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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, November 17, 2008

Got to hand it to Cowboys' Romo

By JOSEPH WHITE
Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. — Tony Romo had to learn how to throw with four fingers instead of five, and how to celebrate with his left hand instead of his right.

He was successful on both counts last night, returning just in time to help rescue the Dallas Cowboys' season. His 25-yard pass to rookie Martellus Bennett with 10 1/2 minutes to play was the go-ahead touchdown in a 14-10 victory over the Washington Redskins, a must-win for a team that had been reeling without its offensive leader.

"Are we back to the old Cowboys?" receiver Terrell Owens said. "Who knows? But this is definitely a step in the right direction."

Wearing a splint under the heavy bandage on his right hand to protect the broken pinkie that cost him three games, Romo overcame a pair of first-half interceptions to complete 19 of 27 passes for 198 yards. To compensate for the injury, he has spent weeks mastering a new throwing technique — which failed him on his one major mistake, a throw behind Owens that was intercepted deep in Redskins territory in the first half.

When Bennett showed remarkable concentration to snag the touchdown catch over safety Chris Horton while on the run at the goal line, Romo bounced up and down like a kid — and had to remember to do his high-fives and backslaps with his left hand.

"I felt like the most awkward individual, when I'm like 'Yeah!' " said Romo, raising his right hand and then lowering it quickly. When he did, the hand hit a reporter's tape recorder. Fortunately, no harm was done.

"See?" Romo said with a laugh. "There it is."

The Cowboys improved to 6-4; the Redskins fell to 6-4.