T.O. offers counsel to latest wayward Dallas Cowboys player
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Count wide receiver Terrell Owens as a Dallas Cowboys teammate who plans to welcome suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones with opens arms and a clean slate.
And if and when Jones is reinstated to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell, Owens offers this advice: Don't try to repair your image all in one day and with one big play.
Jones was suspended before last season for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans. He was acquired by the Cowboys in a trade last month.
"Don't go out and try to do too much right away," Owens said. "It's understandable. You want to come in and try to erase people's mind-set and play fantastic. But that can get disastrous if you try to overdo it."
Owens, in addition to playing a counselor in the Cowboys' locker room, will make his sitcom acting debut on the MyNetworkTV show Under One Roof Wednesday night.
He said he is qualified to offer the word of warning to Jones because Owens has been through it, coming to the Cowboys two years ago after being unceremoniously dumped in Philadelphia and accused of being a locker room problem. He came to Dallas focused on proving he was a better person and better teammate while also making superstar plays on the field. Although he led the Cowboys with 85 catches and 13 touchdowns, his season was marred by injuries, a controversial accidental overdose and a league-high 17 dropped passes.
Owens shared his story last season with former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Terry "Tank" Johnson. Johnson was in the midst of an eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy when he signed with the Cowboys.
"Tank was the same way," Owens said. "I talked to Tank last year after he got frustrated because he wasn't playing like Tank and like everybody expected. I said, 'I understand. I had to check myself.' You start pressing and you know people know you can make plays, and you are not playing like yourself. You have to be patient."
Owens believes Jones will be a good addition to the Cowboys because of his outstanding skills as a cornerback and return man.
He also believes Jones when he says he has a new appreciation for the game and has learned from his mistakes.
"With the year off from the football field and them taking away his livelihood, that will help a person put things in perspective," Owens said. "You hope he will be a better person."
Owens said there are going to be people who will question Jones' character and his every move, but he can't let that get to him. Owens said Jones just has to keep his mind on taking care of his own business.
"Nobody can question him as a football player and what he does on the field," Owens said. "Whatever the situation is, it's going to take care of itself. I was the same way. There are some things he needs to do to correct the mistakes he made off the field. We have people at the complex and guys on the team who can correct, guide and move him in the right direction. On the field, he can only help us."
Owens quieted his doubters last season with an All-Pro performance -- catching 81 passes for 1,355 yards and a team-record 15 touchdowns.
He also seemingly quieted critics by making huge strides as a teammate. His emotional defense of quarterback Tony Romo after the NFC divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants is one of the most memorable images of the season.
Owens is splitting time between Miami and Dallas during the off-season. He comes back to Dallas for throwing sessions.
And while he is enjoying the off-season -- considering his other projects such as the television show -- Owens said he is looking forward to a big year in 2008 for himself and the Cowboys.
"Just talking to [offensive coordinator] Jason Garrett and [receivers coach] Ray Sherman about the new wrinkles they have put in the offense, I am excited," Owens said. "As far as the team, we know what could have happened last year. I know everybody is going to want to fast forward through the season and get to the playoffs and get this out of our mind. We are going to be ready."
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Count wide receiver Terrell Owens as a Dallas Cowboys teammate who plans to welcome suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones with opens arms and a clean slate.
And if and when Jones is reinstated to the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell, Owens offers this advice: Don't try to repair your image all in one day and with one big play.
Jones was suspended before last season for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans. He was acquired by the Cowboys in a trade last month.
"Don't go out and try to do too much right away," Owens said. "It's understandable. You want to come in and try to erase people's mind-set and play fantastic. But that can get disastrous if you try to overdo it."
Owens, in addition to playing a counselor in the Cowboys' locker room, will make his sitcom acting debut on the MyNetworkTV show Under One Roof Wednesday night.
He said he is qualified to offer the word of warning to Jones because Owens has been through it, coming to the Cowboys two years ago after being unceremoniously dumped in Philadelphia and accused of being a locker room problem. He came to Dallas focused on proving he was a better person and better teammate while also making superstar plays on the field. Although he led the Cowboys with 85 catches and 13 touchdowns, his season was marred by injuries, a controversial accidental overdose and a league-high 17 dropped passes.
Owens shared his story last season with former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Terry "Tank" Johnson. Johnson was in the midst of an eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy when he signed with the Cowboys.
"Tank was the same way," Owens said. "I talked to Tank last year after he got frustrated because he wasn't playing like Tank and like everybody expected. I said, 'I understand. I had to check myself.' You start pressing and you know people know you can make plays, and you are not playing like yourself. You have to be patient."
Owens believes Jones will be a good addition to the Cowboys because of his outstanding skills as a cornerback and return man.
He also believes Jones when he says he has a new appreciation for the game and has learned from his mistakes.
"With the year off from the football field and them taking away his livelihood, that will help a person put things in perspective," Owens said. "You hope he will be a better person."
Owens said there are going to be people who will question Jones' character and his every move, but he can't let that get to him. Owens said Jones just has to keep his mind on taking care of his own business.
"Nobody can question him as a football player and what he does on the field," Owens said. "Whatever the situation is, it's going to take care of itself. I was the same way. There are some things he needs to do to correct the mistakes he made off the field. We have people at the complex and guys on the team who can correct, guide and move him in the right direction. On the field, he can only help us."
Owens quieted his doubters last season with an All-Pro performance -- catching 81 passes for 1,355 yards and a team-record 15 touchdowns.
He also seemingly quieted critics by making huge strides as a teammate. His emotional defense of quarterback Tony Romo after the NFC divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants is one of the most memorable images of the season.
Owens is splitting time between Miami and Dallas during the off-season. He comes back to Dallas for throwing sessions.
And while he is enjoying the off-season -- considering his other projects such as the television show -- Owens said he is looking forward to a big year in 2008 for himself and the Cowboys.
"Just talking to [offensive coordinator] Jason Garrett and [receivers coach] Ray Sherman about the new wrinkles they have put in the offense, I am excited," Owens said. "As far as the team, we know what could have happened last year. I know everybody is going to want to fast forward through the season and get to the playoffs and get this out of our mind. We are going to be ready."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:05 PM
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