Bucs/NFL

Romo looking like some old pros

By JOANNE KORTH
Published November 24, 2006

IRVING, Texas - In 40 years of playing football games on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys have seen more than their share of memorable performances, good and bad.

Leon Lett slipping in the snow.

Emmitt Smith running on the Redskins.

Even rookie quarterback Clint Longley coming off the bench for an injured Roger Staubach and throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson with 28 seconds left to beat the rival Redskins in 1974.

On Thursday, quarterback Tony Romo joined the list of Thanksgiving Day legends.

In his fifth career start, Romo had his first three-touchdown day. And his first four-touchdown day. And, just for good measure, his first five-touchdown day, tying a Dallas record shared by such notables as Don Meredith, Craig Morton, Danny White and Troy Aikman.

"I thought it was Aikman out there," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said.

Nope, that was Romo, the fourth-year pro from Eastern Illinois who replaced veteran Drew Bledsoe and has sparked the Cowboys to four victories in his five games.

Before Thursday, Romo was the league's second-rated passer behind Peyton Manning. After completing 22 of 29 for 306 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, he might be No.1.

Five touchdowns.

"Yeah, I know, but I could have thrown those first two," Cowboys coach Bills Parcells said.

Romo begged to differ.

"I wouldn't go that far," Romo said. "They were some easy ones, but it's not that easy to get down there, sometimes. ... But I think it is just a testament to the guys we have on our team."

Romo threw touchdowns of 30 and 2 yards to Terry Glenn, 1 and 2 yards to Marion Barber and 7 yards to Terrell Owens. He made throws from the pocket and on the run.

And he made it look easy.

"That's what he does," Owens said. "Each week he is getting better. And it shows that the team is getting better as well."

Four of Romo's scoring strikes were against the Bucs' trademark Cover 2 defensive scheme, despite having only three days to prepare.

So far, nothing has fazed him.

"He was as prepared as anybody we've played against this year," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said. "He didn't make a lot of bad throws. None that I can think of. He made us look really bad."

Parcells, of course, downplayed Romo's performance, pointing out mistakes no one else saw. But even Parcells cannot deny Romo's impact on the Cowboys, possibly the hottest team in the NFL after knocking off the previously unbeaten Colts on Sunday.

"I am impressed with the fact that he didn't turn the ball over and he is managing the game well," Parcells said. "That is what he's supposed to do. But we've got a ways to go here, so put the anointing oil away."

Another Cowboys aficionado was less shy about lauding Romo's play.

"Romo's performance on a very special day for Cowboys fans," owner Jerry Jones said, "may have marked another reason to make Thanksgiving a special day."

Joanne Korth can be reached at korth@sptimes.com or 727 893-8810.

[Last modified November 24, 2006, 05:48:43]