IRVING, Texas – Head coach Jason Garrett understands what comes with the territory as a quarterback of the Cowboys, even if he doesn't listen to or agree with what national pundits say about Tony Romo.
It started with a joking, generic response. But Garrett, who was a backup quarterback in Dallas from 1993-99, came back with a candid answer when asked if he ever wonders why Romo gets so much grief.
"It's the nature of the National Football League, it's the nature of the Dallas Cowboys, it's the nature of playing quarterback," Garrett said. "It's just what it is, and he wouldn't trade it for the world."
Despite mentioning the added enormity and spotlight of playing quarterback specifically for the Cowboys, it doesn't sound like Garrett thinks Romo's national image would be completely different had he been on another team.
Garrett, who suited up for 40 games and started nine in his career, said it's a similar situation for any starting quarterback around the NFL.
"It all comes with the dinner," Garrett said. "He's got a position that is one of the great jobs on the planet. What comes with that is some of the scrutiny, and he understands that."
Until playoff wins come in bunches, the scrutiny will continue. From Garrett's comments, it doesn't sound like that will bother Romo, who went 3-1 this November to improve his career record as a starter in the month to 24-5. [embedded_ad]
He'll now enter December, where the Cowboys are 11-15 in games he's started, but Garrett doesn't seem concerned about those past statistics.
"What we focus on around here is what we can control," Garrett said. "We live in the short term. We're focused on the Chicago Bears and what we need to do today to win that ballgame."
