Romo a no-go vs. Bucs

You might have heard by now, but Cowboys QB Tony Romo has pretty much ruled himself out of Sunday's game against the Bucs.

On a radio appearance Tuesday night in Dallas, Romo said former Buc Brad Johnson is likely to play this week as Romo continues to deal with a broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand.

"Brad is going to go this week unless something happens that I don't foresee," Romo said. "It will be very difficult to change."

Romo also hinted that he might miss the following game at the Giants. That scenario would allow him to rest for another three weeks since the Cowboys have a bye on Nov. 9.

Comments

[jeff]

good buc need alot of preasure on brad . need to start fast

[Jay]

this will help us, but in no way guarantee a victory. the best defense end in football will be giving our young offensive line a great test this week. if we can contain Demarcus Ware, that will help us even more, he is a freak of nature and our tackles will have their hands full.

[Jay]

this will help us, but in no way guarantee a victory. the best defense end in football will be giving our young offensive line a great test this week. if we can contain Demarcus Ware, that will help us even more, he is a freak of nature and our tackles will have their hands full.

[Adam]

I hate Tony Romo. Hate. Pure hatred. I think it's so unfair that a back-up, late round pick can just step in and be successful in the NFL. In 30-plus years, the Bucs have NEVER had that happen. I'm not angry we've had it so bad... I'm just pissed other people have it so good. Go enjoy your bench time, Romo. The Cowboys season is disappearing faster then a bucket of KFC in front of Oprah.

[Mr. S]

You're an idiot, Adam. Go back to your fake images of what the South used to be. I can't believe this ignorant drivel made it through.

Go Bucs.

[Larry]

Gee Adam, how about Brady - the Pats found him in the 6th round 6 picks after the Bucs picked David Gibson!

gaines adams is betta than demarcus ware

[Jay]

I'm going to disagree with the other guy who is using my name. We saw what the "real" Brad Johnson was a few years ago when we cut him. He has NO arm, and is about as mobile as a tree. Unfortunately, he does manage the hot read well, so blitzing might not be as productive as it would against a rookie QB. With that being said, I expect a few coverage sacks, a couple of interceptions, and frankly, a win against a battered Cowboys team.

I could be wrong. I mean, they've got two of the best receivers in the game.

[Jon Guruden]

Brad Johnson will win this game. I can not win against any former players team. Sapp, Lynch, and most recently Pittman. I am a loser...the D will be intimidated by TO, and Williams. The Dallas RB's will punk the defense out just like the last time.

Stephen, give me a call and I will update you on the Caddy.

[Leo In Canada]

I hope things change & Romo plays. I want to see the Bucs beat Dallas at their best....and in their own playground! The "Boys" are severely over rated. The Bucs are on the rise and meeting all challengers no matter how exponential the competition increases.

[Jay L.]

updated the name.

that's a bold statement that Adams is better than Ware. I hope eventually that is true...

I'm hoping for a few sack's and int's too...

I hope our going stat of no sacks allowed in 3 games holds up, rather than Ware's consecutive games with sack does not...

Go Bucs !!

[Ryan]

6-2

[Jay]

Awww. Nothin' but love man, nothin' but love (besides, it's a good name!).

I don't have any insight on Marion the Barbarian. Is he as good as his hype? Or is it just the fact that he plays for the Cowboys?

[Jay L.]

i think i messed up on that stat about our offensive line...

my bad...

Go Bucs !!

[Jay L.]

man, i think i could agree with you on that Marion statement...

he is a beast, i know... but, we'll see what he can do with a full load of work, not sharing the load with Jones...

how were his numbers againist the Rams???

[Jay L.]

damn...

18 carries for 100 yards...5.6 average....

he's a beast

we'll see what happens...

Go Bucs !!!

[CW]

Agreed...Dallas couldn't even win with Romo. We're going to spank them with Brad Johnson. I have respect for Brad and his accomplishments, but the dude is getting OLD. He was old when he was playing for Tampa! Where's Vinny Testaverde when you need him, right Cowboys?

[Larry]

I live in the DFW area now, and the media is going crazy out here after 2 Cowboy losses. Lots of discussion about whether or not Wade Phillips should be fired.

Dallas is a VERY talented team that isn't playing together. They lost Roy Williams (the one on the defensive side of the ball) last week, and also had Bradie James hurt (hyperextended elbow) -- if he plays he likely won't be very effective. The Bucs can, and should, move the ball and score points on the Cowboys.

Brad Johnson isn't a good fit for the Dallas offense, he just doesn't have the arm strength to throw the deep outs and long passes that Dallas likes to call. The O-line, though huge, hasn't played well lately either. Flozell (the hotel) Adams has trouble with fast DEs, so I'd expect to see lots of Gaines Adams in the Dallas backfield on passing downs. If the Bucs can get an early lead the crowd in Texas Stadium will turn on the Cowboys.

One last point -- the Fort Worth paper ran a profile of Tampa Bay in today's edition. Article talked about how Derrick Brooks, in his 14th season, just couldn't play like he used to and that Jason Whitten should have a big day since Brooks' "diminishing speed limits his ability to cover the tight end in the passing game". Expect THAT to be posted on the door to the Bucs locker room later today.

Go Bucs -- really want to wear my bucs shirt into the office next Monday and ask everyone "How 'bout them Cowboys!"

[Irish Mike]

This is a good test here. It's away and yet the Bucs should win. Not the toughest schedule ahead of the Bucs either. Let's hope and pray Jon doesn't start "resting" eveyone way in advance.

[Michael]

I dont remember seeing DR post yet. THink he realizes the Cowgirls are dead this week? Everyone is talking about the Bucs defense, and rightfully so, but I think the BIG story is the Offense. They have only scored under 20 points 1 times this season. (Yes, I know it was against Denver.) When you consider that the Bucs have basically been without Galloway all year, their top reciever, and they are playing so well as an offence, then imadgen when he gets back. Look at what we will have at our skill positions. Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway, Antionio Bryant, Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn, and Jerremy Stevens, and Alex Smith. And with the O-line playing so well, this offence should be SCARY good. Combind that with the Defnese rounding into form, and this Bucs team has the ability to be GREAT. As for Marrian Barber, I am not saying he CANT rush for 100+ yards this week, but keep in mind, the Bucs are the ONLY defense to not allow a 100+ yard rusher, or a rushing touchdown. Seems to me we SHOULD be able to stop him. On our way to 6-2 this week. Go Bucs!!

[DR]

Michael, feel free to credit the offense for defensive points scored.
The Cowboys are dead? Really? Did you watch the Denver game? Last week's game? The Bucs offense really has the ability to kill opponents. Being sarcastic since you probably don't know.
Adam is an utter complete moron. It's unfair for a back up to step in and do well? I think it's unfair for guys like Tony Romo and Jeff Garcia to get over looked for complete busts like a long long list of busts: Akili Smith, Ryan Leaf, Heath Shuler, etc.
Romo is making the right decision. I hate guys like Warner who play with injuries and then after going 0-3 with 1 TD and 9 INTs, blame injuries for poor performance. The season isn't over yet and if you look at the recent past, who cares about winning the division. Just make the playoffs.

[joe]

No disrespect to Brad but i hope we take your head off.

[Karl Williams]

Hey DR, the Bucs are top 10 in offensive AND defensive total yards. Just saying...

[john]

we sucked in the denver game because of pick six griese we need to cut his sorry azz!

[John Klopfer]

Brad is my man from FSU...he has a ring from the Bucs...he is now answering a need again for the bucs. We need a statue in the backfield so we can register some sacks! Sorry
Brad but I predict that you will spending a lot of time looking at the Texas sun.

[Vince]

I hate to say it, but don't nobody want to play the bucs right now! Yet, this is a very difficult challenge for Tampa. They have to contend with the fact that Dallas is crying and the league is listening. Dallas are the sympathetic underachievers. They are America's team who needs a win, and needs a win badly.

And then there's Tampa. There's Tampa, the team that isn't supposed to be atop the division, who even after a throttling of the Panthers, critiques still tote "Carolina", and even "the Saints", as the most likely to secure the NFC south top spot. There's Tampa, not supposed to be getting healthier! There's Tampa, destroying all the story lines that have been written, and rewritten, and are somehow not deserving a win against the preordained Cowboy's championship. Dallas is "the good guys" that are supposed to win out in the end! Tampa has no right to be there! Tampa isn't supposed to find Glory in going for the top seed in the play offs! Tampa is supposed to lay down and do their part to write the story of Dallas' triumph as the "most talented team in the NFL"! Poor Dallas doesn't have their quarterback! Poor Dallas can't get their receivers deep because they keep getting "jammed at the line". Well I just want to find out what Tampa is made of? I don't mind if they lose in a hard fought battle. But will they show up to face their "more deserved" opponents, with all the fierceness and inexorable force that they have shown in recent weeks? Or will they play their "role", and let Dallas win. Will they be predictable on offense again, and will the defense who has played so fluidly and seamlessly striking like a "silent Tidal wave, hitting the beach", all of a sudden start making mistakes, and let up from being "fierce lions"! Will Gruden be ready in all his "alchemy" to "dial up" some really amazing game plan, and send a message to the rest of the league that Tampa fears no one, and no team? Or will he resort to his "I don't trust my team" tactics, and play scared? Victory to TAMPA!

[mike]

Here is the scenario. Brad J gets tired of being on his back, so he decides the screen to the weak side. Gaines Adams comes in on him fast and he dumps the ball out to Witten, only Brooks and Barber are playing tight. Interception, run to the endzone. Go Bucs. Brad always had a problem distinguishing his own teams jersey.