The Quarterback Carousel in February: Great

Will Stevenson

With actual basketball games being out of service since the All-Star Game, the sports world has decided to give us all the transaction stimulation we could handle. The NFL was so taken aback by the NBA, they decided to throw out possible quarterback trade destinations for old guys who either get injured or don’t play well anymore-but they use to play great and now teams who don’t have a quarterback will trade for them-but maybe they shouldn’t because they are old-but then again you could catch lightning in a bottle.

Whew. Football.

The New York Jets, who have fumbled around the past few seasons with quarterbacks we knew to be average, will once again seek out another plus-30 quarterback to lead their team. The Jets have had their chances in the draft, but have not been able to develop a young quarterbacks over the past few seasons with Geno Smith and Christian Hackenberg. They went the Ryan Fitzpatrick route and it got them as far as not making the playoffs, again.

The Houston Texans, a punch line for quarterback play over the past few seasons have began to test the waters for the “Used to be good quarterback” club. Somehow, Head Coach Bill O’Brien hasn’t been able to whisper sweet nothings into the ears of these quarterbacks yet. Brock Osweiler was pretty bad last season, and the Texans once again wasted another year as the defense was as strong as usual, but the offense could not sustain consistency in the passing game.

We like to take the video game approach when it comes to the transaction. We have watched Jay Cutler and Tony Romo for the past two seasons and we know they aren’t who they use to be: but that doesn’t matter when it comes to hope. Tony Romo has a back that couldn’t carry his own shoulder blades, and for some reason we think Jay Cutler can “turn it around” with the Jets, even though the Jets haven’t shown the ability to be an offensive threat since the first half of Brett Favre’s only season there in 2008.

So all offseason we will do this whole song and dance all over again. Teams will talk themselves into trading or signing reformation projects  at quarterback. Even though they did not perform well, teams still feel they can be the ones to extract the greatness that was once there.

Somebody is going to be a sucker for Jay Cutler, and I’m just hoping it’s the Jets. Maybe they will go after Romo, God I hope so.

Comeback Kids 2016: Tony Romo vs. Joe Flacco.

It’s a tale of two gunslingers from opposite conferences. Two quarterbacks who are the helm of their teams, and who also had their 2015 season cut short by injuries. Two quarterbacks who will should be on the radar of every defense they’ll be facing in 2016. Who will bounce back the strongest and light up the skies in 2016: Tony Romo or Joe Flacco?

Joe Flacco…

The Charm City birds are always considered a playoff contender when Joe is healthy and playing at his best. The strong-armed Delaware gunslinger has been the subject of “elite or not” debates for a few years now. (Not many quarterbacks can go 11 TDs/0 INTs en-route to a Super Bowl victory, but that’s old news now) With a career TD/INT ratio of 162-102, there’s no doubt that Joe is capable of having another solid season. 2014, his numbers looked like this:

27 TDs/12 interceptions

3,986 yards

91.0 passer rating.

All that within a run-first offense. Not to mention, completing the 2nd most single-season passes in his career that year (334 completions out of 554 attempts) 2015 wasn’t so generous to Joe. After seeing his team get depleted by injuries before suffering a ACL tear of his own in week 11 vs. the St. Louis Rams, Joe did manage to put up a respectable 14 TDs/12 INTs, 2,791 yards and a 83.1 passer rating.

Tony Romo…

Say what you want about “America’s Team” quarterback, but the numbers don’t lie. Like Flacco, his numbers alone put him in the elite tier of active quarterbacks. (Seriously people, the numbers is the only realistic way to compare players to others. Not just rings and popularity) 2015 was the worst season of Romo’s career, and the first one he’s had a passer rating below 90.0. 5 TDs/7 INTs, a 79.4 passer rating. And two collarbone breaks to top it all off, a season to forget. But the year before, 2014, was the best of his career. Records were set. 133.7, highest passer rating in the month of December, highest in NFL history. 113.2 passer rating on the season, next to Aaron Rodgers. 3,705 yards. MVP candidate. All proof that Tony is still capable of destroying defenses when healthy. (Key: when healthy)
New Additions, New Year.

Both of these quarterbacks are locked and loaded for 2016. With the Ravens drafting top-tier offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens are looking to protect Flacco better and get back to establishing the run with their 3-headed backfield: Justin Forsett, Buck Allen and rookie, Kenneth Dixon. With veteran All-Pro receiver, Steve Smith returning from injury and the addition of speedy deep-threat, Mike Wallace, the Ravens’ offense is to put up big numbers again.

On the flip side, heading south toward Dallas, the Cowboys drafted possibly the best running back prospect in years: Ezekiel Elliott. The addition of “Zeke” helps Romo in several ways, the more obvious ones are: running the ball and keeping his arm fresh. Two, having an addition lineman in the backfield with him. Elliott’s blocking is said to be the best among any running back coming out of college in years. Add in the fact that the deadly, All-Pro receiver, Dez Bryant is healed and healthy after his foot injury last season. And the two addition to the backfield, former Redskin bell cow Alfred Morris, paired with arguably the best offensive line in the entire league. It’s not ridiculous to think that Romo can have a repeat of his 2014 season.
So, which gunslinger will have the best comeback season in 2016: Joe or Tony? You choose.

Check out our Facebook page here.

“If”

By Lawrence Edwards

Come on and take a ride with me on this “random rant” road about this word IF!

It’s a word used very often in the English language. It’s used to tell a story of what could’ve been. It’s also used to tell a story of what could be. We use the word in many different situations when communicating with our peers. However, in the sports world it can be used to insight optimism in fan about their team, for instance, “If Romo is healthy, then we are winning the SB…” (I know you’ve heard that one before), but the point of this article is to point out how it can be used to bash a players accomplishments, talent, and just to be downright bias when it comes to a player, or team, someone dislikes.

Let me ask you this, do you see where I’m going here? If not you will soon enough, relax. Let me give you an example of what I am trying to say. About a month ago while I was doing my usual scrolling through Sports Elite (cough, we are the best) I came across one of the many posts about the NBA’s most criticized man LeBron James. On that post someone said “If Michael Jordan would’ve been to as many finals as LeBron he would’ve had more than 6 rings” Ahhh; there is that little “If” word rearing its ugly head again. Let’s think about this for a second. In the topic of sports, this word is often used to put an asterisk next to someone’s accomplishments. Get into a sports debate about any player that has had success and you will find someone ready to say “If” just to try and make their argument valid.

“If Eli Manning didn’t have a good defense, he wouldn’t have won the SB…” “If Romo was healthy the Redskins wouldn’t have won the division.” Just read those two statements. It makes you sound like someone who doesn’t know how to give credit where credit is due. We are all guilty of using it in this context, my-self included, whether it’s during a debate or that’s just how you feel about that specific person or team. The point of all this is just to point out how we as sports fans can be biased in our opinions on players and teams. I try to be as unbiased as I can when debating things on sports and definitely try to stay away from the “IF” word.

Forgive me for my random rant on the word “IF” but I just thought it would be good to bring some light to how often we use it this way and don’t even know it. If you enjoyed this rant, just wait till you read what I have in store for the most misused word in sports…”Hater”

Visit our Facebook group link

How long will Tony Romo keep playing?

Ralph Uriarte
May 26 2016

Recently an ESPN article reported that Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo believe that Romo can compete successfully for another 4-5 years.

Tony Romo just turned 36 years old, he is also coming off of surgery to repair his left clavicle, damaged in the 2015 season by the Philadelphia Eagles and again by the Carolina Panthers. This is the same clavicle injured in 2010 by the New York Giants.

Romo contemplated strengthening the clavicle with a metal plate but instead opted for the Mumford surgery which shaves down a portion of the bone relieving stress.

Romo’s last injury free season was 2012, also since 2008 he has only had 2 injury free seasons, 2009 and 2012.

Injuries include, transverse process injury to his back, clavicle injury, herniated disc and broken fingers

At 36 years old, the only starting quarterbacks older than Romo are Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Carson Palmer.

The biggest difference between Romo and the above mentioned? Those quarterbacks don’t play NFC East teams 6 times a year. No doubt home to heated rivalries and hard hitting defenses.

Most of Tony Romo’s injuries have come by a division rivals.

Now with the facts stated, can Tony Romo play 4-5 more years? No. Not for the Dallas Cowboys. Tony’s contract is until 2019, 3 more seasons. Tony will be 39 at that time

Maybe the back doesn’t bother Tony anyone, hes already a year removed from that surgery, maybe the left clavicle is fine now, Romo does have the luxury of one of best offensive lines in football.

Cowboys also drafted a great blocking running back.

Here lies the problem, Romo is highly mobile and very elusive ij the pocket, he extends plays down field giving his receivers a chance to get open, asking your line to block for that long against NFL defensive lineman is asking a bit too much. This is how Romo gets hurt, that and he always seems to fall awkwardly.

Will Tony Romo play 4 more years, no, I’ll be surprised if he makes it to the end of his contract.

The man is tough, yes no doubt, but eventually enough damage is enough.

Visit us at our Facebook group link