Signing T.O. fits in well with Jerry Jones' philosophy
The Cowboy way
Signing T.O. fits in well with Jerry Jones' philosophy
Posted: Wednesday March 15, 2006 11:28AM; Updated: Wednesday March 15, 2006 3:14PM
If Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones really is going after Terrell Owens -- and there's little reason to think he isn't -- he couldn't have lucked into better timing. It's a move that surely carries plenty of risk, but Jones has never backed away from a gamble that can pay huge dividends. That's exactly what he's looking at with Owens now, the chance to land a big-time playmaker who can likely be had for a bargain basement price.
Jones indicated he's ready to make such a move when he released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson shortly after the Eagles released Owens on Tuesday afternoon. Keyshawn was a favorite of head coach Bill Parcells, and the wideout was never shy about saying how much Parcells meant to him. That the Cowboys whacked Keyshawn so quickly after he asked for more money is telling. The fact that they did it with Owens becoming available is impossible to discount.
Jones simply sees what everybody else knows: that beyond Owens' antics, the controversial wideout can still play the game as well as any other receiver in the league. Jones also knows firsthand what Owens can do, because two of Owens' most controversial games came in Texas Stadium. He had a two-touchdown day in September 2000, when he twice celebrated on the Cowboys' trademark star at midfield. He added a three-touchdown effort in November 2004, when that Monday-night performance was overshadowed by the stir Owens caused with his pregame skit with Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan. Jones surely remembers Owens' numbers more than the drama.
What the owner also realizes is that there may be little competition for Owens. The Kansas City Chiefs are willing to offer only a one-year deal with no guarantees and a ton of incentives. Denver has said its interest in Owens is "overblown," even though it's the only team that has met with him. The Miami Dolphins have been surprisingly quiet about the subject lately, although that doesn't mean much. Since Owens recently purchased a home in South Florida, it wouldn't be hard for him to drive over to the facility for a meeting. Plus, the Dolphins also know how valuable a go-to receiver would be now that they've traded for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
But if I'm putting my money on who will make the strongest offer to Owens, I'm betting on Jones. He had no problem signing Keyshawn after Johnson's much-publicized feud with head coach Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay, so it only makes sense that Jones would pursue a better player with the potential to cause defenses more headaches. I also think Jones senses that Owens is smart enough to see what the Cowboys can do for him. He'll be back on a big stage again, and he'll be joining a team that gives him two opportunities next season to face the same Eagles team he ripped apart. When you have a reality show in the works, as Owens does, you have to think about buzz.
I don't even think a deal chock full of incentives will deter Owens from joining the Cowboys. Say what you will about his character, but the man always plays hard. He'll make the Pro Bowl if he plays a full season, which means he'll likely cash in on whatever bonuses appear in his new deal. He'll also be less likely to cause problems -- at least for this year -- because he realizes what he'll lose. The man will be 33 in December. He's not oblivious to the fact that his chances to play this game are dwindling.
If anything, the bigger question here is how Parcells handles Owens. I've heard all the talk about how Parcells dealt with Lawrence Taylor, but T.O. isn't L.T. This is an entirely different cat we're talking about, one who has no interest in being "a Parcells guy." But Parcells has such a big ego that he might be ready to tackle a challenge like this. He also is aware that his team needs some kind of jolt. They haven't made the postseason since 2003. They need more playmakers.
The addition of Owens would be vital for a Dallas team that hopes to stay in the NFC East hunt this season. The New York Giants will surely be stronger next year. The Washington Redskins have been bolstering their roster since free agency began. Even the Eagles have to be optimistic about their chances once Donovan McNabb returns to their lineup next season. If the Cowboys don't add a player with Owens' ability, they can forget about catching up with those rivals.
And for those who think Jones would be making a huge mistake by signing Owens, consider this: There were several Eagles who still wanted Owens around even after all the problems he created last fall. One such player was Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. It says plenty when a struggling team covets a player who has clearly been on his worst behavior. It also makes sense that Jerry Jones would want Owens when he likely will be at his best.
Signing T.O. fits in well with Jerry Jones' philosophy
Posted: Wednesday March 15, 2006 11:28AM; Updated: Wednesday March 15, 2006 3:14PM
If Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones really is going after Terrell Owens -- and there's little reason to think he isn't -- he couldn't have lucked into better timing. It's a move that surely carries plenty of risk, but Jones has never backed away from a gamble that can pay huge dividends. That's exactly what he's looking at with Owens now, the chance to land a big-time playmaker who can likely be had for a bargain basement price.
Jones indicated he's ready to make such a move when he released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson shortly after the Eagles released Owens on Tuesday afternoon. Keyshawn was a favorite of head coach Bill Parcells, and the wideout was never shy about saying how much Parcells meant to him. That the Cowboys whacked Keyshawn so quickly after he asked for more money is telling. The fact that they did it with Owens becoming available is impossible to discount.
Jones simply sees what everybody else knows: that beyond Owens' antics, the controversial wideout can still play the game as well as any other receiver in the league. Jones also knows firsthand what Owens can do, because two of Owens' most controversial games came in Texas Stadium. He had a two-touchdown day in September 2000, when he twice celebrated on the Cowboys' trademark star at midfield. He added a three-touchdown effort in November 2004, when that Monday-night performance was overshadowed by the stir Owens caused with his pregame skit with Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan. Jones surely remembers Owens' numbers more than the drama.
What the owner also realizes is that there may be little competition for Owens. The Kansas City Chiefs are willing to offer only a one-year deal with no guarantees and a ton of incentives. Denver has said its interest in Owens is "overblown," even though it's the only team that has met with him. The Miami Dolphins have been surprisingly quiet about the subject lately, although that doesn't mean much. Since Owens recently purchased a home in South Florida, it wouldn't be hard for him to drive over to the facility for a meeting. Plus, the Dolphins also know how valuable a go-to receiver would be now that they've traded for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
But if I'm putting my money on who will make the strongest offer to Owens, I'm betting on Jones. He had no problem signing Keyshawn after Johnson's much-publicized feud with head coach Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay, so it only makes sense that Jones would pursue a better player with the potential to cause defenses more headaches. I also think Jones senses that Owens is smart enough to see what the Cowboys can do for him. He'll be back on a big stage again, and he'll be joining a team that gives him two opportunities next season to face the same Eagles team he ripped apart. When you have a reality show in the works, as Owens does, you have to think about buzz.
I don't even think a deal chock full of incentives will deter Owens from joining the Cowboys. Say what you will about his character, but the man always plays hard. He'll make the Pro Bowl if he plays a full season, which means he'll likely cash in on whatever bonuses appear in his new deal. He'll also be less likely to cause problems -- at least for this year -- because he realizes what he'll lose. The man will be 33 in December. He's not oblivious to the fact that his chances to play this game are dwindling.
If anything, the bigger question here is how Parcells handles Owens. I've heard all the talk about how Parcells dealt with Lawrence Taylor, but T.O. isn't L.T. This is an entirely different cat we're talking about, one who has no interest in being "a Parcells guy." But Parcells has such a big ego that he might be ready to tackle a challenge like this. He also is aware that his team needs some kind of jolt. They haven't made the postseason since 2003. They need more playmakers.
The addition of Owens would be vital for a Dallas team that hopes to stay in the NFC East hunt this season. The New York Giants will surely be stronger next year. The Washington Redskins have been bolstering their roster since free agency began. Even the Eagles have to be optimistic about their chances once Donovan McNabb returns to their lineup next season. If the Cowboys don't add a player with Owens' ability, they can forget about catching up with those rivals.
And for those who think Jones would be making a huge mistake by signing Owens, consider this: There were several Eagles who still wanted Owens around even after all the problems he created last fall. One such player was Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. It says plenty when a struggling team covets a player who has clearly been on his worst behavior. It also makes sense that Jerry Jones would want Owens when he likely will be at his best.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:27 PM
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