T.O. gone?

[peewee's lovechild]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3833575


Sources: Dallas may release Owens


Improving locker room chemistry will be the highest priority for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and that will force serious discussions between Wade Phillips' coaching staff and owner Jerry Jones about whether to release controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, according to team and league sources.

"I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else,'' a Cowboys source said. "Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? We're like the Redskins used to be when they signed every player they wanted. There's more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team.''

"The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard.''

The Cowboys released twice-suspended cornerback Pacman Jones last week and Tank Johnson is expected to depart through free agency. Both decisions are at least partly related to the renewed emphasis on creating a different atmosphere in the locker room. The Cowboys began their ill-fated 2008 season with three players on the roster who had been suspended by the league or their previous teams -- Jones, Johnson and Owens.

At least two sources believe that vice president Stephen Jones will attempt to convince his father that Owens should be finished with the Cowboys. But Jerry Jones just last year invested a $12 million signing bonus in Owens, which means there would be salary-cap fallout. In fact, Jerry Jones has suggested that there might be enough damage that the team would find it difficult to sign NFL sack leader DeMarcus Ware to a new contract.

"I think some of people want to just cut our losses and get rid of all those guys _ TO, Tank, Pacman,'' another Cowboys source said. "But I really think Jerry likes the thrill of trying to make it all work."

The discussions involving Owens have not yet been formally initiated and probably will not occur until the Cowboys are more certain of the composition of their coaching staff.

Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's candidacy for at least two NFL head coaching positions could influence the Owens debate. Garrett met with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday after interviewing last week with the Detroit Lions.

At the moment, Jones has insisted that Phillips will return, but he might have to reconsider if Garrett secures another opportunity. There are people within the Cowboys organization who do not believe that Garrett would turn down another job unless Jones was willing to promote him to head coach in Dallas and purge Owens from the roster.

Not only does Owens have relationship issues with quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten, but the controversial receiver consistently criticized Garrett's play calling and his offensive schemes to the point that sources say the offensive coordinator does not believe they can co-exist.

The potential of the Cowboys losing Garrett to another team could accelerate the timetable for a decision about Owens. They had expected not to face a deadline until his $3 million roster bonus is due June 3. But that changes if Garrett finds himself in a position to leave the Cowboys and makes Owens' departure a condition of his remaining.

"I think Jerry would have to think about it, but I believe he'd let Jason leave,'' said one team source, believing Jones would prefer to be relieved of his remaining $6 million obligation to Garrett.

Regardless, Owens could still be jettisoned. His detractors can argue their belief that that Owens, 35, is a poor route runner with inconsistent hands and generally a descending player who seldom accepts responsibility for his own shortcomings. There is fear internally that he will become more volatile if his performance continues to deteriorate -- and that he may feel more empowered if he perceives that his presence forced Garrett to depart.

Of particular concern is the apparent negative influence Owens has had on teammates such as Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton and even running back Marion Barber.

"You have to be worried about his influence over there, and I think we'd get some of those players back over to our side if he was gone,'' another source said. "I think we have to decide how detrimental he is to Witten and Romo.''

While Garrett's offensive productivity plunged and quarterback Romo appeared to regress in his second full season as the starting quarterback, Jerry Jones apparently still covets his young offensive coordinator. The perception within the Cowboys coaching and executive offices is that the team's demise was more the result of poor locker room chemistry and a serious leadership void than it was a failure of Garrett's system.

It was Jones who personally returned Garrett to the Cowboys organization with the expectation the he would eventually become the next head coach of the franchise. When Garrett was offered head-coaching positions with the Ravens and Falcons exactly a year ago, Jones persuaded him to remain with the Cowboys by making him the highest-paid assistant coach in football. Jones was fiercely determined to have Garrett develop Romo, maintain offensive continuity and even mentioned his view of the team's future with Garrrett as head coach in the new $1 billion stadium, which the team opens next season.

[jack sommerset]

I absolutly doubt it. Jones has a new stadium to sell out.

[peewee's lovechild]

It will sell out regardless.

T.O. isn't the reason games sell out.

Anyone who thinks that doesn't know his elbow from his ass.

[jack sommerset]

Jones is going to go used car salesman on it soon. He is asking way to much now.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

He won't cut TO no way needs to cut Barbie Carpenter though.

[samikeyp]

He won't cut TO no way needs to cut Barbie Carpenter though.

He needs to cut both.

[tonylongoriafan]

owens is still a productive player even if he's an overpaid decoy

[samikeyp]

owens is still a productive player even if he's an overpaid decoy

True but let someone else overpay him.

[florige]

If Dallas cuts TO I guarantee you guys go to the Super Bowl next year.

[Holmes_Fans]

Meh, another bullshit secret source story. It's obvious whoever it is will say whatever he can to get TO out of town. The problem isn't TO, it's Jason Garrett sending every receiver 30 yards deep every play in his all or nothing style.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Correct me if I am wrong but I heard it would be a 13 Mill cap hit and that would mean no Ware.

[IceColdBrewski]

I can only hope Jerry finds it in his heart to keep him.

[2centsworth]

I can only hope Jerry finds it in his heart to keep him.

:lmao

[Holmes_Fans]

Correct me if I am wrong but I heard it would be a 13 Mill cap hit and that would mean no Ware.
That isn't right. His hit is only 8 mill this year. No way would it be 13 mil next season.

[mardigan]

Sources: Cowboys may release Owens.


"The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard.''


Another bullshit story trying to lure T.O. into the fray. Secret Cowboys source, hasnt been discussed, and Ed Werder all make me hate this article quite a bit.

[Obstructed_View]

Getting rid of Pacman, Tank and TO in a month is just too much to hope for. What's next, firing Campo and demoting Wade to DC? It's my dream-team.

[stretch]

That would be sooo stupid. T.O. is the only guy on the team that HATES losing. The Cowboys need more of that if they ever want to win a playoff game. Even Jason Witten himself (the guy who supposedly hates T.O.) said, that if the whole team had the same mentality that T.O. has, that they would be a much better team.

[florige]

That would be sooo stupid. T.O. is the only guy on the team that HATES losing. The Cowboys need more of that if they ever want to win a playoff game. Even Jason Witten himself (the guy who supposedly hates T.O.) said, that if the whole team had the same mentality that T.O. has, that they would be a much better team.



So you think T.O would be fine if the Cowboys were in the Super Bowl, but he wasn't be used hardly any?

[DBryant88]

That would be sooo stupid. T.O. is the only guy on the team that HATES losing. The Cowboys need more of that if they ever want to win a playoff game. Even Jason Witten himself (the guy who supposedly hates T.O.) said, that if the whole team had the same mentality that T.O. has, that they would be a much better team.

amen

[BacktoBasics]

I never looked at Tank as distraction. He seemed to have his shit together.

[peewee's lovechild]

If Dallas cuts TO I guarantee you guys go to the Super Bowl next year.

That's what I'm hoping for.

[stretch]

So you think T.O would be fine if the Cowboys were in the Super Bowl, but he wasn't be used hardly any?

If they win, yes.

[stretch]

If Dallas cuts TO I guarantee you guys go to the Super Bowl next year.

I guarantee if Dallas cuts TO, they miss the playoffs again next year.

[DBryant88]

if roy E. williams picks up the slack we have a shot

[jack sommerset]

Cowboys need to draft a number 1 QB and hope they get lucky with a gem. I can't ignore Romo's winning more games than any QB they had over the past 10 years but I also can't ignore how he turns the ball over and sucks ass when they play a good team. Plus he is a douchebag.

[JudynTX]

Trade him to the Lions. :lol

[florige]

I guarantee if Dallas cuts TO, they miss the playoffs again next year.


if roy E. williams picks up the slack we have a shot



Thats what I'm thinking too.

[Hook Dem]

Trade him to the Lions. :lol

Thats McNabb's new destination!:flipoff

[peewee's lovechild]

I guarantee if Dallas cuts TO, they miss the playoffs again next year.

I guarantee if they don't, T.O. will provide some distractions that will lead the team to miss the playoffs again.

[peewee's lovechild]

Besides, there are free agent WRs that we can get in the offseason.

[leemajors]

doesn't make much sense to cut him.


Last June, the Cowboys paid Owens a $12.9 million signing bonus as part of a four-year, $36 million contract. Should the Cowboys cut Owens, he would count $680,000 more against the '09 cap than the $8.99 million he is scheduled to count if he stays. And because this is the last capped season, the Cowboys cannot spread out the hit over two seasons like teams were able to do previously

[monosylab1k]

That would be sooo stupid. T.O. is the only guy on the team that HATES losing.

:lmao you're joking about this, right?

TO only hates losing when he isn't getting the ball. He also hates winning when he isn't getting the ball. He's all about himself, bottom line.

[monosylab1k]

TO isn't getting cut and Pacman will get another shot in Dallas, guaranteed.

And whether the Cowboys make or miss the playoffs next year has nothing to do with either player. It's whether Romo pulls his head out of his ass.

[monosylab1k]

Besides, there are free agent WRs that we can get in the offseason.

TJ Housyamama

[ClingingMars]

Great interview going on now with Crayton on SportsCenter.

as for this story, again, I'm fucking sick and tired of Ed Werder's BS. He needs to go straight to the PLAYERS who are WILLING to tell him exactly what's up, like Patrick Crayton. I'm glad ESPN is interviewing him and hope they start ignoring Werder's shit.

-Mars

[to21]

Why get rid of him, everyone knew this was gonna happen.

I say let him finish his contract out, then see what happens. Besides, I don't place ALL the blame on him.

[Blake]

beh.

The Eagles got to the SuperBowl with him on the bench and then lost it when he came back, even though he had a monster super bowl game.

They also are in the NFC title game this year with DeSean Jackson and a bunch of scrub receivers.

The Cowboys have yet to win a playoff game with him.

I don't really care if he gets cut. I don't think he's the difference maker that people make him out to be. He's not as good a route runner as he used to be and he drops a sh1tload of passes.

Wide receiver is easily the most plug n play position there is in the NFL, yet they talk the most garbage and get the most attention.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Besides, there are free agent WRs that we can get in the offseason.

Building a team through free agency always works.

[jack sommerset]

Besides, there are free agent WRs that we can get in the offseason.

T.O counts against the cap but you are not paying him.Is that right?. Also you paid the big bonus thinking he would be there for the entire contract so how much can you spend or would spend on a WR? Also they signed Williams to alot. I just don't think its that easy to get a WR. Finding a good WR for the Cowboys is almost like finding a QB. They have had not much luck since Irvin.

I think they have a hell of alot more problems then T.O. I say keep his ass. I think the problem really is the lil bitch talking to reporters,"deep throat" plus the fact ESPN loves talking about the Cowboys. Some thinks its Witten. Thats just wonderful a teammate talking to the media about rumors. Real profesional.Romo is a fucking douche bag. People better watch out for him. He does not seem to give a shit about winning or his piss poor play. How many coaches coached this decade?

Lets not forget that defense, they had a good stretch where they were awesome but they also sucked and I am not just talking about this seasons.YEARS! And other people think Jason Garrett might be a problem to.They think his offense is preditable now. I don't see many suiters this year for him. Lets not forget about Jones running this circus. He has not done shit since Jimmy Johnsons players left the team 13 years ago. Plus I think the team led the league in penalties this decade.

Marion Barber had 2-3 decent games this past season? After signing 47 million? They fired the special teams coach for a reason, they were terrible. I have not heards Wades name this week. Thats a miracle.What did they call it cupcake training camp.Is Wade a head coach or is he a good defensive coach and thats it.

It does not start with T.O. or ends with the guy. Obviously T.O is hated by the media. There is no question about that. Think about it. The guy has no off the feild problems....OH I forgot "he tried to kill himself this past season" LOL. That was a good reporting.Give me a break.

The Cowboys have problems period and media spot light on every lil thing they do does not help. They reported on internet front pages about Anthony Spencer PI last week. A freaken public intoxication makes the front pages and who the hell is Spencer to the national media. He is a Cowboy. Not a Charger,Not a Raven,Not a Redskin,Not a 49er. a freaken Cowboy. I'm not sure if they are all that talented. We know they get paid alot. We know half the Defense is first rounders. But they have not done shit in 13 years. Thats 10 years before T.O. This witch hunt for T.O is past the point of ridiculous.

[BlackSwordsMan]

New stadium next year with more seats. TO = ticket seller

[jack sommerset]

New stadium next year with more seats. TO = ticket seller

Exactly

[duncan228]

Is Cowboys' Owens worth all the trouble? (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Is_Cowboys_Owens_worth_all_the_trouble.html)

With reports swirling that the Dallas Cowboys are seriously considering releasing lightning-rod receiver Terrell Owens, Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn examines the pros and cons of such a move:

Three reasons to cut Owens

1. He's a divisive figure who polarizes the locker room with his strong opinions and seemingly can't get on the same page with play caller Jason Garrett about the offensive scheme. “I think (Owens) respects (Garrett) to a degree,” receiver Patrick Crayton said Thursday during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter. “... I'm not sure if he respects him totally.” Asked to characterize Owens' relationship with the entire staff, Crayton said, “By the end of the season, I would say maybe a little rocky.”

2. He struggled mightily this season to beat press and double coverage, meaning his output no longer warrants dismissing the distractions he creates.

3. Jerry Rice, Cris Carter and Keyshawn Johnson have all said Owens runs sloppy routes, something that's apparently spreading throughout the receiving corps.

Three reasons to keep Owens

1. His seven-catch, 213-yard outing against San Francisco in November is proof he's still capable of dynamic performances, although the 49ers inexplicably decided not to double him.

2. Even at 35, he's faster, stronger and tougher than any of the team's other receivers.

3. His presence allows tight end Jason Witten to operate against overmatched linebackers rather than safeties.

Tom's take

Given that owner Jerry Jones has never put a premium on chemistry and has always desired players who capture the public's imagination, I don't see the Cowboys jettisoning Owens. But here's the main reason they keep him: According to the Dallas Morning News, should the Cowboys cut Owens, he would count $680,000 more against the 2009 salary cap than the $8.99 million he is scheduled to count if he stays. “They just gave him a huge extension before the season,” Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told WQAM Radio in Miami on Thursday. “He's not going anywhere.”

[Whisky Dog]

They aren't going to cut him, that would be cap suicide. They gave him the extension, and now they're stuck with him. Might as well take that extra money saved against the cap and hire a damn psychiatrist to cure Romo's pussyitis.

[Blake]

New stadium next year with more seats. TO = ticket seller


Exactly

Dallas will sell out their games next year with or wthout TO.

[J.T.]

Dallas will sell out their games next year with or wthout TO.

Dallas will sell out their games as long as they keep going undefeated in September and duping their fans into thinking they're going on another Super Bowl run. Even if they didn't win all their Sept. games, you'd hear Cowboy fan saying in November:

"If Philly beats Atlanta and then New Orleans loses to Green Bay next week, and then the week after that the Giants lose to the Rams and the Redskins lose their next 4 games which are against the Pats, Colts, Texans and Titans (totally could happen guys!) then we could make the wildcard with a 7-9 record. All we need to do is get in baby, Romo's taking us to the promised land!"

[jack sommerset]

Dallas will sell out their games next year with or wthout TO.

Blake, I should make myself clear. The Cowboys will sell out tickets the next 2-3 years. Jerry Jones will spend the money himself to make sure of this. Jones will not get anywhere close to what he is asking for the new ticket fees, individual or season or the ridiculous licsence fees this jerkoff is asking to pay for the new stadium and its ALOT but he will show on paper seconds before kickoff they sold all tickets

Downside is they have built a HUGE stadium with all the bells and whistles and Jones can't pay for it. Remember when Jones paid all those upfront contracts in the 90's that effected the 2000's that made this team unable to sign the big player. Thats a big reason why the Cowboys sucked.

I laughed at the media thinking Jones would fire Wade. Spend money on replacing a entire coaching staff? Like thats what would happen in this day and time. You just don't remove a coach. You pay for that.

Then look back at the money Jones spent to get this team together, the T.O contract,Roy Williams contract. the Romo contract, Mario Barbers contract, the future Ware contract. This guy brought in Zach Thomas. He was on a team last year that went 1-15 last season. A old man but a name you and I know. His old team went 11-5.Pacman Jones (to easy) Tank Johnson, we heard of him but think why did Chicago really ley him go, he is average.

Jerry Jones Drafts. laughable. 2008 draft they had 2 1st round picks. A defensive player you did not see much and a rb that was hurt after 5-6 games. Jones and the Cowboys since the early 90's are all about sales. It might have been a good thing in the past but Jones has a new stadium to pay for. A stadium that depends on winning. Its not happening and I am looking how Jerry Jones and his investors handle this debactle. Can you say bailout

[Obstructed_View]

And whether the Cowboys make or miss the playoffs next year has nothing to do with either player. It's whether Romo pulls his head out of his ass.

Funny how Romo made decent decisions when he wasn't constantly being reminded that he needs to be looking TO's way, or constantly having to have meetings with TO to explain why he's not seeing the ball more.

[Spurtacus]

Get rid of the cancer.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Funny how Romo made decent decisions when he wasn't constantly being reminded that he needs to be looking TO's way, or constantly having to have meetings with TO to explain why he's not seeing the ball more.

Yeah, it's all T.O.'s fault Romo throws interceptions and fumbles in critical times of the game.

[Blake]

Jones will not get anywhere close to what he is asking for the new ticket fees, individual or season or the ridiculous licsence fees this jerkoff is asking to pay for the new stadium and its ALOT but he will show on paper seconds before kickoff they sold all tickets


the big money is in the suites to which he will sell out

[florige]

Funny how Romo made decent decisions when he wasn't constantly being reminded that he needs to be looking TO's way, or constantly having to have meetings with TO to explain why he's not seeing the ball more.


That was the same problem Eli had at first with Shockey. He was so busy looking for him all the time he used to screw up trying to force it to him, or waiting too long in the pocket waiting for that schmuck to get open.

[CubanMustGo]

Dallas will sell out their games as long as they keep going undefeated in September and duping their fans into thinking they're going on another Super Bowl run.

With the economy going deeper into the toilet by the day it will be interesting to see if they can sell out consistently next year. Yeah, there's a lotta money in Dallas but the ticket prices are SO much more that it's no longer a guarantee they'll sell out.

[jack sommerset]

T.O also gave up 23 points a game . Man why are the Cowboys keeping that guy?

[spurs50_]

Dallas does not need the drama queen to sellout the stadium......please

[Obstructed_View]

Yeah, it's all T.O.'s fault Romo throws interceptions and fumbles in critical times of the game.

I never said it was all TO's fault, but you can't say it isn't a factor. If TO got first downs, fought to make tough catches and wasn't a distraction every single week, he might be worth having. Hell, if he did one or two of those things he might be worth it. I've seen no evidence that there's anything in TO's skillset you couldn't get from about any receiver in the NFL.