IRVING, Texas -- Jerry Jones doesn’t just expect Tony Romo to be the same quarterback he was before undergoing his second back surgery in the span of less than a year.

Jones, the Dallas Cowboys’ owner and general manager, expects Romo to be better than before.

Jones has been consistent in insisting this summer that Romo was completely healthy, even as the Cowboys’ $108-million-man missed several practices throughout training camp, with the team attributing those absences to preventative maintenance. Jones firmly believes that a healthy Romo is primed for his best season at the age of 34 because of the blossoming relationship with new offensive play-caller Scott Linehan.

“I also think you’ll see an improved player relative to the experience and the time that he’s spent with his new coordinator,” Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan after being asked about Romo’s health. “This is a real successful matchup. I think these guys are going to be pretty effective with the way they work together.

“Tony basically said, ‘He’s thinking of it before I do,’ and that’s something because Tony has a lot of thoughts as he plays a ballgame. He stays out ahead of it pretty good, so we’re going to be pretty pleased with that combination.”