Wednesday, June 04, 2008

HUDDLE UP: Don't go too Cowboys crazy

by Andrew Perloff
Source: www.fannation.com

Bring in Denny Green, because apparently everyone is ready to crown the Cowboys. The latest wave of adulation for the 'Boys comes on the tails of news that they re-signed Terrell Owens and Pacman Jones is partially reinstated.

T.O. is an outstanding player and the Cowboys are definitely a weaker team without him. But don't get too excited about his four-year, $34 million contract. How many playoff games has Owens won in Dallas? (zero) How old is he? (35) How often has he been hurt? (often). How emotional is he? (postgame tears).

The recent drying up of the receiver free-agent pool might have given the Cowboys little choice but to extend Owens. But there's still a lot of risk. At his age, he's not going to get less injury prone. And how many times have we seen players sign big contracts and subsequently get hurt.

Several writers have speculated this contract extension is insurance to make sure he doesn't get upset with the team. To even suggest that points to Owens' capricious nature. Although he's behaved fine in Dallas - except for run-ins with Bill Parcells, his vitamin overdoes and an ill-timed Jessica Simpson joke - his fiery days in Philadelphia aren't that far behind him. That was only three years ago. I have trouble believing players arrive in Dallas and completely transform themselves just by wearing the star. Which brings us to ...

Deion Sanders II. That's what Pacman Jones better be to justify all the headlines he's gotten. Finding the chemistry to win a Super Bowl is an elusive assignment, which seems to have a lot more to it than just talent. Whatever the perfect mix is, Pacman doesn't move the Cowboys in the right direction.

Dallas is a good team. But stop the offseason coronation. Where's the skepticism? This is T.O. and Pacman we're talking about. And I haven't even gotten to Wade Phillips or the loss of Tony Sparano. Not to mention the brutal NFC East.