Tony Romo News: Pro Sports Daily

Tony Romo almost gets to play hero, but NFC loses

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February 1

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo seems to have found a new favorite receiver. Five of Romo's 13 completions Sunday went to Atlanta's Roddy White. But Miles Austin isn't jealous."I'm just happy to be here on the team," the Cowboys receiver said.It was a star-studded night at the Pro Bowl as eight Cowboys played for the NFC, which was coached by Wade Phillips and his staff. Romo nearly played the part of hero despite coming in as the third quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Donovan McNabb.After Romo engineered two scoring drives, the NFC trailed 41-34. Romo marched his team to the AFC 31 before Pittsburgh's James Harrison intercepted a pass intended for DeSean Jackson with 2:07 ..."

Cowboys' Tony Romo still looks positively Favre-like

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January 31

Dallas Morning News

"It was only fitting that when Brett Favre canceled his Pro Bowl trip to heal mentally and physically from last week's NFC championship, Tony Romo rushed to Miami to replace him. Maybe "rush" is the wrong word, since Romo arrived in time for Thursday's practice. Given the nature of this Pro Bowl, just getting there showed considerable effort from the Cowboys quarterback. But Favre and Romo have been linked at the hip ever since halftime of the Cowboys-Giants Monday night game in 2006. That's when Bill Parcells told Drew Bledsoe it was over, and the Cowboys' offense has been in Romo's hands from then on. Romo was all over the map in that game. His first pass was picked off. He finished the ..."

Relaxed Romo has a better feel for the expectations as quarterback of the Cowboys

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January 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Quarterback Tony Romo arrived late the Pro Bowl and was a bit under the weather.But he still had his wit about him, charging some over-the-counter prescription drugs in the hotel gift shift shop to Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips' room.Romo said he'll be over his illness and well enough to play in Sunday's NFL All-Star Game, which he calls an honor even though he was a late add Monday as an injury replacement for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre."I wasn't thinking about it. I didn't know I was the next guy or anything, but it was a nice call from (owner) Jerry (Jones) and it's nice," said a relaxed Romo as he sat in the lobby of the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel and Resort."I ..."

Tony Romo sets his sights on preparation for the 2010 season

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January 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Quarterback Tony Romo arrived late to the Pro Bowl and was a bit under the weather.But he still had his wit about him, charging some over-the-counter prescription drugs in the hotel gift shop to Cowboys coach Wade Phillips' room.Romo said he'll be over his illness and well enough to play in Sunday's NFL all-star game, which he calls an honor even though he was a late addition Monday as an injury replacement for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre."I wasn't thinking about it. I didn't know I was the next guy or anything, but it was a nice call from [Cowboys owner] Jerry [Jones] and it's nice," said a relaxed Romo as he sat in the lobby of the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel and Resort. "I ..."

Tony Romo, Mike Jenkins in Pro Bowl

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January 26

Dallas Morning News

"The Cowboys' Pro Bowl contingent has grown by two. Quarterback Tony Romo and cornerback Mike Jenkins were named as injury replacements Monday for Minnesota's Brett Favre (ankle) and Antoine Winfield (foot). It brings the Cowboys' total to eight players for the NFL all-star game as well as the coaching staff, medical team and equipment staff. The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at Sun Life Stadium, a week before New Orleans and Indianapolis play Super Bowl XLIV. Romo, who will be playing in his third Pro Bowl, and Jenkins, who will be in his first, will be joined by wide receiver Miles Austin, tight end Jason Witten, guard Leonard Davis, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, nose tackle Jay Ratliff and ..."

Cowboys Tony Romo, Mike Jenkins in Pro Bowl

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January 26

Dallas Morning News

"The Cowboys' Pro Bowl contingent has grown by two. Quarterback Tony Romo and cornerback Mike Jenkins were named as injury replacements Monday for Minnesota's Brett Favre (ankle) and Antoine Winfield (foot). It brings the Cowboys' total to eight players for the NFL all-star game as well as the coaching staff, medical team and equipment staff. The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at Sun Life Stadium, a week before New Orleans and Indianapolis play Super Bowl XLIV. Romo, who will be playing in his third Pro Bowl, and Jenkins, who will be in his first, will be joined by wide receiver Miles Austin, tight end Jason Witten, guard Leonard Davis, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, nose tackle Jay Ratliff and ..."

Romo still Dallas Cowboys' best chance at getting to Super Bowl

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January 19

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"All of that angst and frustration and disappointment fans wanted from Cowboys QB Tony Romo an off-season ago splayed across his face as he talked Monday.He looked 457 words worth of frustrated, and frankly battered."I do not really want to relive it," he said.And really, what was he supposed to say? That his offensive line betrayed him, that he was exhausted from running for his life all Sunday, that losing to Brett Favre and his Vikings hurt worse than a year ago in Philly because this was a better Cowboys team, that it is embarrassing not simply to lose but not to have a chance. "It's difficult," was what Romo finally said. "It's a tough way to finish a season and it is very hard to go ..."

In a rush, Romo made mistakes, not plays

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January 18

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"He'll get blamed again, of course.Any quarterback who loses two fumbles and throws an interception in a playoff game probably should. And they'll talk about his playoff past, how he's never won an NFL postseason game on the road. And how, before last weekend, he had never won a postseason game, period - neither in college nor in the pros. But destiny offered no redemption for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on Sunday afternoon. While Romo ducked and tried to dodge his way around Minnesota's relentlessly decisive pass rush, his 40-year-old counterpart at quarterback, Brett Favre, weathered the pressure and stole the show. So this is how it ended Sunday - Vikings 34, Cowboys 3. With ..."

Total domination

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January 18

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Minnesota Vikings' front four besieged Tony Romo on Sunday the same way they did Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers early in the season. Rodgers was sacked 14 times but maintained his poise as the Packers scored 49 points, gained 775 yards and were in both games until the bitter end. Romo, on the other hand, resembled a skittish rookie rather than the polished veteran he is supposed to be. With their quarterback in the tank almost from the start, the Dallas Cowboys offered little resistance and were thrashed by the Vikings, 34-3, in an NFC divisional playoff laugher at the Metrodome. Playing what several coaches and players called their finest game of the season, the second-seeded Vikings ..."

Tony Romo sits on historical quarterbacking hot seat

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January 17

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Today will be no different than any other postseason day in the 50 years the Dallas Cowboys have defined and dominated local sports.As the historical roll call of Meredith, Staubach, White and Aikman can tell you, this game will be about the quarterback. No matter what else happens, it will always come back to the Cowboys' quarterback, win or win in overtime. And may God have mercy if there's a loss.Tony Romo, you're in legendary local company. Even in the faraway land of frozen Minnesota, good ghosts have your back in this Cowboys attempt to win a second playoff game for the first time since ...How many mentions over the last week have there been of 1996? Actually, it wasn't even a ..."

Cowboys' Tony Romo, Vikings' Favre are two of a kind

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January 17

Dallas Morning News

columnist David Moore

"By now, you've heard the tale of how Tony Romo grew up admiring the quarterback he must beat this afternoon. You shake your head at the thought of Brett Favre leading the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl title while Romo was the starting quarterback for the Burlington High Demons. You chalk up their similar styles as a young man's homage and still find it a little hard to believe that the two are now peers who exchange texts. Favre is in the twilight of a brilliant career. Romo is coming into his own, eight days and two tons removed from his first postseason victory. When these two compete this afternoon at Mall of America Field, they won't view the game through some nostalgic ..."

Opposing QBs share more than respect

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January 15

San Antonio Express-News

"It isn't hard to figure out who Brett Favre would be rooting for this weekend had the Minnesota Vikings failed to make the playoffs. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo grew up in Burlington, Wis., cheering for the Green Bay Packers and idolizing Brett Favre. But these days, Favre is the one gushing like a teenager in love. "His excitement and passion for the game is obvious, and I think it's real genuine," Favre said of Romo. "I think that's what people like. They like to see the realness from any player. When you watch Tony, you see that." The eyes of the football world will be on Favre and Romo when the Vikings (12-4) and Cowboys (12-5) square off in Sunday's NFC divisional-round game ..."

Bar is still ridiculously high for Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo

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January 15

Dallas Morning News

"Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach did not do Tony Romo any favors. Every pass, every handoff, every touchdown, every interception, every win and every loss by Romo is measured against the Cowboys' Hall of Fame quarterbacks. A week after winning his first playoff game against Philadelphia, Romo is facing another question: Can he take the Cowboys to an NFC Championship Game? Nothing is exactly good enough when compared to Aikman's three Super Bowl rings and the two Staubach owns. The bar is constantly raised as the stakes climb, which Aikman knows all too well. "I got booed out of Texas Stadium after winning three Super Bowls, so I'd have to say the answer is an emphatic yes," Aikman said. ..."

Romo, Favre succeed by leading their own way

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January 14

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"One of the biggest debates of this Cowboys season was not really worthy of debate at all, yet back and forth arguments raged.Let Romo be Romo. Or Romo cannot be Romo, not if Dallas wants to win. Run the ball more. Or pass the ball more.This last part particularly took off after that discombobulated loss in Denver that, somewhat shockingly, led to at least one receiver calling for more running plays. And he was wrong, or so half of us opined, thus leading to a Dell debate about which version and how much of Cowboys QB Tony Romo worked. We all can agree now, right? Letting Romo be Romo is a big reason why the Cowboys play Brett Favre and his Vikings on Sunday in Minny, with a trip to the NFC ..."

Cowboys may have been blessed with another set of triplets

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January 14

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"They're beginning to look a lot ... well, maybe we should say a little like triplets. And yet it's an odd group – Tony, Miles and Felix. The last time that Januarys were all about the Cowboys making playoff runs, Hall of Famers Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith were well established as the finest set of Triplets – quarterback, running back, wide receiver – the Cowboys had ever had. Yes, I know there's a case to be made for Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett and Drew Pearson. They do come awfully close. But their only Super Bowl win as a trio came in Dorsett's 1977 rookie season, so I think the three rings that Troy, Emmitt and Michael shared the glory in ..."

The Texas three-step: Romo is hard to reach

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January 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Vikings led the NFL in sacks this season, but getting their hands on Dallas quarterback Tony Romo might be a tall order Sunday. The Vikings figure to see plenty of three-step drops and quick-hitting passes from Romo in an effort to neutralize their full-bore pass rush. Opponents have used that blueprint successfully against the Vikings late in the season, and it worked effectively for the Cowboys in their playoff victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. The Vikings still have to be mindful of deep passes to Pro Bowl wide receiver Miles Austin, but they expect to face a steady diet of screens, slants and quick throws in their divisional playoff game. "He does have a lot of ..."

Cowboys end 13-year playoff drought, beat rival Eagles

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January 10

San Antonio Express-News

"For all those skeptics who thought their sizzling regular-season finish was merely an aberration, the Dallas Cowboys proved that a new day has indeed dawned in roasting the overwhelmed Philadelphia Eagles 34-14 on Saturday night to end a franchise-worst 13-year drought without a postseason win. In the first playoff game at their $1.2 billion stadium, the Cowboys dominated in all three phases and never trailed, leading 27-7 at halftime and 34-7 after three quarters. Tony Romo threw a pair of touchdown passes, Felix Jones ripped off a dazzling franchise-playoff record 73-yard TD run and coach Wade Phillips' rugged defense forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks as Dallas delighted a ..."

Will playoff luck change for Cowboys QB Romo?

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January 7

Philadelphia Daily News

"In so many ways, Tony Romo is the perfect quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, America's Team, one of the most recognizable world-wide brands in all of professional sports. He's an undrafted free agent who made it big after nearly being released. A second generation Mexican-American whose grandfather emigrated to the United States. Everybody loves an underdog. Good-looking. Articulate. Two Pro Bowls. He even brings some gossip-column sizzle, having dated big names like Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson. What more could Cowboys Nation want? Well, a Super Bowl trophy for one thing. And the nagging reality persists that Romo has never even captained his team to a playoff win, much less ..."

Cowboys' Tony Romo embraces pressure of playoff game

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January 7

Dallas Morning News

"As he got ready for his first start with the Cowboys on Oct. 29, 2006 at Carolina, Tony Romo thought he could play in the NFL. "But I didn't know," Romo said. "It's all part of that stage of your career. You think you can play well against a team in January, but we have to go out and do it. "The same with December and all that stuff – we had to go out and do it. That's what it comes down to. Doing it." So far this season, Romo has knocked down perceptions that he is turnover prone (a career-low nine interceptions in a team-record 550 pass attempts), that he can't win a big game (beating then-undefeated New Orleans at the Superdome) and that he can't play well late in the season (nine ..."

Romo shows he's learned well in Dallas Cowboys' 24-0 win

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January 4

Dallas Morning News

"Throughout the season, Tony Romo talked about a learning process, taking bits and pieces of information, infusing that with experience and coming out a better player. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Cowboys' third drive of the game Sunday against Philadelphia. On the previous series, Romo forced a throw to Patrick Crayton at the Eagles 8 that was tipped in the air and picked off, ending a scoring threat. "If I throw an interception and I'm like, 'Uh, oh, I can't throw another one,' then you'll probably not play with the same tempo, speed and ability you might have," Romo said. His next pass went to Jason Witten for 9 yards. The next was a slicing throw to Crayton that went for ..."

Maturing Romo wasn't built in a day

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December 31

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Wade Phillips has heard a lot about what the last four games have done to the old perception of Tony Romo as a late-season failure. Fading away are memories of those defining moments of Romo's botching the hold on what would have been the winning field goal against Seattle in the 2007 playoffs and his three-turnover implosion last year, with a postseason spot on the line, in a 44-6 destruction by the Eagles. Instead, this December, Romo has thrown for 309.8 yards per game, with seven touchdowns against one interception, to exorcise the demons. But Phillips doesn't buy the whole renaissance script. "I get tired of all that," said Phillips, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. "Somebody goes ..."

Dallas Cowboys' Romo's leadership qualities becoming more evident

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December 31

Dallas Morning News

"As the first half ended Sunday night in Washington with Miles Austin running to the middle of the field and the Cowboys without a timeout, Tony Romo gestured to the wide receiver. He pointed to the sideline, wanting Austin to get out of bounds so the Cowboys could attempt a last-second field goal. It was a demonstrative moment that Romo may not have done earlier in his tenure as the Cowboys' starter. While Romo has done a better job protecting the ball, he also has grown as a leader, vocally at times, but mostly in his daily approach. "It's getting people to do what you want them to do," coach Wade Phillips said. "There's a lot of different ways to do that. Some people think it's only ..."

Romo igniting Dallas Cowboys' late-season surge

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December 29

Dallas Morning News

"For those who pooh-poohed the notion of the importance of winning football games in December, do you get it now? You should. When you win games in December, good things such as earning a playoff berth and having the opportunity to win a divisional title and host a home playoff game inevitably happen. The final regular-season game will afford the Cowboys a chance to erase some of the stench from the most gutless performance in franchise history - a 44-6 loss to Philadelphia last season with a playoff spot at stake - by beating the Eagles on Sunday and winning their second NFC East title in three seasons. Do that, and there's a good chance the Cowboys will play Philadelphia on consecutive ..."

Dallas Cowboys' Romo isn't into giving this December

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December 25

Dallas Morning News

"One area where Tony Romo wanted to improve this season was taking care of the ball. With seven picks in 478 pass attempts in 2009, he is second in the NFL in interception percentage, trailing only Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. Romo has gone four straight games without an interception, a span of 156 passes, which is a career-high and the third-longest streak in team history. "It's unrealistic to think you're going to go 16 games without throwing an interception, but that's the goal," Romo said. "The goal each week is to not give the other team an advantage with the ball in bad situations. The importance of the ball matters. "For me, I'm seeing it. I'm doing some things a little differently ..."

Cowboys' Romo exorcising December demons

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December 24

San Antonio Express-News

"If you're searching for what could be the No. 1 reason why Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is finally enjoying a December to remember, look no further than the team's injury report. He's not on it. This time last year, Romo was plagued by a broken finger that forced him to miss three games over October and November and a sore back sustained in the 20-8 win over the New York Giants in Week 15. Dallas went on to lose its final two games and miss the playoffs after a 1-3 December. "Last year, I was probably as banged up as I had been playing football," Romo said Wednesday in Irving. "That's a part of certain seasons. But this year, I'm as healthy as I've ever been at this point of the ..."

Romo to remain as holder for new kicker Suisham

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December 24

Dallas Morning News

"For the second time in three weeks, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is undergoing a crash course in learning the quirks of a kicker. Romo will remain the holder for Shaun Suisham's season debut with the Cowboys on Sunday night at Washington. That will require at least one change by Romo. Suisham prefers the football placed at a different angle from that of his predecessor, Nick Folk. "You'll have to practice that and get things down," Romo said Wednesday. "But I suspect that we'll be fine with it." Romo, who had not held for the Cowboys since the final game of the 2006 season, worked two games with Folk, and the operation went smoothly despite two misses. Romo acknow- ledged Folk's ..."

Dallas Cowboys hope new kicker can get off on right foot

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December 23

Dallas Morning News

"The next answer at kicker for the Cowboys had misses that cost his former team two wins in his last three games, the lowest success rate in the NFL a year ago and was dumped by his current club in favor of the immortal Mike Vanderjagt. Enter Shaun Suisham, back for another try with the Cowboys. They shuffled kickers Monday by releasing Nick Folk and adding Suisham, who brings his own baggage. "There's some unknown," coach Wade Phillips said Tuesday. "But you have to say, 'We have a professional kicker, and we expect to make the ones you expect to make.' " The Suisham II era began with what Phillips called a "fine" practice showing. To help Suisham through the transition, quarterback ..."

Confident Romo leads Dallas Cowboys to 24-17 victory,

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December 20

Dallas Morning News

"Sitting at his locker, still in his game pants and flip flops on his bare feet, Tony Romo was talking with Jon Kitna, and the smile, the joy and even some relief never left his face. "It's why you play the game," Romo said, "for feelings like this." With a season on the line and an unflattering perception of who he was and who he can be as a quarterback on the line, Romo directed the Cowboys to a 24-17 win against New Orleans Saturday night inside a buzzing Superdome. Romo completed 22 of 34 passes for 312 yards and extended his interception-less streak to four straight games. He threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin on the Cowboys' first drive and three hours later, he was ..."

Mike Shanahan and Tony Romo a match with Dallas Cowboys?

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December 20

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"This is a story about Mike Shanahan. But it's really a story about Jay Cutler. I'm going to start by telling you what I have been telling about a dozen people a day -- radio show hosts, people at the health club, general managers of other teams, friends from college, writers from other cities, and on and on. I don't think Lovie Smith is going anywhere. I will be really surprised if he is fired. But the possibility certainly exists because the NFL is all about results. And the results are he has coached a team that has not made the playoffs for three straight years. Shanahan knows that possibility exists. And there is a rumor making the rounds in NFL front offices that says the Bears' job ..."

Romo not afraid of challenge

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December 19

San Antonio Express-News

"Tony Romo, armed with a protect-the-ball-at-all-costs attitude, is winning the battle with his December demons. In two games, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback has completed 70 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and no turnovers. Over his previous three Decembers as a starter (13 games), he was a 56.8-passer with 14 TDs and 24 turnovers, including 19 interceptions. His passer rating this December is a golden 111.9. Over the last three Decembers, it was a pedestrian 71.7. But the improvement, while impressive, has failed to give him a sense of personal satisfaction. "We didn't get a 'W', so it really doesn't matter how you play," Romo said of the losses to the New York Giants and San ..."

Cowboys' Romo playing well, but playing it down

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December 18

Dallas Morning News

"This month takes on the same, dim outlook of Decembers past given the Cowboys' two-game losing streak. But if you insist this season will somehow be different, if you continue to grope for reasons why history won't repeat itself - all you can do is grope at the moment with undefeated New Orleans on the horizon - here is a sliver of hope. Tony Romo is performing at a high level. That could not be said at this stage in past seasons. The Cowboys quarterback has completed more than 70 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and no interceptions over the last two games. Romo can draw encouragement from those statistics as he fights to lift the Cowboys into the playoffs. Or not. "It ..."

Cowboys' offense shorts out again vs. San Diego

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December 14

Dallas Morning News

"In the first quarter Sunday, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips predicted a high-scoring game by having the offense go for it on fourth-and-4 in San Diego territory. The offense picked up the first down, but the gamble only led to a field goal. With that, the Cowboys determined their fate. When they needed touchdowns, the Cowboys got a field goal or worse. When the moments were ripe for success, the Cowboys blinked. Or hooked a field goal try. Or failed to score from the Chargers' 1 on three consecutive tries when it was football at its most basic. "We let opportunity slip away," tight end Jason Witten said. In the first half, the Cowboys had three prime scoring possessions: first downs at the ..."

Hold on: Romo grows by going back

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December 13

San Antonio Express-News

"The Cowboys' season turns today. Tony Romo already has. He's wearing his cap with the bill facing forward, and he's got his head on straight. Everything he's doing now suggests he is growing up, and that will be outlined when he takes a knee against the Chargers and deigns to do subservient work. Then he will confront his past. Comfort his kicker. And be what the Cowboys have needed. It still might not be enough to beat San Diego. The Chargers have been, under Norv Turner, everything the Cowboys haven't been these past few years in December. Lose, and the Cowboys sag toward a road test in New Orleans. Win, and they have a chance. Romo has already beaten his teammates to this position. ..."

Romo endures bright glare in Big D

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December 12

San Diego Union-Tribune

"He was born in San Diego, the son of a Navy man. He plays quarterback for a National Football League head coach (Wade Phillips) whose last job was defensive coordinator of the Chargers and an offensive coordinator (Jason Garrett) who bases some of his strategies on what he learned from Norv Turner when the latter was offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. That's what you call a local angle. And that's about it. We're talking Tony Romo here. In his relatively short time as Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Romo has gone so far national, he's grown almost too big for even Big D. "Who he dates, where he goes, all those things, everybody knows," said Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips. "He's a ..."

Cowboys' Romo sees holder's job in leadership context

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December 11

San Antonio Express-News

"Can I help?" By asking special-teams coach Joe DeCamillis that simple question last Sunday night on the plane ride back from New York, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo started the process that led to him replacing Mat McBriar as the team's holder for field goals and extra points. "He basically just asked me what the situation was," DeCamillis said of Romo. "And he just offered it up. It wasn't anything against anyone." Romo confirmed Thursday he will hold for Nick Folk in Sunday's must-win game against San Diego (9-3). The Cowboys (8-4) made the change after Folk badly hooked a 42-yard attempt in last Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. Folk, who has missed five of his last seven ..."

Dallas Cowboys' Romo to resume role as holder

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December 11

Dallas Morning News

"And the Cowboys' new holder is ... Tony Romo? The Cowboys new holder may be its former holder. In an attempt to reverse the downward spiral of kicker Nick Folk, the Cowboys used Romo in Wednesday's practice. He replaced punter Mat McBriar, who has mishandled two recent field goal attempts. "We feel like we need to do something, whether it's the whole operation itself or some of the parts," coach Wade Phillips said. "We've got to get more confidence from our kicker. We need to do better. There is a possibility that we'll make a change." Romo served as the Cowboys' holder in 2005 and 2006. His bobble on Martin Gramatica's 19-yard field goal try with 1:19 left cost the Cowboys a playoff win ..."

Cowboys might turn to Romo to solve holder woes

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December 10

San Antonio Express-News

"Tony Romo is ready to ride to Nick Folk's rescue. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback held for Folk at Wednesday's practice and might do it Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. The change would come one week after Folk blamed his costly missed 42-yard field goal against the New York Giants on punter Mat McBriar's hold. Coach Wade Phillips said Romo's work impressed special-teams coach Joe DeCamillis. "Tony is pretty good," Phillips told reporters in Irving. "We let him hold quite a bit to see how he did (because) he hadn't done it in a while. Guys that have the mechanics, it doesn't take them long to get the hang of it." The last time Romo handled the chore for the Cowboys, he botched the ..."

Gutty comeback revives Big Blue's playoff dream

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December 7

New York Post

"As Domenik Hixon finally crossed the goal line after his 79-yard punt-return journey, the man with the close-cropped silver hair and reddening face went wild. Giants coach Tom Coughlin raced onto the field and forcefully pumped his right arm, windmill style. Then he did it again. "That was a huge emotional moment for everybody on the sideline," Coughlin said later. Said Justin Tuck, "To still see him get excited like he does, it lets you know the passion he has for this football team, and you can't help but rally behind that." The exultation was a release all the Giants needed so very badly. The team that forgot how to win or play defense with ferocity or locate big plays with regularity ..."

It's December, So Dallas Invites the Usual Doubts

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December 7

New York Times

"The Dallas Cowboys' owner, Jerry Jones, clenched his teeth tightly and strode into his locker room so abruptly Sunday night that he didn't even hold the door for his son, who was a half-step behind. Jones had issued his warning shot last week when he said that a strong finish and a home playoff game would help Wade Phillips's chances of surviving as coach. So much for that motivational trick. Perhaps the Cowboys will somehow survive this December to save their season and a few careers - Jones's comments suggest a deep playoff run would be required - but with a brutal stretch run ahead, the Giants were supposed to be among their easiest prey, especially on a day when they didn't intercept ..."

Cowboys' Romo poised for strong finish

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December 6

San Antonio Express-News

"Unless he's broken up over his good pal Tiger Woods' fall from grace, Tony Romo should finally have a December to remember. Nearly everything he did in the season's first three months points to it. After his wretched three-interception performance in the 33-31 Week 2 loss to the Giants, Romo told us it was a hiccup. "Yeah, right," said many a pundit, but then Romo went out and proved it. Having finally learned how to balance his gunslinger instincts with his offseason goal of becoming a smarter decision-maker, Romo is playing some of the best football of his career. Over the past nine games, he's thrown only four interceptions. The New York game was his only multiple-interception ..."

December games a test of Tony Romo's growth with Dallas Cowboys

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December 6

Dallas Morning News

"You're good enough, or you aren't. Talk to Tony Romo for any length of time, and this philosophy bubbles to the surface. The Cowboys quarterback competes in the moment. If you have the talent to win in September, October and November, he argues, you can win in December and beyond. So why hasn't it happened? Why do the Cowboys enter today's game against the New York Giants with an 8-3 record and the nagging public perception that the record means nothing? Why has Romo been unable to duplicate the scintillating performances that often occur in the first three months of the season? One explanation is a flaw in the foundation. The Cowboys have worked to address this with an increased level ..."

Giants, Cowboys in gunfight at not-OK corral

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December 6

New York Post

"Maybe this is shaping up to be "one of those years" and no matter what the Giants do, they aren't going to get out from under and make something of their season. Maybe this is a case of a pretty good team having a pretty bad year. If that's it, the Giants this afternoon will continue to slip-slide away and go quietly into the night against the arch-rival (and first-place) Cowboys at Giants Stadium. "You put too much into one season just to say, 'Oh, this is a bad year, let's move on,' " guard Chris Snee said. "We're one game out of the wild card. If people want to count us out, that's fine. We're not counting ourselves out." The standing-eight count has begun for a team on the ropes. ..."

Jones all right with Romo's Vegas trip

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December 2

San Antonio Express-News

"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday he had no problem with Tony Romo visiting Las Vegas last Friday. Romo, accompanied by Miles Austin, was in Las Vegas for a private function, but TMZ.com ran photos of the two at a nightclub inside a casino. They returned to Dallas in time for Romo to receive treatment for his bruised lower back Saturday morning. The trip drew scrutiny because of Romo's vacation at a resort in Mexico during the bye week before the Cowboys' 2007 playoff loss to the Giants. "I don't want to be naïve, and I recognize Las Vegas has a certain connotation," Jones said on his weekly radio show. "... (But) they need all the pep-up they can get out there in Las Vegas, ..."

Dallas Cowboys' dreams rest on Phillips, Garrett, Romo

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December 2

Dallas Morning News

"You will find out everything you need to know about Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett and Tony Romo during the next three weeks. At New York. San Diego. At New Orleans. It's time for the Cowboys' triumvirate to show us they can make Dallas an elite team again. Phillips has a .580 winning percentage and one losing season in eight seasons as a head coach. Still, last December, he presided over the most gutless performance in franchise history against Philadelphia. He was also in charge of the 2007 team that became the first No. 1 seed in the NFC to lose in the divisional round since the postseason expanded in 1990. Did I mention that team had a record 12 Pro Bowl players? Phillips gained some ..."

Cowboys vow to kick old habits

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November 29

San Antonio Express-News

"Plenty of tangible evidence exists that says the Dallas Cowboys won't experience another post-November swoon this season. The NFC East leaders have won six of seven games, including two straight, after Thursday's 24-7 pounding of Oakland. The defense has allowed 21 or fewer points in nine straight games, the team's longest such streak since 2003. And the offense that generated a combined 14 points against Green Bay and Washington produced 494 total yards against the Raiders. But the Cowboys (8-3) didn't draw on any of those facts when asked why they expect to continue to win in December and January. Instead, they pointed to intangibles such as chemistry and character. In the past 12 ..."

Cowboys enjoy plate of big plays

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November 27

San Antonio Express-News

"While millions of Americans feasted on turkey and all the trimmings, the Dallas Cowboys got fat Thursday on big plays. Tony Romo passed for two touchdowns, Miles Austin and Jason Witten topped 100 yards receiving, and the Cowboys snapped out of their offensive funk and prepped for another grueling December with a 24-7 clubbing of Oakland fueled by 10 plays of 20 or more yards. Dallas (8-3) never trailed and led 17-0 at halftime, delighting a crowd of 83,489 that witnessed the team's first home win over Oakland (3-8) in four tries. "This was a feel-good game for us," coach Wade Phillips said. "It gives us confidence. We played like we did during our (four-game) winning streak. "Now, it ..."

Romo, Witten endure pain, thrive in Dallas Cowboys' 24-7 win

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November 27

Dallas Morning News

"Kickoff was about four hours away, but Tony Romo and Jason Witten, who was riding shotgun, made the drive from the Gaylord Texan hotel in Grapevine to Cowboys Stadium. They needed more treatment. Romo sat in a hot tub at one end of the training room to help loosen up his sore back. Witten sat on a table with wires and ice attached to his sprained left foot. "It was pretty early for both of us," Witten said. "But it was like that all week really." Romo and Witten fought through the aches and pains Thursday for the three hours and 11 minutes it took for the Cowboys to beat Oakland. Romo threw for 309 yards, completing 18-of-29 with two touchdown passes. He also had his sixth game without ..."

Jason Witten, Tony Romo not feeling great but feeling OK

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November 27

Dallas Morning News

"Tony Romo and Jason Witten had extra treatment before the game on their sore back and sprained left foot Thursday. After the 24-7 victory, they felt ... OK. Not great, but OK. You could tell Romo's back was stiff by how he was standing at his locker after the game. "The back was OK throwing the ball," said Romo, who took a hit on the first series."

Dallas Cowboys QB Romo says he's fit to play Thursday

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November 26

Dallas Morning News

"Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo pronounced himself fit for today's game against Oakland. His favorite target, tight end Jason Witten, said his sprained left foot has improved. Witten was listed as questionable on Wednesday's official injury report. Romo went through a full practice Wednesday. He had been limited since injuring his back Sunday. "It's been good," Romo said when asked how he felt. "We've been able to get through a lot of plays. It's been a very strong two practices from the mental side of it, so I think the guys are ready to go." Asked if the back felt better, he said, "Yeah, I'm improving each day, and I think I'll be ready to go tomorrow, sure. I feel very strongly that ..."

Romo limited in practice but says he'll play vs. Raiders

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November 24

Dallas Morning News

"Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was limited in practice Monday, but he expects to be fine for Thursday's game against Oakland at Cowboys Stadium. Romo was kneed in the back while tackling DeAngelo Hall after a first-quarter fumble in Sunday's 7-6 victory over Washington. After completing 15 of 27 passes for 158 yards, Romo said he received an injection for the pain. "We've had better Mondays, but it's part of playing in the National Football League," Romo said. "It's slowly getting better, and by game day I should be good to go. It's going to take a lot more than this to keep me out." Coach Wade Phillips said the team learned early Monday morning that Romo was feeling better. "Certainly ..."