Bob Raissman: As the NFL playoffs heat up, and his critics attack, Tony Romo remains his carefree self

Over the next three games he works on CBS with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo will be facing pressure. Still, facing heat and really feeling it are two different sensations.

Judging by the carefree attitude he has projected in the broadcast booth since his debut in 2017, Romo is not contemplating a meltdown. Apparently, he doesn’t give a hoot.

Don’t expect to hear any cliches about his heart beating faster when he works Chiefs-Bills Sunday, the most anticipated, and likely highest rated, divisional round matchup. Or will he need to be hooked to a cardiac machine before the AFC Championship (Jan. 28) or Super Bowl LVIII (Feb.11).

For any voice, this is a treacherous gauntlet of games. Big game mistakes leave lasting memories. For Romo, whose constantly reminded his $17 million per year salary radically set a new market-top for marquee NFL analysts (aka ESPN’s Troy Aikman and NBC’s Cris Collinsworth), it means micro analysis from critics on social media, and elsewhere, who pay more attention to his performance than the game itself.

Sunday the posse will be on the lookout for signs of Romo “favoring” Josh Allen over Patrick Mahomes. One of the unwashed masses biggest gripes this season is that Romo is a “shill” for the Buffalo quarterback. Yet tilting towards Allen is no broadcasting crime. How many NFL analysts boarded the Tom Brady train? How many latched on to Mahomes?

Romo backed up his belief in Allen. In Week 14 after the Bills beat Kansas City, Romo went to the edge of the cliff, intimating Buffalo could win out and gain playoff home field advantage.  That’s what happened with the Bills beating Dallas, the Chargers, Patriots and Dolphins.

The careless side of Romo is still generating negative heat. Like during Wild Card Weekend when he didn’t realize Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren was an integral part of the offense during the season.

And there are constant reminders that Romo has referred to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce’s “wife.” This unforgivable gaffe makes Romo Public Enemy No.1? Is it possible the former Cowboys quarterback either knows something or is just goofing on those viewers who hang on his every word?

Mistakes? He’s made more than a few.

And remember, Romo is a creation of CBS Sports suits. He started his broadcasting career on the mountain top, a spot even the late, iconic John Madden had to earn.

In 2017, Romo was assigned to CBS’ No. 1 team fresh off retiring from the Cowboys. CBS Sports boss Sean McManus anointed Romo as the future gold standard of NFL analysts. In CBS’ opinion, which is the only one that counts, Romo delivered. Working under an initial three-year deal worth $10 million, his contract was extended, in 2020, 10 years at $17 million per.

Romo has often said he entered broadcasting already hardened by the criticism directed at him during his playing career. He’s also described himself as having a turtle shell that critics can’t penetrate.

Nothing, right or wrong, has stopped him from having fun. And he has never been one to court the media or issue spin on his own behalf. In contrast, many of the biz’s biggest stars would gladly attend the opening of a can of tomato soup to engage with a chorus of detractors.

That choir of criticism has not even altered the freewheeling style of the oft maligned Tony Romo.

Or wiped that smile off his face.

JIMMY STEALS THE SHOW

Jimmy Johnson can still kick butt. Verbally, that is.

The Fox Sports NFL analyst provided the most authentic moment seen on one of these studio shows in years. Johnson came out on fire after Dallas fell behind Green Bay 27-7 at the half.

That’s when Johnson launched into the speech he would’ve delivered to the team he once coached. Fortunately, there was nothing for him to throw.

“I don’t need to hear people pointing fingers one way or another. You get your rear end in there and you play the way you know how to play,” a wigged-out Johnson said. “We can win the game.”

Johnson continued with a few more choice words. Considering the inspiration he is still able to produce, it’s worth wondering if Johnson should direct this style of pep talk to his often near-comatose Fox colleagues before they go on the air.

It would liven up the show.

MAN OF THE PEOPLE

Over in CBS’ “The NFL Today” studio, James Brown was proving he actually cares about viewers.

When a member of the panel spoke in football jargon, Brown asked them to provide a translation of what the words actually mean.

Brown, unlike most others in his position, understands there are those watching who aren’t familiar with the footballese often spewed on these shows.

TOUGH VS. NICE

If anything, the fragile consensus drawn from the media focusing on the management stylings of Brian Daboll convinced us that when he was in elementary school, the Giants coach did not receive high marks in the “plays well with other children” category.

Nonetheless for Daboll, being perceived as a tough, ruthless guy is viewed as a positive, especially in the New York market. According to Valley of the Stupid Gasbags it beats being Jets coach Robert Saleh, who is perceived as a “nice guy.”

Nonetheless, the tough guy persona fades fast, and becomes more of a caricature, if your team isn’t winning. Stay tuned.

AROUND THE DIAL

It only took Spike Eskin, WFAN’s program director, two years to get the itch to slither out of the FANCave back to his comfort zone, Philly’s WIP, where he will gig as an afternoon-drive Gasbag. Left behind, are an assortment of paranoid, defensive WFAN Talkies who must adapt to what the new PD wants. That basically means at least some of the current Mouths will have to prove themselves all over again. … Brandon Tierney seemed disappointed with the grade his FAN colleague, Norman Julius Esiason, assigned to his performance. Unless NJE is running WFAN (maybe he is), Tierney shouldn’t care what NJE has to say. … The majority of local Gasbags, and other sports commentators, have not touched the story about James Dolan being sued, in Federal Court in Los Angeles, for sexual misconduct. Through his attorneys, the Garden boss said the allegations contained in the lawsuit have “absolutely no merit.” … According to his radio partner, Suzyn (Ma Pinstripe) Waldman, John (Pa Pinstripe) Sterling won’t be attending Spring Training.

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DUDE OF THE WEEK: STACEY KING

For his compassionate display. The Bulls TV analyst blasted foolish Chicago fans who booed the team’s late GM, Jerry Krause, while he was being inducted into the Bulls Ring of Honor. His widow, Thelma, was in attendance at the United Center and visibly shaken. King: ”It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I hurt for that lady.”

DWEEB OF THE WEEK: NFL

Bad enough Roger Goodell and Co. made fans pay to watch a playoff game on TV. Worse still, the product the league put on the field for its Super Wildcard Weekend was pure dreck. Only one game, Rams-Lions, was competitive. At least the voices calling the games didn’t try telling viewers what a “great game” they were watching.

DOUBLE TALK

What Nick Sirianni said: “I’m not worried about me. My heart feels for these guys.”

What Nick Sirianni meant to say: “Even I can’t tell you why these guys folded.”