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Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws as owner Jerry Jones talks with Cleveland Browns general manager Mike Holmgren in the background at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a difficult time for a Dallas Cowboys fan. It might be the worst time ever, depending on what type of lenses you wear.

The Cowboys have so much talent on their roster, and yet, the team finds a way to carry out so little. Talk about mediocrity. Talk about waste. Talk about windows closing. Fast.

The 2013 draft selections did not accommodate the team for future success. It didn’t even necessary accommodate the team for “now” success. That’s heartbreaking.

But that’s what happens when your pilot — Jerry Jones — flies the team with ego and not brains. The clocks are ticking. Maybe age has prevented Jones from hearing the ticks. But the fans hear it. And so do the players. Jones should have upgraded the surround sound system when he outdid the world with that gigantic television screen in Cowboys Stadium.

Jerry Jones can no longer answer to the voices in his head. He must answer to the voices of the fans. The customer is always right. You don’t need to be a mathematics expert to calculate the Cowboys recent success. Or have a chemical engineer background.

17 seasons. Two playoff victories. Zero Super Bowl appearances.

The lack of January play is so bad that the most popular team in Dallas isn’t even the Dallas Cowboys. It’s the Texas Rangers. Imagine that. Well, you don’t have to; it’s a reality. Yet the nation still has the gull to call the team, “America’s Team.”

No wonder why Cowboy Nation is hated so much. Instead of being a quality television show, the Cowboys circus is more like a trashy reality television show. You can thank the producers for that.

The sad part of it all is that the Cowboys have the right actors on the squad to produce. In the history of the game, Tony Romo trails only four other quarterbacks with a higher passer rating. The problem: The other four quarterbacks have together six rings.

Romo has none. Talk about cardiac arrest.

NFL Career Passer Rating Leaders Today

1. Aaron Rodgers – 104.9
2. Steve Young – 96.8
3. Tom Brady – 96.6
4. Peyton Manning – 95.7
5. Tony Romo – 95.6

• 32. Roger Staubach – 83.4
• 47. Troy Aikman – 81.6

Romo has produced enough numbers to become a star. He is one. But paper glorification doesn’t translate into stardom. Romo has faded into the backseat when it matters most. No excuses. No apologies. You can’t spin Romo’s losing narrative; it’s hard to add lipstick to a 1-6 elimination record.

But the general manager must give better supplement for his star player. It’s nice that you dished out some cash to keep him. So you want Romo more involved in the offense and personnel decisions? Cool. Yet at the same time Jerry Jones consciously neglects what matters most for Romo: Protection.

August 13, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shakes hands with defensive tackle Rob Callaway (72) after the Cowboys defeated the Oakland Raiders 3-0 at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Poor Dez Bryant. He can command his team with leadership voice all he wants, but his talent will go to waste if Romo is on his back — all the time.

Fans can only sit back and watch the sun go down. Nothing has changed. Nobody really got uncomfortable, as Jerry Jones once promised.

The off-season was a chance to turn things around. It was a chance for the team to shine. Jerry Jones too.

Instead, Jerry Jones nets a gain in the ego department at the cost of losing fans. Not cool.

It’s funny how much Cowboys Stadium resembles the inner details of Jerry Jones — all spectacle and dance. But no substance or rings. But hey, since the Cowboys don’t play in January, the electricity bill should be pretty cheap.

Sigh. And tears.

Well, that’s the true price of being a Dallas Cowboys fan these days. But the real fans will never stop to cheer. They’ll roll their eyes (again). Take a deep breath (again). And start filling the balloons with hope (again).

It’s never too late for Jerry to send out thank you notes. It’s the least he could do considering all the heartaches.

In the mean time, let’s all hope we have good health insurance.