Romo turns 37 in April and is coming off a significant back injury, and according to sources, he has already received strong interest from television networks that want him to work as a color analyst.
But Romo still wants to play, and determining which team he’ll play for will be the subject of much speculation in the weeks to come.
Romo lost his starting job this season because of a preseason back injury and the emergence of rookie Dak Prescott, who led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Prescott was named The Associated Press’ NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday, becoming the first Cowboys player since Emmitt Smith (1990) to win the award, after passing for 3,667 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Years after he’d coached a then-little-known receiver named Terrell Owens at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Buddy Green was walking through the bowels of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia when a security guard stopped him.
By that time, Green was working as Navy’s defensive coordinator, and his team was preparing for its annual showdown against Army. But the security guard had something else on his mind.
“He said, ‘I just want to tell you, you’re the SOB that’s responsible for all this,’” Green said. “I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘You were so hard on Terrell in college that when he got away from you he had to break loose and celebrate. You’re responsible for all of this. Why were you so hard on him in college?’”
Green laughed then as he does now recalling the story, but the truth is that Owens, who sits on the cusp of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a brash NFL personality about whom security guards might complain — comes from far more humble beginnings. For the second year, Owens was named among 15 finalists, but fell below the 80 percent requirement and was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
It wasn’t so much that Green was hard on Owens as it was Owens seemed to trust Green could help him get where he wanted to go. Two years before Green arrived at Chattanooga, the coach was Buddy Nix, who would go on to become the general manager of the Buffalo Bills in 2009 but coached in Chattanooga from 1984 to 1992.
As the story goes, Nix and his staff were scouting and recruiting a receiver named Derek Hall at Owens’ Benjamin Russell High in Alexander City, Alabama. Owens, who was known more for his basketball and track ability than football at that point, didn’t even crack the starting lineup until that night because of another receiver’s illness. Owens scored a touchdown that night and earned a partial scholarship with the opportunity to pursue multiple sports at Chattanooga.
Owens arrived in Chattanooga not lacking for height at 6 feet, but with a slender, 177-pound frame, that made it fair to wonder if he could withstand the rigors of the college game, let alone playing basketball and running track. Owens didn’t make much of a mark as a freshman, and he and Nix had their share of run-ins, usually centered on Owens’ propensity for being late or missing meetings entirely.
Nix departed before Owens’ sophomore season, and Chattanooga replaced him with Tommy West, who lasted one year in the job, although Owens flashed potential in that sophomore season.
Upon his arrival in Chattanooga, Green had no preconceived notions about Owens, other than viewing him as a potential offensive centerpiece. Green wanted to get Owens the ball in as many ways as possible, and Owens rewarded Green’s faith by volunteering to play on every special-teams unit in addition to his role on offense.
“You have got to think about this if you were a college player, I was the third head coach that they’d had in three years,” Green said. “When you are a college player and you’ve got that unstable situation in terms of building trust in your players and what you try to do, I had absolutely no problems with Terrell. He worked his butt off for me.”
Wide receiver 6-3, 222 Tennessee Chattanooga 1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-2008 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals
• Played 219 games over 16 seasons • 15,934 receiving yards are second in NFL history • 1,078 receptions are sixth in NFL history • 153 receiving TDs are third in NFL history • Six-time Pro Bowler • Five-time first-team All-Pro • NFL All-Decade Team of 2000s
In the process, Green identified Owens as someone who had the potential to play in the NFL, but he knew Owens was going to have to make some sacrifices to get there. As the sixth man on a basketball team that reached the Sweet 16, Owens wasn’t in a hurry to give up a sport that was his first love. But Owens’ commitment to hoops prevented him from putting in the work in the weight room to build up his body for a potential NFL bid.
So Green explained to Owens the benefits of skipping basketball as a senior in order to prepare for the NFL. Owens became a staple in the weight room and quickly added muscle.
“He trusted me and what I laid out for him, the things necessary to get that opportunity to play on the next level,” Green said. “You’ve got the height and framework, but you’ve got to change your body. I think he went from a skinny little, whatever height at the time to a guy who was well put together and solid and strong by the time he was drafted. He definitely changed his body those last two years. I think that was a matter of trust. I don’t think he ever would have given up basketball if he hadn’t trusted me that these are some things you have to do if you want people to take a look at you to play on the next level.”
It was little surprise to Green when the Niners drafted Owens in the third round in 1996. It was a perfect fit for Owens, who grew up idolizing legendary 49ers receiver Jerry Rice. The chance to learn from Rice set Owens on a path to one of the most prolific careers by a wideout in NFL history. After a 15-year career, he ranked second in NFL history in receiving yards (15,934), seventh in receptions (1,078) and third in receiving touchdowns (153), a body of work only surpassed by Rice himself.
Sure, Owens was at the center of controversy along the way, but it never stopped him from playing at the level of an all-time great.
“If you look at the numbers, I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t happen,” Green said. “I’ve had too many guys over the years when he was playing, that call me and say, ‘Was he this, was he that, was he trouble?’ Well, no. He was the last guy to leave the field for me. He worked his tail off for me.”
The 2017 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is set, with LaDainian Tomlinson, Kurt Warner, Jason Taylor, Terrell Davis, Morten Andersen, Jerry Jones and Kenny Easley making it.
Former WR Terrell Owens was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, lamenting what he called a #FlawedProcess in a series of tweets.
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His first order of business during Saturday night’s NFL Honors event was asking if he could share the award with Elliott, saying: “Do we have a knife so I can cut this in half?”
Prescott acknowledged the team’s offensive line for allowing “both of these rookies to do what we did this whole season.”
Prescott, accompanied by Elliott onstage, also thanked “the other 31 teams for passing up on me as much they did.”
A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league voted on the awards. Prescott edged Elliott in rookie votes, 28½ to 21½.
The Cowboys settled on Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft, No. 135 overall, after they were unable to trade back into the first round to take Paxton Lynch or get Connor Cook earlier in the fourth round.
At the start of training camp, Prescott was the Cowboys’ third quarterback behind Tony Romo and Kellen Moore.
Moore suffered a broken ankle on Aug. 2, and Romo suffered a compression fracture in his back on Aug. 25, giving Prescott the chance to start.
All he did was have one of the best seasons ever by a rookie quarterback. In addition to the 13 wins, which tied Ben Roethlisberger for the most in NFL history by a rookie quarterback, Prescott set team rookie records in yards (3,667), touchdowns (23), attempts (459), completions (311), passer rating (104.9) and completion percentage (67.8).
He helped direct the Cowboys to a franchise-record 11 consecutive wins, beating three Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers, Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco — in the process.
As he returned to 100 percent health, Romo, the franchise leader in passing yards and touchdowns, conceded Prescott earned the right to continue as the Cowboys’ starter. Prescott set a team record for a quarterback with six rushing touchdowns and opened his career with 176 consecutive passes without an interception, most in NFL history.
Elliott, selected a first-team All-Pro at running back, had an equally as compelling case for the award. He set team rookie records in rushing yards (1,631) and touchdowns (16) in helping the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC in 2016. Expectations for Elliott were astronomical once the Cowboys took him with the fourth overall pick, considering their offensive line boasted three All-Pros in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin.
Elliott managed to exceed expectations, breaking Tony Dorsett’s team rookie mark of 1,007 rushing yards in the Cowboys’ 10th game. He had four consecutive games with at least 130 yards rushing and five for the season, tying Eric Dickerson and Mike Anderson for the most by a rookie in NFL history.
Dak Prescott, right, edged out Cowboys teammate Ezekiel Elliott for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. John Salangsang/Invision for NFL/AP Images
Oakland Raiders All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, edging last season’s Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller, by one vote (18-17).
Mack was, by far, the standout player on a Raiders defense that ranked only 26th overall. He had 11 sacks, took part in 73 tackles, forced five fumbles and recovered three, and even had an interception for a touchdown.
He’s the second Oakland defender to win the award; cornerback Lester Hayes got it in 1980. Miller also had a big year with 13½ sacks, 78 tackles and three forced fumbles for the fourth-rated Broncos.
Garrett selected Coach of Year
The Cowboys’ Jason Garrett was named AP NFL Coach of the Year.
Garrett led Dallas to an NFC-best 13-3 record in a turnaround season before the Cowboys lost to Green Bay in the playoffs.
In his seventh season at the Cowboys’ helm, Garrett used two rookies, Prescott and Elliott, operating behind a terrific offensive line, to lift Dallas to its best record in nine years.
“This is an extension of our football team and I really accept it on their behalf,” said Garrett, who took over as Dallas coach in 2010. “I coach with some really great guys and I’m really fortunate to coach with so many great players that go about it the right way, and it’s really just an extension of that. It’s a team award.”
The Cowboys also had the third-stingiest scoring defense in the NFC.
Garrett received 25 votes from a nationwide panel. He easily outdistanced New England’s Bill Belichick (14 votes). Miami’s Adam Gase got six, Oakland’s Jack Del Rio four, and Kansas City’s Andy Reid one.
Garrett is the first Dallas coach to win the award since Jimmy Johnson in 1990. Tom Landry won it in 1966.
Bosa takes Defensive Rookie of Year
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa won the 2016 Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.
Sitting out the first four games after a protracted preseason holdout didn’t damage the third overall draft pick much. He still managed 12½ sacks as the key threat on a San Diego defense that ranked only 16th overall.
“I don’t really set goals like this for myself very often, awards,” Bosa said. “But I definitely wanted this one. I’m really happy I got it done.”
That performance earned Bosa 37 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league.
He easily outdistanced Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who received 10. The other three votes went to Falcons linebacker Deion Jones.
Bosa, whose father played three seasons with Miami (1987-89), is the second Charger to win the honor. Linebacker Shawne Merriman earned it in 2005.
Nelson named Comeback Player of Year
Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson was an overwhelming choice as the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Nelson severely tore ligaments in his right knee in the 2015 preseason and missed the entire season. He returned to full-time action last summer, caught six passes and scored a touchdown in the opener and never looked back.
Nelson finished the season with 97 receptions for 1,257 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns in helping Green Bay win the NFC North. That performance earned him 36 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL.
Miami defensive end Cameron Wake received 11 votes.
Nelson is the first Packer to win the award and only the second wide receiver. Carolina’s Steve Smith was a co-winner in 2005.
Shanahan wins Assistant Coach of Year
Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan won the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Apparently headed to the head-coaching job of the 49ers after helping Atlanta on Sunday against New England in the Super Bowl, Shanahan earned 13½ votes from the nationwide panel.
He beat Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli by three as 10 assistants drew votes.
Shanahan, whose father, Mike, won two Super Bowls as Denver’s head coach, oversaw the NFL’s most prolific offense, which scored 540 points.
Shanahan is the third winner of the award, following Todd Bowles, then Arizona’s defensive coordinator, in 2014, and Wade Phillips, then Denver’s defensive coordinator, last season.
Manning, Fitzgerald share award for Man of Year
Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Giants quarterback Eli Manning shared the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
“Quite simply this is the most meaningful honor an NFL player can receive, and I am flattered beyond words that the selection committee deemed me worthy of it,” Fitzgerald said.
“More than anything it is a reflection on my parents whose words and example taught my brother and me the value of service and the importance of giving back.”
Manning called it “an honor to be mentioned in the same breath with Walter Payton.”
“None of us do what we do on behalf of charity or in our communities to get recognized,” he said. “We do it because we truly care. You want to make a difference in people’s lives and in our communities. But to be recognized and know that people do notice your work is nice.”
HOUSTON — Former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection who rushed for 13,684 yards, was one of five modern-era players voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Joining Tomlinson were two-time MVP quarterback Kurt Warner, longtime Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, Broncos all-time leading rusher Terrell Davis and five-time All-Pro kicker Morten Andersen.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made the Hall as a contributor, and Kenny Easley, the hard-hitting, versatile safety for the Seahawks during the 1980s, made it as a seniors committee candidate.
The Class of 2017 will be enshrined Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.
The five modern-era selections were chosen from a list of 15 finalists. A panel of 46 media members and two current Hall of Famers, James Lofton and Dan Fouts, trimmed that list to 10 and then five Saturday. At that point, the remaining five were then voted in on a yes-or-no basis.
Kurt Warner stocked shelves at a grocery store and played in the Arena League and NFL Europe, but once he got his NFL chance at 28, he made history.
RB Terrell Davis’ Hall of Fame career started with an eye-opening preseason play — on special teams, without a football in his hands.
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Among those not to make the final cut were receivers Isaac Bruce and Terrell Owens, who later took to Twitter to vent about the process; tackles Joe Jacoby and Tony Boselli; center Kevin Mawae; guard Alan Faneca; cornerback Ty Law; and safety John Lynch, the new general manager of the 49ers.
Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, a polarizing candidate due in part to controversial comments he made about concussions in 1994, also had been nominated as a contributor but did not receive enough votes for enshrinement.
In nine years with the Chargers, then two with the Jets, Tomlinson reset the template for what had been known as a scatback. At 5-foot-10, he proved someone of his size and speed could be a game-changer and not merely a change-of-pace back. As dangerous catching the ball (4,772 career yards) as he was running it (13,684), in 2003 LT became the first player to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes.
He was hard to keep out of the end zone, too. His 31 touchdowns in 2006 are still the record. He finished his career with 145 touchdowns, not counting the seven he threw on halfback options.
Tomlinson’s victory shed a glimmer of light on a dark year for San Diego fans. The city lost its team to Los Angeles but gained a Hall of Famer.
“Those fans there inspired me to run harder, to dig deeper in times when I was tired in the fourth quarter and didn’t think I had anything left,” Tomlinson said.
Warner’s heyday was 1999-2001 with the Rams, whose offense was known as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Warner quit his job bagging groceries, first for a stint in the Arena League, then landed in the NFL after getting a tryout with St. Louis.
An injury to Trent Green thrust Warner into the lineup for 1999. Coach Dick Vermeil cried when he lost his supposed star quarterback. But he ended up with another. Warner went on to win two overall MVPs and one at the Super Bowl to close the 1999 season, when the Rams captured their only Lombardi Trophy. The 1999 and 2000 teams are still among the top 10 in most points scored in league history.
“You’ve got to remember, he was crying at the time, because he didn’t believe it either,” Warner said. “We all had dreams. We all believed big things. We all expected greatness from ourselves. But I never would have expected ’99.”
Davis was a sixth-round pick out of Georgia in 1995 who caught Broncos coach Mike Shanahan’s eye with a big hit on special teams in a preseason game. Davis became the starting tailback, and from 1996 to ’98 he complemented John Elway, helping the Broncos to 45 victories and finally pushing Elway over the top with two Super Bowl titles. In 1998, Davis became the fourth runner to surpass 2,000 yards, finishing with 2008.
Congrats, @Terrell_Davis, on your selection to the @ProFootballHOF!! Couldn’t have happened to a better teammate, player or person!! pic.twitter.com/3gA0IH334C
— John Elway (@johnelway) February 5, 2017
Davis suffered a career-changing knee injury in 1999 while making a tackle after an interception and played only 17 more games before retiring in 2001. His 78 career games spanned seven seasons, meaning Davis lasted the same number of years as Hall of Fame runner Gale Sayers, who is often held up as Exhibit A when voters debate short bursts of greatness versus longevity.
“I really thought that there’s no way they’re going to put two backs in the same class, especially a guy that was a first-ballot Hall of Famer versus a special circumstance guy like me,” Davis said. “I thought that’s what they saw me as. When I got the knock, obviously I was shocked.”
On the other end of the spectrum was Andersen, the kicker who lasted 25 seasons, played in 382 games and scored 2,544 points for five teams. He is the all-time leading scorer for both the Saints and the Falcons and was among the first to make the 50-plus-yard field goal routine. His 40 kicks of 50-plus yards were the most in NFL history at his retirement.
Andersen is the second player to make the Hall of Fame strictly as a placekicker, joining Jan Stenerud.
Taylor was Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 with 13½ sacks and finished his 15-year career, most of them with the Dolphins, with 139½ sacks, eight interceptions and 29 fumble recoveries.
“To say that I’m elated is an understatement,” he said. “This whole experience has been humbling, but today, to get that knock on the door and be welcomed into the most sacred and prestigious fraternity in our game? I’m almost at a loss for words. And to share this moment with my sons has made me as proud and as honored as I’ve ever been.”
Easley was a five-time Pro Bowl selection whose career lasted only seven seasons because of kidney issues. He was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1984.
“I never thought this was possible, because first of all, right off the bat, I was just trying to breathe and survive, seriously,” Jones said. “Of course, the NFL, we had very contentious times early and, of course, competing [with other teams], but the respect I had for the people that had gone before me in the NFL kept me from thinking I could walk with them.”
Jones’ Cowboys have won three Super Bowls in his tenure, and he has been a driving voice in the league’s marketing efforts and growth since he purchased the team in 1989.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Wide receiver
