FWST: Dallas Cowboys release Terrell Owens in stunning KO of T.O.
Cowboys cut controversial receiver loose after three seasons in Dallas
By MAC ENGEL
tengel@star-telegram.com
The Dallas Cowboys’ decision whether or not to keep Terrell Owens for 2009 had more to do with his talent, production, age and money than it would any perceived problem he created in the locker room.
On Wednesday the Cowboys finally decided that he no longer is worth the money and released the 35-year-old receiver, according to a source. The decision to cut Owens punctuates an off-season in which the Cowboys essentially have rid themselves of three of their bigger headaches — T.O., Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson.
The move ends three decently productive yet very expensive seasons for Owens, and clearly creates a path for Roy Williams to assume the No. 1 receiver slot on the Cowboys.
The decision came after weeks of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soliciting advice and opinions from coaches, scouts and team executives regarding Owens’ future. The consensus was that Owens had become a distraction and if he was going to be released, the team needed to do it before the start of the off-season program, which begins in approximately two weeks.
Owens will count $9.675 million in dead money next season, but the team will lose only $680,000 in actual salary-cap room by cutting him.
The Cowboys also will save the $3.1 million roster bonus he was due June 1 and his scheduled base salary of $2.67 million.
Jones had been cryptic thus far this off-season regarding Owens, only offering hints that he planned to keep the receiver. But Jones never actually said he would; he always stopped short to give himself an out if he changed his mind.
According to sources, the decision to drop Owens had everything to do with his age, and the fact he no longer is regarded as a legit No. 1 receiver.
When the Cowboys gave him a three-year extension that included $13 million guaranteed after the ’07 season, they expected him to remain a top receiver for at least the next two seasons. Instead, his productivity dropped sharply in 2008; in 16 games, he caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards with 10 touchdowns. His 69 catches were his fewest for a full season since 1999.
Last season, he routinely struggled breaking away from man-to-man coverage. He had only two 100-yard receiving games.
Last season was also filled with controversy and internal strife because of his rocky relationships with quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
The decision to cut Owens had nothing to do with any perceived problems he created with his legendary mouth. Since his arrival to the Cowboys in 2006, Owens routinely made headlines for his mouth.
But when the Cowboys acquired Williams from the Detroit Lions in a trade in the middle of last season, they wanted him to become the offense’s No. 1 receiver. With Owens in the offense, Williams was never going to become the main focal point of Romo’s passing.
The plan was to see how Romo developed with Williams in the off-season; if all went well, Owens was going to be released. If Owens did return, he would be insurance. But the Cowboys never even had to go that far.
Owens joined the Cowboys amid great national attention after he was signed as a free agent in early 2006. The relationship between Owens and then-coach Bill Parcells drew constant attention, but never provided much, either on or off the field.
Owens’ best season as a Cowboy came in 2007 when he caught 81 passes for 1,355 yards and a franchise-record 15 touchdowns. He earned his only Pro Bowl berth as a Cowboy that season.
By MAC ENGEL
tengel@star-telegram.com
The Dallas Cowboys’ decision whether or not to keep Terrell Owens for 2009 had more to do with his talent, production, age and money than it would any perceived problem he created in the locker room.
On Wednesday the Cowboys finally decided that he no longer is worth the money and released the 35-year-old receiver, according to a source. The decision to cut Owens punctuates an off-season in which the Cowboys essentially have rid themselves of three of their bigger headaches — T.O., Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson.
The move ends three decently productive yet very expensive seasons for Owens, and clearly creates a path for Roy Williams to assume the No. 1 receiver slot on the Cowboys.
The decision came after weeks of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soliciting advice and opinions from coaches, scouts and team executives regarding Owens’ future. The consensus was that Owens had become a distraction and if he was going to be released, the team needed to do it before the start of the off-season program, which begins in approximately two weeks.
Owens will count $9.675 million in dead money next season, but the team will lose only $680,000 in actual salary-cap room by cutting him.
The Cowboys also will save the $3.1 million roster bonus he was due June 1 and his scheduled base salary of $2.67 million.
Jones had been cryptic thus far this off-season regarding Owens, only offering hints that he planned to keep the receiver. But Jones never actually said he would; he always stopped short to give himself an out if he changed his mind.
According to sources, the decision to drop Owens had everything to do with his age, and the fact he no longer is regarded as a legit No. 1 receiver.
When the Cowboys gave him a three-year extension that included $13 million guaranteed after the ’07 season, they expected him to remain a top receiver for at least the next two seasons. Instead, his productivity dropped sharply in 2008; in 16 games, he caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards with 10 touchdowns. His 69 catches were his fewest for a full season since 1999.
Last season, he routinely struggled breaking away from man-to-man coverage. He had only two 100-yard receiving games.
Last season was also filled with controversy and internal strife because of his rocky relationships with quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
The decision to cut Owens had nothing to do with any perceived problems he created with his legendary mouth. Since his arrival to the Cowboys in 2006, Owens routinely made headlines for his mouth.
But when the Cowboys acquired Williams from the Detroit Lions in a trade in the middle of last season, they wanted him to become the offense’s No. 1 receiver. With Owens in the offense, Williams was never going to become the main focal point of Romo’s passing.
The plan was to see how Romo developed with Williams in the off-season; if all went well, Owens was going to be released. If Owens did return, he would be insurance. But the Cowboys never even had to go that far.
Owens joined the Cowboys amid great national attention after he was signed as a free agent in early 2006. The relationship between Owens and then-coach Bill Parcells drew constant attention, but never provided much, either on or off the field.
Owens’ best season as a Cowboy came in 2007 when he caught 81 passes for 1,355 yards and a franchise-record 15 touchdowns. He earned his only Pro Bowl berth as a Cowboy that season.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:24 AM
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