Romo's Mexico trip overblown
A dude named Romo was playing the ninth hole at a Dallas-area golf course when I caught up to him by cell phone Thursday afternoon. Upon being asked about the distractions facing the Dallas Cowboys before Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the New York Giants, he immediately started laughing.
"All this stuff people talk about, it's kind of just I don't know how else to put it media driven," Romo said between practice swings with his seven-iron. "It's designed to sell papers and get hits on the Internet, but it doesn't mean a thing. At the end of the day, it's about what you do on the field."
Before you go bemoaning this seemingly cavalier approach to preparation by the Dallas quarterback, realize that this was Ramiro Romo, the man who, some tabloids and gossipy websites would have you believe, will be Jessica Simpson's future father-in-law. Son Tony still was at the Cowboys' facility in Valley Ranch, getting ready for the biggest game of his young life.
Trust me, the younger Romo is a lot less stressed about whether he'll rise to the occasion than most observers. From listening to some of the ominous comments critiquing the Pro Bowl quarterback's quick getaway last week with teammates and a certain high-profile celebrity, you'd have thought he fled to Mexico with O.J. Simpson.
If you're waiting for a harsh rebuke of Jess and Tony's excellente Los Cabos adventure, you had best look elsewhere. I've covered enough football to know that winning quarterbacks and hot chicks go together like armchair QBs and cold beers. For example, it didn't seem to hurt Tom Brady's focus a year ago when he led the Patriots to a fourth-quarter comeback victory in San Diego with supermodel Gisele as his guest. Even more, had Romo just gone to Mexico with his parents, this would be a non-issue.
Ultimately, anyone who has spent time around Romo understands that he'll be about as rattled by his south-of-the-border escape as he was when he threw five interceptions in Buffalo last September and still managed to pull out a come-from-behind, last-second triumph over the Bills.
And if you're wondering whether all this talk of Simpson as a distraction has, in and of itself, evolved into a distraction, rest assured that Romo won't be fazed by the hoopla, either. But don't take it from me; take it from the man who has watched him thrive under pressure at all levels, ascending from scrub duty as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois to become the aw-shucks face of America's Team.
"Tony's pretty comfortable in his own skin," Ramiro Romo says. "He's never worried about what other people perceive him to be or what they think is happening in his life. He knows the truth. And trust me, he'll be focused when he steps on that field."
Of course, focus doesn't guarantee that Romo will play well or that he'll lead the Cowboys, the top seed in the NFC, to their first postseason victory since the 1996 season. Should the Giants pull the upset, Romo will take the fall, whether he deserves it or not.
Never mind that there have been plenty of other distractions at Valley Ranch in the 12 days since the Cowboys officially entered postseason mode.
Last week, assistant coaches Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano each hit the road to interview for NFL head coaching opportunities. Depending upon whether you believe media reports, Sparano already may be the clandestine coach of the Miami Dolphins. Garrett, the team's first-year offensive coordinator, is so hot that there has been media speculation Dallas owner Jerry Jones would consider firing coach Wade Phillips and putting Garrett in charge to avoid losing him – especially if the Cowboys lose. Jones did his best to squash that notion Thursday.
Then there is Terrell Owens' ankle injury and the suspense about whether the star wideout will be limited in Sunday's game or, even worse, unable to play at all.
When T.O. is reduced to sidebar status, you know the circus is in town.
As for Romo dealing with distractions and hurdles, he has been down this road before. He was in the process of leading Dallas to a dramatic playoff victory over the Seahawks on a rainy night in Seattle last year when the fairy tale took a slippery turn: Romo, still the holder for field goals (a remnant of his days as the backup), let a snap squirt through his hands, depriving the Cowboys of a potential game-winning kick with just over a minute remaining.
Romo nearly redeemed himself, picking up the ball and racing forward but falling just inches short of a first down and a couple of yards shy of the end zone. It was one of the more infamous gaffes in NFL playoff history, and many people wondered if the kid would recover.
The answer: He was even better in '07, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 4,211 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. In late October he agreed to a reported six-year, $67.5-million contract extension.
When Ramiro thinks back on his son's special season, he recalls so many stirring snapshots: the season opener, when Tony shook off all the doubts from the playoff defeat and threw for 345 yards in a 45-35 victory over the Giants; the big victories on the road, including the crazy one in Buffalo; the spectacular play against the Rams on which Romo ran back to recover a snap that had flown over his head, fielded it 33 yards behind the line of scrimmage and sprinted forward for a four-yard gain and a first down.
There was also a private moment the Romos shared with their son as they dined together the night before the Nov. 29 game against Brett Favre and the Packers that essentially determined home-field advantage in the NFC.
"We were really nervous, and his mother and I tried not to let on as to how nervous we were," Ramiro recalls. "But Tony just had this calm about him; it was almost eerie. And after the game (a 37-27 Dallas victory), she and I said to one another, 'He knew.' "
Earlier this week, Ramiro found out something even more fulfilling. Diagnosed in September with prostate cancer at age 50, Ramiro underwent surgery two months later and waited to hear from doctors what the next course of treatment would be. On Tuesday, he says, "I just got news that I'm cancer free. No radiation, no chemotherapy. It's a blessing."
Now ask yourself this question: What's more distracting to an athlete a parent battling cancer or a couple of days by the pool with a singer and actress?
Here's how I look at it: The quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys just learned that his dad is going to be OK. Come Sunday, whatever goes down and whoever's passing judgment, the younger Romo will be just fine.
Copyright 2008 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Jaguars exude confidence, even against unbeaten Patriots
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Prime-time game, national television, against the undefeated New England Patriots.
It's no surprise the Jacksonville Jaguars, the sometimes brash, always confident team from one of the league's smallest markets, a group that plays the no-respect, us-against-the-world card every chance it gets, would welcome the challenge.
They're not afraid to talk about it, either.
"We love it," defensive end Bobby McCray said Wednesday. "This is what we've been waiting for all year. It's a perfect situation, a perfect stage and we're going to see what we can do."
The Jaguars won their first playoff game in eight years last week, blowing an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter and then rallying for a 31-29 victory at Pittsburgh. The Jaguars were favored to win that game.
They're a huge underdog in this one.
For Jacksonville, though, that's exactly where it wants to be heading into Saturday night's AFC divisional playoff game at New England.
"We look forward to the challenge," cornerback Rashean Mathis said. "We respect them a lot, but you give nobody too much respect. If you give anybody too much respect, that means you're laying down to them. We're laying down to no one."
The Jaguars, under former hard-hitting linebacker and fifth-year coach Jack Del Rio, have been one of the league's most physical teams, relying on a strong running game, a stout defense and a wear-you-down mentality.
They also have developed a reputation for playing their best in big games. The problem, though, was they typically couldn't match that intensity against lesser opponents.
Del Rio seemingly got it fixed this season, and Jacksonville advanced to the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Now, after beating the Steelers, the Jags have nothing to lose against the Patriots. Few people outside Jacksonville expect them to keep it close, let alone win.
Inside the locker room, though, the feeling is much different.
"They're beatable," guard Vince Manuwai said. "You've seen the other teams almost beat them. We just can't make the mistakes that other teams did."
A few lockers away, left tackle Khalif Barnes talked about relishing the chance to be part of history.
"It would be nice to be the team that eliminates them," Barnes said. "They're 0-0. They haven't won any games in the postseason yet. Anything that happened in the regular season is over. That really can't help or hurt anything right now."
The Jaguars expect to do even more talking on the field, unfazed by New England's record, quest to make history or that the Patriots have won two in a row against them.
"We feel like we can match up against anybody," said Mathis, sure to be lined up across from Randy Moss on every play. "Whatever type of game you have on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, we feel we can match that."
The Jaguars point to teams that have played New England close in recent weeks -- Philadelphia, Baltimore and the New York Giants -- and believe they can be even better.
"The 16-0 is in the regular season," Mathis said. "We're 1-0 in the playoffs. They've yet to play a playoff game. ... What they've accomplished in the regular season is what they've accomplished in the regular season. The playoffs are a different monster and we all know that."
Maybe the Jaguars are being naive.
Or maybe their confidence could help them stay loose and avoid all the pitfalls that could come with playing on the road for a third straight week. Not to mention the ones that come with facing an unbeaten team that had as many players voted into the Pro Bowl this season (eight) as Jacksonville had in the last eight years.
Some of the Jaguars even made light of their upcoming "mismatch."
"We're just blessed to have another opportunity, to be on the same field as the New England Patriots," running back Maurice Jones-Drew said in a slow, drawn-out, tongue-in-cheek fashion. "Tom Brady is my idol. He's from the Bay Area, dates supermodels. He's everything a kid wants to be."
Defensive end Paul Spicer even jokingly offered to let the Patriots borrow his digital camera if they wanted to take snapshots of Jacksonville's defensive signals.
"We are confident," Spicer said. "It's us against them. They're 16-0, they're wonderful, they're great. But the bottom line is they have to beat us Saturday. Until that happens, we're 1-0 and they're 0-0."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Jets punter Ben Graham says surprising benching was `like a rocket'
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- This is what it's come down to heading into the last game of a disappointing season: The New York Jets have a punter controversy.
With Ben Graham struggling in recent weeks, the Jets activated rookie Jeremy Kapinos from the practice squad last Saturday and played him against Tennessee.
"The consistency needs to improve and Ben knows that and is working at that," Mangini said Wednesday, adding he would see who has the better week of practice before deciding who plays against Kansas City. "With Jeremy doing as well as he's done, it was time for him to get a chance."
While Mangini remained undecided on his quarterback situation with Kellen Clemens still recovering from a rib injury, the coach has made it clear that punter can be added to the team's growing list of uncertainties.
The left-footed Graham, whose 36.4 net average has him tied for 18th in the league, was clearly bothered by the benching. Special teams coach Mike Westhoff told Graham the news a few hours before the game, and the punter was asked if it jolted him.
"A jolt? It was like a rocket," Graham said in his warm Australian accent. "It wasn't a jolt."
When asked what he was told specifically, Graham said: "Ummm, you're not playing. We're going with Jeremy."
Graham, the former Australian Football League star in his third season with the Jets, came into the year with a 37.9 net average, but hasn't been as effective as in his first two seasons. He also had a kick blocked deep in Jets territory at New England that led to an easy score for the Patriots.
"It was surprising," said Graham, who has been sharing practice time with Kapinos the last few weeks. "Obviously, you prepare all week to play and then when you're told Sunday morning that you're not, you do (get surprised), but it's a team sport and a team game, and you support the decisions that they make."
Not that Graham necessarily knows what goes into those decisions.
"I can only go on what they told me, and that hasn't really been a lot, other than, `We're looking at him for next year," Graham said.
Kapinos, a finalist last year at Penn State for the Ray Guy Award given to the nation's top punter, spent training camp with the Jets before being cut a week before the regular season. He was signed to the practice squad Nov. 27 and many wondered if it was a sign Graham's future with the Jets was on shaky ground.
"I understand that we've struggled as a team throughout the year, winning only three games, so I know they're looking at a lot of positions, and punting's no different," Graham said. "I still have four years to run on my contract, so, it's day by day for me. Right now, I'm just preparing to punt against Kansas City on Sunday."
Whether that happens remains to be seen. Kapinos averaged 41.6 yards -- but only a 36.4 net -- in his five kicks against the Titans. He blasted his first punt 43 yards into the end zone on the Jets' first possession.
"I was pretty excited, pretty pumped," Kapinos said. "Once I got that one out of the way, I kind of settled down and my nerves kind of went back to normal and I took a deep breath."
Kapinos also was the holder on kicks, usually Graham's job. But it was something he hadn't done in a game, even in college. Nugent had an extra point blocked and was wide left on a 51-yard attempt, but Kapinos wasn't blamed for either mishap.
"I think Jeremy has done a good job and I've been pleased with what he's done in practice," Mangini said. "And I like the things that he's done, not just in terms of his punting, but his holding has gotten a lot better, as well, so I thought I'd give him an opportunity."
Graham is trying to stay positive while dealing with his benching, something he was unfamiliar with during his 12 seasons with the Geelong Cats.
"This is a first time for me, a new experience," Graham said. "Obviously, it's a different game and they go through things differently, the way they coach and communicate and everything like that, but it's a situation where I haven't performed up to my expectations anyway. I just have to deal with it and prepare to play on the weekend."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Jets' Pennington: 'I certainly feel that I'm a starter, absolutely'
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Chad Pennington appears ready to return as the New York Jets' starting quarterback, even if it's for just one more game.
With Kellen Clemens limited again in practice Thursday and recovering from a rib injury, Pennington will likely be under center when the Jets play at Tennessee on Sunday. Seven weeks after he was benched in favor of Clemens, Pennington remains confident he can lead a team on the field.
I certainly feel that I'm a starter, absolutely," Pennington said. "There's no question in my mind. I can always help someone win."
Whether that's with the Jets after this season remains to be seen.
"When the offseason comes, we'll deal with those matters," Pennington said.
Clemens was thought to be New York's quarterback of the future, and that still might be the case despite his struggles. But Pennington would then be a highly paid backup with a questionable arm and a hefty contract if he sticks around.
Pennington, whose deal runs through 2010, is due a $4.8 million base salary next season. The speculation is rampant that the Jets will try to deal him in the offseason, and the last two games would be an excellent opportunity for New York to remind other teams what Pennington is capable of doing.
"I don't know what the organization's stance on that is and I'm not really concerned about it, to be honest with you," he said. "I know whatever happens, something good will happen for me. I'm a confident person and I feel very good about myself as a professional and how I approach my occupation."
Coach Eric Mangini remained undecided Thursday about his starting quarterback, but said a day earlier that the decision would be based on whether Clemens was healthy enough and prepared mentally. With just one day of practice remaining, the chances of that appear slim.
"We'll go through the week and see how it goes," Mangini said before practice Thursday.
Clemens was injured on his first pass against New England last Sunday, when he was hit hard by Richard Seymour and landed directly on his left shoulder. The pass was intercepted by Eugene Wilson and returned for a touchdown. Clemens left with a rib injury after the interception and was replaced by Pennington, who went 25-of-38 for 186 yards in the 20-10 loss.
Pennington insisted he hasn't thought about the future, and whether it includes the Jets.
"The season is such a whirlwind and there's so many things going on and the minute I give that too much thought, I've taken away from my teammates, I've taken away from our ability to try to win the game," he said. "Those are things I'll have to sit down and really think about in the offseason and really give that some time and effort."
Pennington disagreed with the notion that by not saying he hopes he returns to New York, he's already moved on mentally.
"Not necessarily," he said. "The reason I say that is because I don't have control over that. I can sit here and give a rah-rah speech about how I want to be a Jet, but I don't have the ultimate decision on that. I can't control that. I may have influence on it, but I can't control it. I understand the business of this game."
As much as Pennington was criticized earlier this season for not moving the offense, his numbers are better than those Clemens has put up. Pennington has thrown nine TD passes against seven interceptions, has a 67.1 completion percentage and an 85.8 quarterback rating. Clemens has completed only 52 percent of his throws, has four touchdown passes and 10 interceptions and a measly 59.0 quarterback rating that's second-worst in the league.
Despite all that, Pennington never complained or campaigned publicly to have his job back.
"Chad's been outstanding," Mangini said. "He's been extremely helpful to Kellen during this time."
Wide receiver Laveranues Coles, one of Pennington's best friends on the team, admires the way his buddy has handled himself.
"I'm glad he's getting a chance to go out there and do whatever in this game and have fun and do what he loves," Coles said. "I know it was tough for him standing on the sidelines watching and not being able to compete because he's such a competitor."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Quirky Collins to break post-merger record for gap between starts
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Weird. Quirky. Silly.
Dry sense of humor. Master of random knowledge. A rare personality. Likes to smell stuff, especially footballs.
Those are actual descriptions given by various Washington Redskins teammates over the last few days of their new starting quarterback, Todd Collins.
"He has a great sense of humor. It's dry, but it's so funny," receiver Antwaan Randle El said. "He's just got a way of making you laugh when he's not trying to make you laugh, but you think he is -- so you're laughing, but then he's not. It's hard to explain."
Say what? Give us an example, please.
"We'll have a sign that says '8:30 meeting,"' Randle El said. "He says, 'What time's that 8:30 meeting?"'
Right. And you trust this guy to be your quarterback?
Randle El shrugged.
"That's no different than Jason coming in and giving us gibberish," said Randle El, taking a friendly swipe at injured QB Jason Campbell's Mississippi accent.
Regardless, Collins this week is worthy of at least one more adjective: patient. Extremely patient.
On Sunday, the 36-year-old quarterback will set an NFL record for longest gap between starts since the 1970 merger. It will have been 10 years and two days since he started for the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 14, 1997, a 20-14 loss to a Jacksonville team led by -- wouldn't you know it? -- his current teammate, Mark Brunell.
He'll surpass the record of 9 years, 298 days, between Tommy Maddox's starts in 1992 with Denver and 2002 with Pittsburgh.
"It's been a while since I've had this much attention," said Collins, surveying the horde of cameras, microphones and notepads before Wednesday's practice. "But it's not bad."
Naturally, everyone suddenly wanted to know everything about the person assuming the position some cite as No. 2 in importance -- behind only the president -- in the nation's capital.
Does he really sniff the balls?
"I like to sometimes smell the football before I get going," Collins said, somewhat begrudgingly. "Just love the game, you know. You've got to love the football."
His teammates said he's writing a book. Is that so?
"Maybe somewhere down the line," Collins said. "I take some notes. When they ask me what I'm doing, I say 'I'm writing a book.' So they're careful what they say around me."
What about his love of trivia? At a team breakfast recently, Collins spontaneously asked how many steps the guards take at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. His answer: 21.
"We have a lot of dead time on trips, practice, meetings," Collins said. "I try to keep it light a little bit."
Ever think of giving up during those 10 years? That's longer than most NFL careers.
"There were some frustrating moments," he said. "Everybody goes through them. There was never a point where I said 'This isn't worth it anymore.' Otherwise I wouldn't be standing here today."
Collins was supposed to be Jim Kelly's heir in Buffalo, but he was so-so in his only season as a regular: 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 13 starts in 1997. He was cut at the end of training camp the following year and spent the next eight seasons as a backup in Kansas City, where he threw only 27 passes because starters Elvis Grbac and Trent Green stayed healthy.
But he became a master student of Chiefs coordinator Al Saunders' offense, so he followed Saunders to the Redskins last year and became the No. 3 quarterback. He thought he was on the chopping block after two young quarterbacks were signed in the offseason and asked coach Joe Gibbs to release him if that was so. Gibbs not only kept him around, he promoted him to No. 2.
"What amazes me is week in and week out that you can get prepared the way he does," Gibbs said. "He is mentally sharp on every single thing. Each week in practice he is the first one to call out if it is the wrong formation. He never gets mentally lazy."
Thus, when Campbell dislocated a knee in the first half of last Thursday's game against Chicago, Collins didn't look rusty at all. He led four scoring drives in the 24-16 win, keeping the Redskins (6-7) in the playoff hunt.
"He had a certain swagger about him," left tackle Chris Samuels said. "He let you know right off the bat: 'I'm the guy now and I'm taking charge of this huddle."'
After the game, Collins had no idea where to go for the postgame news conference; it had been years since he had to give one. When Collins started talking on the phone with wife Andrea, who is due to give birth any day, Gibbs grabbed the phone and said to Andrea: "Hey, this guy saved our hide!"
Now he has to do it again -- and again and again -- if the Redskins are to make the playoffs.
The opponent Sunday, the New York Giants, have a much better defense than the Bears. Collins isn't very mobile and doesn't have the strongest arm, but he gets rid of the ball quickly and knows the playbook as well as anyone.
"Maybe this is Todd's time to step forward and show that he can do it, and I'm excited for him," Saunders said. "He's waited a long time to do this, and I'm confident that he'll do very well."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Vikings DE Edwards suspended four games
NEW YORK (TICKER) -- The NFL on Wednesday suspended Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards for four games for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
Edwards, whose suspension begins immediately, will miss the remainder of the regular season. Should the Vikings qualify for the postseason, he will be eligible to return.
A situational pass rusher, Edwards has registered four sacks in 12 games this season.
The Vikings (6-6) and Arizona Cardinals are tied for the NFC's second wild card spot.
Copyright 2007 PA SportsTicker. All Rights Reserved
Bad field? 2 bad games concern Steelers more
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Maybe it was overlooked in all the post-monsoon talk about terrible fields, missed national anthems, record rainfalls and ankle-deep mud.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, a division leader with eight wins and reasonable expectations of making a deep playoff run, came perilously close to losing to a winless team one week after being beaten by a one-win team.
Sure, the Steelers (8-3) waded through one of the swampiest playing fields in NFL history to beat the Dolphins 3-0 Monday on a last-minute field goal. They also stayed atop the AFC North by one game over the Cleveland Browns (7-4), who have lost twice to them.
Regardless, this isn't how the Steelers wanted to be playing as the season winds down, with an important division game against Cincinnati (4-7) on Sunday night and the New England Patriots (11-0) and Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) following the next two weeks.
"It's December," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "Teams are starting to separate themselves."
The Steelers appeared to be doing exactly that while beating division opponents Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland in succession from Oct. 28-Nov. 11, but then came an out-of-nowhere, 19-16 overtime loss to New York Jets.
They also came perilously close to losing to the Dolphins (0-11), who have lost their last 14 games and appear to have a realistic chance of becoming the first team in NFL history with an 0-16 record.
In two games against teams with a combined 1-18 record when they played Pittsburgh, the Steelers scored exactly one touchdown. They were 9-of-28 on third-down conversions. They averaged only 3 yards per carry.
Ben Roethlisberger probably was glad to have a soft landing area Monday night -- he's been sacked 12 times in two and 16 times in three games as defenses throw some of the Steelers' very own blitzing schemes right back at them.
"We're going to continue to keep getting it until we stop them," said right tackle Willie Colon, who said blitz control is being emphasized in practice this week. "That's how it is. Every team is going to keep doing (it) because it's an edge for them."
Roethlisberger has the league's second-highest passer rating and 23 touchdown passes to only nine interceptions. But he has been sacked 35 times in 11 games, a pace similar to when he was dropped 46 times last year.
"It's a copycat league," Roethlisberger said. "You know it's coming. When you see a blitz one time and it's been successful, you know you're going to see it again until you find a way to stop it. We're going to have to find ways to beat their blitz."
The sacks are affecting the Steelers' offense. Roethlisberger has only three TD passes in three games -- and four fumbles -- since throwing five TD passes in the first half Nov. 5 against Baltimore.
Of course, it didn't help that he was without top deep threat Santonio Holmes, who sat out Monday with a sprained ankle and may miss Sunday's game, too. Holmes hasn't practiced this week, but will test the ankle Friday.
"I personally feel like I am seeing things better out there and it's just a matter of making sure we're all on the same page," Roethlisberger said. "And I think that will come real soon."
Given their upcoming schedule, that might be a good idea.
"We have to get better in some areas," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We have to continue to search for perfection and seek perfection. Along the way, we better win."
Tomlin sees improvement, even if, he said, "It doesn't show up on the scoreboard."
"As the season wears on, a personality has taken shape," he said. "I do believe we are capable of playing great defense. I do believe we are capable of playing great situational football offensively: third down, red zone and things that will be critical to us winning close games as we continue to move forward."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.
|
