Tony Romo - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Cassel, 49ers, Davis, Bears

October 13th, 2015 at 10:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Quarterback Brandon Weeden has been informed by Cowboys coaches that the team will start Matt Cassel in Week 7, following the bye, reports Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Of course, with Tony Romo still on track to return this season, it’s not as if either Weeden or Cassel will become a long-term starter in Dallas, but if he plays well, Cassel could become the favorite to return as Romo’s backup next year.

Here’s more from the NFC..

Having lost more than a dozen veterans who started games last season, the 49ers needed to make their free agent signings count this offseason. However, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, GM Trent Baalke‘s free agent class has mostly been a bust so far.
The 49ers would be open to trading tight end Vernon Davis, but he’ll be a tough sell given his contact, play, and age, Maiocco tweets.
The Bears brought in linebackers Lawrence Sidbury and Trevardo Williams for a tryout today along with defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, according to an NFL source who spoke with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
The Packers worked out safety Tim Scott today, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Green Bay might need a safety when Sean Richardson is placed on IR.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Cowboys To Place Tony Romo On IR-DTR

September 22nd, 2015 at 11:08am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 11:08am: The Cowboys will place Romo on IR with the designation to return today, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Romo will miss at least seven games, plus Dallas’ bye, and would be eligible to return on November 22 against the Dolphins.

MONDAY, 8:48am: After fracturing his clavicle yesterday, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is expected to miss a good chunk of the 2015 season, with many reports estimating his recovery timetable at about eight weeks. As Adam Schefter tweets, ESPN’s Dr. Mark Adickes is the latest to indicate that he expects Romo to undergo surgery and to be sidelined for about eight weeks.

Given that projected timeline, the Cowboys will likely place Romo on injured reserve with the designation to return, assuming a CT scan confirms the team’s initial diagnosis, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Using the IR-DTR spot on the Pro Bowl quarterback would mean he’d be unable to practice for six weeks and unable to play in a game for eight weeks.

Nearly half the teams in the NFL have already used their IR-DTR slot for the season, as each club only gets to use it on a single player. However, it remains unused for the Cowboys, as the team has opted not to put Dez Bryant on IR-DTR, despite indications that he could be out for at least eight weeks himself.

With Romo out, Brandon Weeden appears likely to start for the Cowboys over the next month or two, but the team will have to add at least one more signal-caller to the mix. Dallas is currently carrying two QBs – Kellen Moore and Jameill Showers – on its practice squad, and one of them could be promoted. However, the club may also want to look for outside help, perhaps targeting a more established veteran in case Weeden struggles or is injured himself.

NFC Notes: Cutler, Brees, Cowboys, Eagles

September 22nd, 2015 at 10:46am CST by Luke Adams

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Backup Jimmy Clausen will now start in Cutler’s absence, but one has to wonder if Chicago might look out-of-house for veteran reinforcements if Cutler is out for an extended period of time. At the very least, David Fales could be in line for a promotion from the practice squad.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees believes there’s a reasonable possibility he overcomes his rotator cuff injury enough to play in Week 3, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter links). It will require an aggressive rehab process, and Brees and the Saints will have to see how the injury responds to that rehab and treatment.
The Cowboys are still mulling whether or not to use their IR-DTR slot on Tony Romo, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. In the meantime, Dallas is auditioning several signal-callers. In addition to the names we heard reported yesterday, McLeod Bethel-Thompson will also work out for the club, per Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan (Twitter link).
The Eagles plan on bringing quarterback Stephen Morris, who was just released from the 53-man roster, back to their practice squad, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Morris will have to clear waivers today first.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Cowboys To Audition Ponder, Flynn, Johnson

September 21st, 2015 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

8:30pm: In addition to Johnson, the Cowboys will also audition Christian Ponder, sources tell Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter). Matt Flynn will also audition on Tuesday, per Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Meanwhile, Kyle Orton is not a real possibility for the Cowboys thanks to his fractured relationship with the club and his own bad personal relationship with Romo, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets.

5:05pm: The Cowboys have reached out to a few veteran quarterbacks, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). Dallas called reps for both Jason Campbell and Josh Johnson, among others, per La Canfora. Johnson will work out for Dallas, but Campbell will remain in his state of quasi-retirement for now.

While Dallas scopes out the market for signal callers, La Canfora (link) hears that the Saints do not plan to do the same at this time. Of course, that could change with starter Drew Brees potentially out for several games.

In related news, coach Jason Garrett says they’ll consider putting Tony Romo on IR-DTR as the week goes on, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets. Nothing is decided on that front yet, however, and the upside right now is that Romo’s tests revealed zero ligament damage. Romo fractured his clavicle on Sunday, the same injury that caused him to miss the final 10 games of the season in 2010.

NFC East Notes: Romo, Cowboys, JPP, RGIII

September 21st, 2015 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

No NFL division looks more in flux through two weeks than the NFC East, where the Eagles and Giants have yet to win a game, and the Cowboys will be without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for the next several weeks. Earlier today, we asked you to weigh in with your thoughts on how the East race will play out over the next 15 weeks. Now, we’ll round up a few more Monday items from out of the division…

Speaking of Romo, he won’t have to undergo surgery on his fractured left clavicle, a source tells Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk. That doesn’t significantly alter the projected recovery timetable for the Cowboys quarterback, who still figures to miss about eight weeks. He’s a candidate for Dallas’ IR-DTR slot.
With Romo out, the Cowboys are evaluating whether or not to sign a veteran signal-caller to back up Brandon Weeden, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), who says the team considered Kyle Orton. Orton is still finished with football, however.
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), there’s some concern in Jason Pierre-Paul‘s camp that if the Giants defensive end reports to the team, New York will place him on the NFI list and be able to franchise him again next year at the same price. The CBA isn’t 100% clear on how this situation would work, but if the two sides disagree on JPP’s ability to play this season, it could create some contract issues.
In another video for Bleacher Report, Cole suggests that Washington quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins aren’t communicating much at all these days. Per Cole, that doesn’t reflect particularly well on RGIII, who reportedly has a history of not being on the same page as everyone in the locker room.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said after yesterday’s loss that everyone will be evaluated, hinting that roster changes could be coming. But it doesn’t sound like the team will make any major moves. “The guys we have are the guys we’re playing with for the remainder of the season,” Kelly said today, referring in part to the offensive line’s struggles (Twitter link). “It’s not a change thing.”

Tony Romo Fractures Clavicle

September 20th, 2015 at 5:52pm CST by Rob DiRe

Unfortunate news for Dallas Cowboys, as quarterback Tony Romo has walked into the locker room with an injury to his left shoulder, writes Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It has been announced that Romo has fractured his left clavicle, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).

Romo knew immediately that the injury was bad, as he was heard on the sidelines saying it was broken, according to former NFL offensive lineman Dr. Mark Adickes, who is also an injury expert for ESPN (via Twitter).

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reminds fans that Romo fractured the same collarbone in 2010, causing him to miss the final 10 games of the season (via Twitter). Matt Miller of Bleacher Report suggests that injury has an expected recovery time of 7-8 weeks (via Twitter), while Pro Football Talk has a source that estimates Romo will miss eight weeks (via Twitter).

Cowboys Notes: Murray, Jones, Michael

September 19th, 2015 at 6:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

After rushing for an NFL-best 1,845 yards in 2014, running back DeMarco Murray left the Cowboys in free agency and signed a five-year, $42MM deal with NFC East rival Philadelphia. Sunday will be Murray’s first matchup against Dallas, which chose him in the third round of the 2011 draft and helped him develop into an elite running back. And, if not for the Eagles’ decision to pursue Murray after trading LeSean McCoy and losing to Indianapolis for Frank Gore‘s services, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones believes Murray might have continued his career in Dallas.

“I still think today we could have gotten him if Philly had not jumped in,” Jones said, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. “I don’t think he would have gone to Oakland or Jacksonville, but they came in at the last second and got [the price] up there.”

NFC Links: Romo, Davis, Seahawks

June 6th, 2015 at 5:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL nixed next month’s inaugural National Fantasy Football Convention headed by Tony Romo due its proximity to casino property. The event was set for July 10-12 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

Romo and other players who planned to participate could’ve been fined or suspended by doing so since it’s been a long-held league policy that players and personnel cannot hold events at casinos or participate in those connected to them. The sessions, however, were going to ensue at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, which doesn’t have gambling on site.

Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and others were set to join Romo at this event. The contingent of players was reportedly due more than $1MM in appearance fees.

“NFL has canceled our fantasy football convention this year in Vegas and that is disappointing. I’m sad for the fans and players,” Romo tweeted.

Here are some other late-afternoon notes from the NFC.

Jim Tomsula learned of Anthony Davis‘ plans via text message before Friday’s OTA practice, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Inman notes some 49ers players likely knew of Davis’ intentions, but when one overheard it from a staffer, he replied, “Are you serious?” Inman designates Trent Brown as the primary successor option on the right edge.
In light of Junior Galette‘s recent pectoral injury that has him seeking additional opinions before committing to a recovery course of action, the Saints may further limit their top pass-pursuer to pass-rushing situations only when and if he returns this season, Nick Underhill of TheAdvocate.com reports. Anthony Spencer will have more of a certain role now, and Cameron Jordan may have to rush mostly from the outside on passing downs instead of taking on guards from a defensive tackle slot as he did at points last season.
Of the Legion of Boom bastions that reportedly needed offseason surgery, only Earl Thomas underwent a procedure, while Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor are now fully healthy despite avoiding operations, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Jeremy Lane, however, likely won’t be ready for the start of the season with knee and arm maladies. Will Blackmon as a result has the inside track on the Seahawks‘ nickel spot.
Down about 30 pounds to 320, Alvin Bailey will almost certainly be the Hawks’ new left guard, replacing the departed James Carpenter, notes Condotta in a series of observations from Seattle’s OTA sessions.

Tony Romo Discusses Future, Organization, Collins

May 9th, 2015 at 10:53am CST by Ben Levine

Tony Romo isn’t getting any younger, and the Cowboys’ recent moves could be indication that the team is loading up for one final playoff run. Three of the team’s moves have received particular attention: the selection of defensive end Randy Gregory and the signings of defensive end Greg Hardy and offensive lineman La’el Collins.

Whether these moves are successful remains to be seen. Regardless, the team’s franchise quarterback is a particular fan of the transactions, and he indicated that some of the signings could actually help extend his career. Michael Florek of the Dallas Morning News caught up with Romo at the Emmitt Smith’s Charity Invitational Dinner, and the veteran discussed his reactions to the moves. We’ve compiled some of the more notables quotes below…

On the Cowboys’ window to compete for a Super Bowl:

“I just think the way Jason and Stephen and Jerry have built this team over the last three or four years has been from the inside out and you’re seeing the benefits of that. We’re still going. This wasn’t a one-year, two — we’re building this for the next five, six, seven years to sustain and any time you get an opportunity to get a guy like Collins you should take advantage of that.”

On how long he can continue playing in the NFL:

“When you have a good offensive line like we do the thought definitely crosses your mind to ensure you do everything possible to play longer than maybe what you had envisioned. We’ll reassess that in a few years. My wife will tell you, I’m talking a little more long term than I maybe had been. So we’ll see.”

On the Cowboys’ signing of La’el Collins, and the rookie’s journey:

“There are different paths to where you want to go. His was not ideal, nor was mine. His was different than mine, I don’t pretend, but I do know what it’s like not to get drafted when you know you have an opportunity to and I couldn’t imagine if you were a first-round guy who had to go from that weekend.

“This doesn’t happen 20 years ago, simply because of the internet and social media and what could happen and the way it could be perceived. I feel bad. That’s the one area you have to watch in life is just the attacks. In the court system it’s innocent until proven guilty but in the social world it’s really guilty until you’ve shown everybody you’re innocent. He’s a classic example of that. You hurt for guys like this that take a big hit.”

On Collins’ ability to pick his destination:

“Very few people are afforded that. I feel lucky and blessed now. If you’re going to be a player … there are benefits to picking your team. We all want to go in the first round but that doesn’t happen. You can look at it anyway you want but it still ended up being a very good thing for him.”

Cowboys, Tony Romo Restructure Contract

April 1st, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Luke Adams

1:53pm: Joel Corry of CBSSports.com clarifies (via Twitter) that it appears the Cowboys converted exactly $16MM of Romo’s salary into a bonus, rather than the maximum allowable $16.03MM. That slightly affects our calculations below, but the general cap implications are essentially identical.

12:51pm: According to reports by the Dallas Morning News and Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), the Cowboys have now converted about $16MM of Romo’s 2015 base salary into a signing bonus, as explained below.

12:17pm: According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter), Romo’s restructure isn’t official yet, but it will be within in the next day or so.

12:02pm: In order to accommodate the re-signing of Rolando McClain and additional forthcoming moves, the Cowboys have created some extra cap space by restructuring Tony Romo‘s contract, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Getlin reports that the move saves the team nearly $13MM in cap space.

Romo, who turns 35 later this month, had been slated to count for $27.773MM against the cap in 2015, including a $17MM base salary. Assuming it’s a simple restructure for Romo, the team likely reduced his base salary to the minimum $970K, turning $16.03MM into a signing bonus. That bonus would then be prorated over the final five years of his contract at a rate of $3.206MM per year, lowering his ’15 cap number to $14.949MM. That would work out to $12.824MM in cap savings, which is the most room the Cowboys could create without their starting quarterback taking a pay cut.

The Cowboys had been down to about $2MM or less in cap space, so such a move was probably necessary, and will give the team room to sign its draft picks, as well as McClain and possibly other free agents. Still, it makes Romo’s contract more unwieldy in its later years. From 2016 to 2019, the QB’s cap hits will increase by more than $3MM annually. The move will also increase the post-2015 dead money on Romo’s deal from $19.135MM to $31.959MM.

While Romo’s restructure figures to increase speculation that the Cowboys will make a run at Adrian Peterson, the club would still need to make at least one more move to accommodate such an addition, unless the Vikings running back were to rework his contract or accept a pay cut as part of a trade.