Football: Owens springs surprises at Cowboys' minicamp
Tom Orsborn
Express-News
IRVING — In a flash, the receiver bolted past Terence Newman to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a Tony Romo deep ball. The play was easily the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys' minicamp Saturday, especially because of who made the catch.
Just days after saying offseason finger surgery would prevent him from catching balls until at least the end of May, Terrell Owens caught passes in both seven-on-seven and team drills, including the touchdown reception against the Cowboys' top cover corner.
"He was out there catching balls like (the surgery) never happened," receiver Patrick Crayton said.
Owens' participation in the opener of the three-day camp wasn't his only surprise. After showering, he retrieved a backpack from his locker and dashed away from reporters without comment — something he rarely did last season.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he wasn't expecting Owens to do anything but run laps and continue a rehab regimen that included catching tennis balls but no footballs.
"I was a surprised he competed against the defense, and I was glad to see it," Jones said. "I think it was really important to Terrell (to participate). He could have sat out, and we would have understood."
Owens had surgery after last season to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger, an injury he sustained late in the season that may have contributed to his league-leading 17 drops. Four months earlier, he had a plate screwed into the same finger after he broke it while blocking in a game.
But even with the injuries, Owens had 85 receptions for 1,180 yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns.
"He has a lot of pride," Jones said. "It wouldn't surprise me at all for him to have the resolve to do better (this season). And that's to improve, not necessarily make up for a bad year, but to improve."
Said Romo: "Terrell's a very hard worker, and he's been doing things to get himself ready to go this year. I'm pretty excited about it."
Owens' performance overshadowed Wade Phillips' first team practice as head coach, but the man who replaced the retired Bill Parcells didn't mind. Phillips even opened his news conference with a crack about Owens, something Parcells never did.
"Terrell is going to practice and catch some balls," Phillips deadpanned. "I want to clear that up."
Turning serious, Phillips said, "He caught the ball real well as a matter of fact."
Owens also impressed other members of the coaching staff, including receivers coach Ray Sherman. Last season, Owens feuded openly with Sherman's predecessor, Todd Haley, now with Arizona.
"We had a great talk this morning," Sherman said. "I believe (Owens) wants to do whatever it takes to make himself better. He was very good today."
Last season, Owens also questioned the play calling and complained about not getting enough balls thrown his way. After the season, reports surfaced that Owens didn't know the team's playbook.
But new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett indicated that wasn't a problem Saturday.
"I was really pleased with how he stepped in there and was understanding the offense on Day 1," Garrett said.
Owens, 33, is due a $3 million roster bonus in June and is scheduled to earn $5 million this season.
"He is very motivated to improve, to better himself and the team," said receiver Sam Hurd, a Brackenridge graduate and one of Owens' closest friends on the team. "He knows the team needs him to be a big-play receiver. He is ready to show up and shut everybody up."
Express-News
IRVING — In a flash, the receiver bolted past Terence Newman to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a Tony Romo deep ball. The play was easily the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys' minicamp Saturday, especially because of who made the catch.
Just days after saying offseason finger surgery would prevent him from catching balls until at least the end of May, Terrell Owens caught passes in both seven-on-seven and team drills, including the touchdown reception against the Cowboys' top cover corner.
"He was out there catching balls like (the surgery) never happened," receiver Patrick Crayton said.
Owens' participation in the opener of the three-day camp wasn't his only surprise. After showering, he retrieved a backpack from his locker and dashed away from reporters without comment — something he rarely did last season.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he wasn't expecting Owens to do anything but run laps and continue a rehab regimen that included catching tennis balls but no footballs.
"I was a surprised he competed against the defense, and I was glad to see it," Jones said. "I think it was really important to Terrell (to participate). He could have sat out, and we would have understood."
Owens had surgery after last season to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger, an injury he sustained late in the season that may have contributed to his league-leading 17 drops. Four months earlier, he had a plate screwed into the same finger after he broke it while blocking in a game.
But even with the injuries, Owens had 85 receptions for 1,180 yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns.
"He has a lot of pride," Jones said. "It wouldn't surprise me at all for him to have the resolve to do better (this season). And that's to improve, not necessarily make up for a bad year, but to improve."
Said Romo: "Terrell's a very hard worker, and he's been doing things to get himself ready to go this year. I'm pretty excited about it."
Owens' performance overshadowed Wade Phillips' first team practice as head coach, but the man who replaced the retired Bill Parcells didn't mind. Phillips even opened his news conference with a crack about Owens, something Parcells never did.
"Terrell is going to practice and catch some balls," Phillips deadpanned. "I want to clear that up."
Turning serious, Phillips said, "He caught the ball real well as a matter of fact."
Owens also impressed other members of the coaching staff, including receivers coach Ray Sherman. Last season, Owens feuded openly with Sherman's predecessor, Todd Haley, now with Arizona.
"We had a great talk this morning," Sherman said. "I believe (Owens) wants to do whatever it takes to make himself better. He was very good today."
Last season, Owens also questioned the play calling and complained about not getting enough balls thrown his way. After the season, reports surfaced that Owens didn't know the team's playbook.
But new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett indicated that wasn't a problem Saturday.
"I was really pleased with how he stepped in there and was understanding the offense on Day 1," Garrett said.
Owens, 33, is due a $3 million roster bonus in June and is scheduled to earn $5 million this season.
"He is very motivated to improve, to better himself and the team," said receiver Sam Hurd, a Brackenridge graduate and one of Owens' closest friends on the team. "He knows the team needs him to be a big-play receiver. He is ready to show up and shut everybody up."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:50 AM
<< Home