Owens was about the same size as Dez, but much faster. They were probably the same in terms of getting off the jam. TO was a better route runner as he didn't have that hop out of the gate. Dez has far, far better hands. He's a better blocker and doesn't get as frustrated when he's getting doubled and we can't get the ball to him. Dez is also far, far better in jump ball and closed quarters.
I think both were great after the catch, but went about it in different ways. Owens could blow by the defenders and was a tough guy to bring down with an arm tackle and he could run right thru it. Dez won't run thru the tackler, but will shuck them off.
Even if you took the Owens' attitude out of the equation (and I still don't think he was a problem), I would prefer Dez because of his superior hands. Much more consistent and reliable.
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