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Cowboys Romo, Bryant developing chemistry
By Tom Orsborn
torsborn@express-news.net
Published 11:36 p.m., Sunday, August 28, 2011
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...eveloping-chemistry-2145420.php#ixzz1WOFvit11
The chemistry between Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten is off the charts.
Romo's trust in wide receiver Miles Austin is also undeniable.
Now it appears that Romo is gaining a similar bond with second-year wideout Dez Bryant.
With Austin sidelined for a second straight game with a hamstring injury, Romo directed a team-high seven passes at Bryant in the Dallas Cowboys' 23-17 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night. Bryant finished with a game-high five catches for 67 yards, including an acrobatic 14-yard sideline grab on third-and-5 from the Dallas 28.
The play kept alive a 77-yard drive that Felix Jones punctuated with a 5-yard touchdown run. Bryant caught three passes for 41 yards during the 11-play series.
"It felt good," Bryant said of his pitch-and-catch routine with Romo. "Coach (Jason Garrett) played us a little longer, and we were able to get a rhythm going. That played a part in it. It let us get warmed up and go out there and have a good time."
Romo praised Bryant but was quick to point out that there were some flaws in the performance.
"He runs great routes and has great hands, and we need him to get better with the details," Romo said. "We had a couple times tonight where he struggled with that, but otherwise, he is doing well. I think we will continue to get better and better each week."
In his best performance of the preseason, Romo was 15 of 20 for 141 yards without a TD or turnover. He declared himself ready for the season after guiding the offense to a TD and a field goal.
"Tony did a good job with the tempo," Witten said, "and I thought Dez came out and made some huge plays for us. We were rolling and had some tempo going, and that's really when our offense is at its best."
Romo only got to play six games with Bryant last season because a broken collarbone sidelined the quarterback for the final 10 contests. Because they likely won't play in Thursday's exhibition finale at Miami, it was important for them to cap the preseason with a strong outing.
Of course, how well Romo, Bryant and the rest of the offensive headliners perform this season could hinge on the play of the revamped offensive line, which remains in a state of flux because of question marks at center and left guard.
If veteran left guard Montrae Holland doesn't round into shape coming off a back injury, it's possible Dallas could start two rookies (right tackle Tyron Smith and left guard Bill Nagy) up front in Week 1 for the first time in franchise history.
It's a scary scenario, and it could get even more frightening should Andre Gurode refuse to take a pay cut. That would force the Cowboys to start second-year player Phil Costa at center — provided he recovers in time from a knee injury. Undrafted rookie Kevin Kowalski started at center against the Vikings.
Still, Romo liked what he saw at the Metrodome.
"We did a lot of good things, and I'm excited going forward," Romo said. "We moved the ball well and just hurt ourselves one or two times. It's continued to grow and build, and if we get Miles back in the mix, it'll get better and better."
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...eveloping-chemistry-2145420.php#ixzz1WOFjm67w
By Tom Orsborn
torsborn@express-news.net
Published 11:36 p.m., Sunday, August 28, 2011
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...eveloping-chemistry-2145420.php#ixzz1WOFvit11
The chemistry between Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten is off the charts.
Romo's trust in wide receiver Miles Austin is also undeniable.
Now it appears that Romo is gaining a similar bond with second-year wideout Dez Bryant.
With Austin sidelined for a second straight game with a hamstring injury, Romo directed a team-high seven passes at Bryant in the Dallas Cowboys' 23-17 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night. Bryant finished with a game-high five catches for 67 yards, including an acrobatic 14-yard sideline grab on third-and-5 from the Dallas 28.
The play kept alive a 77-yard drive that Felix Jones punctuated with a 5-yard touchdown run. Bryant caught three passes for 41 yards during the 11-play series.
"It felt good," Bryant said of his pitch-and-catch routine with Romo. "Coach (Jason Garrett) played us a little longer, and we were able to get a rhythm going. That played a part in it. It let us get warmed up and go out there and have a good time."
Romo praised Bryant but was quick to point out that there were some flaws in the performance.
"He runs great routes and has great hands, and we need him to get better with the details," Romo said. "We had a couple times tonight where he struggled with that, but otherwise, he is doing well. I think we will continue to get better and better each week."
In his best performance of the preseason, Romo was 15 of 20 for 141 yards without a TD or turnover. He declared himself ready for the season after guiding the offense to a TD and a field goal.
"Tony did a good job with the tempo," Witten said, "and I thought Dez came out and made some huge plays for us. We were rolling and had some tempo going, and that's really when our offense is at its best."
Romo only got to play six games with Bryant last season because a broken collarbone sidelined the quarterback for the final 10 contests. Because they likely won't play in Thursday's exhibition finale at Miami, it was important for them to cap the preseason with a strong outing.
Of course, how well Romo, Bryant and the rest of the offensive headliners perform this season could hinge on the play of the revamped offensive line, which remains in a state of flux because of question marks at center and left guard.
If veteran left guard Montrae Holland doesn't round into shape coming off a back injury, it's possible Dallas could start two rookies (right tackle Tyron Smith and left guard Bill Nagy) up front in Week 1 for the first time in franchise history.
It's a scary scenario, and it could get even more frightening should Andre Gurode refuse to take a pay cut. That would force the Cowboys to start second-year player Phil Costa at center — provided he recovers in time from a knee injury. Undrafted rookie Kevin Kowalski started at center against the Vikings.
Still, Romo liked what he saw at the Metrodome.
"We did a lot of good things, and I'm excited going forward," Romo said. "We moved the ball well and just hurt ourselves one or two times. It's continued to grow and build, and if we get Miles back in the mix, it'll get better and better."
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...eveloping-chemistry-2145420.php#ixzz1WOFjm67w