With Keyshawn Released, Cowboys Could Go All Out for Owens
With Keyshawn Released, Cowboys Could Go All Out for Owens
March 14, 2006
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING, Texas - Now that the Cowboys have released receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the question is whether Terrell Owens will take his place in the lineup.
Owner Jerry Jones, who's vacationing with his family, phoned Johnson on Tuesday afternoon to tell him the club was declining to pay him a $1 million roster bonus, allowing Johnson to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Philadelphia also released Terrell Owens, who was scheduled to receive a $5 million roster bonus Wednesday. Dallas and Denver are considered the leading contenders to sign Owens, one of the game's best receivers.
Dallas needs a receiver after releasing Johnson, who led the club with 71 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns.
"I'm not really surprised," Johnson said of being released. "Sports is a business and a team has to do what's right for it. I'm a little excited about the prospect of being a free agent for the first time in my career, but I owe it to the Dallas Cowboys to give them a chance to re-sign me once I hit the market."
Jones said in a statement he appreciated Johnson's two seasons in Dallas.
"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys. The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."
Terry Glenn led the Cowboys in receiving yards with 1,136 and seven touchdowns in 2005, but he's primarily a deep threat who works the sideline and stretches the field. Johnson converted third downs - he finished eighth in the NFL with 25 grabs on third down - and made catches in traffic.
Owens could be attractive to Jones and the Cowboys because he's a dominant player with the ability to take over a game, and the attention he will draw from defensive backs and linebackers would probably make players such as Glenn, running back Julius Jones and tight end Jason Witten even more effective.
Owens, though, is about to join his third team in four years because he can be a divisive force within a locker room. Philadelphia deactivated Owens for the final nine games last season.
In 2004, his first year with Philadelphia, Owens helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1981. But he wanted his contract restructured following the season and the team refused to alter the seven-year, $48 million deal.
Owens began frequently criticizing the club's management and quarterback Donovan McNabb publicly. In November, the Eagles decided to deactivate him for the rest of the season.
Jones and coach Bill Parcells must decide whether adding Owens is worth the risk he poses in the locker room because there has never been any question regarding his work ethic or production.
"He's obviously a tremendous talent and everybody knows the difficulties he's had," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "Anybody that's going to look at him has to determine how much they'd be willing to take and determine from T.O. where he's at in terms of his attitude toward things. There are a lot of things if a team is going to approach T.O. that they've got to weigh."
Johnson, who wants at least a $1 million raise over the $2.5 million he was scheduled to earn this season, said he'd have no problem playing on a team with Owens.
"I get along with everybody," he said. "I don't have issues with players on my team."
That, however, was the knock on Johnson when he arrived in a trade for Joey Galloway before the 2004 season. But Johnson earned the respect of his teammates.
"He was great because he went out and practiced and he worked his butt off and he'd go to the game and make plays," said former tight end Dan Campbell, who signed with Detroit on Tuesday. "Anytime we needed a big play he was there."
Bledsoe said he's disappointed Johnson won't be catching his passes next season.
"I'm bummed to see Keyshawn go," he said. "I got along well with him and came to really respect him as a player. He made a lot of plays for me and for the team."
---
Three reasons for Terrell Owens SIGN HIM
One of the NFL's most dynamic players, he has scored at least 10 TDs in five of the last eight seasons.
He could jump-start an offense that failed to score more than 14 points six times
Drawing attention from defenses would make everyone from Drew Bledsoe to Jason Witten to Julius Jones more effective
DON'T SIGN HIM
As he proved in San Francisco and Philadelphia, Owens can single-handedly destroy a locker room
At 32, no one knows how many more years he'll be a dominant player
His sharp criticism can affect the quarterback's ability to perform
TERRY GLENN & . . .
Odds of the top contenders to start at wide receiver:
Terrell Owens: 3 to 1
NFL's most dynamic and troublesome receiver can be had for the right price
Javon Walker: 5 to 1
Terrific player wants out of Green Bay and might be available for the right price
Chad Jackson: 15 to 1
The Florida receiver has size and speed, but doubts exist about his star potential
Patrick Crayton: 25 to 1
The Cowboys' No.3 receiver in `05 needs more seasoning before he's ready to start
Keyshawn Johnson: 40 to 1
Once players hit the open market, they generally find a deal too good too pass up
March 14, 2006
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING, Texas - Now that the Cowboys have released receiver Keyshawn Johnson, the question is whether Terrell Owens will take his place in the lineup.
Owner Jerry Jones, who's vacationing with his family, phoned Johnson on Tuesday afternoon to tell him the club was declining to pay him a $1 million roster bonus, allowing Johnson to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Philadelphia also released Terrell Owens, who was scheduled to receive a $5 million roster bonus Wednesday. Dallas and Denver are considered the leading contenders to sign Owens, one of the game's best receivers.
Dallas needs a receiver after releasing Johnson, who led the club with 71 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns.
"I'm not really surprised," Johnson said of being released. "Sports is a business and a team has to do what's right for it. I'm a little excited about the prospect of being a free agent for the first time in my career, but I owe it to the Dallas Cowboys to give them a chance to re-sign me once I hit the market."
Jones said in a statement he appreciated Johnson's two seasons in Dallas.
"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys. The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."
Terry Glenn led the Cowboys in receiving yards with 1,136 and seven touchdowns in 2005, but he's primarily a deep threat who works the sideline and stretches the field. Johnson converted third downs - he finished eighth in the NFL with 25 grabs on third down - and made catches in traffic.
Owens could be attractive to Jones and the Cowboys because he's a dominant player with the ability to take over a game, and the attention he will draw from defensive backs and linebackers would probably make players such as Glenn, running back Julius Jones and tight end Jason Witten even more effective.
Owens, though, is about to join his third team in four years because he can be a divisive force within a locker room. Philadelphia deactivated Owens for the final nine games last season.
In 2004, his first year with Philadelphia, Owens helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1981. But he wanted his contract restructured following the season and the team refused to alter the seven-year, $48 million deal.
Owens began frequently criticizing the club's management and quarterback Donovan McNabb publicly. In November, the Eagles decided to deactivate him for the rest of the season.
Jones and coach Bill Parcells must decide whether adding Owens is worth the risk he poses in the locker room because there has never been any question regarding his work ethic or production.
"He's obviously a tremendous talent and everybody knows the difficulties he's had," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "Anybody that's going to look at him has to determine how much they'd be willing to take and determine from T.O. where he's at in terms of his attitude toward things. There are a lot of things if a team is going to approach T.O. that they've got to weigh."
Johnson, who wants at least a $1 million raise over the $2.5 million he was scheduled to earn this season, said he'd have no problem playing on a team with Owens.
"I get along with everybody," he said. "I don't have issues with players on my team."
That, however, was the knock on Johnson when he arrived in a trade for Joey Galloway before the 2004 season. But Johnson earned the respect of his teammates.
"He was great because he went out and practiced and he worked his butt off and he'd go to the game and make plays," said former tight end Dan Campbell, who signed with Detroit on Tuesday. "Anytime we needed a big play he was there."
Bledsoe said he's disappointed Johnson won't be catching his passes next season.
"I'm bummed to see Keyshawn go," he said. "I got along well with him and came to really respect him as a player. He made a lot of plays for me and for the team."
---
Three reasons for Terrell Owens SIGN HIM
One of the NFL's most dynamic players, he has scored at least 10 TDs in five of the last eight seasons.
He could jump-start an offense that failed to score more than 14 points six times
Drawing attention from defenses would make everyone from Drew Bledsoe to Jason Witten to Julius Jones more effective
DON'T SIGN HIM
As he proved in San Francisco and Philadelphia, Owens can single-handedly destroy a locker room
At 32, no one knows how many more years he'll be a dominant player
His sharp criticism can affect the quarterback's ability to perform
TERRY GLENN & . . .
Odds of the top contenders to start at wide receiver:
Terrell Owens: 3 to 1
NFL's most dynamic and troublesome receiver can be had for the right price
Javon Walker: 5 to 1
Terrific player wants out of Green Bay and might be available for the right price
Chad Jackson: 15 to 1
The Florida receiver has size and speed, but doubts exist about his star potential
Patrick Crayton: 25 to 1
The Cowboys' No.3 receiver in `05 needs more seasoning before he's ready to start
Keyshawn Johnson: 40 to 1
Once players hit the open market, they generally find a deal too good too pass up
posted by The Gryphon at 6:35 AM
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