Joe Theismann Displays Bias: Criticizes Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo

When it comes to TV personalities that hate the Dallas Cowboys, former Washington Redskin QB Joe Theismann can always be counted on to spew negativity and criticism about the Cowboys and their QB Tony Romo. Why do you think that Theismann is always so is anti-Cowboys?

November 12, 2011; College Park, MD, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish alumnus Joe Theismann prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-US PRESSWIRE

Well, it may be because he was not even half the quarterback that Troy Aikman was, and that irritates him to no end.  However, what really jerks Theismann’s chain is that Tony Romo is going obliterate his career statistics.  After 12 seasons playing for the Redskins, Theismann retired with a respectable 21,206 yars passing, 160 TD’s, 138 interceptions, a QB rating of 77.4.   Not too bad Joe, not too bad. Oh, yes he also has one Super Bowl to his credit.

Despite his pedestrian career statistics, Joe Thiesmann told USA Today that:

"“Sooner or later we have to come to the realization that Tony isn’t a very good quarterback.”"

Really? Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo is not a very good QB? Hey Joe,

How about those 20 ints to 19 TD passes in 1981?   How about your 57% QB rating in 1977, Joe? 

Tony Romo is a quarterback that everyone just loves to hate, and Joe Theismann is one of them. Theismann was coached by Georger Allen. Althouigh Allen was an outspoken lifelong Cowboy hater, he was truly a good coach.  One thing however he forgot to teach Theismann was gamesmanship, so it is no wonder that Tony Romo gets under his skin.

Tony Romo started 10 games in 2006, and he has been the starter for the Dallas Cowboys ever since. Romo’s statistical accomplishments are very impressive, even though he has not won a Super Bowl. Romo is 49 and 32 as a starter. He has completed 1773 of his 2743 pass attempts (64. 6 completion percentage) for 21,982 yards with 154 TDs and 80 interceptions. Perhaps most importantly, he has a career quarterback rating of 95.9. Only a few QBs that have ever played in the NFL have better career ratings than Tony Romo. A quick perusal of career QB ratings suggests that over 80 NFL QBs have better career ratings than Joe Theismann’s 77.4.

I wonder if that has anything to do with his judgments about Tony Romo’s abilities as a quarterback?

There is nothing wrong with criticizing a player for mistakes, provided you use a little professionalism, but if you read the whole interview, Joe Thiesmann was not. Professionalism implies some minimum level of rationality, objectivity, and reasonableness.

Of course, Tony Romo has not taken the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl yet, but he is clearly a far better quarterback than Joe Theismann ever was.

If Tony Romo is “just not a very good QB”, then what does that make Theismann other than the guy who rode John Riggins behind the Hogs and had a trio of great wide receivers Art Monk, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders? Although, I think that only Art Monk was there for season they won the Super Bowl.

Don’t forget: Joe Theismann only has one Super Bowl ring. He earned that ring in Super Bowl XVII, the season that was shortened by the strike. Two teams (Cleveland and Detroit) qualified for the playoffs despite having losing records (4-5).

In addition to the offensive help mentioned above, Theismann’s Super Bowl Redskins team had a defense that led the entire NFL in points surrendered during the regular season.

I think that many people, including myself, lost a lot of respect for Joe Theismann after his recent comments about Tony Romo. He lost a lot of credibility.

Some interesting facts about the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins:

The Dallas Cowboys’ all-time win/loss record against the Redskins is 62-40-2.

The Cowboys have won 27 NFL divisional championships; the Redskins 7.

Dallas has appeared in 8 Super Bowls and won 5. The Redskins have appeared in 5 Super Bowls and won 3.

The Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins have both been NFL powerhouses over the years, and both franchises have done quite well in representing the NFC East in the Super Bowl. It is just too bad that a former player still finds it necessary to castigate a fine young man, who happens to be one of the best QBs in the NFL, interceptions and all.

Romo may never win a Super Bowl, and he may win 4 in a row, no one knows what is ahead for Tony Romo and his Dallas Cowboys. One thing is certain, the 2012 Dallas Cowboys have a lot of work to do to improve this team, it can be done, buy they are going to have to reach down deep and suck it up. Lets hope they can.

Tony, never mind what Joe Theismann says, he could not carry your jock, just take the high road my friend. My father always told me,

"“Son, treat every man you meet like they are a gentleman, not because they will all be gentleman, but because you are.”"

Go Cowboys!

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