Recap: Terrell Owens press conference
Recap: Terrell Owens press conference
Thanks to TruBlueCowboy
JERRY JONES
Welcome....blah, blah, blah.... here is Drew Rosenhaus first.
DREW ROSENHAUS
There were many teams interested but the Cowboys were the most aggressive and the best fit. This is a match made in heaven for Terrell.
JERRY JONES
I understand this will open us up to scrutiny, especially on the local level, but it's something I have never shied away from. It's important to know how much I consider the tradition, visibility of this team, and that everything I do is held to a higher standard on this team. Terrell knows this as well.
A part of our job on a daily basis is to do EVERYTHING we can do to make our team compete at a higher level. I have always believed in taking advantage of opportunity. Just like I had a chance to do that 17 years ago and buy the team, those were tough times, and working with Bum Bright, I was able to get the future of this team started. I have never felt I owned the team, I am only running with the ball.
We have never had a chance to have a player of Terrell Owens' talent, competiveness and other factors in free agency. Players like that simply are not available. We talked (Stephen and Bill Parcells) and knew that he needed a team like this too. A team that understands locker room chemistry, a team that has had legends. Bill was ALWAYS behind this decision from the get-go. The bottom line is this improves our team to the level our fans deserve.
Terrell practices hard and it's important that everyone knows that. We had a great receiver by the name of Michael Irvin who used to lead the way with his work ethic. And Michael would also tell you that there have always been issues behind the scenes, but we found a spot and came together to win.
This gives us an opporunity to do things offensively that we just haven't been able to do before. And all this that I have mentioned is the logic behind this signing. It wasn't done to be in the papers, it wasn't a cavalier move, it was looked at with the perspective of the players we have, and a chance to do some big things this year. Bill makes everyone understand what a locker room is and how it has to work together. This is no free lunch, we showed TO going in that we respected him and believed in him (especially from a financial standpoint), and he believes in us. We think we can make this happen right now!
TERRELL OWENS
Thanks to god. Thanks to my family that has been on my side the entire way. Thanks to Drew even though I give him a hard time. Thanks to Jerry Jones for giving me the opportunity to play football again. Looking forward to getting to know Bill Parcells. My main focus is to win ball games and a championship, like it ALWAYS has been. I experienced some life experiences both personally and professionally last year, but they only make me stronger and wiser. I will be a better teammate and a better person with what I've learned. I couldn't be more excited to be here and my history is just that -- history!
I meant no disrespect when I stepped on the star. Just as Emmitt did when he stepped back on it, I intend to embrace that star now.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I have always thought my best gambles in free agency and the draft were when I started with quality. In this case, I start with an outstanding football player, in the game and practice! We have done our homework in many ways. We aren't looking at the perception and headlines, we appreciate the good things we've heard from people who worked closely with Terrell. I really know we are better as a team than we were a few minuts ago.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
Like Jerry said, he has talked to people who knew me. I can't assure him that I am worth the risk, he has to do the background check, and know my heart and what kind of player I am. It starts today! I won't be disruptive to this team. You can't move forward if you keep bringing up the past.
Yes I've made mistakes. I've learned lessons through the entire Philly ordeal.
I haven't talked to Bill Parcells extensively, only a phone conversation.
JERRY JONES Q&A
We have a heads-up agreement about discipline. This is no free lunch. We made a committment to each other. This is an outstanding positive thing for both our club and for TO.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
I just want to say, Jerry, I won't let you down!
The Cowboys are a team that is right on the edge, just like Philly was when I joined them. They needed someone to get them over the hump, and I'll use that same approach with Dallas. This is America's Team, I feel right at home. I'm a star amongst stars now!
JERRY JONES Q&A
We're not going to get into the details of the contract. You'll find them out later. Just know I didn't want this a trial and error thing. I am sure that what TO brings to a team will be a postive thing.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
Not to go into the details of Philly, but there are two sides of every story. The only thing I can do is move on.
To the fans, all I can say is I'm looking forward to the upcoming season, and get your popcorn ready, cause it's going to be a show!
JERRY JONES Q&A
The timing of free agency had been pushed back several times so Bill's schedule anticipated that we wouldn't have to worry about our vacation before it was all pushed back. Bill & I came to mutual agreement on this the same way we have with every decision for the team. We debated it, we looked at the pros and cons. I can't emphasize enough, we were on the same page with this. No one sold to anyone. There was also no pressure for Bill to win now with where he is in his career or contract. This is for the future as well. Bill expresses players he is interested in, we sit down and talk about it with Stephen. We discuss amongst our scouting department. If there is a tie, I break it. However, there was no tie here, no issues, we both uniformly agreed that TO should be a part of the team. Bill became convinced that Terrell has the potential to be a positive part of a team concept, and it has everything to do with his work ethic. He can lead people out the door to practice and to be competitive on the field. It was mentioned when Bill joined that we would have a hard time getting along, but hopefully during my period I have realized the sensitives and I hope I have grown and will not repeat the same mistakes I did with Jimmy Johnson. I remember when Bill Walsh was on the news after our split and said we got careless with our relationship. We don't have to walk on eggshells with ourselves and certain players, we just have to have a certain sensitiveness to our decision. You have no idea how hard Bill worked with Antonio Bryant to get it to work. In the end, dropped balls had the most to do with AB's release than anything else.
DREW ROSENAHAUS Q&A
I spent several times talking with Bill. I've known him for several years, and he is thoroughly involved with this as any coach I've ever known. I can confirm that this was Bill's decision as much as Jerry's decision.
JERRY JONES Q&A
There was no tampering. We know how well it went with Philly in our initial explorations. We wanted our backs to have more running room, we wanted defenses to respect us more, this desire all evolved into speculation about TO.
We had a consensus among our decision makers in the team that if we could make this work, we'd be a much better team.
STEPHEN JONES Q&A
Most of the negotiations were done over the phone. Not much face-to-face.
JERRY JONES Q&A
You base your expectations on a player with their last games and project that out. We've signed 4 other free agents and we have to assume that they're going to be at the level they were in the past. You always take risks. This isn't an old maid's portfolio we're dealing with here. The minute you think you have every base covered, you're surprised.
I don't view it the way Philly did as the final piece of the Super Bowl, I view it as a good step to being able to move the ball better. It helps the protection for Bledsoe, and gives him a place to get the ball quickly. There is no doubt in my mind that we have improved our ability to move the football.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
My relationship with Drew Bledsoe is yet to begin. When it happens, production on the field will speak for itself. I'm looking forward to working with him, catching a lot of TDs, winning games and getting to the Playoffs.
The tradition of the Cowboys meant something. I'm good friends with Michael Irvin and he lended his advice. Michael being a friend was good enough for me, he didn't have to sell me on the Cowboys.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I don't view this as a HIGH risk signing. Just a risk.
DREW ROSENHAUS Q&A
Every player is a risk. But keep in mind there were 7 teams interested in TO. The Cowboys were not the ONLY team going after TO. There were a lot of teams willing to pay Terrell high dollar. Dallas is a smart, smart organization. TO said himself h's ecstatic to be here. He was treated fairly. Dallas has put their faith in TO and he's grateful and appreciative and let me tell you, Terrell and Jerry have fallen in love already. It's a premier football organization and one of the greatest coaches ever. The future has never looked brighter.
We're moving on. No reason to look back at the Eagles situation. Just like Terrell said, there are 2 sides to everything. All that counts is Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells and the Cowboys organization. This is going to have a very happy ending.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I did not quantify the risk. I said there is risk, but I did not want to imply this was a risky decision. I believe that Terrell's abilities, what he brings to the table, those are there. You guys talking about his experiences in San Fran and Philly, well we've had the same types of experiences with players on this team and players we've brought in, and we've won Super Bowls with them. Bill has coached a lot of players that have the profile that they don't fit in with the team and been very successful.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
I was suspended, I've had a whole lot of time to think about things. I know who I am as a person and I can't sit here and try to defend myself against you guys. I've always been a good teammate. There are a lot of players around the league who know who I am as a person and teammmate.
I will embrace the star. (his political answer to will you stand on the star again)
PC is over as they rush to their planes.
Thanks to TruBlueCowboy
JERRY JONES
Welcome....blah, blah, blah.... here is Drew Rosenhaus first.
DREW ROSENHAUS
There were many teams interested but the Cowboys were the most aggressive and the best fit. This is a match made in heaven for Terrell.
JERRY JONES
I understand this will open us up to scrutiny, especially on the local level, but it's something I have never shied away from. It's important to know how much I consider the tradition, visibility of this team, and that everything I do is held to a higher standard on this team. Terrell knows this as well.
A part of our job on a daily basis is to do EVERYTHING we can do to make our team compete at a higher level. I have always believed in taking advantage of opportunity. Just like I had a chance to do that 17 years ago and buy the team, those were tough times, and working with Bum Bright, I was able to get the future of this team started. I have never felt I owned the team, I am only running with the ball.
We have never had a chance to have a player of Terrell Owens' talent, competiveness and other factors in free agency. Players like that simply are not available. We talked (Stephen and Bill Parcells) and knew that he needed a team like this too. A team that understands locker room chemistry, a team that has had legends. Bill was ALWAYS behind this decision from the get-go. The bottom line is this improves our team to the level our fans deserve.
Terrell practices hard and it's important that everyone knows that. We had a great receiver by the name of Michael Irvin who used to lead the way with his work ethic. And Michael would also tell you that there have always been issues behind the scenes, but we found a spot and came together to win.
This gives us an opporunity to do things offensively that we just haven't been able to do before. And all this that I have mentioned is the logic behind this signing. It wasn't done to be in the papers, it wasn't a cavalier move, it was looked at with the perspective of the players we have, and a chance to do some big things this year. Bill makes everyone understand what a locker room is and how it has to work together. This is no free lunch, we showed TO going in that we respected him and believed in him (especially from a financial standpoint), and he believes in us. We think we can make this happen right now!
TERRELL OWENS
Thanks to god. Thanks to my family that has been on my side the entire way. Thanks to Drew even though I give him a hard time. Thanks to Jerry Jones for giving me the opportunity to play football again. Looking forward to getting to know Bill Parcells. My main focus is to win ball games and a championship, like it ALWAYS has been. I experienced some life experiences both personally and professionally last year, but they only make me stronger and wiser. I will be a better teammate and a better person with what I've learned. I couldn't be more excited to be here and my history is just that -- history!
I meant no disrespect when I stepped on the star. Just as Emmitt did when he stepped back on it, I intend to embrace that star now.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I have always thought my best gambles in free agency and the draft were when I started with quality. In this case, I start with an outstanding football player, in the game and practice! We have done our homework in many ways. We aren't looking at the perception and headlines, we appreciate the good things we've heard from people who worked closely with Terrell. I really know we are better as a team than we were a few minuts ago.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
Like Jerry said, he has talked to people who knew me. I can't assure him that I am worth the risk, he has to do the background check, and know my heart and what kind of player I am. It starts today! I won't be disruptive to this team. You can't move forward if you keep bringing up the past.
Yes I've made mistakes. I've learned lessons through the entire Philly ordeal.
I haven't talked to Bill Parcells extensively, only a phone conversation.
JERRY JONES Q&A
We have a heads-up agreement about discipline. This is no free lunch. We made a committment to each other. This is an outstanding positive thing for both our club and for TO.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
I just want to say, Jerry, I won't let you down!
The Cowboys are a team that is right on the edge, just like Philly was when I joined them. They needed someone to get them over the hump, and I'll use that same approach with Dallas. This is America's Team, I feel right at home. I'm a star amongst stars now!
JERRY JONES Q&A
We're not going to get into the details of the contract. You'll find them out later. Just know I didn't want this a trial and error thing. I am sure that what TO brings to a team will be a postive thing.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
Not to go into the details of Philly, but there are two sides of every story. The only thing I can do is move on.
To the fans, all I can say is I'm looking forward to the upcoming season, and get your popcorn ready, cause it's going to be a show!
JERRY JONES Q&A
The timing of free agency had been pushed back several times so Bill's schedule anticipated that we wouldn't have to worry about our vacation before it was all pushed back. Bill & I came to mutual agreement on this the same way we have with every decision for the team. We debated it, we looked at the pros and cons. I can't emphasize enough, we were on the same page with this. No one sold to anyone. There was also no pressure for Bill to win now with where he is in his career or contract. This is for the future as well. Bill expresses players he is interested in, we sit down and talk about it with Stephen. We discuss amongst our scouting department. If there is a tie, I break it. However, there was no tie here, no issues, we both uniformly agreed that TO should be a part of the team. Bill became convinced that Terrell has the potential to be a positive part of a team concept, and it has everything to do with his work ethic. He can lead people out the door to practice and to be competitive on the field. It was mentioned when Bill joined that we would have a hard time getting along, but hopefully during my period I have realized the sensitives and I hope I have grown and will not repeat the same mistakes I did with Jimmy Johnson. I remember when Bill Walsh was on the news after our split and said we got careless with our relationship. We don't have to walk on eggshells with ourselves and certain players, we just have to have a certain sensitiveness to our decision. You have no idea how hard Bill worked with Antonio Bryant to get it to work. In the end, dropped balls had the most to do with AB's release than anything else.
DREW ROSENAHAUS Q&A
I spent several times talking with Bill. I've known him for several years, and he is thoroughly involved with this as any coach I've ever known. I can confirm that this was Bill's decision as much as Jerry's decision.
JERRY JONES Q&A
There was no tampering. We know how well it went with Philly in our initial explorations. We wanted our backs to have more running room, we wanted defenses to respect us more, this desire all evolved into speculation about TO.
We had a consensus among our decision makers in the team that if we could make this work, we'd be a much better team.
STEPHEN JONES Q&A
Most of the negotiations were done over the phone. Not much face-to-face.
JERRY JONES Q&A
You base your expectations on a player with their last games and project that out. We've signed 4 other free agents and we have to assume that they're going to be at the level they were in the past. You always take risks. This isn't an old maid's portfolio we're dealing with here. The minute you think you have every base covered, you're surprised.
I don't view it the way Philly did as the final piece of the Super Bowl, I view it as a good step to being able to move the ball better. It helps the protection for Bledsoe, and gives him a place to get the ball quickly. There is no doubt in my mind that we have improved our ability to move the football.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
My relationship with Drew Bledsoe is yet to begin. When it happens, production on the field will speak for itself. I'm looking forward to working with him, catching a lot of TDs, winning games and getting to the Playoffs.
The tradition of the Cowboys meant something. I'm good friends with Michael Irvin and he lended his advice. Michael being a friend was good enough for me, he didn't have to sell me on the Cowboys.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I don't view this as a HIGH risk signing. Just a risk.
DREW ROSENHAUS Q&A
Every player is a risk. But keep in mind there were 7 teams interested in TO. The Cowboys were not the ONLY team going after TO. There were a lot of teams willing to pay Terrell high dollar. Dallas is a smart, smart organization. TO said himself h's ecstatic to be here. He was treated fairly. Dallas has put their faith in TO and he's grateful and appreciative and let me tell you, Terrell and Jerry have fallen in love already. It's a premier football organization and one of the greatest coaches ever. The future has never looked brighter.
We're moving on. No reason to look back at the Eagles situation. Just like Terrell said, there are 2 sides to everything. All that counts is Jerry Jones, Bill Parcells and the Cowboys organization. This is going to have a very happy ending.
JERRY JONES Q&A
I did not quantify the risk. I said there is risk, but I did not want to imply this was a risky decision. I believe that Terrell's abilities, what he brings to the table, those are there. You guys talking about his experiences in San Fran and Philly, well we've had the same types of experiences with players on this team and players we've brought in, and we've won Super Bowls with them. Bill has coached a lot of players that have the profile that they don't fit in with the team and been very successful.
TERRELL OWENS Q&A
I was suspended, I've had a whole lot of time to think about things. I know who I am as a person and I can't sit here and try to defend myself against you guys. I've always been a good teammate. There are a lot of players around the league who know who I am as a person and teammmate.
I will embrace the star. (his political answer to will you stand on the star again)
PC is over as they rush to their planes.
posted by The Gryphon at 4:38 PM
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