Lisa Guerrero: Conversation with Bill Romanowski

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Before the Cowboys had Romo, the Broncos had ‘Romo.’

While Romo is famous for dating country music hotties, playing in celebrity golf tournaments and not winning a playoff game -– “Romo” is infamous for playing dirty on the field, coming clean on ’60 Minutes’ and four Super Bowl championships.

After the Raiders snatched defeat from the clutches of victory yet again on Sunday, I called Bill Romanowski to get his take on his old team, its owner (“Mr. Davis”) and soon to be ex-coach.

Romo’s been retired since 2003, but clearly he can still deliver the knockout blow. While getting caught up on his latest endeavors (he’s an analyst on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain’s Broncos post-game show and has founded Nutrition 53, an all-natural supplement company), he spilled the beans on some very, VERY famous customers (more on that juicy gossip in a minute).

The issue at hand, however, is the Raiders. Being the crack reporter that I am, here’s my observation –- they stink.

Here’s Romo’s: “They’re playing not to lose” and “they’re young” or “they’re off track.”

Uh-huh.

“JaMarcus Russell needs to be a leader, but he’s too young to be one. It’s not a stable situation.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. So I say, how can it be a stable situation if it looks like your head coach is gonna get the ax any second? Romo concedes that this is a huge distraction for a young team.

Then why, I ask, doesn’t Al Davis just fire the poor guy already or hold a press conference and say Lane Kiffin’s your man and you’re sticking with him the rest of the season? Jeez … all the drama, backstabbing, posturing and failed attempts at any kind of cohesive strategy make the McCain campaign seem Kennedy-esque by comparison.

Romo responds: “Mr. Davis has health issues. He’s not what he once was. I have a lot of respect for him, but he just doesn’t have the endurance anymore.”

I ask if Davis should stick with Kiffin through the end of the year. Romo says yes. Then I ask if he will. Romo says no. Why not, I ask. “Because controversy is Mr. Davis’ middle name.” So I say, “Does he enjoy this?” Romo admits that on some level he does.

Then Romo predicts that Kiffin will be fired within four weeks and replace by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan because “guys will play hard for him.” Harder than they play now? “Yes,” he says.

Next I ask Romo about the recent story in the San Diego Union-Tribune linking 185 current and former NFL players to performance-enhancing drugs since 1962. Of course, his name is on the list –- he’s admitted using steroids and human growth hormone but said he wasn’t aware of the article.

Nevertheless, he said, “the past is the past. This is old news. I think people are tired of hearing about it. Eventually, I decided honesty was the best policy.”

And how about claims that he took cheap shots, crossed the line and was a dirty player?

“I made more than 12,000 plays in my career. I made a handful of dirty plays, but it’s a violent and vicious sport. I have a love-hate relationship with fans. Everywhere I played, I either got the loudest boos or the loudest cheers.”

Finally, who’s the celebrity client who has recently begun to take his product, Neuro 1? Romo’s website makes the following claims about this powder:

• Sharpen focus and clarity
• Improve memory and recall
• Increase mental energy and stamina
• Enhance alertness and mood

Romo tells me his customer is John McCain.

Lisa Guerrero has covered Super Bowls, NBA championships and the World Series, along with the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. As an actress, she appeared on ‘Fraiser,’ ‘The George Lopez Show,’ and as Billy Baldwin’s wife in the award-winning family film ‘A Plumm Summer,’ which she executive-produced.