In the January 7th issue of ESPN the Magazine, Howard Bryant wrote a great article discussing Tom Brady's eventual replacement, now that he's 35 years old. The article didn't really say how to do it more than highlighting the fact that it was going to happen soon, regardless of whether the Patriots had a plan in place or not. Since I'm a Cowboys fan, I could care less about Brady. I don't hate the man, but that's the Patriots problem.

The article, however, did get me thinking. It's a question every team faces sooner or later and the Cowboys are no exception. The most important guy on the team is getting older . . . when should the team take a different direction? Or better yet, when does the team think Romo will produce less than the next best obtainable alternative?

To the chagrin of many on here, I've already mentioned that the Cowboys are rebuilding. Yes, that's FULL rebuild mode - stemming from the fact that they are changing philosophies and scheme for the entire defense, will probably get a new ST coach and the only remaining starting players on the roster from 3 years ago (that are projected to come back) this year is: Romo, Ware, Witten, Ratliff, Spencer, Spears, Free, Smith, Lee, Sensabaugh and Church (speculation continues about the futures of Spencer, Spears and Free). With a rebuild comes change. Some of you don't agree and think that the Romo has another 3-5 years in him. Perhaps he does.

This off-season, the Cowboys will need to answer that question. Romo's contract is such that it needs to be reworked and for him to get the same (or more) money, he'll probably need to be extended. The question is, of course, for how long? Romo turns 33 in April.