D'oh! Romo Looks Downright Lienart-esque In Simpson's Presence

It's been noted numerously the suspicious nature of professional athletes. Perhaps after Sunday's loss, Tony Romo will stop inviting celebrity girlfriends to Texas Stadium when hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. After Carrie Underwood, of American Idol fame, witnessed the Cowboys lose to the lowly Eagles last season, Romo found new depths of suckitude to display for current love interest Jessica Simpson.

The typically outstanding performance we've come to expect from Romo was absent Sunday. In it's place was Romo's worst game of his career netting him a QB rating of, wait for it, 22.2 on 13-of-36 passing for 214 yards and three interceptions.

Much has been said of Romo's Hollywood style ascension to one of the most glamorous positions in all of sports. In fact, it could be argued that somewhere along the line Tony Romo stole the career Matt Leinart was expecting when he left USC for the Arizona Cardinals. Leinart has been accused of spending too much time mugging for cameras and not enough concentrating on his playbook. His limited time on-field this season did little to dispel such statements.

Tony Romo, meanwhile, has appeared absolutely charmed in his brief time as Cowboys' helm-meister. His gridiron triumphs seem reflected in the caliber of beauties being linked with him in tabloids and online. Unfortunately, in their presence he comes off much more like the star struck rookie than the four year backup turned second year starter.  Sunday, Romo appeared to be all thumbs.

And speaking of thumbs, a third quarter injury to his right thumb did nothing to help Romo's game. There would be no late game charge, no two minute drill heroics to save the day as there were in Number Nine's previous clunker this season against the Buffalo Bills, and again last week against the Detroit Lions.

The loss and the injury come at the worst time possible with the Green Bay Packers right on the Cowboys' heels. The tie breaker is now more important than ever with two games to go, both on the road. Romo downplayed the injury but a bruised thumb for a quarterback is like a nagging hamstring for a wide receiver. It can dismantle a player's ability to do what he expects to be able to do. 

The good news is that the Cowboys clinched a first round bye. If nothing else, that will give Romo an extra week to heal if necessary. In the meantime, let's just hope that next year when the Eagles visit Irving, Tony Romo will be smarter than to invite whatever hot mid-level celebrity he happens to be dating at the time.