IRVING, Texas — Tony Romo is tired of talking about Jerry Jones’ closing window.
The Cowboys quarterback wouldn’t even let a Post reporter finish his question yesterday before slapping his knees, exclaiming, “That’s it!” and walking out in a huff from his regular weekly media session after just seven minutes.
The reporter was trying to ask Romo about Jones’ comment earlier this year that the owner feels time is running out on Romo and the current version of his team to revive the Cowboys’ tradition of success.
After winning three Super Bowls in a span of just four years in the 1990s, Dallas has won just one playoff game since 1996.
“Well, my window is getting shorter,” Jones told the NFL Network last spring. “Time goes by. I do feel real pressure because we do have players not only in Tony Romo, but [tight end] Jason Witten [and linebacker] DeMarcus Ware, to leave out several, that are also in the prime of their career. And we need to strike and strike soon with those guys.”
Romo has previously acknowledged he agrees with Jones that the Cowboys — who missed the playoffs last season at 8-8 — are overdue to start winning again.
Yesterday, however, Romo made it clear he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore — or at least not before the Cowboys take on the Giants on Wednesday in the season-opener.
Romo did say he relishes the chance to play Big Blue. The Giants ended the Cowboys’ season at MetLife Stadium the last time Dallas played a game that counted. Thanks to the NFL schedulemakers, the next game the Cowboys will play that counts is at the same place this week. But Romo said he is excited by the chance to avenge the Cowboys’ painful 31-14 Week 17 loss on a national stage.
“When I found out we were playing them, I was excited just to be able to get back in the exact same spot that we finished in,” Romo said. “As a competitor and an athlete, you love that you get to go back and challenge someone, especially the world champs. It’s going to be a great test for our football team.”
Even after being sacked six times by the Giants defensive line in last year’s finale, Romo isn’t ready to proclaim theirs the best pass rush in the NFL — just one of the best along with Philadelphia’s.
“It’s right near the top,” Romo said. “They’re [No. 1 or 2], and the other one’s probably in our division, too.”
Dallas cornerback Mike Jenkins practiced full for the first time yesterday since wrecking his shoulder against the Giants in the 2011 finale, but it doesn’t appear likely he will play Wednesday because the Cowboys want to be cautious with him.
Former Jets nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ankle) didn’t practice and isn’t expected to play.