Tony Romo the Key for Dallas Cowboys' Success in 2009

It's no surprise the success of the 2009 Dallas Cowboys rests firmly on the shoulders of quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo has said that this season he'll take on more of a leadership role than he has in the past, which is good news considering this team doesn't have an abundance of natural leaders.  

Being a leader for this team will mean Romo will have to change the way he's handled himself in the media in the past. First, he'll have to avoid having his name in headlines not related to football.

Outspoken wide receiver Terrell Owens is now a Buffalo Bill after being sent packing by owner Jerry Jones, meaning Romo will have to become the Cowboys' new leader with enigmatic Roy Williams as his No. 1 option at wideout.

Romo will still rely on perennial All-Pro tight end Jason Witten as he has in the past. But Jones is banking his fragile football personnel reputation that Williams will be able to fill the role of Romo's big-play option.

Romo and Williams will have to build a chemistry that was virtually non-existent last season. The two were never really on the same page as evidenced in Williams dismal numbers (10 games, 19 catches, 198 yards, one touchdown).

Romo will also have to shake the lingering reputation that he can't win games in crunch time in December. His 5-9 December record and 0-2 record in the playoffs don't meet standards set by storied Dallas signal callers Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.

It's an unfair comparison, but unfortunately it's the measuring stick in which all quarterbacks are up against in Big D.

Romo still has time to create his own legacy. He's young and talented, and the Cowboys still have loads of talent and an owner who will do virtually anything to break the team's five-game playoff losing streak.

But it's going to be a tall task for the Cowboys to even make the playoffs in a competitive division loaded with talent, let alone win a playoff game.