ARLINGTON, Texas _ The NFL Network's Friday debut of the documentary on Tony Romo made us all a bit wistful, and maybe even regretful, when in fact the Cowboys best move was still to give it to Dak.
The problem was never Romo the player but rather Romo the human being. His bones were finished with football.
So when he told 105.3 The Fan this that he feels great and could play, what he's not factoring in is how his bones would react after a hit or two. When debating the Cowboys decision to go with Dak, which is the rage after the Cowboys quarterback continues his prolonged run of average and the release of the NFL Network documentary on Romo, health and youth must be a part of the discussion.
Since Romo joined the CBS booth, the problem has been Dak has not progressed much since his rookie season.
In what is essentially their final preseason game, the Cowboys looked much better in 26-24 win over the Detroit Lions, in part because Dak finally played like a version closer to his rookie self. He made the necessary plays the Cowboys had to have when they were staring at a 1-3 start.
And the Cowboys finally unleashed all of the powers of Ezekiel Elliott and used him in every manner available. He is one of the top five offensive players in football and to save him is pointless.
Zeke ran it 25 times for 152 yards. He caught four passes for 88 yards. He should have played defensive back, too.
The Lions could do nothing against him.
Dak's receivers hover around barely average, and the only way the Cowboys offense is going to be any more than average is if Zeke touches it 30 times a game.
Down by one point with 2:18 remaining in the game, Dak made two plays on the game-winning that were Romo-ish.
Out of the two minute warning, Dak was stripped and should have lost the ball for a fumble, but he recovered it to make a pass attempt that fell incomplete.
On the next play, a third down and three, he completed a nine-yard pass for a first down. Two plays later, Dak completed a perfect pass to Zeke for 34 yards to set up Brett Maher's game-winning goal as time expired.
Dak threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns; it's the first time since Dec. 17 that he passed for more than 200 yards in a game.
Against the Lions, he dropped in some gorgeous throws, namely to Zeke, Michael Gallup and Cole Beasley.
This is the version of Dak the Cowboys need if they are going to be more than .500.
The Cowboys are 2-2, and in an NFC where only one team, the L.A. Rams, is any good, .500 after one month of the regular season is not desired but acceptable.
Going with him over Romo was always the right call, primarily because Tony's bones just could not longer take it.
The only way the decision thrives is if Dak can progress. On Sunday, thanks to the help of Zeke, Dak progressed.
