Fansided

Arian Foster and the 10 best undrafted free agents

By Connor Learn

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with the ball for a third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Tony Romo, QB, Eastern Illinois

Despite All-Racine County honors his Senior season at Burlington High School in Wisconsin, Tony Romo was lightly recruited and ended up at FCS Eastern Illinois University. While a Panther, Romo was a three time All-American and won the Walter Payton Award, the FCS’s Heisman equivalent. Sean Payton, then the Cowboys offensive coordinator, believed in Tony Romo’s abilities and brought him to the Cowboys. During his first two seasons with the Cowboys, Romo did little other than hold kicks.

Tony Romo eventually replaced Drew Bledsoe mid-game against the New York Giants during October of 2006. Despite his first pass being intercepted, he became the Cowboys eighth starting quarterback since 2000 and has not let up the job since. He learned on the job quickly and led the NFC in passing touchdowns and passer rating during his first full season as a starter. The Cowboys made the playoffs during his three of his first four seasons and Romo was selected to three Pro Bowls as well. Then the Cowboys rebuilt around Romo, and though they went through some rebuilding seasons, gave him a six-year, $108 million extension in 2013. His extension helped save the Cowboys money against the cap just before they started reaping the benefits of their draft picks and recent roster moves.

Tony Romo proved a lot of critics wrong during his 2014 season. He eventually was chosen for both Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro honors and led the league in passer rating. He also silenced those who said he was going to choke in December by posting the highest December QB rating by any quarterback in the history of the NFL. Romo has the fifth highest QB rating in NFL history for a career as well. The major knock against Romo has been that he is yet to bring a Lombardi Trophy to Dallas, but he may yet be able to answer those questions during his career. The Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, it remains entirely possibly that Tony Romo could end up as an NFL Hall of Famer. Not bad for a kid from Wisconsin.

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