Romo Is On the Road to Recovery, While Holmes Has No Timetable for Return

NFL teams are headed to training camp this week and by week’s end, practices will be in full swing.

And with this, will come press conferences and even more stories.

First out of the starting gates to speak publicly were the Dallas Cowboys, who held a Saturday news conference at their camp. One question immediately asked by the media was the status of the team’s quarterback Tony Romo regarding his recovery from offseason surgery for a back cyst.

Tony Romo

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said of Romo, who looks”great” via NFL.com, “He’s been throwing regularly for the last month or so, and he feels good but we’ll certainly watch that as camp starts and make sure he’s getting the right pitch count as we go.”

But counting his throws won’t happen said Garrett and instead, “It’s more communication, ‘How you feeling?’ And you also look at the ball. Does the ball look a little dead or tired. But mostly it’s communication with him and how he’s feeling. We’ll all get a sense for that and communicate about that really each and every day and come up with a plan.”

In other words, no specifics as Romo will face increased scrutiny after receiving his hefty offseason pay raise and greater pressure to perform.

He’s not alone in this as another popular question/speculation has been about Garrett’s job security. Play calling duties have been taken away from him and turned over to offensive coordinator Bill Callahan.

Is this another sign Garrett’s days are becoming numbered? Not so fast.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones addressed this after the question had been posed if was fair to assume that Garrett’s future with the team was dependent on 2013’s season. Jones said via NFL.com, “Well, I wouldn’t use the word fair. It’s a mistake, that’s not right. One of the real opportunities we got here … (Garrett’s) been directly involved in the coaching of (Tony) Romo for six years. When he got here, Romo had never had the same guy two years in a row. We’re going to take advantage of that.”

Jones added of Garrett’s future with, “Well this is an armageddon year. Well, it is not that with me.”

You can’t help but keep this storyline at the forefront should Cowboys head toward another 8-8 season.

For its 2013 regular win season total, the team sits at 8 1/2 (-115 o/u) and +3300 (Bovada) to win the 2014 Super Bowl.

Jets Holmes Has No Date for Return

In the case of another team desperately looking for improvement as well as a coach on the hot seat, the New York Jets will continue waiting for the return of their top wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Santonio Holmes

The player is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his foot. Holmes had been out of action for most of the 2012 season after going down in Week 4.

It’s been a long recovery but don’t look for Holmes to return anytime soon. He doesn’t have a timetable yet and he is also uncertain whether he’ll be cleared for training camp.

Holmes said his “objective” via ESPN is “to not have any setbacks by moving too fast. The season doesn’t start until September. Definitely have to take our time and I’ll be ready to go when the bell rings.”

The player has been running on a treadmill but he hasn’t done a lot of football activities. He added via ESPN, “I don’t have a target date. I’m just stating the facts that the season starts soon and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize myself for being ready for the season.”

Holmes is a candidate for the PUP list and could further hamper the team’s road for improved play should he miss six games.

The Jets sit at 6 1/2  (+110 o/-140 u) for 2013 regular season wins and +10000 to win the 2014 Super Bowl.