Combine: Owens to Dallas Rumors Heating Up
Combine: Owens to Dallas Rumors Heating Up
by TheRanchReport.com
Just a few years ago, it would have seemed impossible. However, today, TheRanchReport.com is hearing that the possibility is growing by the day.
Here are several key points we've learned at the NFL Scouting Combine this week:
* TheRanchReport.com has learned that two teams that have emerged as major players for Owens are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are believed to hold the edge for Owens because the Chiefs have salary cap issues.
* On Sunday TheRanchReport.com learned that Drew Rosenhaus apparently had a conversation with Chiefs President Carl Peterson and the hot topic was, of course, Terrell Owens. The two sides set forth parameters that would be acceptable to both parties so a deal could be struck. That means Owens is willing to sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs in order to get a job in 2006. Those discussions have led to further talks that are geared to promoting the Chiefs interest in acquiring the troubled wide receiver and also to see what the true market value for Owens will be in the next several days so Rosenhaus can shop him to other teams like Denver, Dallas and Miami.
* Denver, the one team that appeared to be the frontrunner for Owens for so long, is falling out of the running because their "football people" are split on what to do, TheRanchReport.com has learned.
* We also know that Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had lunch with Parcells on Friday. However, the extent of their conversation is not known. Rosenhaus represents over 70 players and Owens may or may not have been discussed. At this time, TheRanchReport.com has not confirmed any information out of that conversation.
* Fially, TheRanchReport.com has learned that any trade for Owens appears to be unlikely - which means the Eagles will be forced to release him in just a few days. At that point, anything can happen and Dallas becomes a major player in the Terrell Owens sweepstakes.
* Of course the Cowboys signed Owens, it would be another slap in the face to the Philadelphia Eagles. Having Owens on an NFC East team would be nothing more than a sour reminder just how much Owens meant to the organization when times were good.
Of course, you might remember an article from TheRanchReport.com on Nov. 22 of last year indicating the Cowboys have been interested in Owens all along.
Strangely enough, two national media outlets reported within hours of each other that the Cowboys were indeed a major player for the controversial Owens.
Quoting the article written by Mike Fisher:
How did America's biggest and best football writers, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Chris Mortensen of ESPN, possibly stumble onto the same "logical guess'' (that the Cowboys are one of the top teams that will target Owens) on the same mid-November day regarding the same top-secret subject?
My contention: Because Bill Parcells told them it was OK to do so.
Yes, I'm saying Bill Parcells "allowed'' them to put Dallas dead in the middle of the chase for Owens' '06 services.
It may sound odd, but these two terrific reporters -- both of whom I've known for years and respect greatly -- are essentially "Parcells Guys.'' And it is easy for me to envision them on the phone with Parcells, asking for hints, looking for signs, begging for even a "All The President's Men'' clearing of the throat as a way of confirmation.
So will it happen?
Perhaps. Just two months ago the Cowboys were one of a very small number of teams leading the way for Owens' services. But after the Broncos and several other organizations emerged with more serious, and immediate interest, it didn't look good.
However now, with some teams backing off due to disagreements on what Owens could bring to the table, and others backing off due to salary cap constraints, the Cowboys are squarely back in the mix.
Should the Cowboys find a way to sign Owens, his addition would be significant in many ways.
For starters, he instantly gives an opposing defense problems in the secondary, both downfield and in the short passing game. Owens is a threat with the deep ball at any point in the game and also dangerous on a simple wide receiver screen. In addition, having Owens opens up the offense for other players- particularly the running game as teams will be unable to load the box in running situations.
Simply put, having the threat of a player like Owens would be beneficial to any team. That is- if he can be controlled off the field.
The 49ers thought they could do it. They were wrong. The Eagles thought they could do it. They were wrong. The next team that signs Owens will likely think they can do. Will they be wrong too?
That's the quandry the Cowboys find themselves in this week. Can Bill Parcells control the uncontrollable? Can Terrell Owens co-exist with current wide receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn? Will Owens complain the first time Drew Bledsoe misses him on a crossing pattern or the first time the offensive line allows a sack?
As we sit here and ponder those questions, certainly owner Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells and VP of College and Pro Scouting Jeff Ireland are doing the very same thing.
And only time will only tell what they ultimately decide.
by TheRanchReport.com
Just a few years ago, it would have seemed impossible. However, today, TheRanchReport.com is hearing that the possibility is growing by the day.
Here are several key points we've learned at the NFL Scouting Combine this week:
* TheRanchReport.com has learned that two teams that have emerged as major players for Owens are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are believed to hold the edge for Owens because the Chiefs have salary cap issues.
* On Sunday TheRanchReport.com learned that Drew Rosenhaus apparently had a conversation with Chiefs President Carl Peterson and the hot topic was, of course, Terrell Owens. The two sides set forth parameters that would be acceptable to both parties so a deal could be struck. That means Owens is willing to sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs in order to get a job in 2006. Those discussions have led to further talks that are geared to promoting the Chiefs interest in acquiring the troubled wide receiver and also to see what the true market value for Owens will be in the next several days so Rosenhaus can shop him to other teams like Denver, Dallas and Miami.
* Denver, the one team that appeared to be the frontrunner for Owens for so long, is falling out of the running because their "football people" are split on what to do, TheRanchReport.com has learned.
* We also know that Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had lunch with Parcells on Friday. However, the extent of their conversation is not known. Rosenhaus represents over 70 players and Owens may or may not have been discussed. At this time, TheRanchReport.com has not confirmed any information out of that conversation.
* Fially, TheRanchReport.com has learned that any trade for Owens appears to be unlikely - which means the Eagles will be forced to release him in just a few days. At that point, anything can happen and Dallas becomes a major player in the Terrell Owens sweepstakes.
* Of course the Cowboys signed Owens, it would be another slap in the face to the Philadelphia Eagles. Having Owens on an NFC East team would be nothing more than a sour reminder just how much Owens meant to the organization when times were good.
Of course, you might remember an article from TheRanchReport.com on Nov. 22 of last year indicating the Cowboys have been interested in Owens all along.
Strangely enough, two national media outlets reported within hours of each other that the Cowboys were indeed a major player for the controversial Owens.
Quoting the article written by Mike Fisher:
How did America's biggest and best football writers, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Chris Mortensen of ESPN, possibly stumble onto the same "logical guess'' (that the Cowboys are one of the top teams that will target Owens) on the same mid-November day regarding the same top-secret subject?
My contention: Because Bill Parcells told them it was OK to do so.
Yes, I'm saying Bill Parcells "allowed'' them to put Dallas dead in the middle of the chase for Owens' '06 services.
It may sound odd, but these two terrific reporters -- both of whom I've known for years and respect greatly -- are essentially "Parcells Guys.'' And it is easy for me to envision them on the phone with Parcells, asking for hints, looking for signs, begging for even a "All The President's Men'' clearing of the throat as a way of confirmation.
So will it happen?
Perhaps. Just two months ago the Cowboys were one of a very small number of teams leading the way for Owens' services. But after the Broncos and several other organizations emerged with more serious, and immediate interest, it didn't look good.
However now, with some teams backing off due to disagreements on what Owens could bring to the table, and others backing off due to salary cap constraints, the Cowboys are squarely back in the mix.
Should the Cowboys find a way to sign Owens, his addition would be significant in many ways.
For starters, he instantly gives an opposing defense problems in the secondary, both downfield and in the short passing game. Owens is a threat with the deep ball at any point in the game and also dangerous on a simple wide receiver screen. In addition, having Owens opens up the offense for other players- particularly the running game as teams will be unable to load the box in running situations.
Simply put, having the threat of a player like Owens would be beneficial to any team. That is- if he can be controlled off the field.
The 49ers thought they could do it. They were wrong. The Eagles thought they could do it. They were wrong. The next team that signs Owens will likely think they can do. Will they be wrong too?
That's the quandry the Cowboys find themselves in this week. Can Bill Parcells control the uncontrollable? Can Terrell Owens co-exist with current wide receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn? Will Owens complain the first time Drew Bledsoe misses him on a crossing pattern or the first time the offensive line allows a sack?
As we sit here and ponder those questions, certainly owner Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells and VP of College and Pro Scouting Jeff Ireland are doing the very same thing.
And only time will only tell what they ultimately decide.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:12 PM
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