| Cowboys QB Tony Romo said big hits like this one from Bucs DE Michael Bennett are part of the game, even if his O-line is struggling to protect him. (AP) |
Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has seen the good and the bad of playing quarterback in the NFL, and he seems to understand it rather well now that he's in his 10th pro season and seventh as a starter.
He knows quarterbacks get praised with wins and blamed for losses.
He also knows that standing in the pocket and delivering throws means he’s the target of sometimes violent hits, like the handful he took last week against the Bucs. Romo endured a pair of helmet-to-helmet shots. They weren’t flagged, and they didn’t draw fines from the NFL.
However, Romo said it's part of the business.
“You just play the position,” Romo said. “It’s part of playing quarterback in the National Football League. Sometimes, people are going to hit you. There are good players on that side. Guys up front are battling. It’s always going to be tough, because you’re always going against a new defensive line, a new scheme, so that part of it makes it a great challenge for our guys. That’s what makes it fun.”
Romo lost two fumbles last week and threw an interception, his third this season. He’s playing behind an offensive line that didn't have much time to work together this offseason or training camp because of various injuries. The lack of continuity is evident, especially considering his two tackles -- Tyron Smith and Doug Free -- rank first and second in the NFL in false start penalties. Smith has five, Free has four.
The line has also struggled to keep Romo upright, including four sacks last week.
“You’ve just got to go out and play, and at the end of the day I have to control what I can control,” Romo said. “If someone gets beat, my job is to help them out once in a while. You don’t want to make a living at that. At some point that’s going to catch up to you, but at the same time, that’s part of my job, and they’re going to make me look better on other plays. Everyone helps out everybody.”
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