Jerry Jones is handing out endorsements. He endorses himself as the proper general manager for the Dallas Cowboys. He is endorsing Jason Garrett as the right head coach. And, he is endorsing Tony Romo as the proper quarterback. After a poor change in play calling resulted in another December loss for the Cowboys, Jones is going on the defense for his team leader.
Questions have come up about whether or not Romo has too much control in the offense. The quarterback tossed two fourth-quarter interceptions allowing for the Green Bay Packers to make a 23-point comeback for the win. He made a crucial change in play that ended in an interception with 2:46 remaining in the game, sealing the Packers win.
Jones believes that Romo's role with the playcalling is just fine. He believes that sometimes the team has to take risks no matter what.
"When it basically has to unfold for him out there, the defense gets out of their structure, we get out of our structure on pass routes," Jones said, via Dallas Radio Show 105.3. "All of a sudden, you're into a little more sandlot-type football. In doing so, there's more risk that's involved. Make no mistake about it: With where we are with our personnel, we're going to have to take risks."
Garrett was not thrilled at the audible called at the line. He essentially threw Romo under the bus for making the change and causing the interception. He believes the quarterback should not have called that play change under any circumstance, no matter what the defense was showing. Jones, on the other hand, praised Romo for being aggressive and trying to win.
"I was for the aggressiveness we showed ... and it can apply to many parts of the game," Jones said. "But in this particular case, aggressiveness was throwing the ball on our end of the field -- throwing the ball in there close. Aggressiveness with Romo can mean not throw the ball but buy more time, which increases the chances of having a bad play."
The disagreeing in decisions could lead to more tension outside of Romo. The Cowboys once again risk not making the playoffs after yet another December meltdown. They were helped by the loss of the Philadelphia Eagles, but some things must work in their favor in order to make the postseason. If Dallas misses out, Jones could be taking back his endorsement of the head coach.
