'Romo Friendly' Means No T.O.

The Cowboys have made decisions this offseason for Tony Romo.

When the team released Terrell Owens a few months ago, Jerry Jones said the decision was bigger than him. Days later, Jones said he wanted the team to become "Romo Friendly."

Jones wouldn't get into specifics as to what that meant and, last week, Romo claimed he never heard anyone use "Romo Friendly." When pressed by reporters, Romo said he didn't know what it meant.

Here's what it means: The Cowboys are clearing the roster of what they perceived to be loud-mouths, guys who care more about themselves than the team and/or players who have attacked Romo.


The Cowboys know their quarterback, like most, is extra sensitive. So, the team is trying to make sure everybody likes him and respects him. Owens liked Romo, but didn't respect him.

Owens was more of a distraction away from the field, despite the success he had on it. Owens challenged Romo on and off the field. The Cowboys don't want that now, though one former player told me that Romo plays better when he's challenged.

In 2007, Romo set franchise records for completions, passing yards and touchdowns. He led his team to a 13-3 record. The Cowboys were the top seed in the NFC. We all know how that story ends. A loss to the Giants in the divisional round and turmoil to follow in 2008. The Cowboys finished 9-7 last year and missed the playoffs.

Romo did miss three games with a broken pinkie yet threw for 300 yards or more six times, second-best in team history. He also had six games with at least three touchdown passes.

But Romo had to deal with stories about poor practice habits and how Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Owens went to offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to complain about the offense. The wide receivers talked to Garrett about why Romo targeted more passes to Jason Witten than anyone else on the team.

The numbers didn't indicate this, but that was the perception. So, Jones has decided to move on from Owens and hope that Williams builds a bond with Romo during the offseason.

Williams said the offseason workouts with Romo have been great and hopes that 2009 will return the Cowboys to the playoffs.

For that to happen, Romo has to deliver. You would still take Romo over Jason Campbell in Washington, the guys in Minnesota, and even Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Some of you take Romo over the guys in Oakland and San Francisco.

Romo is that good, yet he continues to struggle down the stretch. The last two seasons, Romo is 3-5 in December with eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He can get better, and Jones is determined to make sure of that by getting rid of players such as Owens, who cause distractions. That's one reason why the Cowboys have let Greg Ellis seek a trade this week. The Cowboys tired of his complaining about his role in the defense. Ellis went over Wade Phillips' head last year to speak with Jones about his role on the defense. That's a no-no.

The Cowboys want a quieter locker room in 2009. Who can blame them?

Whether or not it translates into a playoff victory remains to be seen.