Dallas Cowboys Need a Team Leader to Succeed in 2009

NFL News - July 1, 2009 - Written by Ryan

Media members and sports critics all over the country questioned the leadership abilities of the high profile and highly talented Dallas Cowboys Players.  Most said that Terrell Owens caused to much of a distraction for one player to stand up as an individual team leader.  A leader that takes responsibility for both losses and wins, Terrell Owens was quick to blame others for the Cowboys past failures.  In 2009 however Terrell Owens will not be a member of the Dallas Cowboys, and most believe quarterback Tony Romo needs to take this position of leader on head first.

Tony Romo missed three games in 2008 due to a thumb injury in the Arizona Cardinals game, week 6.  Still Romo managed to pass 3,448 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.  It wasn't until allegations about Terrell Owens  problems with Jason Witten and Tony Romo's relationship did Romo begin to suffer.  Defeated in the last two games of the season By the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles the cowboys ended the 2008 season out of the playoffs.  The Cowboys are known as Americas team and, for that reason not making the playoffs becomes a serious issue.  Tony Romo needs to lead the team more in the way he did in 2007 when he totaled 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns.  Still, even with a sub par year in 2008, Tony Romo is tied with Drew Brees for most touchdown passes thrown in the last two years with 62 td's.  For this reason alone Romo and Romo only must become the leader for Americas Team.

Tony Romo started pre mini camp work outs with the receivers and tight ends earlier this summer.  However, the Cowboys and offensive coordinator Jason Garret have decided to emphasize more on the rushing game this year.  The cowboys are stacked at the running back position with feature back Marion Barber starting and back up speedsters Felix Jones and Tashard Choice starving for playing time.  With a run first mentality coming into the 2009 season less pressure will  be put on quarterback Tony Romo to make the big play and the deep pass down the field.  In fact the loss of Terrell Owens almost takes away any threat of a deep ball from the Cowboys, as both starting wide outs Roy Williams and Miles Austin are possession receivers. 

This looks to favor Romo as most of his Interceptions in the last two years have come on passes 40 yards or more.  Tony Romo's job this year will change from trying to put the ball into Terrell Owens hands, to try and put the ball in the open receivers hands.  With Tony Romo's scramble capabilities he often keeps the play alive long enough to find creases in the defense to throw the ball.  Romo's ability to complete a high percentage of passes will increase this year, something most quarterbacks cant say after the loss of one of the best Receivers to ever play the game.  The Cowboys come in under the radar in 2009 as underdogs in the NFC East a division they have won three Superbowl's in.  With the opening of new Cowboys stadium and a new look offense the cowboys could easily take the top spot in the NFC East at the end of the 2009 season.