Bill Parcells’ 11 Quarterback Commandments

Update: Posted the video from Parcells’ “commandments” above … thanks to Dwain Adams again for this.

I’ve gotten a lot of requests for this list since last night’s blog on one of the most memorable Monday Night Football games I’ve ever seen (Cowboys 25, Bills 24.)
Before the game, former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells shared with ESPN the list of “commandments” he gave to quarterback Tony Romo, a list Romo still keeps in his locker.
Below is that list, paraphrased. Thanks to TonyRomoFan for the updated, more detailed list.

Quarterback commandments:
1. Ignore other opinions – Press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on – ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here.
2. Clowns can’t run a huddle – don’t forget to have fun but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.
3. Fat QBs can’t avoid the rush – A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run.
4. Know your job cold – this is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study.
5. Know your own players – Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.
6. Be the same guy every day – in condition. Preparing to lead. Studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.
7. Throwing the ball away is a good play – sacks, interceptions and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.
8. Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.
9. Get your team in the end zone – passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged.
10. Don’t panic – when all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.
11. Don’t be a celebrity QB – we don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week and every season and lead their team to win after win after win.

Cowboys 25, Bills 24

The collective sigh you just heard across this country came from millions of Cowboys fans and CBS Sports (they’ve got the undefeated match-up they were hoping for with Dallas and New England next week).

For the past four hours, I’ve been blogging the most amazing Monday Night Football game (ending, anyway) ever — yes, this beats Dallas’ miraculous comeback against the Giants a few years back on MNF. I’ve received a lot of response on it, too … which is good. I had no idea the game would become what it did. I expected a nice little blowout, and I’d get work done as well.

Instead, I had a minor heart attack three times in the last 15 minutes. About three years from my life have been wiped out, and against a 1-4 team like the Bills. Bleh.

5-0 is 5-0, no matter how it comes. I’m just glad I was on the winning side of that game. Did you see the shock and disbelief in the Bills’ fans’ faces? I almost felt bad. They deserved it more. Way more.

Alas, I’m going home and going to bed. I will post Bill Parcell’s 11 Commandments for Quarterbacks tomorrow when I find them. I understand dallascowboys.com will have them posted tomorrow if they’re getting as many requests for it as I am (and I’m in North Carolina).

Good night. Go Cowboys. I’ll blog about newspaper stuff tomorrow.

AP Photo: Nick Folk pumps his fist after hitting the game-winner from more than 50 yards out (twice … once after a late timeout … the worst rule in sports history).