This isn’t the Tony Romo we wanted, Jason Garrett.

After another abysmal effort by the Cowboys’ QB  in a 17-10 loss yesterday at Denver, it’s clear the now “Romo-friendly” offense without Terrell Owens isn’t going to cut it.

What seemed to be a good idea in theory is proving to be disastrous on the field. It’s clear Romo is thinking more than he ever has before, which has contributed to less interceptions and those throws that make Cowboys fans wince in unison.

But that means he’s holding onto the ball longer. Long enough to be sacked five times yesterday in Denver. Long enough to talk himself out of throws he used to make that wowed us all.

You are what you are in this world, especially in the NFL. The Colts don’t ask Peyton Manning to hand it off fifty times a game to play it safe. Nor do the Patriots tell Tom Brady that they’re going to take the ball out of his hands a bit to try out some new running plays.

These guys are Pro Bowl franchise quarterbacks. They’re expected to deliver, if not carry, their teams each week.

Romo is a gunslinger, not a bus driver. You take his good with the bad, but for the most part his spectacular throws outweigh the stinkers.

The sooner Wade Phillips, Garrett, and Romo figure that out, the better.

Matt Griffin

KXII-TV