Steve Silverman

There’s a certain swagger that Tony Romo brings with him every place he goes.

He has been linked to Jessica Simpson. He is often the lead story on national sportscasts and the print media can’t seem to get enough. He clearly has the “it” factor.

It’s especially noticeable on the field where he has given the Dallas Cowboys a lift that has placed atop the NFC East and could challenge for superiority in the conference.

“He’s always had the swagger,” inside linebacker Bradie James said. “Romo’s always been the coolest dude around for a while. You guys just have never seen it. He’s putting it on the field now. The way he's been playing is what we've always seen with him on the practice field.”

The change in the Cowboys’ chemistry has been dramatic since Romo took over as the starter for Drew Bledsoe five games ago against the Panthers. Dallas has won four of his five starts and the only loss came after a bizarre blocked Mike Vanderjagt field goal attempt against the Redskins. Now they prepare for a showdown with the sinking Giants this Sunday in New Jersey.

Romo-mania has gripped Dallas and all the subway alumni who support the Cowboys. He has the offense rolling — they are the highest scoring team in the NFC with 309 points and are second in yards per pass.

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Romo throws to Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton. Julius Jones and Marion Barber are more than credible at the running back position. They are downright dangerous. Crayton, in particular, has been the X-factor. Romo and Crayton had practiced together on the scout team in previous years and have grown very familiar with each other. Crayton has caught 28 passes for 437 yards and three touchdowns, thanks to single coverage. Romo has the mobility to escape pressure and buy time with his feet, and he often finds Crayton at the end of those types of plays.

Romo’s five-TD performance against the Bucs on Thanksgiving Day was remarkable. He had put himself on the map five days earlier when he led the Cowboys to a 21-14 win over the previously undefeated Colts.

The long NFL season is usually a series of ups and downs, but Bill Parcells appears to have hit on the right leader as the season approaches the stretch drive. The Cowboys aren’t talking about it, but they are thinking Super Bowl. The pieces are in place.

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Romo’s confidence, mobility and quick release gave him a significant edge over former incumbent Drew Bledsoe. While Bledsoe has unquestioned courage, he is a 34-year-old quarterback who was slow on his fastest day and has always tended to lock on to a receiver and telegraph his throws. Parcells clearly has feelings for his old warhorse, but he would not let those feelings stand in the way of winning.