Nov. 28, 2007

Is Jessica Simpson afflicted with a persistent case of premature infatuation? On the heels of her headline-making but apparently fruitless flirtation with Owen Wilson comes news that she's enamored with Dallas Cowboys star Tony Romo, who this time last year denied rumors they were an item.

Us Weekly says that even though the former Mrs. Nick Lachey has only been hanging with Romo for a few days, she's wasted no time in dubbing him "my man," and not, alas, in a "Welcome Back, Kotter" kind of way.

"She's already saying they're dating. She's crazy!" a confidante head-shakes to the magazine, which features Simpson on its latest cover looking glum over the headline, "Life After Nick -- Tortured by Regret: Jessica thought she could do better and left her husband two years ago. How the lonely star's plan backfired as she rushes into yet another new fling."

Texas native Simpson, 27, who's been single since parting ways with John Mayer in June after a tempestuous yearlong romance, reportedly cheered on Romo, 27, as he helped defeat the New York Jets during a Thanksgiving Day home game, and they later met up for a turkey dinner at a local eatery. But the meal was hardly romantic.

Also breaking bread was Jessica's mom, Tina, her best friend and onetime assistant CaCee Cobb (accompanied by her "Scrubs" funnyman beau Donald Faison) and her ever-present, cleavage-proud pop Joe Simpson, who it seems ran interference for the hookup.

"Joe and Tony have been friendly for a while. Joe is a huge Dallas Cowboy fan, and Tony has always had a crush on her -- he even said on his Web site like a year ago that it was his dream to date her," a verbose Simpson source helpfully shares with the New York Post. "Jessica has been in Nashville and Dallas recording her new country album. When Tony found out, he called Joe and said, 'I know she's not dating anyone right now, can I take her out for a drink at least?'"

Adds the insider, "Jessica said it was OK for Joe to give Tony her number and they hit it off. They've been dating for a couple of weeks now, and Jessica is so happy. She's been texting everyone about how great he is."

Romo seems to fit right in with the Simpson clan, with an eyewitness to the Turkey Day dinner telling Us, "They were all laughing."

Perhaps the quarterback was regaling them with stories of his rumored close encounter with Britney Spears, who supposedly gave him a lap dance at a Los Angeles nightclub last month (there were denials all around).

And it appears Tony, who's also been spied in recent weeks with "One Tree Hill" starlet Sophia Bush and was previously linked to Carrie Underwood, just can't get enough of the Simpsons.

According to In Touch, the newly marketable NFL-er joined Jessica on Nov. 23 at the Waco, Texas, home of her grandparents, where he received a "hero's welcome."

Coincidentally, a willingness to be introduced to grandma and grandpa was high on Simpson's list of what she's looking for in a guy.

"As far as boys go, I don't need 'em. I want a man," she announced on the Nov. 15 edition of "The View." "Somebody who's a really great family guy ... a guy that's not afraid to pick up the babies ... Somebody that wants to meet my grandparents immediately. I think all those characteristics are what make a man attractive."

Turns out a shapely posterior is a plus, too.

"Tony is amazing," a source blabs to OK! "He's everything she wants in a man and he's got a cute ass!"

Chimes in another snitch, "Tony is a gentleman and he treats her like a Southern belle."

No, that doesn't mean he puts her in hoop skirts and makes her say things like "fiddle-dee-dee" (we assume). Instead, it's likely part of the ostensible bond Simpson shared with fellow Texan Wilson, which one mole described as "a natural attraction based on Southern values."

Here's hoping this natural attraction lasts longer than that one did.