Inside Slant: Dallas Cowboys
http://www.usatoday.com
Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens said it best: "What a difference a year makes."
Indeed.
A year ago at this time, he was recovering from an accidental overdose, which was the flashpoint of a most explosive disappointing first season with the Cowboys.
But as the undefeated Cowboys head into Sunday's game against the winless Rams, things couldn't be better for Owens.
The Cowboys are considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender and Owens is playing a big role in his team's success. He has 16 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns and playing like a beast again.
"I am having fun," Owens said. "It's been a while since I've had fun. It's very enjoyable, especially with the guys in the locker room. This is what I envisioned this team could be, even last year. It just makes it that much more special. The big picture looks brighter and brighter every week."
Owens' teammates say they have noticed a huge difference in him.
"I think he feels just comfortable being himself here now," linebacker Bradie James said. "You know it's been a year he's been here, and you can tell he's just happier being himself and happy he's relaxed. The guys all in here know him. He knows all the guys. And you can tell he's just happier."
Said receiver Patrick Crayton: "He's happy. Look at him. He's happy."
Crayton said there is no question part of Owens' happiness is rooted in the departure of Bill Parcells and the arrival of Wade Phillips as head coach.
Where Parcells didn't call Owens by name and refused to tailor the offense to take advantage of Owens' skills, Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett have made a point to get Owens the ball as much as possible.
Twice they have gone to him on successful fourth-down gambles. He has been used in the slot. He is catching crossing patterns over the middle to take advantage of his run-after-catch abilities and he is being put in motion out of the backfield to confuse defenses and create mismatches.
"Obviously just going into training camp and me feeling good about the season and being healthy and knowing that I'm going to have the opportunity to make some plays, that makes a world of difference," Owens said. "The coaching staff is doing a great job in letting me know that I'm going to be part of this team and part of this offense. They're moving me around, and it's creating a lot of opportunities, not only for myself, but a lot of other guys as well. The coaches are utilizing me and putting me in situations to win. They're giving me those opportunities. That's all I ever wanted last year. I think I mentioned that when I said why did you bring me here? Those are some of the things I meant by that. That I just want to be used in a way, yeah, for myself to get opportunities but at the same time that helps the whole offense. I understand my value coming here and my value to the team."
SERIES HISTORY: 28th meeting, including the post-season. St. Louis leads the series, 14-13. The teams are 3-3 over the last six meetings. The Rams won the last meeting in Dallas, 20-10 on Jan. 1, 2006. The last Cowboys win came in St. Louis in 2002.
Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens said it best: "What a difference a year makes."
Indeed.
A year ago at this time, he was recovering from an accidental overdose, which was the flashpoint of a most explosive disappointing first season with the Cowboys.
But as the undefeated Cowboys head into Sunday's game against the winless Rams, things couldn't be better for Owens.
The Cowboys are considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender and Owens is playing a big role in his team's success. He has 16 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns and playing like a beast again.
"I am having fun," Owens said. "It's been a while since I've had fun. It's very enjoyable, especially with the guys in the locker room. This is what I envisioned this team could be, even last year. It just makes it that much more special. The big picture looks brighter and brighter every week."
Owens' teammates say they have noticed a huge difference in him.
"I think he feels just comfortable being himself here now," linebacker Bradie James said. "You know it's been a year he's been here, and you can tell he's just happier being himself and happy he's relaxed. The guys all in here know him. He knows all the guys. And you can tell he's just happier."
Said receiver Patrick Crayton: "He's happy. Look at him. He's happy."
Crayton said there is no question part of Owens' happiness is rooted in the departure of Bill Parcells and the arrival of Wade Phillips as head coach.
Where Parcells didn't call Owens by name and refused to tailor the offense to take advantage of Owens' skills, Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett have made a point to get Owens the ball as much as possible.
Twice they have gone to him on successful fourth-down gambles. He has been used in the slot. He is catching crossing patterns over the middle to take advantage of his run-after-catch abilities and he is being put in motion out of the backfield to confuse defenses and create mismatches.
"Obviously just going into training camp and me feeling good about the season and being healthy and knowing that I'm going to have the opportunity to make some plays, that makes a world of difference," Owens said. "The coaching staff is doing a great job in letting me know that I'm going to be part of this team and part of this offense. They're moving me around, and it's creating a lot of opportunities, not only for myself, but a lot of other guys as well. The coaches are utilizing me and putting me in situations to win. They're giving me those opportunities. That's all I ever wanted last year. I think I mentioned that when I said why did you bring me here? Those are some of the things I meant by that. That I just want to be used in a way, yeah, for myself to get opportunities but at the same time that helps the whole offense. I understand my value coming here and my value to the team."
SERIES HISTORY: 28th meeting, including the post-season. St. Louis leads the series, 14-13. The teams are 3-3 over the last six meetings. The Rams won the last meeting in Dallas, 20-10 on Jan. 1, 2006. The last Cowboys win came in St. Louis in 2002.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:00 PM
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