Former Cowboys Stars Waters, Harris Feel Owens Not A Good Fit
WATERS, HARRIS FEEL OWENS NOT A GOOD FIT
By PHIL HICKS, Sports Editor
04/03/2006
The decision to sign Terrell Owens is not very popular with two of the most popular Dallas Cowboys of all-time.
Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris, who patrolled the Dallas secondary during the formation of America's Team in the 1970s, said they felt owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells are building a winner, but feel the signing of the controversial Owens may negate their progress.
"I've never been a fan of Terrell Owens," said Harris, who along with Waters will be in Tyler Tuesday to help celebrate Dillard's 50th anniversary in Tyler.
"I've always been a team player and he's not. Personally, I think he will be destructive to the team and a negative influence on the team."
"For Owens to change, it's not like a zebra changing its stripes, but a zebra changing into a giraffe."
Waters feels the same as his buddy.
"The way the game is today, there is not much emphasis on team and character," Waters said. "I personally would have a hard time (with signing Owens) if I was coach. I place a lot of emphasis on character."
"You have to trust your teammate. You always depend on your teammate doing his job. You have to have an appreciation of the unsung hero. For instance, my job may be to hit the guard and turn the play in and for (former Cowboy linebacker) Bob Breunig to make the tackles. You have to trust the guy next to you."
Waters, who is married to Tyler native Rosie, said losing tight end Dan Campbell, Keyshawn Johnson and Larry Allen will hurt as well.
"Those guys are great pros," Waters said. "They were a great example for the younger kids and are really good in the locker room."
Waters and Harris said they love visiting with the fans and hearing stories. The two appeared at Dillard's in December 2003 and both said it was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, turnouts for their signings.
"It's really been fun writing this book and visiting with the fans," said Harris, who he teamed with Waters to write "Tales from the Dallas Cowboys."
The duo will have books to sell and autograph on Tuesday.
"It's really fun hearing stories from the fans from the days when they were watching us play for the Cowboys," Harris said. "They talk about the family time together - when a dad may be abusive and the only time there was peace when the Cowboys were on."
He added, "It really was an era when there were not TVs in different rooms. It was a family-oriented era."
As far as the present Cowboys, Harris said Jones is trying to get back to the Super Bowl.
"Jerry and Parcells are doing everything they can to win," Harris said. "I've liked what they have been doing to improve the defense. I think they are very close to being competitive in the playoffs.
"Terrell Owens will win some games and he may lose some games for us. That's the risk being taken."
Harris is working on a new book, "Captain Crash: The Dallas Cowboys from Sideline to Goal line."
The book is due out in June or July. It will be a collection of stories from Waters, Walt Garrison, Lee Roy Jordan and others.
By PHIL HICKS, Sports Editor
04/03/2006
The decision to sign Terrell Owens is not very popular with two of the most popular Dallas Cowboys of all-time.
Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris, who patrolled the Dallas secondary during the formation of America's Team in the 1970s, said they felt owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells are building a winner, but feel the signing of the controversial Owens may negate their progress.
"I've never been a fan of Terrell Owens," said Harris, who along with Waters will be in Tyler Tuesday to help celebrate Dillard's 50th anniversary in Tyler.
"I've always been a team player and he's not. Personally, I think he will be destructive to the team and a negative influence on the team."
"For Owens to change, it's not like a zebra changing its stripes, but a zebra changing into a giraffe."
Waters feels the same as his buddy.
"The way the game is today, there is not much emphasis on team and character," Waters said. "I personally would have a hard time (with signing Owens) if I was coach. I place a lot of emphasis on character."
"You have to trust your teammate. You always depend on your teammate doing his job. You have to have an appreciation of the unsung hero. For instance, my job may be to hit the guard and turn the play in and for (former Cowboy linebacker) Bob Breunig to make the tackles. You have to trust the guy next to you."
Waters, who is married to Tyler native Rosie, said losing tight end Dan Campbell, Keyshawn Johnson and Larry Allen will hurt as well.
"Those guys are great pros," Waters said. "They were a great example for the younger kids and are really good in the locker room."
Waters and Harris said they love visiting with the fans and hearing stories. The two appeared at Dillard's in December 2003 and both said it was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, turnouts for their signings.
"It's really been fun writing this book and visiting with the fans," said Harris, who he teamed with Waters to write "Tales from the Dallas Cowboys."
The duo will have books to sell and autograph on Tuesday.
"It's really fun hearing stories from the fans from the days when they were watching us play for the Cowboys," Harris said. "They talk about the family time together - when a dad may be abusive and the only time there was peace when the Cowboys were on."
He added, "It really was an era when there were not TVs in different rooms. It was a family-oriented era."
As far as the present Cowboys, Harris said Jones is trying to get back to the Super Bowl.
"Jerry and Parcells are doing everything they can to win," Harris said. "I've liked what they have been doing to improve the defense. I think they are very close to being competitive in the playoffs.
"Terrell Owens will win some games and he may lose some games for us. That's the risk being taken."
Harris is working on a new book, "Captain Crash: The Dallas Cowboys from Sideline to Goal line."
The book is due out in June or July. It will be a collection of stories from Waters, Walt Garrison, Lee Roy Jordan and others.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:50 PM
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