In the greatest 2015 win for the Redskins since their homegame against the Saints, Tony Romo’s freshly healed collarbone succumbed to a hit’n’roll from Panthers LB Thomas Davis, reportedly ending his season. It was the Thanksgiving Break heard ‘round the world, with the Carolina-Dallas game the most watched AFC Thanksgiving Day Game since 1995. For the Cowboys, this high viewership is no bright spot in a question mark of a season.
Starting out the season 2-0, the Cowboys were looking good taking out the Giants in their first game of the season. Footage abounded of Jerry Jones looking old and beaming at AT&T Stadium. Though they won game two against the Eagles on the road, Tony Romo fractured his collarbone during a hard sack. They went onto lose the next seven games while Romo sat out recovering. When Romo returned in week 11, a triumphant victory on the road hailed a leader returned. It was looking like a Romo comeback story fueled by fan’s dreams. Then the Thanksgiving Day Massacre happened, with Luke Kuechly being Romo’s favorite target of the day before he ever fractured his collarbone.
With Romo’s repeated injuries and Weeden and Cassel’s performances creating the opposite of a QB controversy, the lack of a reliable backup QB is obvious. What isn’t obvious is the solution. Not surprisingly, Johnny Manziel’s name has entered the conversation. Jerry Jones admitted on the record his interest in Manziel and despite a season in Cleveland full of more downs than ups, it can be argued that Manziel hasn’t been given a truly fair shake as QB. In spite of Manziel’s off the field antics, Jerry Jones has proven that his team vision doesn’t extend beyond the field. His few starts in Cleveland have proven decent, hitting his receivers more than the numbers show. Dropped passes and missed routes have accounted for sad showings on the Brown’s offense.
Better yet, a tank job for the rest of the season could lead to an unforeseen solution behind door number two. With a team that is destined to end up 3-13, Dallas’ future has never been more uncertain. Even with Romo’s ability to heal for the next season, his age and unreliable collarbone paint a sad picture not just for Dallas, but Romo’s chances at ever tasting Superbowl victory.
