Jones showed his belief in Tony Romo in 2007, giving the quarterback a contract extension with more than $30 million in guaranteed money. Jones showed that belief again Tuesday at the NFL owners' meetings at the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach.

"I wouldn't trade Tony for anybody," Jones said.

So put to rest any of that fantasy talk surrounding a Romo-for-Jay Cutler swap or any other machinations in which Romo is not the Cowboys quarterback of the long-term future.

At the NFL scouting combine last month in Indianapolis, Jones said the Cowboys' plan was to make everything as "Romo friendly," as possible. The owner admitted that played a role in the decision to cut Terrell Owens.

Jones said he did not consult with Romo about cutting Owens but said the two have talked about the best way to utilize personnel.

"I think in the sense that I am quick to focus on that we want to do everything we can to have Romo play his best, and I made the decision to release Terrell, then I must have thought it gives Tony a better chance to play at the optimum for the Cowboys," Jones said.

Romo was limited to 13 games in 2008 because of a fractured right pinkie but still threw for 26 touchdown passes and 3,448 yards a year after setting franchise records in touchdown passes (36) and yards (4,211).

The Cowboys, however, did not make the playoffs last season and did not win a playoff game in '07 despite an NFC-best 13-3 record.

"We all know everybody has had quarterbacks dinged up or injured but taking into consideration the games he missed in analyzing his play during the year, I thought he had a better year last year on a percentage of time he played than the year before," Jones said.

"Now I would be the first to say, 'but what about the record and what about the playoffs?' and that's what it's all about."

Earlier this off-season, Hall of Famers Aikman and Roger Staubach said Romo needed to understand all that comes with being the Cowboys quarterback. Even before Owens' release, Romo said he would take a more active approach to leadership in 2009.

With Romo having gone from undrafted free agent to Pro Bowler in what seemed like a minute, Jones believes his quarterback will grow into the role and has natural leadership qualities.

"To have his talent at that position and then have him exert leadership is a big ingredient to us winning," Jones said, "and so his awareness of those leadership responsibilities is encouraging."

Romo has been a regular visitor to Valley Ranch, even though the off-season conditioning program does not begin until Monday.

Jones said Romo's focus on his physical conditioning has been increased as well as his determination to cut down on turnovers.

Over the last three weeks, Romo and Roy Williams - as well as some of the other receivers - have had throwing sessions to improve their timing.

"I've always been so amused about any talk of Tony and his focus on Football and his work ethic," Jones said. "Tony's boring. He won't talk about anything but Football and the Cowboys and how to move the ball and what plays we can run.

"I don't know I've been around anybody that's just that into Football. I wish he would talk more about spicy things, but I can't get him to."