BayouCowboy
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Greetings GB fans. I thought I'd post this to dispell some of the media's hyping the Favre/Romo stuff. Good luck Thursday.
Head to Head
Romo Downplays Personal Match-up With Favre
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
November 25, 2007 7:04 PM Change Font Size A A A A
Tony Romo grew up in Wisconsin, but said Brett Favre wasn't his favorite NFL quarterback.
IRVING, Texas - Tony Romo did his best on Sunday.
For the reporters huddled around his locker, he tried to give them exactly what they wanted.
But he just couldn't.
Sure, he grew up in Wisconsin and watched many of Green Bay Packers games featuring Brett Favre. And yes, Romo's style of play, his arm strength, elusiveness in the pocket - all resemble that of Favre.
But to say Thursday's matchup between two 10-1 teams, possibly for home-field advantage throughout out of the NFC playoffs, will be about one quarterback who idolized the other, is a bit of a stretch.
Romo has all the respect in the world for Favre, who has been the Packers' starting quarterback since the 1992 season. But Romo, who grew up in Burlington, Wisc., said he didn't have Favre posters hanging all over his walls as a kid, nor did he own a Packers No. 4 jersey.
"No, I was a basketball fan," said Romo, who was 12 years old when Favre first joined the Packers. "Michael Jordan was my idol."
In fact, when it came to actually watching the game's top quarterbacks, Romo said he was more of a John Elway fan, and even rooted against Favre and the home-state Packers when they played Denver in Super Bowl XXXII.
So all these stories about Romo trying to pattern his entire game after Favre just aren't accurate.
But that won't take anything away from Thursday night's game at Texas Stadium.
Because regardless if Romo was wearing an Elway, Favre or Jordan jersey as a kid, he knows gray hair or not, Favre is the main person standing in his team's way of getting to 11-1.
"I know what you guys are trying to get at it, and it's nice and it's fun . . . but I have to beat the guy this week," Romo said. "I root for him on every other game, but I hope he plays just OK this week."
While Romo said he's only met Favre once and for a short conversation at that, Favre seems to know exactly what the 27-year-old starter is going through.
The first question of Favre's conference call Sunday with the Dallas-Fort Worth media was about comparing his style of play with Romo's.
"I'm sure he's about tired of answering this question or talking about it," Favre said. "I think he's his own player. The fact that he's from Wisconsin and younger than me and watched me play and was a Packers fan, it enhances this whole scenario. But in a nutshell, his creativity with his legs ? when I see him play, it reminds me of myself. Making something out of nothing.
"He's not going to rush for 500 yards, but his creativity to bail himself out is very good. And without being in his head, he probably has the same mentality as I had in that there's never a bad play - which can get you in trouble, but for the most part, it's worked out for him."
And it's more than worked out for Favre, who seems to be getting better with age. The 38-year old quarterback already has 3,356 passing yards and 22 touchdowns for a 101.5 quarterback rating in his 17th pro season.
Favre is the primary reason the Packers are 10-1 this year, and despite all of the great seasons of his career, he admitted this has been his best so far.
"I think I'm playing as good as football as I've ever played up to this point," Favre said.
Romo would agree, but doesn't sound surprised at all.
"That's who he is. He's always been a guy who can get the job done," Romo said. "He's got some good players around him now and their defense is playing well. But I don't think Brett ever lost anything. He's been great for so long and that's why he's one of the best to ever play."
Favre's career numbers suggest nothing different.
He passed Dan Marino earlier this season for the NFL's all-time lead in touchdown passes, and currently has 436. Favre needs just 506 passing yards to break Marino's record of 61,361 career yards.
Quarterbacks are judged in different ways. Some go by stats, others go by Super Bowl victories. Favre won a Super Bowl in 1996 and is closing in on having the best stats of any other quarterback in league history.
So heading into Thursday's game, the Cowboys know what they're in for with Favre. Head coach Wade Phillips has faced him enough times to know Favre will make his share of big plays. It's his job to make sure the defense keeps them to a minimum.
"You just have to play out the play every play with him," Phillips said. "Brett, we've seen him do it year after year and some of the things are amazing. Some of the plays Brett makes, you (have to) go to the next play. You can't get discouraged and they will throw the ball a whole lot. That's what we expect. You have to keep going to the next play."
There aren't many quarterbacks in the NFL playing better than Favre right now, and it's debatable whether Romo or Favre is having the better season. But you won't get many, including those two - who wouldn't put New England's Tom Brady ahead of them both.
When asked if he was having an MVP season, Favre said he couldn't imagine the award not going to Brady.
"I think the only one who beats the Patriots is the Patriots themselves," Favre said. "And I don't see that happening. I may be wrong. I think (Brady's) play period, regardless who he's throwing to, is as good as anyone who has played the game."
But Brady isn't playing head and shoulders above Favre. And if Brady could come into Texas Stadium back in October and throw for a career-high five touchdown passes and 388 yards, there has to be some kind of fear Favre and his Packers could do the same.
"We can't really worry about that," linebacker Bradie James said. "We have to put that behind us. We've done that. We have to go to work and prepare for them in their own way. Favre is really good. But we've got to be smart about we do and figure out a way to stop him."
Favre is the crafty veteran with all the records, but the Packers will be facing the same challenges against Romo, who apparently has caught their attention - not just with his arm.
"His playmaking ability - he's very instinctive," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "Tony sees the field very well and he can make all the throws. But he makes a lot of plays with his feet. He's very impressive."
Given the seasons Romo and Favre are having, neither side could come up with anything negative to say about the other, even if they wanted to.
It's clearly a matchup featuring two of the best teams in the NFL. And two of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Regardless if one of them grew up idolizing the other or not.
Head to Head
Romo Downplays Personal Match-up With Favre
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
November 25, 2007 7:04 PM Change Font Size A A A A
Tony Romo grew up in Wisconsin, but said Brett Favre wasn't his favorite NFL quarterback.
IRVING, Texas - Tony Romo did his best on Sunday.
For the reporters huddled around his locker, he tried to give them exactly what they wanted.
But he just couldn't.
Sure, he grew up in Wisconsin and watched many of Green Bay Packers games featuring Brett Favre. And yes, Romo's style of play, his arm strength, elusiveness in the pocket - all resemble that of Favre.
But to say Thursday's matchup between two 10-1 teams, possibly for home-field advantage throughout out of the NFC playoffs, will be about one quarterback who idolized the other, is a bit of a stretch.
Romo has all the respect in the world for Favre, who has been the Packers' starting quarterback since the 1992 season. But Romo, who grew up in Burlington, Wisc., said he didn't have Favre posters hanging all over his walls as a kid, nor did he own a Packers No. 4 jersey.
"No, I was a basketball fan," said Romo, who was 12 years old when Favre first joined the Packers. "Michael Jordan was my idol."
In fact, when it came to actually watching the game's top quarterbacks, Romo said he was more of a John Elway fan, and even rooted against Favre and the home-state Packers when they played Denver in Super Bowl XXXII.
So all these stories about Romo trying to pattern his entire game after Favre just aren't accurate.
But that won't take anything away from Thursday night's game at Texas Stadium.
Because regardless if Romo was wearing an Elway, Favre or Jordan jersey as a kid, he knows gray hair or not, Favre is the main person standing in his team's way of getting to 11-1.
"I know what you guys are trying to get at it, and it's nice and it's fun . . . but I have to beat the guy this week," Romo said. "I root for him on every other game, but I hope he plays just OK this week."
While Romo said he's only met Favre once and for a short conversation at that, Favre seems to know exactly what the 27-year-old starter is going through.
The first question of Favre's conference call Sunday with the Dallas-Fort Worth media was about comparing his style of play with Romo's.
"I'm sure he's about tired of answering this question or talking about it," Favre said. "I think he's his own player. The fact that he's from Wisconsin and younger than me and watched me play and was a Packers fan, it enhances this whole scenario. But in a nutshell, his creativity with his legs ? when I see him play, it reminds me of myself. Making something out of nothing.
"He's not going to rush for 500 yards, but his creativity to bail himself out is very good. And without being in his head, he probably has the same mentality as I had in that there's never a bad play - which can get you in trouble, but for the most part, it's worked out for him."
And it's more than worked out for Favre, who seems to be getting better with age. The 38-year old quarterback already has 3,356 passing yards and 22 touchdowns for a 101.5 quarterback rating in his 17th pro season.
Favre is the primary reason the Packers are 10-1 this year, and despite all of the great seasons of his career, he admitted this has been his best so far.
"I think I'm playing as good as football as I've ever played up to this point," Favre said.
Romo would agree, but doesn't sound surprised at all.
"That's who he is. He's always been a guy who can get the job done," Romo said. "He's got some good players around him now and their defense is playing well. But I don't think Brett ever lost anything. He's been great for so long and that's why he's one of the best to ever play."
Favre's career numbers suggest nothing different.
He passed Dan Marino earlier this season for the NFL's all-time lead in touchdown passes, and currently has 436. Favre needs just 506 passing yards to break Marino's record of 61,361 career yards.
Quarterbacks are judged in different ways. Some go by stats, others go by Super Bowl victories. Favre won a Super Bowl in 1996 and is closing in on having the best stats of any other quarterback in league history.
So heading into Thursday's game, the Cowboys know what they're in for with Favre. Head coach Wade Phillips has faced him enough times to know Favre will make his share of big plays. It's his job to make sure the defense keeps them to a minimum.
"You just have to play out the play every play with him," Phillips said. "Brett, we've seen him do it year after year and some of the things are amazing. Some of the plays Brett makes, you (have to) go to the next play. You can't get discouraged and they will throw the ball a whole lot. That's what we expect. You have to keep going to the next play."
There aren't many quarterbacks in the NFL playing better than Favre right now, and it's debatable whether Romo or Favre is having the better season. But you won't get many, including those two - who wouldn't put New England's Tom Brady ahead of them both.
When asked if he was having an MVP season, Favre said he couldn't imagine the award not going to Brady.
"I think the only one who beats the Patriots is the Patriots themselves," Favre said. "And I don't see that happening. I may be wrong. I think (Brady's) play period, regardless who he's throwing to, is as good as anyone who has played the game."
But Brady isn't playing head and shoulders above Favre. And if Brady could come into Texas Stadium back in October and throw for a career-high five touchdown passes and 388 yards, there has to be some kind of fear Favre and his Packers could do the same.
"We can't really worry about that," linebacker Bradie James said. "We have to put that behind us. We've done that. We have to go to work and prepare for them in their own way. Favre is really good. But we've got to be smart about we do and figure out a way to stop him."
Favre is the crafty veteran with all the records, but the Packers will be facing the same challenges against Romo, who apparently has caught their attention - not just with his arm.
"His playmaking ability - he's very instinctive," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "Tony sees the field very well and he can make all the throws. But he makes a lot of plays with his feet. He's very impressive."
Given the seasons Romo and Favre are having, neither side could come up with anything negative to say about the other, even if they wanted to.
It's clearly a matchup featuring two of the best teams in the NFL. And two of the very best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Regardless if one of them grew up idolizing the other or not.
