ESPN/DMN Blog: Five reasons to keep/get rid of T.O.

[WoodysGirl]

Five reasons to get rid of T.O.

10:41 AM Mon, Feb 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips



ESPN.com's Matt Mosley worked all weekend to come up with these. Click this link for his elaboration.

1. He's become way too powerful. 2. At age 35, he's a declining player.​

3. He's about to devour another quarterback.​

4. The offensive coordinator doesn't know how to use him anymore.​

5. Roy Williams would be better without T.O.​

In the interest of fairness, I came up with five reasons the Cowboys should keep T.O., even though I'd vote to cut him.



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For the sake of argument, five reasons the Cowboys should keep T.O.

12:40 PM Fri, Feb 13, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

I think the Cowboys ought to cut T.O. It probably won't make them better next season, but it will begin what will be a two- or three-year post-T.O. healing process that's needed in a contaminated locker room.

However, it's certainly not an easy decision.

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley plans to come up with five reasons the Cowboys ought to cut T.O.. He'd like a debate partner, but he can't find a Disney employee to take the T.O. side.

For the sake of argument, here goes ...

1. Even at 35, he's one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. T.O. leads the league in touchdown catches in the three seasons since he joined the Cowboys with 38. His production dropped drastically last season for a variety of reasons, but it's inaccurate to say he's lost a step. He's still a gamebreaker when he can catch the ball in stride, such as his 67-yard touchdown catch and run against the Bengals. If the Cowboys get rid of T.O., the big-play element of their passing game probably goes with him.

2. There is not another No. 1 receiver on the roster. Roy Williams, who has only one 1,000-yard season in his five-year pro career, has done nothing to give the Cowboys confidence that he's ready for that role despite being paid like an elite receiver. Williams has, however, displayed a T.O.-esque ability to blame the quarterback and offensive coordinator for his ineffectiveness.


3. He plays with passion, something that the Cowboys need more of. T.O.'s occasional animated sideline discussions with coaches and teammates become big news because of his past. Would we call that leadership if he wore No. 88?

4. Did he say anything about offensive coordinator Jason Garrett that was wrong? The Cowboys' offense did lack creativity this season. There were long stretches in which the coaches didn't scheme to help T.O. get free releases, allowing defenses to expose his biggest weakness (struggling vs. press coverage). Can you blame a guy who wants to be put in position to use his talent to help his team win?

5. Hey, the guy is a never-ending gold mine for blog fodder.

 

[theebs]

First page.

 

[superpunk]

If the Cowboys get rid of T.O., the big-play element of their passing game probably goes with him.

Miles Austin and "Tiny-unnamed-as-of-yet-Receiver-we-will-draft" disagree.

 

[Doomsday101]

I just want it over with one way or the other so this topic will end. If he is with us great if not then great let move on but this constant TO debate has gotten old fast. When Dallas got TO he came here with his pro's and con's nothing has changed.

 

[1fisher]

This thread ought to get interesting.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I say we stomp im, then we tattoo im, then we hang im, then we kill im!

[youtube]HPcxLeQJabs[/youtube]

 

[28 Joker]

Five reasons to get rid of T.O.

10:41 AM Mon, Feb 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips











ESPN.com's Matt Mosley worked all weekend to come up with these. Click this link for his elaboration.

1. He's become way too powerful. 2. At age 35, he's a declining player.​

3. He's about to devour another quarterback.​

4. The offensive coordinator doesn't know how to use him anymore.​

5. Roy Williams would be better without T.O.​

In the interest of fairness, I came up with five reasons the Cowboys should keep T.O., even though I'd vote to cut him.



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For the sake of argument, five reasons the Cowboys should keep T.O.

12:40 PM Fri, Feb 13, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

I think the Cowboys ought to cut T.O. It probably won't make them better next season, but it will begin what will be a two- or three-year post-T.O. healing process that's needed in a contaminated locker room.

However, it's certainly not an easy decision.

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley plans to come up with five reasons the Cowboys ought to cut T.O.. He'd like a debate partner, but he can't find a Disney employee to take the T.O. side.

For the sake of argument, here goes ...

1. Even at 35, he's one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. T.O. leads the league in touchdown catches in the three seasons since he joined the Cowboys with 38. His production dropped drastically last season for a variety of reasons, but it's inaccurate to say he's lost a step. He's still a gamebreaker when he can catch the ball in stride, such as his 67-yard touchdown catch and run against the Bengals. If the Cowboys get rid of T.O., the big-play element of their passing game probably goes with him.

2. There is not another No. 1 receiver on the roster. Roy Williams, who has only one 1,000-yard season in his five-year pro career, has done nothing to give the Cowboys confidence that he's ready for that role despite being paid like an elite receiver. Williams has, however, displayed a T.O.-esque ability to blame the quarterback and offensive coordinator for his ineffectiveness.


3. He plays with passion, something that the Cowboys need more of. T.O.'s occasional animated sideline discussions with coaches and teammates become big news because of his past. Would we call that leadership if he wore No. 88?

4. Did he say anything about offensive coordinator Jason Garrett that was wrong? The Cowboys' offense did lack creativity this season. There were long stretches in which the coaches didn't scheme to help T.O. get free releases, allowing defenses to expose his biggest weakness (struggling vs. press coverage). Can you blame a guy who wants to be put in position to use his talent to help his team win?

5. Hey, the guy is a never-ending gold mine for blog fodder.

Rebutal:

1. The Bengals held him to 2 catches, and Owens scored the long TD from a tight formation after he was given a free release off the line of scrimmage. He ran through a zone unimpeaded and was allowed to go down hill and get cranked up. Felix Jones can score 10 TDs by himself. (Look up Jimmy Johnson's and Howie Long's comments about Owens' play in 2008 and how teams played him and how they used to play him.) Roy Williams and Miles Austin can combine to replace him. It's a team game. What a concept. All Pro TE and an extremely talented Martellus Bennett can take up "the slack", too. Three headed monster at RB and a new younger, faster slot WR could help the offense, too.

2. The Cowboys have number one money invested in Roy Williams, and they have a younger, faster player in Miles Austin who is ready to start. Replacing Owens will be a team effort. The Titans have Justin Gage and hung 30+ on the Steelers and won 13 games. Cut Owens and trade Patrick Crayton. Surround Williams with team players, and he will fall in line. Keep Owens and the role model will be him and not players like Jason Witten. Terrell Owens didn't put up number one WR numbers last year. His YPA declined from 9.4 to around 7.5 (Joyner). His YPA against some of the better corners in the league doesn't look good with half the returns in and not many votes left for him (2.0 YPA; Joyner). Owens' YPA has declined three out of the last four seasons. On the other hand, Roy Williams put up number one WR numbers in 2006, in terms of his YPA. That production reflects his YPA and Pro Bowl birth. If Williams did it once, he can do it again. He's younger and more physical than Terrell Owens. Williams can beat physical, press coverage. Teams won't be able to play Williams one way, like they play Owens. They will have to mix it up. Williams can get in better shape and lose some bulk and get in sync with Romo and the offensive coordinator after a full off season and make a difference this year.

3.Micheal Irvin encouraged his teammates. Ownes loves to yell at players like Andre Gurode when they "mess up" and show them up on national t.v. Irvin didn't emabarrass players, and he didn't divide the lockerroom like he was running for an election. Irvin was in his prime and was the heart and soul of the Cowboys. He didn't have to be "moved away from the "big, bad cornerbacks" in the NFL. He lined up on the outside and beat the jam, got off the line and went to the Hall of Fame. His teams won Super Bowls. Irvin worked out with his teammates, players like Jason Garrett. He didn't train alone in Miami. How many Super Bowls has Owens won? How many teams were sick of him and booted him?

4. Did Micheal Irvin need to be "schemed" away from the cornerbacks he played against? (see above). Owens put up a monster season in Jason Garrett's offense in 2007. (9.4 YPA and 9.3 YPA against some of the better CBs; Joyner) The big drop in YPAs tell me to look at the player. You have the same offense, same player, same coordinator, but signigicantly different results. Owens got manhandled at the line of scrimmage in 2008 and couldn't get away from cornerbacks. They easily chased him while the safey ensured he couldn't get the bomb, basically his only real weapn. He isn't the YAC player he used to be. He's become a one trick pony. Garrett used some tight formations and motioned Owens some to get him some free releases during the year. Owens got some big plays through Garrett scheming. Garrett used a tight formation and motion to free Owens up against the Bengals, who held him to one catch before the 57 yard TD. Are we talkling about the Bengals? Garrett saved those plays and used them when most needed or when the other team was in the right coverage (see Cleveland game). After you run the plays and are successful, the other teams can adjust and take that way, too. You can't just put him in motion and line him up tight the entire game. The teams in the NFC East have good cornerbacks and secondaries. They see those plays on film, too. The other teams are not stupid unless your San Francisco. They didn't get the memo and didn't follow the formula for shutting Owens down. You can't attack the safety and beat him if you can't get away from the cornerback.

5. Your right. He was targeted nearly 20 times in the first Commanders loss and complained about "his opportunities' in the offense. Shawn Springs ate his lunch, got hurt, and turned it over to Carlos Rodgers and Fred Smoot. Yeah, Owens isn't a player who should continue to get 8-9 pass attempts per game, anymore. If the Cowboys keep forcing the ball to him, the results will probably be worse than last year, and you will have a great time writing about the implosion of the Cowboys. Sit-up destination to be determined.

 

[RS12]

I totally agree his skills are on the decline and he had a hard time getting off the last year. Couldnt help but notice in the Pittsburgh game (replay NFL network) how many times Romo threw to spots where TO was supposed to be, but ended up overthrown by 20 yards because he was held up at the line of scrimmage. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-8-61/Five-reasons-NOT-to-bring-back-T-O-.html

 

[swickp]

I totally agree his skills are on the decline and he had a hard time getting off the last year. Couldnt help but notice in the Pittsburgh game (replay NFL network) how many times Romo threw to spots where TO was supposed to be, but ended up overthrown by 20 yards because he was held up at the line of scrimmage. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-8-61/Five-reasons-NOT-to-bring-back-T-O-.html

if 1000 yds and 10 tds is his worst season since his rookie year then i dont see that as being on the decline

 

[arync]

does anyone notice that to keep or release T.O. is mostly divided by racial lines. It seems to me that most white media wants him gone and blacks want him to stay.

 

[bbgun]

2. There is not another No. 1 receiver on the roster. Roy Williams, who has only one 1,000-yard season in his five-year pro career, has done nothing to give the Cowboys confidence that he's ready for that role despite being paid like an elite receiver. Williams has, however, displayed a T.O.-esque ability to blame the quarterback and offensive coordinator for his ineffectiveness.

So we forked over all those draft picks and millions of dollars for a #2 receiver with an attitude problem? Heckuva job, Jerry. Heckuva job.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

If I had to choose between Austin or T.O. I'd take Austin. That's not saying that Austin is better than T.O. at this point, but, two years from now, who do you want?

Crayton is not a #2. He needs to work out of the slot.

I think an offense with Williams, Austin, Crayton, and Witten as receiving threats is pretty good. Not to mention we'll be getting back Felix Jones.

 

[RoadRunner]

Roy Williams would not be better off without TO. Roy Williams problems are his poor route running, and Jason Garrett learning on the job.

Miles Austin has shown exactly zero reasons that he could pick up TOs production.

But once again, no one is able to make paying over 9 million for an empty roster spot go away. If you were Jerry Jones, would you just throw nine million dollars away especially in these tough economic times?

 

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

Five reasons to get rid of T.O.

10:41 AM Mon, Feb 16, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips


3. He plays with passion, something that the Cowboys need more of. T.O.'s occasional animated sideline discussions with coaches and teammates become big news because of his past. Would we call that leadership if he wore No. 88?

4. Did he say anything about offensive coordinator Jason Garrett that was wrong? The Cowboys' offense did lack creativity this season. There were long stretches in which the coaches didn't scheme to help T.O. get free releases, allowing defenses to expose his biggest weakness (struggling vs. press coverage). Can you blame a guy who wants to be put in position to use his talent to help his team win?

:clap2: :clap2:

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Couldnt help but notice in the Pittsburgh game (replay NFL network) how many times Romo threw to spots where TO was supposed to be, but ended up overthrown by 20 yards because he was held up at the line of scrimmage.

Thats cute. Romo overthrew by 20 yards and was TO's fault. :laugh2:

Was TO tackled at the LOS?

 

[I LOVE ME SOME ME!]

does anyone notice that to keep or release T.O. is mostly divided by racial lines. It seems to me that most white media wants him gone and blacks want him to stay.

Lol. You know thats just not true. How dare you. *extreme sarcasm*

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

[youtube]45-b8Mtx6uY[/youtube]

 

[EPL0c0]

Thats cute. Romo overthrew by 20 yards and was TO's fault. :laugh2:

Was TO tackled at the LOS?

And I guess against Pittsburgh, since Romo threw a Pick6 on a ball that was aimed at Witten, then underthrew Witten, that those were Wittens' fault. So Witten lost the game... glad we got that clear!

Nobody makes note of plays where the other WRs were not open, were not able to beat their coverage, were not able to get off the line clean... all while NOT facing double/triple-teams all year either.

 

[odog422]

Roy Williams would not be better off without TO. Roy Williams problems are his poor route running, and Jason Garrett learning on the job.

Miles Austin has shown exactly zero reasons that he could pick up TOs production.

But once again, no one is able to make paying over 9 million for an empty roster spot go away. If you were Jerry Jones, would you just throw nine million dollars away especially in these tough economic times?

Yes Roy Williams would. He, along with every other skill position player, is affected by the forcing of the ball to TO. Say what you want about his route running last year, but TO wishes he had Williams' hands.

Miles Austin hasn't had the opportunity. His biggest hindrance has been his health because he has produced and gotten better and smoother at doing it the more he has played. Who knows what his totals could be in an entire season. Besides, I happen to believe there is a lot more to this offense that can easily offset TO's production.

You frame it in the "throw away a 9 million dollar roster spot." Keep him and I argue that you throw away however many millions the rest of the salaries total. Because we will not win with him. Guaranteed.

Not to mention I'd rather have my passing game focused on two 20-something WRs getting better, than a 30-something receiver on the decline.

 

[theebs]

does anyone notice that to keep or release T.O. is mostly divided by racial lines. It seems to me that most white media wants him gone and blacks want him to stay.

You should hear the radio stations here. Race is clearly an issue with the fans.