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JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
Aaron Rodgers, emerging as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, took the Green Bay Packers to their first Super Bowl since 1998.
Pittsburgh is in its third Super Bowl since 2005, in part, because Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the game.
The question for Jerry Jones is obvious: Is Tony Romo in their class? Can Romo take the Cowboys to the Promised Land?
It would be nice, of course, if Romo could have the sustained greatness of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning , who have combined for four Super Bowl victories and helped their teams, along with Pittsburgh, rule the AFC.
But Jerry would certainly settle for a moment in time – a glimpse of greatness – like Eli Manning had with the New York Giants in 2007. Or Chicago's Rex Grossman had in 2006. Or Jake Delhomme had in 2003.
The NFC has had nine different quarterbacks play in the Super Bowl the past 10 seasons. There have been some good ones, but no quarterback has dominated the conference the way Roethlisberger, Brady and Peyton Manning have ruled the AFC.
At 27-years-old, Rodgers might be about to change that. Jerry knows this; it concerns him.
Is Dallas close to the Packers?
"No. No. I don't feel Green Bay has really distinguished itself," Jerry said Tuesday afternoon. "I do know their quarterback is outstanding. I think we have an outstanding quarterback, and we have a long way to go if we don't.
"We just haven't had a quarterback in the NFC just step out and distinguish themselves the way those three - Brady, Manning and Roethlisberger – have. I'd like to think Romo gives us a chance, where he is in his career, can play at a level that would put him the distinguished category."
Frankly, Jerry has no choice. Romo must succeed.
The entire offense is built around his skill set, which is why it was referred to as Romo "friendly" before the start of last season. No excuses remain. It's time for him to do it – if he can.
The topic of Romo is up there with sex, politics and religion as one of the great conversation starters.
No other Cowboys player in recent memory has evoked so much passion or vitriol as the Cowboys' 30-year-old starter.
Fans see his talent. They see his statistics. They have yet to see it translate to much postseason success.
Romo's critics see the bobbled snap in Seattle in 2006. They see the first-round loss to the Giants in 2007 after a 13-win season gave the Cowboys home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They see the blowout loss to Minnesota to end the 2009 season.
They obsess over the 1-3 postseason record as opposed to the 118 touchdowns, 62 interceptions and 95.5 passer rating in 89 career starts.
Fans reflect on Roger Staubach's career. They think about his nickname – Captain Comeback – and the Hail Mary.
They think about the Cowboys' transformation from Next Year's Champions to two-time world champions with Staubach at quarterback. There's a reason he remains the most popular player in franchise history more than 30 years after he retired.
Then there's Troy Aikman who earned three Super Bowl rings. He led the Cowboys in every sense of the word.
The bigger the game; the better Aikman played.
And with Pittsburgh and Green Bay in the Super Bowl, it's yet another reminder that the best quarterbacks can lead a team where they want them to go. Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers from a 14-point deficit against Baltimore's defense, which is considered among the best in the league.
All Rodgers did is win three consecutive playoff games on the road.
You can't get around it. You can't fake it. You can't ignore it.
Winning in the NFL is always about the quarterback. Game managers rarely win championships.
"Tony is one of the Top 10 quarterbacks in the league," Jerry said.
It's time for him to prove it. Roethlisberger and Rodgers have already done so.
Aaron Rodgers, emerging as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, took the Green Bay Packers to their first Super Bowl since 1998.
Pittsburgh is in its third Super Bowl since 2005, in part, because Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the game.
The question for Jerry Jones is obvious: Is Tony Romo in their class? Can Romo take the Cowboys to the Promised Land?
It would be nice, of course, if Romo could have the sustained greatness of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning , who have combined for four Super Bowl victories and helped their teams, along with Pittsburgh, rule the AFC.
But Jerry would certainly settle for a moment in time – a glimpse of greatness – like Eli Manning had with the New York Giants in 2007. Or Chicago's Rex Grossman had in 2006. Or Jake Delhomme had in 2003.
The NFC has had nine different quarterbacks play in the Super Bowl the past 10 seasons. There have been some good ones, but no quarterback has dominated the conference the way Roethlisberger, Brady and Peyton Manning have ruled the AFC.
At 27-years-old, Rodgers might be about to change that. Jerry knows this; it concerns him.
Is Dallas close to the Packers?
"No. No. I don't feel Green Bay has really distinguished itself," Jerry said Tuesday afternoon. "I do know their quarterback is outstanding. I think we have an outstanding quarterback, and we have a long way to go if we don't.
"We just haven't had a quarterback in the NFC just step out and distinguish themselves the way those three - Brady, Manning and Roethlisberger – have. I'd like to think Romo gives us a chance, where he is in his career, can play at a level that would put him the distinguished category."
Frankly, Jerry has no choice. Romo must succeed.
The entire offense is built around his skill set, which is why it was referred to as Romo "friendly" before the start of last season. No excuses remain. It's time for him to do it – if he can.
The topic of Romo is up there with sex, politics and religion as one of the great conversation starters.
No other Cowboys player in recent memory has evoked so much passion or vitriol as the Cowboys' 30-year-old starter.
Fans see his talent. They see his statistics. They have yet to see it translate to much postseason success.
Romo's critics see the bobbled snap in Seattle in 2006. They see the first-round loss to the Giants in 2007 after a 13-win season gave the Cowboys home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They see the blowout loss to Minnesota to end the 2009 season.
They obsess over the 1-3 postseason record as opposed to the 118 touchdowns, 62 interceptions and 95.5 passer rating in 89 career starts.
Fans reflect on Roger Staubach's career. They think about his nickname – Captain Comeback – and the Hail Mary.
They think about the Cowboys' transformation from Next Year's Champions to two-time world champions with Staubach at quarterback. There's a reason he remains the most popular player in franchise history more than 30 years after he retired.
Then there's Troy Aikman who earned three Super Bowl rings. He led the Cowboys in every sense of the word.
The bigger the game; the better Aikman played.
And with Pittsburgh and Green Bay in the Super Bowl, it's yet another reminder that the best quarterbacks can lead a team where they want them to go. Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers from a 14-point deficit against Baltimore's defense, which is considered among the best in the league.
All Rodgers did is win three consecutive playoff games on the road.
You can't get around it. You can't fake it. You can't ignore it.
Winning in the NFL is always about the quarterback. Game managers rarely win championships.
"Tony is one of the Top 10 quarterbacks in the league," Jerry said.
It's time for him to prove it. Roethlisberger and Rodgers have already done so.