Isn't it safe to assume this is exactly how Tony Romo feels today? Should he? Is all the piling on fair? Is it deserved? Is it over-the-top? Is it not enough? Just where do you Cowboys' fans stand on the issue?
The 2011 debut could not have been more unpredictable, yet predictable. For three complete quarters, the Cowboys defied all logic and had the naysayers and odds-makers scratching their proverbial heads. With virtually 3/5ths a brand new offensive line and an extremely-wobbly and hobbled CB corps, the Cowboys simply pinned back their ears and gave it the nothing-to-lose, against-all-odds effort in NYC on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. They had their backs against the wall in almost every facet, yet they found themselves with a two touchdown lead to start of the 4th quarter.
Then a funny (not really) and familiar reversion crept into the fairy-tale script. Why does it seem that QB Tony Romo continues to be haunted by the Ghost of Seattle Field Goal Bobble? The man simply needs to be exorcised of this nagging reminder. He seems determined to self-exorcise and personally responsible for ridding himself of this reoccurring nightmare. If that memory truly remains and drives the way Romo plays, then he has become the Tom Cruise "Top Gun" character, Pete Mitchell, aka "Maverick."
There are two specific scenes where this particular comparison comes to mind. The first comes when the Top Gun Commander, "Viper," (actor Tom Skerritt) asks Lt. Cmdr. Rick Heatherly, "Jester," (actor Michael Ironside), "I just don't know, would you fly with him?" And the second, of equal, if not more, importance is Top Gun Ace, "Ice Man," (actor Val Kilmer) asking Ship Flight Commander, "Stinger," (actor James Tolkan), "No offense Sir, but is Maverick really the right man for the job?" Both of these inferences, in the same movie, about the same person, are centered around the issue of "TRUST." Basically asked, "Can he be trusted?" Is this not the knock or major question swirling around the head of ultra-talented Tony Romo?
All off-season signs were pointing to the multiple observations that leadership and maturity had finally caught up to the Cowboys signal-caller. From the Lockout player-organized workouts spearheaded by Romo, to intricate workings of Training Camp, many people were falling in love with this new-found Tony Romo. While the traits and essential qualities of a successful NFL Quarterback had slowly bubbled to the surface, the risk-taking, gun-slinging and maverick-like qualities did not equally dissipate or more hopeful, vanish. They came right along with the apparent transformation. So, Sunday night was 3/4 New Guy and 1/4 dreadful Old Guy. Quite simply, there was absolutely no reason for "Old Guy" to even make an appearance.
Make no mistake, there is a "trust" factor in question and at work here. First and foremost, Tony Romo must trust himself before anything further can be accomplished when it comes to overall team and organizational trust. This is huge, and he must learn/develop it quickly. When you're up by 14, on the road, in an electrically-charged environment, entering the final quarter, you absolutely don't take points off the board. There are times when a field goal, or in Tony's extracurricular vernacular, laying up, is the appropriate play. Par was sufficient, so why attempt the birdie or eagle when it wasn't needed? And that symbolizes the issue here. There is too much golfer in this quarterback. He needs a caddy (insert Wade Wilson or Jason Garrett here) to dial him down. For whatever reason, he feels it necessary to make something extraordinary happen when there's absolutely no need. Just like "Tin Cup's" Romeo (Cheech Marin) trying to convince Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) to play it safe, take par and go home with the win. Not Roy or Tony, they were having none of it, trying to create the impossible and coming up short. 
Can the bad habits be broken? Everyday people are tossing smoking, drinking and a whole slew of vices to the wayside, so it can be done, but the person has to really want it. Really, really want it. Tony has to look in the mirror and determine how important a Lombardi Trophy and a World Championship are to him. Once he's able to convince himself that's the ultimate desire and destiny, then, and only then, will he be in position to convince his fellow teammates. When the passion is there, the trust follows. The guy standing on the post-game podium last night did not look the part. He did not look confident, passionate or trustworthy. He looked bewildered and befuddled, but he did not look humbled.
Maybe Tony needs a look for himself......
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