Gannon: Romo will be a Jet in 2017
There’s been much speculation about the destination of Tony Romo, the 36-year-old QB of the Dallas Cowboys who lost his job to rookie sensation Dak Prescott. The Denver Broncos have been mentioned in numerous media reports, but Rich Gannon of CBS Sports said on NFL Monday QB: “Tony Romo will be the starter for the New York Jets in 2017.” It seems a reasonable prediction, with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty failing to make the team competitive. “They have to start over at quarterback,” Gannon said. Romo is under contract for three more years and is due about $24 million in 2017. But it’s possible he would reconstruct his contract, downsizing it for an opportunity to start, especially in New York where Madison Avenue offers advertising revenues that would make up for any salary cut. The Jets have good receivers (Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Quincy Enunwa and capable running backs in Matt Forte and Bilal Powell who are also accomplished receivers.
Dear Tony (from Deadspin): Get away from football. You’ve got a family and a decent golf game. End this madness. Go retire to a life of unfathomable leisure before someone tears your f-ing head off.
Bradshaw on Tomlin: ‘not a great coach at all’
Terry Bradshaw, Hall of Fame QB who won four Super Bowls for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is not impressed with the team’s coach for the past 10 years, Mike Tomlin. “I don’t think he’s a great coach at all,” Bradshaw said on Fox Sports 1’s Speak for Yourself. “He’s really a great cheerleader guy.” Bradshaw considers Tomlin’s predecessor, Bill Cowher, “a great coach.” But he gives little credit to Tomlin for maintaining the excellence of Cowher’s program. Under Tomlin, the Steelers have appeared in two Super Bowls, winning one, and have an overall record of 102-57, with six division titles and never a losing season.
Dear Terry: You also belittled Hall of Famer Chuck Noll, who coached you throughout your pro career. What you call cheerleading others would call motivating. Tomlin may not be a creative strategist, but he hires excellent assistants to design plays and schemes.
Vikings’ cornerbacks ignore instructions of head coach
Minnesota Vikings cornerbacks Terence Newman and Xavier Rhodes went rogue against the Green Bay Packers as they rejected the strategy of head coach and defensive guru Mike Zimmer. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Newman led the mutiny against Zimmer, who had instructed Rhodes to cover the Packers’ leading receiver, Jordy Nelson, regardless of where he lined up. Newman convinced Rhodes that it would be better for each cornerback to cover his designated side of the field rather than have Rhodes roaming so he could shadow Nelson. Rapoport said Rhodes told Zimmer he felt pressure from the older player, Newman, 37. It was surprising to see such insolence from Newman, whose relationship with Zimmer goes far back, to when they were with the Dallas Cowboys and then with the Cincinnati Bengals. In a Monday media conference, Zimmer said he was “upset by a lot of different things” that happened during Green Bay’s 38-25 victory, and that Newman’s coverage decision “was one of the things that came to my mind.” Also on his mind: Nelson caught 9 passes for 154 yards, 2 TDs.
Dear Coach: It’s never a good sign when players disregard instructions of the head coach. You lost your offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, and now it looks like you’re losing the confidence of some of your starting players.
More NFL dissension: Broncos’ offense offended by the defense
The now dethroned Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos are showing signs of dissension, with the defense angry with an offense that has averaged 11 points over the past four games. A story emerged last week about an intense locker room disagreement following Denver’s 16-3 loss to New England. Coach Gary Kubiak asked the players if anyone wanted to speak to the team. Offensive tackle Russell Okung said he did, but defensive back Aqib Talib strongly objected, and a shouting match ensued between offense and defense, according to NFL Network’s Mike Silver. Okung, who joined the Broncos after signing a 5-year, $50 million contract, has had a disappointing season, along with the entire offensive line except for center Matt Paradis. Sunday night’s 33-10 defeat at Kansas City did not improve the mood. Right tackle Donald Stephenson was flagged for three false starts. But the Broncos’ defense had little room to talk after allowing 238 yards rushing to the often punchless Chiefs.
Eagles’ Brooks afflicted by ‘anxiety condition’
Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks has missed two games recently with what he called “anxiety condition.” Speaking to Philadelphia media, he said, “What I mean by anxiety condition . . . no nervousness or fear of the game . . . I have obsession with the game. It’s an unhealthy obsession right now. I’m working with the team doctors to get everything straightened out and get the help I need.” He said he woke up at 4 a.m. on the day of a game against Washington and was vomiting uncontrollably. Brooks is, according to the rating service Pro Football Focus, one of the best pass blockers in the NFL. He is taking medication for his problem but said it will take time for it to be effective.
