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Cowboys should shy away from T.O.
By John Onan
01/11/06
Earlier this week, Terrell Owens' agent Drew Rosenhaus was given permission by the Philadelphia Eagles' organization to seek a trade for the disgruntled star receiver. Owens played in the Eagles' first seven games of the season and thanks to conduct detrimental to the organization, was suspended for the last nine. Leading to Owens' demise was his malicious denigration of quarterback Donovan McNabb and head coach Andy Reid.
With Owens destined to find a new home for the 2006 season, rumors have been swirling about a possible trade to Dallas. Many believe that Owens going to Dallas would be an incredibly intriguing move that would pay off for a Cowboys team that was on the cusp of the postseason in 2005. If Owens could tone down his attitude and be a good teammate, most believe that the Cowboys could be a Super Bowl caliber football team.
The abovementioned belief that Owens would put the Cowboys over the top is extremely misguided.
The Cowboys' failure to make the playoffs in 2005 was in no way the fault of their wide receivers. Keyshawn Johnson (71 catches), Terry Glenn (1,136 yards), and Patrick Crayton (15.5 yards per catch) all did more than enough to win games for the Cowboys. Add in superb tight end Jason Witten (66 catches) and the Cowboys have one of the best pass-catching foursomes in the NFL.
If anything the fault should lie upon the loss of left tackle Flozell Adams to injury in the first half of the season. After the injury to Adams, the Cowboys' production in the passing game declined because quarterback Drew Bledsoe was given less time in the pocket, which led to the receivers having less time to get open and make big plays.
There's always the question as to whether head coach Bill Parcells has enough left in his tank to deal with the troublemaking Owens. He's 64 years old, on the verge of retirement, and probably could do without another headache. He's the only coach in the NFL that has been able to deal with Keyshawn Johnson and his attitude problems. Is it really worth the risk to see if Parcells would be able to tame Owens? I think not.
The possible acquisition of Owens would cause a rift in the Cowboys' locker room. The fragile duo of Johnson and Glenn would probably have trouble accepting Owens because they'll be overflowing with the belief that the Cowboys' organization doesn't believe that the team's receiving corps is good enough. That would be a major problem likely leading to dropped production from Johnson, Glenn, and the remainder of the Cowboys' pass-catchers.
Any team that wants to trade for Owens probably wouldn't have to give up a whole lot. He ran himself out of Philadelphia with his attitude problems and the Eagles have no business demanding high draft picks or mid-level starters. Basically, the price to get Owens would be worth his production but the attitude that he brings to the table probably isn't even worth a seventh-round selection in the draft.
If the Cowboys really want to pick up another proven receiver in the offseason they should look no further than ten-year Bills veteran Eric Moulds. Although Moulds bickered about the quarterback situation in Buffalo last season, he's been a model teammate throughout his decade with the team. The fact that he has a solid rapport with Bledsoe could also be a major plus. Moulds is certain to be released by the Bills because of his high cap number and will hit the free-agent market with what ought to be a handful of suitors. The cost for the veteran would likely be somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 million dollars next season.
Hence, it is plausible that Owens playing for the Cowboys would prove disastrous for the team. His attitude is not worth the trouble and Dallas has other needs that are more worthwhile than spending money on Owens. If anything they should be looking at a new quarterback because Bledsoe will probably never have the ability to lead a team to the promised land.
What seems to be getting lost in the shuffle in this situation is Owens' contempt toward the Cowboys when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. Have we all forgotten his blatant disrespect of the Dallas organization and their fans as he celebrated on the patented Cowboys' star at midfield a few seasons ago? Evidently.
By John Onan
01/11/06
Earlier this week, Terrell Owens' agent Drew Rosenhaus was given permission by the Philadelphia Eagles' organization to seek a trade for the disgruntled star receiver. Owens played in the Eagles' first seven games of the season and thanks to conduct detrimental to the organization, was suspended for the last nine. Leading to Owens' demise was his malicious denigration of quarterback Donovan McNabb and head coach Andy Reid.
With Owens destined to find a new home for the 2006 season, rumors have been swirling about a possible trade to Dallas. Many believe that Owens going to Dallas would be an incredibly intriguing move that would pay off for a Cowboys team that was on the cusp of the postseason in 2005. If Owens could tone down his attitude and be a good teammate, most believe that the Cowboys could be a Super Bowl caliber football team.
The abovementioned belief that Owens would put the Cowboys over the top is extremely misguided.
The Cowboys' failure to make the playoffs in 2005 was in no way the fault of their wide receivers. Keyshawn Johnson (71 catches), Terry Glenn (1,136 yards), and Patrick Crayton (15.5 yards per catch) all did more than enough to win games for the Cowboys. Add in superb tight end Jason Witten (66 catches) and the Cowboys have one of the best pass-catching foursomes in the NFL.
If anything the fault should lie upon the loss of left tackle Flozell Adams to injury in the first half of the season. After the injury to Adams, the Cowboys' production in the passing game declined because quarterback Drew Bledsoe was given less time in the pocket, which led to the receivers having less time to get open and make big plays.
There's always the question as to whether head coach Bill Parcells has enough left in his tank to deal with the troublemaking Owens. He's 64 years old, on the verge of retirement, and probably could do without another headache. He's the only coach in the NFL that has been able to deal with Keyshawn Johnson and his attitude problems. Is it really worth the risk to see if Parcells would be able to tame Owens? I think not.
The possible acquisition of Owens would cause a rift in the Cowboys' locker room. The fragile duo of Johnson and Glenn would probably have trouble accepting Owens because they'll be overflowing with the belief that the Cowboys' organization doesn't believe that the team's receiving corps is good enough. That would be a major problem likely leading to dropped production from Johnson, Glenn, and the remainder of the Cowboys' pass-catchers.
Any team that wants to trade for Owens probably wouldn't have to give up a whole lot. He ran himself out of Philadelphia with his attitude problems and the Eagles have no business demanding high draft picks or mid-level starters. Basically, the price to get Owens would be worth his production but the attitude that he brings to the table probably isn't even worth a seventh-round selection in the draft.
If the Cowboys really want to pick up another proven receiver in the offseason they should look no further than ten-year Bills veteran Eric Moulds. Although Moulds bickered about the quarterback situation in Buffalo last season, he's been a model teammate throughout his decade with the team. The fact that he has a solid rapport with Bledsoe could also be a major plus. Moulds is certain to be released by the Bills because of his high cap number and will hit the free-agent market with what ought to be a handful of suitors. The cost for the veteran would likely be somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 million dollars next season.
Hence, it is plausible that Owens playing for the Cowboys would prove disastrous for the team. His attitude is not worth the trouble and Dallas has other needs that are more worthwhile than spending money on Owens. If anything they should be looking at a new quarterback because Bledsoe will probably never have the ability to lead a team to the promised land.
What seems to be getting lost in the shuffle in this situation is Owens' contempt toward the Cowboys when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. Have we all forgotten his blatant disrespect of the Dallas organization and their fans as he celebrated on the patented Cowboys' star at midfield a few seasons ago? Evidently.
