20 Questions With Tony Romo

Tony, in 2003 you were signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Eastern Illinois. You didn't start a regular season game for three and a half seasons, and rarely saw any playing time.

All of the sudden you replace an NFL legend to take over as the franchise quarterback.

Did you know that you could get the job done when you took over the job from Drew Bledsoe? At what point did you realize you had what it takes to be a starter in the NFL?

The last three seasons have ended in disappointment. Dallas can be a pressure cooker during football season, especially in December and January.

What do you have to say to those doubters out there who question your ability to win in pressure situations?

Jerry Jones released Terrell Owens during the offseason in a move that he speculated would help you to be a better player. How do you think Terrell's release will affect what you do as a quarterback this year?

Do you think releasing T.O. was in the best interest of the team?

You made a pledge following last season to play a more active leadership role on the team in 2009. How exactly do you plan to fulfill this promise?

The Cowboys traded for Roy Williams in the middle of last season. Due to your broken pinky, there were not a lot of opportunities for you guys to get used to eachother in practice. You and Roy have spent extra time working together during the offseason.

What have you learned about Roy's abilities and work ethic in these sessions? Will you guys be on the same page by the time the season begins?

Troy Aikman seemed to have caused a bit of a stir among Cowboys' fans with the following comments on Michael Irvin's radio show following last season.

"I think maybe things happened so quickly for Tony in terms of obscurity to all of a sudden national spotlight that he hasn't fully grasped what being the Cowboys quarterback is all about," Aikman said in the radio appearance. "And you don't go to Cabo the week before a playoff game. You just don't do it.

"It didn't take away from his preparations. I know that. I mean, everything he says is I think accurate. I don't think that had any bearing,"

"But to say, 'I don't worry about perception,' you better worry about perception, because it's a big part of making it through some very difficult times."

What do you have to say in response to Aikman's comments?

Despite losing Terrell Owens, this team still has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Although you missed the playoffs in 2008, you were picked to be one of the last teams standing. Unfortunately, the team fell short of its goals.

With the changes to the roster, where do you see this team at the end of this season? Is this the year that the Cowboys start winning in the postseason?

There have been rumblings in the locker room from players on both sides of the ball. Both offensive and defensive players have complained that the play calling and packages lacked imagination, and were easily picked apart by opponents.

Do you feel that the problems of 2008 were due more to the scheme or execution of the scheme?

December and January have been unkind to the Cowboys as of late.

There was the botched field goal in a playoff game against Seattle in 2007. In '08 it was the playoff loss at home to New York. Last year the team was a preseason favorite to compete for a Superbowl that ended with no postseason play.

What have you learned as a quarterback and as a person from the disappointing endings to the last three seasons?

You are known for your great golf game. Although you haven't been successful as of yet, you have come very close to attaining your PGA Tour Card.

So if you could play in a foursome with anyone in the world, what three people do you invite and why?

There should be a lot of contention for the second wide receiver spot in the offense this year. Do you see Patrick Crayton getting the majority of the snaps as the second receiver?

Is there a good chance that Miles Austin or Sam Hurd step out of the shadows to make a significant impact?

There are still some receivers that are either unsigned or unhappy in their current situation.

Hypothetically speaking, Jerry gives you a blank check and tells you to go sign either Plaxico Burress, Anquan Boldin, or Chad OchoCinco. Of these three, who would you prefer to throw the ball to on Sundays?

Last year seemed like a soap opera from time to time. The Cowboys dealt with distractions in the form of Hard Knocks cameras, locker room troubles, a Pacman suspension, and the hype of endless Super Bowl talk.

In hindsight, do you think these issues were actually the huge distractions that they seemed to be from the oustide looking in?

You catch a lot of flack at road games, and even from Cowboy fans themselves, for your relationship with Jessica Simpson.

What do you have to say to those who bring your personal life to the forefront and blame your girlfriend when you have a bad game?

Last year saw the Cowboys start off hot until you were sidelined with a broken pinky finger. Before the injury you had 14 touchdowns to only five interceptions with four 300 yard passing games.

In the seven games after the injury you had only 12 TD's to nine interceptions, with only two 300 yard games. You also fumbled 13 times last year, most of those after the injury.

Were you still experiencing difficulty gripping and throwing the ball after your return? Are there any residual effects coming into this season from that injury?

Following last season, Wade Phillips said that he would be making changes in his coaching style in an attempt to do a better job to get the team ready to play.

What differences, if any, have you noticed so far in Wade's approach?

This will be your third straight season in the same offensive system under Jason Garrett. With the amount of turnover in the NFL coaching ranks, such familiarity is hard to come by these days.

With every offensive starter being a returning player, do you believe this continuity will give the Cowboys an advantage in a year with so many coaching changes throughout the league?

Tashard Choice and Felix Jones both had impressive rookie campaigns. Along with Marion Barber, these runners help to form one of the best backfields in the NFL.

With the emergence of three running options, do you see the offense relying more on the run this year?

The year is 2029, and you are a 49 year old man looking back on your career as a Dallas Cowboy.

What kind of career do you think you will be looking back upon? What are your individual and team accomplishments, and what kind of mark did you leave on the Cowboys' franchise?

I was thrown in the swimming pool the other night and my cell phone, of course, was in my pocket. Needless to say my phone was fried and I lost every contact in my address book.

What was Jessica's number again?