Tony Romo has support of Roger Staubach

Cowboys legend Roger Staubach came to the defense of Tony Romo, and placed the blame for the team’s recent struggles on an anemic running game.

by Louis Bien

Aug 23, 2013, 4:08 PM UTC

USA TODAY Sports

Tony Romo has struggled at times to garner support from the Dallas Cowboys fanbase, but he has support from at least one former Cowboys legend. Roger Staubach spoke with ESPN Dallas during a Cowboys open practice at AT&T Stadium. He defended Romo's play, and instead placed the Cowboys' struggles to make the postseason on the shoulders of a mediocre running game. Via ESPN Dallas:

“Last year, if you looked at the Super Bowl, those guys had running backs over 1,000 yards,” Staubach said. “[Romo] doesn’t complain. He doesn’t blame it on anybody, but he needs some help up front at times. The running game has got to be better than [31st] in the league, but Tony just does his job...”

The Cowboys have not made the playoffs since 2009, which was, consequently, the last time the team had a running game that ranked among the top 10 in the NFL. That year, the Cowboys rushed for 2,103 yards at 4.8 yards per carry during the regular season. That total dropped to 1,265 yards at 3.6 yards per carry last season. DeMarco Murray appeared in just 10 games due to injuries, and backup running backs Felix Jones, Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar were ineffective.

Romo's 1-6 record in must-win games (either during or to qualify for the playoffs) hasn't done him any favors, and Staubach admitted that Romo had a "rough one" during last year's season finale against the Washington Redskins during which Romo threw three interceptions. That said, plenty of other factors played into the Cowboys even being in a must-win situation, according to Staubach:

“We were 8-8 with a lot of injuries, no running game, a lot of difficulties,” Staubach said of the Cowboys last season. “We can be 11-5 in a second with a little luck and keeping people healthy, maybe 12-4. And I think we’d take 10-6 right now, wouldn’t we? You just want to get in the playoffs.”