Romo sets record straight; Jeter, Biel do Vegas; more

                    

	According to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, he and Jessica Simpson aren't dating. Mark Mainz/Getty Images
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Heading into the media capital of the world and the biggest game of his young career, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has a message for any Page Six reporters or paparazzi photographers hoping to catch him and Jessica Simpson partying at Bungalow 8 or dining at Nobu.

"So I don't have to answer any more questions about this, I'm not dating Jessica Simpson, nor have I gone on a date with her," Romo told the Dallas Morning News this week. "I appreciate everyone's interest in my social life, but I think I may try to play it close to the vest from here on out."

Now Romo, the NFL's top-rated passer, did nothing to squelch the rumor that he was dating Simpson, offering up a coy smile and a no comment whenever he was asked about his relationship with her in the past. But with Simpson's name being brought up almost every time Romo is mentioned on television the 26-year-old decided to come clear before Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

If anything it would appear that Romo has been friendlier with Simpson's father, Joe; dining with him in Los Angeles recently and hooking him up with tickets for the Cowboys-Cardinals game a few weeks ago.

The best reason why a Romo-Simpson partnership could never work surprisingly came from his harshest critic these days. "He's almost too smart," said Bill Parcells. "He knows where the conversation is going before you get there, and sometimes people like that are not good listeners. That's a discipline you have to acquire. I know a lot of people like that. They kind of know where you're going and so they kind of want to get there before it's time and they miss things."

Somehow we can't imagine Romo handling those Chicken of the Sea/ Buffalo Wing conversations as well as her ex.

• While one athlete distanced himself from a Jessica, another got closer to one. Our friends over at People tell us that Derek Jeter and Jessica Biel spent last weekend cozying up all over Las Vegas. The couple spent Saturday night exchanging kisses at Tryst, the nightclub at the Wynn, at a VIP table they shared with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi. The next night they played blackjack at the Palms' Mint Lounge and dined at the hotel's Nine restaurant before closing out the night at Hard Rock's Body English nightclub where they reportedly "snuggled, traded pecks on the cheek and were in general very lovey-dovey in their VIP booth."

• The place to be on Saturday night in Los Angeles wasn't at any club or lounge, but on the sideline for the USC-Notre Dame game. Yellow sideline passes for the one of the biggest college football games of the season were at a premium and getting onto the guest list was harder than getting into Hyde on a Friday night. Some of the names that were on the list prior to the game included Will Ferrell, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Donald Trump, James Caan, Joe Montana, George Wendt, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Haybert, Josh Duhamel, David James Elliott, John Seda, Robert Patrick, Duane Davis, Shari Headley, Michael King, Joe Maloof and Jamie "Britney's Dad" Spears. Snoop Dogg wanted to attend the game but was unable to while he promoted his new CD, The Blue Carpet Treatment. Instead, he planned on wearing USC gear along with his group when he performed on The Tonight Show this week.

• Some sights and sounds from the sideline of the USC-Notre Dame game: Lachey, wearing a USC hat and shirt, snuggling up to Minnillo, who was wearing a USC hat and sweatshirt.... Lachey getting heckled with chants of "Jessica! Jessica!" by the USC student section behind him during halftime. ... Marshall Faulk, Tim Brown and Ronnie Lott congregating in the north end zone during the half and talking about life after football. .... Ferrell chatting with Montana before the start of the third quarter and wishing the Golden Domer good luck in the second half. ... Montana complaining about the Irish's play calling in the second half to anyone who would listen including Anthony Fasano and Desmond Howard. ... Lee Corso practically standing on the field and almost getting in the way of a line judge during the fourth quarter. ... Ferrell high-fiving students and taking pictures with giddy coeds and their camera phones after the game.

• Members of the USA Swimming Foundation were treated to a private screening of the major motion picture, Pride, last week in Los Angeles. The Lionsgate film tells the true story of legendary USA Swimming coach, Jim Ellis, who founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia's roughest neighborhoods. The life-affirming drama stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise. Director Sunu Gonera admitted a full theater at the Museum of Tolerance, including swimmers Aaron Peirsol, Cullen Jones, Martiza Correia and, of course, Ellis, who viewed the biopic for the first time. The movie is scheduled to be released March 23, 2007.

• My Boys, TBS's first fully scripted original series which debuted on Tuesday, takes viewers through the life of fictitious Chicago Cubs beat writer PJ Franklin (played by Jordana Spiro), who writes for the Chicago Sun-Times and must maneuver through relationships while working in a male dominated profession. For the role, Spiro shadowed Los Angeles Times sports writer Steve Henson, who is the beat writer for the Dodgers and later watched a taping of the show with Dodgers manager Grady Little.