poised to repeat a playoff appearance until tragedy struck. Tony Romo has been no stranger to injuries in his career, but he never quite had an injury like the one he received last season. Romo suffered a broken collarbone in one of the first games of the season, against the Eagles, then, shortly after against the Carolina Panthers Romo fractured his clavicle and went onto miss the rest of the season.

Tony Romo had the off season to rest and recover, but now he enters this season at 36 years old, with nagging injury concerns. Dallas Cowboys fans (like me) are optimistic Romo can still perform well and stay healthy enough to lead the Cowboys back into the promise land (and perhaps win a Super Bowl?). However many analysts question Romo’s ability to stay healthy, especially with his age nearing that of retirement. The Dallas Cowboys fans have a lot riding on Romo, still, even with the draft pick of Elliot the Cowboys will likely need Romo to make a playoff appearance. Will Romo stay on the field, will he be able to keep up his dominant play, or will Cowboys fans suffer yet another disappointing, playoff-less season, only time will tell.

Author: Connor Green