Trouble To Come Without Tony

October 13, 2008 at 1:20 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |

Trouble To Come Without Tony The talk of the NFL and fantasy football in Week 7 surrounds the Tony Romo situation. Although the Cowboys signal caller threw for 321 yards and three scores in Week 6 at Arizona, he injured his pinkie and will miss the next four weeks.

This will no doubt have a profound effect on the Cowboys offense, which has been rapidly approaching dysfunctional over the past three weeks, as 40 year old veteran Brad Johnson takes over as the team’s starting QB for upcoming match-ups against the Rams, Buccaneers and Giants. The Cowboys then have their bye in Week 10, before facing the Redskins in Week 11.

First of all, obviously this is horrible news to Romo’s seasonal owners, who now have to look elsewhere for help, but it is also potentially devastating to owners of players like Terrell Owens, Felix Jones, Patrick Crayton, Jason Witten, Miles Austin and to a lesser extent, Marion Barber.

Terrell Owens, Cowboys WR - While T.O. has maintained solid digits this season (23 catches for 367 yards and five TDs), he’s done so begrudgingly - calling out his coaching staff and teammates in recent weeks, both to their faces, and via the media. We all know that Owens is a ticking time-bomb, and with the QB that he shed tears over now out of the line-up, there’s a solid chance that clock on the detonator is counting down at a rapid speed. Luckily, the ‘Boys have what appears to be a cake match-up against the St. Louis Rams this week. Oh, wait, never mind - the Rams actually just defeated the Washington Redskins in Washington - the team that Dallas lost to two weeks ago in Big D. Owens owners should leave him in their line-ups for now, and be happy that he’s showing up for the games.

Felix Jones, Cowboys RB - Of all the players on the Cowboys squad, why would an injury to the QB affect a back-up rookie running back? Well, it’s not so much the injury to Romo that will affect Jones, but it’s a combination of factors. With Romo in the game, the ‘Boys can operated at a higher capacity in terms of running their entire playbook. The more different types of plays Dallas OC Jason Garrett can call, increases the chances of a bonus weapon like Jones seeing the field. With Johnson in the line-up, Dallas will have to go back to the basics in many ways, which could limit Jones’ opportunities. Perhaps the greatest factor that will limit Jones over the next few weeks, however, is is own hammy injury, which he suffered early on in the team’s Week 6 game at Arizona. His status for Week 7 is in question at this point.

Patrick Crayton, Cowboys WR - The 29 year old former college QB isn’t the most consistent fantasy option, but he has been useful in games against the Browns (six catches, 82 yards), Redskins (seven catches, 87 yards) and Cardinals (three catches, 84 yards and a TD). Don’t expect a whole lot from Crayton with Johnson at the helm. Many of Crayton’s plays are a result of Romo’s escape-ability creating second chances for receivers after the original pass pattern is run. Johnson won’t be as apt to avoid opposing pass rushers, making Crayton’s window for making big plays much, much smaller.

Miles Austin, Cowboys WR - Romo has grown fond of the 6′3″ 24 year old pass catcher from Monmouth, hitting him for a TD in three of his last four games. Much of this has to do with chemistry and comfortability. There’s no telling how much of either of those Johnson will have with Austin. Seasonal fantasy owners should table him for now, while dynasty owners with roster spots to spare can continue to hold out hope for the future.

Jason Witten, Cowboys TE - The 26 year old Witten is fantasy football’s unquestioned top tight end, hauling in 39 passes for 497 yards and two scores already this season. Let’s face it, nobody is benching this guy, period. With Johnson at the helm, however, there is reason to expect Witten’s digits to be a little inconsistent however. In fact, Witten may be affected more than anyone, as Romo’s chemistry with him is ridiculously off the charts. However, he’s still a must start in all formats.

Marion Barber, Cowboys RB - Many fantasy outlets will speculate that Barber’s digits will fall with Romo out of the line-up, due to the fact that defenses will start stacking the box against him and plugging the running lanes. While that could be true, one thing is likely to happen - his rushing opportunities will increase. He’s only carried the ball 20 or more times twice this season, while toting the rock only eight times against Washington in Week 4. Look for Barber to get at least 20 carries in every game that Romo misses.

And, oh, by the way…

Kevin Curtis Likely To Return In Week 8 - Even though this has nothing at all to do with Tony Romo being injured, we felt it necessary to note in this column that Eagles WR Kevin Curtis - who has missed the first six weeks of the season with a sports hernia - practiced without limitations last week. He was inactive for the team’s Week 6 game against the 49ers, but is highly likely to return to the Eagles starting line-up in Week 8 against the Falcons. If, by chance, Curtis is sitting on your waiver wire this week, find a way to go get him.

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