Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) talks with teammates after a three and out against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

This may be an unpopular opinion among Redskins fans, but I like Tony Romo. I think he seems like a perfectly nice gentleman. As a quarterback, he is better than his reputation suggests. Last season, he threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 28 touchdowns on an injury-plagued team with a weak offensive line. That’s a pretty good season. Sure, I would rather have Aaron Rodgers or RG3 running my offense, but you could do a lot worse in the NFL. Still, I’m not ready to induct Romo into Canton. So when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calls into a Sirius XM radio show and describes his vision of the Cowboys offense as one in which Romo assumes a Roger Staubach-like role, it is tough not to laugh.

Speaking with NFL.com writer Gil Brandt, Jones defended his quarterback:

“He’s played a lot of games now. He certainly had a lot of time on the job before he ever started and played. He has a unique grasp of our offensive concepts. The people who are around him the most – his coaches – tell me he’s never had a bad idea.” (emphasis mine)

A few comments on this while I repress Jessica Simpson jokes. First, there is a period in which college quarterbacks need tutelage before really understanding how NFL schemes work. For elite players like Andrew Luck or RG3, this time frame is a matter of months. Aaron Rodgers held a clipboard for three years before getting his chance with the Packers. Tony Romo has been in the league for ten seasons. He’s 33. We are beyond the point where experience is a benefit; the real question is how many more seasons his body will allow him to play.

Secondly, the most poignant criticism of Romo is that he too often has “bad ideas” in the pocket. He forces throws into coverage trying to “make a play.” Last season, he threw nineteen interceptions, tied for the most in the league. If you are a warm-blooded Redskins fan and can read that quote without a chuckle, you are a better person than I.

Finally, I would have less of a problem with the “never had a bad idea” quote if it came from the coaching staff. You know, one of the people who are around him so much. Jones just can’t help himself when it comes to making personnel decisions. Ask any Cowboys fan if they would like to hear more decisions articulated by Jerry Jones or less. You will understand what I mean.

Jones continues:

“If you think about where he’s at right now, he’s 10 years older than most of the players we have on the field. We think his skill level right now is very much where we hoped it would be and will be for several years to come. But what we want to use more than we ever have is the kind of thing that Staubach contributed – input into designing a plan that helps us beat that opponent.”

Again, having a player that is “ten years older than most of the players” on the field is a great advantage when playing little league baseball. It’s less of an asset in professional football. It’s also a completely false assertion when you look at the Cowboys depth chart.

Romo better be at the skill level you think he is, Jerry. You think he is worth $108 million over the next six years. That is a lot to pay a quarterback entering, or perhaps already in, his decline phase. I don’t have a problem with the field general of the team involved in game plans or play-calling. Just don’t compare Romo to Staubach. You are opening yourself up to ridicule.

“You’ve got to do more than look at a couple of quick plays on Tuesday or Monday. You’ve got to get in and study, spend time and look at 100 plays to really have that input. We think he can bring that to the table. That will be a big change. He certainly has had input but not the kind of input he’s going to have going forward.”

That’s a big change? Does that mean Romo has just been skimming the playbook on Mondays in the past? No wonder he has only one career playoff victory.

“When you talk about a guy who’s been behind the center, they’ve seen it. They know what it looks like when it’s coming at them. They know how loud it is out there. Plus, we all know that when it’s your idea and you’ve got to execute it just seems to work better. We all do better when we’ve got some of our own proprietary input in it.”

Historical note: It was Jerry Jones’ idea to draft Felix Jones. How’s that for propriety?

Jerry talks about running the Cowboys’ offense like parents discuss the possibility of getting their children a puppy. If they show they are responsible for the next couple years, we can get one. It will mean more to them because they will know they earned it.

Jason Garrett has the worst coaching job in the league. He was promoted to head coach because he was a “play-calling genius.” After narrowly missing the playoffs last season, his responsibilities have quickly evaporated. Bill Callahan was hired as the offensive coordinator, a move that signals Jones’ displeasure with the direction of the team. Now the owner is asking that the quarterback have more influence over the game plan. For once, it is nice not to be the most dysfunctional team in the division.

December 3, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) congratulates Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after their game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one thing I have learned betting on professional sports, it is that Vegas is smarter than us all. Oddsmakers are always the most intelligent and well-informed people in the room. With this in mind, Redskins fans should take comfort in knowing that the burgundy and gold will be in position to win the NFC East at season’s end. According to Covers.com, the Atlantis Casino sports book in Reno has released the first NFL regular Over/Under betting lines for the season. The early line on the Redskins has been set at nine wins, a total shared by the New York Giants. Rounding out the division are the Cowboys at 8.5 and the Eagles at 6.5.

Additionally, Rich Tandler outlines the Cantor Gaming releases of all individual games through Week 16. Here are the lines for the first fifteen Redskins games of the year:

• Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (-4.5)
• Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
• Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins (-2.5)
• Washington Redskins (-4) at Oakland Raiders
• Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (-1.5)
• Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins (-1.5)
• Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos (-6)
• San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins (-3.5)
• Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5)
• Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (PK)
• San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) at Washington Redskins
• New York Giants at Washington Redskins (-1.5)
• Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins (-4.5)
• Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
• Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (-2.5)

There’s no way to know what will actually happen in the regular season, but these lines provide insight into what bookies are thinking. Here are the key takeaways:

1) Vegas thinks RGIII is coming back on time: There is no way the over/under number is set anywhere close to nine without a belief that Griffin is returning by week one. The reports from doctors and the coaching staff have been overwhelmingly positive and this is likely to sway public opinion.

2) Things should be tight again in the NFL East: Three teams are separated by a half game atop the Vegas standings. Considering the Redskins playoff berth came down to the final game against the Cowboys, this is within the realm of possibility. Oddsmakers also believe that the Eagles, who finished at 4-12 last season, will be at least two games better. It could be a wild ride in the division.

3) The Redskins need to win at home: Washington is only favored once on the road all season (at Oakland). The Redskins have a difficult schedule on paper ahead of them, with trips to Atlanta, Green Bay, and Denver outside the division. Vegas expects the Redskins to struggle away from the friendly confines of FedEx Field.

4) The Cardinals and Jaguars are not favored in any of their games: That is just sad.

These insights are for recreational use only, of course.

Dec 24, 2012; Honolulu, HI, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Zach Line (48) rolls under Fresno State Bulldogs strong safety Phillip Thomas (16) into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the 2013 NFL Draft, the management of the Washington Redskins knew late rounds would be crucial to providing depth to the roster. Unsurprisingly, the Redskins used rounds four through seven to select players that will buttress the weakest positions on the roster: safety, linebacker, and running back. Here’s a look at the Redskins’ selections on day three of the NFL Draft:

Round 4: Phillip Thomas, Safety (Fresno State)

The self-proclaimed “steal of the draft” is a strong, open field tackler who was the first Fresno State Bulldog to be named a unanimous All-American. Thomas is not particularly tall and does not have great range, but he is a versatile player who can line up as either a free or strong safety. You never know how draft picks will fare until they are actually on the field, but on a roster with DeJon Gomes and Reed Doughty, Thomas figures to have a chance to receive significant playing time in his rookie season.

Round 5: Chris Thompson, Running Back (Florida State); Brandon Jenkins, Linebacker (Florida State)

The Redskins used round five to select a pair of Seminole teammates. Chris Thompson was an explosive, big play threat at Florida State, but injuries are a major concern. His 2012 season ended with an ACL tear and Thompson struggled with back injuries earlier in his college career. He still ran a 4.4 40 at the NFL Combine, meaning that he has a burst of speed that Alfred Morris does not have. Drafting Thompson indicates that Mike Shanahan is not inspired by the play of Evan Royster and Roy Helu, two players who will now have to fight to remain on the roster.

Thompson’s teammate Brandon Jenkins is a converted defensive end who will play outside linebacker in the Redskins’ 3-4 scheme. He is better rushing the quarterback than stopping the ground game. His biggest obstacle now may be the depth chart, as he figures to be behind Ryan Kerrigan, Brian Orakpo, and free agent addition Darryl Tapp. The Redskins need middle linebackers to support London Fletcher and Perry Riley, but Jenkins does not translate well to this position. He could be a solid player, but he was a surprising pick considering the team’s needs.

Round 6: Bacarri Rambo, Safety (Georgia)

Bacarri Rambo, who has one of the best names of anyone in the draft, fell to the sixth round primarily because of off-the-field issues. He was suspended for the first four games of 2012 for a failed drug test, and missed the 2011 opener because of a violation of team rules. On the field, Rambo is a solid, all-around player who can provide run support in addition to his pass defending skills. He was a three-year starter at Georgia which proves he can play. Like Thomas, he is helped by the Redskins depth chart and will get a chance to compete early for playing time. Mike Shanahan has made a point of drafting “character players” during his tenure in Washington. Rambo does not fit this description, but is worth a sixth round pick to see if he can get his personal life together.

Round 7: Jawan Jamison, Running Back (Rutgers)

In contrast to the explosiveness of Chris Thompson, Rutgers’ Jawan Jamison is a bruising tailback with a low center of gravity. He rushed for nearly 2,000 yards in two seasons at Rutgers before leaving school early to provide financial assistance to his family. The pick further signals the coaching staff’s displeasure with the depth chart options behind Alfred Morris. If he makes the team, Jamison can provide help on third-down situations because of his ability to block and catch passes. Still, the Jamison pick is a bit of a gamble considering his smaller size and youth. But isn’t everyone in the seventh round a gamble to some degree?

Post your thoughts on the Redskins draft selections below.