NFL news roundup: Romo shrugs off media, Geno Smith gets a chance at Jets camp

Fairly or unfairly, Tony Romo is one of the most scrutinized players in the NFL. He plays the most visible position for one the league's premiere franchises, one of its most critical owners and in a large enough market that media over-saturation is a near-certainty. When asked if owner Jerry Jones' comments about how Romo needs to work as hard as Peyton Manning does, Romo brushed off the Dallas media as a whole. He did it in the nicest way possible, perhaps the way a certain Broncos quarterback would have done it. Hmmmm...

New York's second-round pick got the majority of first-team reps at quarterback, lending credence to the idea that Smith will be given every chance to earn a spot in the starting lineup come September. Incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez had taken all of the first-team reps earlier in the week, but Wednesday the keys were handed to the rookie from West Virginia. Even if Smith doesn't win the starting role, the Jets are putting together a package of read-option plays to play to his strengths.

After a one-year stint in Buffalo, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is close to re-signing with the Seattle Seahawks. Jackson had been traded to Buffalo from Seattle in exchange for a seventh-round pick last August, but failed to throw a single pass for the Bills. Former Browns and Broncos quarterback Brady Quinn also joined Seattle this off-season, but it appears both with be backups to Russell Wilson, who led the Seahawks to the playoffs in his rookie season. Jackson, 30, is the oldest of the bunch and has started 34 games in a career that includes five years in Minnesota.

New Orleans suffered its first major injury of training camp on Tuesday, losing linebacker Victor Butler for the season with a torn ACL. After spending four years as a reserve for the Cowboys, Butler signed a two-year deal with the Saints in hopes of earning a starting role. A fourth-round pick out of Oregon State in 2009, Butler has amassed 89 tackles and 11 sacks in his career.

After it was announced that new offensive coordinator Bill Callahan would be calling the plays for the Cowboys offense, the media made a mountain out of a mole hill. The decision was made months ago, according to Garrett, and he is completely on board with the new arrangement. Garrett has failed to produce a winning team in his two full seasons in Dallas, under-performing expectations on his way to consecutive 8-8 seasons. Callahan's last NFL job was as coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2002-2003. He spent the last four years as the head coach of Nebraska.