KANSAS CITY — Todd Haley was an early and unabashed admirer of Tony Romo, the quarterback his victory-starved Kansas City Chiefs will try to beat today.

When Haley was receivers coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2004-05 and Romo was a relatively unknown young player trying to find his way, the two formed a friendship that also seemed to fuel one another’s competitive spirit.

“He was the epitome of a gym rat,” said Haley. “You couldn’t get him out of the building.”

At the moment, both men have fallen upon tough times. Haley’s Chiefs (0-4) are mired in a horrendous 2-for-29 streak, the worst in franchise history.

Romo’s Cowboys (2-2) are fresh off a close loss to Denver and must right themselves at once to become a factor in the rugged NFC East.

Haley knows Romo will never give up, something he learned back in Dallas during some racquetball games that were not for the faint of heart.

“He and I had a grudge match going every day,” Haley said. “For months we went. We were coming out of there ... both of us bleeding.”

When Haley wasn’t fighting Romo on the racquetball court, he was helping him improve.

“It could be the middle of winter and he’d be calling me out on the field and saying, ‘Coach, come look at this. I’m putting my pinkie here instead of here. Come watch me throw this,’” he said.

Haley did come watch. And it wasn’t long until the Cowboys staff made the decision — controversial to many people at the time — to turn the offense over to Romo.

Haley prefers not to say how he voted. But he leaves no doubt as to the lofty opinion he still holds of an old racquetball foe who’s 29-14 as a starter while throwing for 11,290 yards and 82 touchdowns.

“He has a unique skill set for the quarterback,” Haley said. “He’s very athletic, great vision. The athleticism allows him to move around. He doesn’t always use it to run. He uses it to keep the play alive and get away from pressure.”

Getting away from pressure has been a problem for the Chiefs — one of many. Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle have been sacked 13 times. One of three teams without a touchdown rushing, the Chiefs were dominated each of the past two weeks by Philadelphia and the New York Giants.

Logically, the Cowboys might be a good chance for them to break through and get a win. Dallas took a 10-0 lead at Denver but wound up losing 17-10 and some critics say the Cowboys have a tendency to self-destruct.

“We can’t depend on them to beat themselves,” said defensive lineman Tank Tyler. “We’ve got to go out with the mindset that we’re going to beat them. Heck, man, we’re still looking for our first win. We’re supposed to wait for somebody to beat themselves?”

At the same time, the Cowboys are being careful not to dismiss KC just because of its 0-4 record.

“Well, we’re 2-2, so we’re not the prettiest bride in the church right now, either,” defensive end Marcus Spears said.

The Cowboys and Chiefs have both been plagued by minus-yardage plays, particularly in the past couple of weeks. With the Giants and Eagles off to great starts, the Cowboys could quickly get buried if they lose.

“Any time you’re in a situation we’re in, or Kansas City, you need these games,” Romo said.

After ending 2007 on a nine-game losing streak, the Chiefs went 2-14 in 2008 and are 0-4 in Haley’s first four games as their head coach.

“Our need for a win is dire,” wide receiver Bobby Wade said.

That’s probably similar to how Haley used to feel when squaring off against Romo on the racquetball court. Today, he will have the advantage of knowing his opponent.

“You’d better be defending the whole field when he’s in there,” Haley said. “You may think the play’s over, but it’s not. He’s whipping it all over the field, breaking the rules.”