Romo's day in Hawaii

"When the defender is playing high like that, you want it underthrown," Romo said. "We were trying for the back shoulder. Anquan and I talked about that before the play. That's what we wanted to do and it worked."

Romo, who finished 11-for-19 for 156 yards with one TD and one interception, believes the Cowboys are still on the way up even though coach Bill Parcells is gone.

"I'm excited about next year," he said. "We're ready to go out there and work our butts off and do whatever it takes.

"I haven't met him (new coach Wade Phillips) yet, but I heard he's a good guy."

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who had a breakout season with 11 1-2 sacks in 2006, was sad to see Phillips go.

"Of course I'm upset because coach Wade brought the best out of us," Shaun Phillips said. "It hurts to see him leave. Not only is he a great coach, but he was a great man to look up to."

Wade Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Bum Phillips, was hired following the 2003 season and revived the Chargers' punchless defense by installing the 3-4.

"We've got a 3-4 for a reason, to utilize our personnel," said Shaun Phillips, who became a starter after Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer eight days before the season opener. Foley said last week that his career could be over.

"I wouldn't want to play for any other defensive coordinator," Shaun Phillips said. "But unfortunately this is the NFL and transactions happen. We've got to move forward."