Posted on 03/09/2017 1:20:10 PM PST by Red Badger
The Texans had millions of reasons why they shouldn't pursue Tony Romo, and most of that was in the money tied to starting quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Now they can pursue a trade with the Cowboys or go after Romo in free agency, if Dallas releases him. Houston cleared that when a deal, originally reported by Adam Schefter, sent Osweiler and a second-round pick to the Cleveland Browns.
The money tied to Osweiler's absurd contract was the deterrent to grabbing Romo. Osweiler had $16 million in guaranteed money for 2017. Releasing Osweiler would have resulted in $25 million of dead cap. That's substantial, and somehow Houston managed to get Cleveland to take that deal; now the path is clear for Romo. If they don't do it, then Denver might.
We saw what happened last year. Tom Savage could be Houston's Week 1 starter if they fail to land Romo. The Texans could win the AFC South again and win a playoff game. Houston, however, would still be a long shot to take that next step. You can only watch that movie so many times.
Like four teams. Houston has made the playoffs four of the last six seasons with four different quarterbacks in T.J. Yates, Matt Schaub, Brian Hoyer and Osweiler. Was there ever a moment where you seriously thought any of those quarterbacks would beat eventual AFC champions such as New England, Baltimore or Denver?
Houston has everything else in place. Lamar Miller and DeAndre Hopkins are playmakers on offense, and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt could return and join Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus on defense. Bill O'Brien took this team to the AFC Divisional playoffs last season with an offense that ranked 28th in the NFL with 17.4 points per game.
You give that defense a chance with a quarterback who can play.
IYER: Tony Romo belongs in Hall of Fame
Romo — who should be out to prove something — is that guy. He would give Houston arguably the third-best quarterback in the AFC behind New England's Tom Brady and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, unless you want to make a convincing argument for Kansas City's Alex Smith or Oakland's Derek Carr. Those two quarterbacks are in the same division, however.
All Romo has to do is be better than Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and Tennessee's Marcus Mariota in the regular season, and the Texans have done that anyway. They did that last year with quarterbacks who combined for 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Romo could thrive with O'Brien, too. Ryan Fitzpatrick posted 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2014, and Hoyer had 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2015. O'Brien has posted three straight 9-7 seasons while starting eight different quarterbacks in that stretch. He deserves something more, and Romo provides that.
It's going to cost a lot, but that's the chance you take in bringing this franchise something more than 9-7. Romo will make a lot of headlines — he always does — and that's an oft-injured quarterback who turns 37 in April and is 2-4 in the postseason. Dallas also likely will ask for in-state overpayment if this move comes via trade.
It's still a chance Houston should take. It could be the difference in who has the best chance to compete with New England and Pittsburgh in 2017, and perhaps beyond. If they don't do it, Denver might. They did that with Peyton Manning. Will Houston sit and watch the Broncos do it again?
Oh great! Just what Houston needs. Danny White 2.0
It will just take one hit and he is done. Bad move.
I’d take Danny White over Tony Romo any day. Back in his day White took the Cowboys to three straight NFC Championship games.
well....Cutler will be available in a minute....
Danny White made it to three straight NFC Championship Games. Romo has never been to one.
LOL!...I don’t think he’s THAT bad...................
As a Browns fan, I am not wild about Osweiler. But, it’s not a high-risk move & I certainly don’t want an unhealthy, elderly Romo.
He will be playing a lot this year.
Be fair, that’s what a lot of folks were saying in Denver when they took Peyton Manning.
Be fair, that’s what a lot of folks were saying in Denver when they took Peyton Manning.
I have developed a grudging respect for Romo.
However, to dump Osweiller after 1 year - he did win a playoff game - for a 37 year old who is 50/50 to physically make it through the system is a bad move in my humble opinion.
I think Osweiller will end up being a serviceable player.
Exactly! Those salary caps helped move Tony down the road. JJ, typical bidnezz man! Tony has a little left if he can score a good offensive line. We’ll see.
My wife, a life long Cowboys fan, says, “Just you watch! Romo will go to another team and win a Superbowl!”.............
Eggsackley!.................
Cowboys are hemorrhaging players right and left. They are pretty much losing their entire secondary to Free Agency, and they’d better find a good pass rusher, or Dak won’t be able to score enough points to keep up.
As QB both won the same number of NFC Championships
Just about every season the top teams get picked apart like cadavers in a Tower of Death....................
Btw — any word on Krappernick? Anyone picked him up?
"Oh, uh, by the way… do you speak Canadian at all?"
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