Dallas Cowboys: 8 Reasons Jerry Jones Needs To Draft a Quarterback in 2011

"America's Team" hasn't lived up to the hype in recent years. It might be time for some major changes in Dallas.

Good-but-not-great quarterback Tony Romo has shown some promise in the regular season, but he's only won a single playoff game with the Cowboys in his career. They haven't been to the Super Bowl since the mid '90s.

The Cowboys always have a great offense, but is Tony Romo's ousting the solution to their problems? Jerry Jones could certainly use some help on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary, but what's going to push the Cowboys to the next level?

Romo has shown his mediocrity and inconsistency far too often, and it might be time for a quarterback change in the near future. Here's why...

Tony Romo's Media Image

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LAS VEGAS - MAY 15: Quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and singer Carrie Underwood arrive at the 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Gett

Romo's young, and he has dated several popular celebrities during his tenure as the Cowboys' quarterback. There was Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood, too.

He's married now, but much of America often hears about his popularity as a celebrity instead of his accomplishments on the football field.

Dallas is a team filled with large egos, but it might be time for them to shed that label and try to lay low for a while. 

Jason Garrett's Fresh Start

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

Garrett was the offensive coordinator in Dallas until mid-2010, when he was named interim head coach, and then permanently assigned to the position in 2011.

He knows the offense well with Romo at the helm, but maybe a new start for Garrett means a new offense? Romo will get at least one year behind center if Dallas drafts a quarterback, but maybe Garrett wants to take the team in a different direction.

It would be highly unlikely that Dallas rebuilds, but it's always a question to be brought up when a new head coach takes over.

Has Tony Romo's Potential Peaked?

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field following the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21.

If Tony Romo has indeed peaked in terms of his potential, then Dallas should certainly consider replacing him in the near future.

In almost five complete seasons, he has a career quarterback rating of 94.9 and nearly a 2-1 TD/INT ratio. These numbers are fantastic, but he has nearly nothing to show for in the postseason. He's 1-3 in the playoffs, including a costly fumble as the placeholder on a kick against Seattle in 2006.

The Cowboys are always considered preseason contenders, but if they can't get over the hump with Romo, they might let him go.

Tony Romo Is Unaccomplished

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 23: Kicker Jose Cortez #2 and holder Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys look on as Cortez missed a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on October 23, 2005 in Seattle

At 30 years old, Tony Romo has yet to win a divisional round playoff game in his NFL career.

He hasn't won any regular-season awards either, but more than anything, Jerry Jones just wants to win. Jones hasn't seen the light with Romo yet.

In a way, Romo's prime has gone to waste. He has a skill set like no other quarterback aside from Aaron Rodgers with great speed and a rocket arm. 

Romo can never be considered elite in today's NFL until he at least plays in a Super Bowl.

Felix Jones Is Waiting To Explode

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated th

Since Tony Romo continues to pass at a high rate without any real progression in the offense, it's time for Jason Garrett to think more about the running game.

Marion Barber is most likely on his way out of Dallas, which opens the door for speedster Felix Jones. He was expected to do a lot last season, but Jones and rest of the running game stalled, even when John Kitna stepped in during Romo's injury.

Jones can deliver huge plays for this loaded Dallas offense, as he hasn't averaged less than 4.3 yards per carry in his very short career. Clear the way for him, since his prime should begin now. He's only 23 years old.

The Carson Palmer Effect

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CINCINNATI - JANUARY 08: Quaterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals drops back to pass on the second play of the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on January 8, 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Palmer w

Palmer was injured in a 2006 AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh nose tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen tore Palmer's ACL, and the quarterback hasn't been the same since then.

The same result is possible for Romo, which is why Jerry Jones might play it safe and take a quarterback. Romo broke his collarbone, which can be extremely costly to a quarterback.

To Romo's credit, he's been extremely durable as the starting quarterback, so he deserves an opportunity to prove he still belongs in Dallas. However, Jerry Jones won't allow Romo to drag the team down for as long as Palmer did. That's for sure. 

The NFL Lockout

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA) executive director DeMaurice Smith (R) and Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday (L) talk with the media following meetings at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Servi

If there is indeed no football in 2011, Tony Romo won't be able to test his new shoulder the best way he can—through actual live gameplay.

Romo would turn 31 years old in 2012, and Jerry Jones won't have seen him play in almost two seasons. A new rookie quarterback wouldn't have played in 2011, but through rigorous offseason workouts, he may get some looks in 2012.

Stalling Romo's injury progress would be the biggest consequence for Dallas if the lockout cancelled the season. 

Dez Bryant's Elite Status

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Bryant was picked in the first round of the 2010 draft, and Dallas couldn't be any more excited about his future as a star wide receiver.

Bryant needs to have a consistent relationship with his quarterback, and because of Romo's 2010 injury, they haven't played together very much.

With the lockout looming, Bryant might be on the shelf for the entire 2011 season, but he can begin working with a new rookie quarterback if Romo doesn't last in Dallas. Since Jerry Jones expects to have Bryant in a Cowboys uniform for years to come, why not draft a franchise quarterback to grow with him?