Cowboys release Keyshawn in 'a business decision'; does that open the door for T.O.?
Given an 'out' route
Cowboys release Keyshawn in 'a business decision'; does that open the door for T.O.? Posted on Wed, Mar. 15, 2006
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING -- Keyshawn Johnson is out.
Does that mean Terrell Owens is on his way in?
By giving Johnson his release Tuesday, the Cowboys avoided paying the 10-year veteran receiver a $1 million roster bonus to guarantee his contract for 2006.
They avoided a contract dispute with Johnson, who was seeking a contract extension and a raise from his 2006 salary of $2.5 million.
And with the move, the Cowboys increased speculation they will try to sign Owens, a controversial yet talented receiver who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.
"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement.
"The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."
Calling his release a business decision, Johnson said he was very thankful for the opportunity the Cowboys gave him.
Not only did he catch 141 passes and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons, Johnson was reunited with Bill Parcells, who had been his coach with the New York Jets. He also got a chance to repair his image after being suspended by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the final six games of the 2003 season. He came to the Cowboys in a trade for Joey Galloway in 2004.
He said he never looked at his deal with the Cowboys as long term because he didn't think Parcells would be with the team long term.
"I don't have any negative feelings," Johnson said. "They have been nothing but the best to me. It was a business decision. I don't look at it as rejection. One thing I can do is play football. If you are looking for a receiver that is going to get it done, I am available."
Johnson said he is excited about testing the free-agent market for the first time. He has never been able to choose where he played. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Jets in 1996, traded to the Buccaneers in 2000, and then traded to the Cowboys.
He also believes there is plenty of money in the free-agent market, pointing to recent contracts signed by Antonio Bryant (49ers), David Givens (Titans) and Antwaan Randle El (Redskins).
At 33, Johnson said he is not looking to break the bank but believes he can do better than the $2.5 million he was scheduled to receive from the Cowboys in 2006.
Johnson, who will represent himself in free agency, said Jones told him the Cowboys would consider re-signing him after he tests the market and determines his value. Johnson said he would give the Cowboys that opportunity.
Of course, that is if he hasn't already been replaced in Dallas by Owens.
According to his publicist, Kim Etheredge, Owens was at home in Atlanta on Tuesday. She said she was unaware of any plans for him to travel to Dallas. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was not taking phone calls from the media Tuesday.
Jones said last month that "there were too many issues surrounding Owens that he couldn't put him in the equation right now."
What is certain is that the Cowboys suddenly have a huge void at receiver. Terry Glenn started opposite Johnson, catching 62 passes for 1,136 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005. But he will be 32 next season and has played a full 16 games only three times in his career.
The only other experienced receivers on the roster are second-year players Patrick Crayton and Terrance Copper, who have no career starts between them.
Many of the top free agents have signed with other teams, but Buffalo's Eric Moulds is an option. He played with Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe in Buffalo from 2002-04, and he has asked the Bills to trade him or release him.
There is no question Owens is the best receiver available.
The bigger question is how Cowboys fans would react to him. Many are still angry at him for celebrating touchdowns by dancing on the midfield star logo at Texas Stadium in 2000.
Former Cowboys safety George Teague -- who started a fight with Owens following his second trip to the midfield star -- said he understands Owens has talent but doesn't want to see him in a Cowboys uniform.
"He took a major step in 2000, going on that star," Teague said. "I don't see how you can let that guy represent you."
Cowboys release Keyshawn in 'a business decision'; does that open the door for T.O.? Posted on Wed, Mar. 15, 2006
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING -- Keyshawn Johnson is out.
Does that mean Terrell Owens is on his way in?
By giving Johnson his release Tuesday, the Cowboys avoided paying the 10-year veteran receiver a $1 million roster bonus to guarantee his contract for 2006.
They avoided a contract dispute with Johnson, who was seeking a contract extension and a raise from his 2006 salary of $2.5 million.
And with the move, the Cowboys increased speculation they will try to sign Owens, a controversial yet talented receiver who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.
"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement.
"The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."
Calling his release a business decision, Johnson said he was very thankful for the opportunity the Cowboys gave him.
Not only did he catch 141 passes and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons, Johnson was reunited with Bill Parcells, who had been his coach with the New York Jets. He also got a chance to repair his image after being suspended by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the final six games of the 2003 season. He came to the Cowboys in a trade for Joey Galloway in 2004.
He said he never looked at his deal with the Cowboys as long term because he didn't think Parcells would be with the team long term.
"I don't have any negative feelings," Johnson said. "They have been nothing but the best to me. It was a business decision. I don't look at it as rejection. One thing I can do is play football. If you are looking for a receiver that is going to get it done, I am available."
Johnson said he is excited about testing the free-agent market for the first time. He has never been able to choose where he played. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Jets in 1996, traded to the Buccaneers in 2000, and then traded to the Cowboys.
He also believes there is plenty of money in the free-agent market, pointing to recent contracts signed by Antonio Bryant (49ers), David Givens (Titans) and Antwaan Randle El (Redskins).
At 33, Johnson said he is not looking to break the bank but believes he can do better than the $2.5 million he was scheduled to receive from the Cowboys in 2006.
Johnson, who will represent himself in free agency, said Jones told him the Cowboys would consider re-signing him after he tests the market and determines his value. Johnson said he would give the Cowboys that opportunity.
Of course, that is if he hasn't already been replaced in Dallas by Owens.
According to his publicist, Kim Etheredge, Owens was at home in Atlanta on Tuesday. She said she was unaware of any plans for him to travel to Dallas. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was not taking phone calls from the media Tuesday.
Jones said last month that "there were too many issues surrounding Owens that he couldn't put him in the equation right now."
What is certain is that the Cowboys suddenly have a huge void at receiver. Terry Glenn started opposite Johnson, catching 62 passes for 1,136 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005. But he will be 32 next season and has played a full 16 games only three times in his career.
The only other experienced receivers on the roster are second-year players Patrick Crayton and Terrance Copper, who have no career starts between them.
Many of the top free agents have signed with other teams, but Buffalo's Eric Moulds is an option. He played with Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe in Buffalo from 2002-04, and he has asked the Bills to trade him or release him.
There is no question Owens is the best receiver available.
The bigger question is how Cowboys fans would react to him. Many are still angry at him for celebrating touchdowns by dancing on the midfield star logo at Texas Stadium in 2000.
Former Cowboys safety George Teague -- who started a fight with Owens following his second trip to the midfield star -- said he understands Owens has talent but doesn't want to see him in a Cowboys uniform.
"He took a major step in 2000, going on that star," Teague said. "I don't see how you can let that guy represent you."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:24 AM
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