Romo reigns supreme

By Tim MacMahon

ESPNDallas.com

Archive

All due respect to the fine folks in the Windy City, but they know as much about QBs as they do about BBQ.

The Chicago Bears have a quarterback make the Pro Bowl every generation or so. The Dallas Cowboys have a quarterback inducted into the Hall of Fame that often.

That's not to predict that Tony Romo will have a bust in Canton, although it's certainly in the realm of possibility for a man who ranks behind only Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young on the all-time passer rating list. Put it this way: Jay Cutler's odds of playing in a Pro Bowl as a Bear aren't much better than those of Romo joining Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman in the Hall of Fame.

We're really talking about quarterbacks from two different class levels. Romo ranks right behind the elite active QBs who have won Super Bowls. Cutler is just a bit above average despite his rocket right arm.

Cutler, the NFL leader in interceptions and sideline hissy fits, has actually been awful the last two weeks.

Their critics have focused on two areas: decision-making and leadership. Romo has made major progress in both departments in recent seasons; Cutler has regressed.

Romo had a 31-to-10 TD/INT ratio in 2011. Cutler has never had twice as many TD passes as picks in a season.

Over the course of their careers, Cutler has started one more game than Romo and thrown for 33 fewer touchdowns and 17 more picks. Romo's completion percentage is almost four points higher. His winning percentage is more than eight points higher.

A matured Romo has earned respect throughout the Cowboys' locker room. The moody Cutler earns eye rolls in the Bears' locker room.

And don't think the Bears' NFC Championship Game appearance a couple of years ago gives Cutler an edge over Romo. They both have only one playoff win in their careers; Cutler's came against a team with a losing record.

The defining moment of Cutler's career so far: him standing on the sideline with a sore knee in the second half of that title game, having left with his team trailing by two touchdowns.

Give me the guy who gutted it out with a punctured lung and broken ribs to lead the Cowboys' double-digit rally in Week 2 last season. Especially since the numbers fall so firmly in Romo's favor.

Tim MacMahon covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com.