Wednesday’s edition of PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio included a visit from a guy who isn’t a quarterback but knows a thing or two about chasing and hitting them: Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin.
Barwin praised Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo for his Tuesday press conference, but pointed out an important difference between the savvy veteran and the still-a-little-wet-behind-the-ears rookie.
“I just saw some clips of the press conference which were obviously impressive,” Barwin said. “That’s hard for any player especially a quarterback and a guy that’s been the fixture in that organization for the last decade. So it was impressive to see him do that. I can’t imagine doing that myself. It’s hard, but obviously was the right thing to do. I mean they’re 8-1, he’s playing well and that team is playing well right now. . . . I think the big difference right now, and this just comes with experience, is Tony Romo is really like an offensive coordinator and that’s how the best quarterbacks are in the league. When they line up they have the whole playbook at their hands as soon as they line up. They don’t have to call it in the huddle. Dak obviously isn’t quite there yet but that’ll come with time.”
The Eagles have a rookie quarterback of their own, who was the flavor of the month in September but who has since cooled off, a bit.
“He’s just been steady all the way through,” Barwin said. “That’s been the most impressive thing. He’s been steady from training camp and obviously I saw early on in training camp that he was a guy that was capable of making all the throws. He’s a really athletic guy. He can move around in the pocket, he can run for first downs and he’s shown that throughout the first half of the season.”
Through nearly eight NFL seasons, Barwin has seen a lot of quarterback. So who does he enjoy sacking the most?
“I think the quarterback that I have sacked the most is Eli Manning in our division but really I have to say it’s any of the quarterbacks in our division. I mean, I love Tony Romo, Eli Manning. Probably the top two and Eli just because his reputation, you guys know the kinda faces he makes, the sounds he makes, all that kinda stuff. So I’ve got to probably give it to Eli.”
For more from Barwin, check out the video of his appearance from the show, or download the podcast at iTunes or audioBoom.