Tony Romo didn't want T.O. here anymore.
Anyone who saw his interview a couple of weeks ago with Channel 11's Babe Laufenberg knows that's the truth.
That's OK. It's his right.
We all work with someone who gets on our nerves. Besides, Romo didn't make the ultimate decision. Jerry Jones did that.
Now, this is Romo's team.
No longer must he wrest control of it from the diva receiver. It does, however, come with a price.
Romo must understand he can't have all of the perks that accompany being the quarterback of America's Team ? the money, the fame, the high-profile girlfriend ? without any of the nuisances.
It doesn't work that way. It never has. He's never really accepted that, which is why he went to Cabo before the playoff game against the Giants and why he made those silly remarks after the debacle in Philadelphia.
Jerry has put tremendous faith in Romo, who is 0-2 in the playoffs and has a reputation for choking when the games matter most.
You can talk all you want about how Hall of Fame quarterbacks such as John Elway and Warren Moon and Troy Aikman started their careers slowly, but none of that matters because they eventually experienced postseason success.
Romo has yet to do it.
He's the only one who can silence his critics. Eventually, I think he'll win playoff games, but it's not my job to have hope or faith or optimism that he will.
When he does it, he'll be applauded. Until then, he must be scrutinized.
Such is life when you sign a six-year, $65 million contract with $30 million guaranteed.
Don't forget, we live in a city that booed Troy Aikman unmercifully in a 41-24 loss to San Francisco in 2000 ? and Aikman had won three Super Bowls. This town will turn on Romo if he doesn't deliver.
That's why Jerry should be at least a little bit nervous. By removing T.O. from the roster, he has made Romo the unquestioned face of the franchise.
It's a risky move because Romo's performance next season will play a significant role in determining just how many tens of millions Jerry can create from naming rights to the new stadium. The better Romo plays, the more Jerry can command.
And don't underestimate T.O.'s influence in the locker room, even if he's been banished to Buffalo. His cellphone still works.
If the offense isn't producing at a high level, you better believe a faction of the locker room will blame Romo for making T.O. the scapegoat for everything that went wrong in the Cowboys' 9-7 season.
Then the chemistry problems Jerry thought he was getting rid of with T.O.'s release will return.
Yes, T.O. was petulant at times. Yes, he whined. Yes, he helped divide the locker room.
But he also produced. We can't deny that.
He was responsible for nearly 25 percent of Romo's completions. Nearly 30 percent of his yardage. And 40 percent of his touchdowns.
Those numbers, though, didn't translate into enough wins, which is why T.O.'s gone and Romo must assume leadership of this team.
That means getting to know every player in the locker room and finding out what makes him tick. It means moving out of his comfort level and attending birthday parties and other social gatherings he'd rather skip.
Leadership is Kurt Warner telling Arizona's front office that he'll give up $2 million if the Cardinals use it to sign Anquan Boldin. Leadership is Trent Edwards text messaging Buffalo's GM at midnight and suggesting the Bills try to sign T.O.
Leadership doesn't come easy to Romo. It's obvious.
If you had any doubt, last season proved it.
He has every physical skill you want in a quarterback and the stats to prove it. He has charisma and flair, and you can tell he loves playing football.
Unfortunately, that's not enough.
He must be a leader. It's not optional.
The position demands it.
