FWST Galloway: The Jimster states his case on T.O.

[CrazyCowboy]

The Jimster states his case on T.O.

By Randy Galloway

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

In these troubled times, when all logic suddenly seems lost at Valley Ranch, there is only one place to turn for guidance and historical Cowboys perspective.

Tom and Tex are in football heaven. So ...

Who you gonna call?

The Jimster, of course.

WWJD?

What Would Jimster Do?

Terrell Owens isn't the first lugnut to fall off an NFL wheel.

In fact, in a flood of e-mails on the Owens issue, many of those in support of this rodent invasion at Valley Ranch mention one name from the past.

Charles Haley.

When Jimmy Johnson traded for that big trouble, the Cowboys started winning Super Bowls.

It's true.

Of course, Johnson had also assembled a team in those early '90s that had everything except a dominant pass rusher.

Haley was truly "the final piece."

Anybody attempting to make comparisons with those Cowboys and these Cowboys also has some loose lugnuts.

"But the thing about Charles was, first and foremost, he's a smart guy," the Jimster said Thursday from the Florida Keys. "Smart, but defiant.

"The only reason we were able to trade for his kind of talent was because the 49ers thought he was a troublemaker. Some of that surfaced early once we got him, but he was challenged on it right away."

And then ...

"Charles obviously helped us on the field. But beyond that, I really enjoyed Charles off the field, too."

So why couldn't that be the same way with Owens and Big Bill?

"I would say money," answered Jimmy. "Everything with Terrell is about compensation, and what amount of money he can be happy with.

"Almost every player feels he's underpaid. That's part of the business. But as we saw in Philadelphia, the money issue with him can tear apart a locker room. It's always going to be an issue. It will be this time, too."

There's one prominent theory that Owens will come cheap for some team this time around, mainly because he has no leverage.

But there are those who hoot at such thinking. Now that Owens is a free agent, he and agent Drew Rosenhaus may be willing to wait it out, anticipating that some team will eventually come up with a fat contract.

The team most mentioned? Yes, the Cowboys.

The word from Philadelphia is that Owens was demanding a contract that was at least $1 more than that of quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"Well, that was a case of Terrell proving himself with the Eagles for one year, and then his asking price went off the wall," Johnson said. "That won't change no matter where he plays."

With his national TV job on Fox, Johnson maintains close ties throughout the NFL. He's also friendly with Rosenhaus, Owens' high-profile agent.

"Drew can make a good deal for any of his players, and he has a lot of them," Jimmy said. "But Terrell has his own expectations. That's why it's kind of iffy on what kind of money will be expected this time."

But back to the original question:

WWJD?

"To me, it depends on how secure the coach is," he said. "If he's got a five-year deal, then I wouldn't mess with a Terrell Owens.

"But if I'm in a situation where I needed to win this year, then, yeah, I'd do it. Go ahead, give it a try. What is there to lose for a coach?"

OK, now apply that to the Cowboys' current situation.

Is this Big Bill's final year? Will he retire after next season?

The contract extension of two months ago put Parcells' salary near the $7 million category for 2007. It's hard to imagine him walking away from that.
But many think he will.

If so, then why would Parcells care about what happens with Owens after the '06 season?

Big Bill would be a coach homed in on this season, then gone. Owens would be the next coach's headache. And Jerry's, too.

"I don't mind a little tension on a good team," Johnson said. "But on a struggling team, it will destroy you. And in the long run on any kind of team, it's not good.

"With Terrell, he's going to be disruptive. He's going to be yelling at Drew [Bledsoe], he's going to divide your locker room. It may be sooner, it may be later, but it will be a negative for your team.

"If you want his talent, you've also got to be willing to accept that."

Only the desperate would dare do this.

At Valley Ranch, we will eventually know just how desperate things have become.

Randy Galloway's Galloway & Co. can be heard weekdays 3-6 p.m. on ESPN/103.3 FM.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

ISJWSO - I say Jimmy would sign Owens!

 

[Juke99]

Can't argue with anything Jimmy said...all of it's on the nosey....and from a guy who has a world of experience.

Here's the problem for me....and btw, has been the problem for me since Parcells has arrived...the franchise is being run as if it's life is the same as Parcells...when he is long gone, the Cowboys will still be in existence...so yeah, great, Parcells should take a run at Owens since he's at the end of his career...but the COWBOYS are not at the end.

Rather than Jerry saying "Hey, sorry. I'm not going to jeopardize this franchise by allowing decisions to be made that are self serving." his ego gets in the way and the lure of winning another championship (which is a farce because this team has too many holes, even with Owens) over rides what should be, better judgement. That's the key to what Jimmy said. Haley was the missing component. Owens ain't. Owens is as much the missing component as Joey Galloway was. And we saw how that bad decision cost us dearly.

Jerry has ALWAYS been about the quick fix. Jerry is the guy we see on the highway, cutting in and out of lanes, only to arrive at the exit at the same time as you.

People here think I hate Parcells. I don't. I hate his approach. I've suspected he makes decisions that are based on the time HE has left in the game, e.g. not wanting to develop a young QB. I've said a zillion times, this isn't the same Parcells I followed closely in NY for years. He's a coach who is now making decisions based on how much time HE has left.

This Owens thing, if it comes to pass, is the most clear cut evidence of this...and personally, I don't like it.

 

[JakeCamp12]

Can't argue with anything Jimmy said...all of it's on the nosey....and from a guy who has a world of experience.

Here's the problem for me....and btw, has been the problem for me since Parcells has arrived...the franchise is being run as if it's life is the same as Parcells...when he is long gone, the Cowboys will still be in existence...so yeah, great, Parcells should take a run at Owens since he's at the end of his career...but the COWBOYS are not at the end.

Rather than Jerry saying "Hey, sorry. I'm not going to jeopardize this franchise by allowing decisions to be made that are self serving." his ego gets in the way and the lure of winning another championship (which is a farce because this team has too many holes, even with Owens) over rides what should be, better judgement. That's the key to what Jimmy said. Haley was the missing component. Owens ain't. Owens is as much the missing component as Joey Galloway was. And we saw how that bad decision cost us dearly.

Jerry has ALWAYS been about the quick fix. Jerry is the guy we see on the highway, cutting in and out of lanes, only to arrive at the exit at the same time as you.

People here think I hate Parcells. I don't. I hate his approach. I've suspected he makes decisions that are based on the time HE has left in the game, e.g. not wanting to develop a young QB. I've said a zillion times, this isn't the same Parcells I followed closely in NY for years. He's a coach who is now making decisions based on how much time HE has left.

This Owens thing, if it comes to pass, is the most clear cut evidence of this...and personally, I don't like it.

Juke...truer words have never been spoken. I only hope that after BP leaves, and Owens has burned down Texas Stadium, there will be a few ashes left to build on...

 

[Juke99]

Juke...truer words have never been spoken. I only hope that after BP leaves, and Owens has burned down Texas Stadium, there will be a few ashes left to build on...

I've always liked Parcells...truly admired the way he has coached...but as I've said, this isn't the same guy and it's because he's making decisions based on the fact that he's almost done with is career...and I am beyond sure that it's with Jerry's approval.

 

[Jarv]

The Jimster states his case on T.O.

By Randy Galloway

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

In these troubled times, when all logic suddenly seems lost at Valley Ranch, there is only one place to turn for guidance and historical Cowboys perspective.
Tom and Tex are in football heaven. So ...
Who you gonna call?
The Jimster, of course.
WWJD?
What Would Jimster Do?
Terrell Owens isn't the first lugnut to fall off an NFL wheel.
In fact, in a flood of e-mails on the Owens issue, many of those in support of this rodent invasion at Valley Ranch mention one name from the past.
Charles Haley.
When Jimmy Johnson traded for that big trouble, the Cowboys started winning Super Bowls.
It's true.
Of course, Johnson had also assembled a team in those early '90s that had everything except a dominant pass rusher.
Haley was truly "the final piece."
Anybody attempting to make comparisons with those Cowboys and these Cowboys also has some loose lugnuts.
"But the thing about Charles was, first and foremost, he's a smart guy," the Jimster said Thursday from the Florida Keys. "Smart, but defiant.
"The only reason we were able to trade for his kind of talent was because the 49ers thought he was a troublemaker. Some of that surfaced early once we got him, but he was challenged on it right away."
And then ...
"Charles obviously helped us on the field. But beyond that, I really enjoyed Charles off the field, too."
So why couldn't that be the same way with Owens and Big Bill?
"I would say money," answered Jimmy. "Everything with Terrell is about compensation, and what amount of money he can be happy with.
"Almost every player feels he's underpaid. That's part of the business. But as we saw in Philadelphia, the money issue with him can tear apart a locker room. It's always going to be an issue. It will be this time, too."
There's one prominent theory that Owens will come cheap for some team this time around, mainly because he has no leverage.
But there are those who hoot at such thinking. Now that Owens is a free agent, he and agent Drew Rosenhaus may be willing to wait it out, anticipating that some team will eventually come up with a fat contract.
The team most mentioned? Yes, the Cowboys.
The word from Philadelphia is that Owens was demanding a contract that was at least $1 more than that of quarterback Donovan McNabb.
"Well, that was a case of Terrell proving himself with the Eagles for one year, and then his asking price went off the wall," Johnson said. "That won't change no matter where he plays."
With his national TV job on Fox, Johnson maintains close ties throughout the NFL. He's also friendly with Rosenhaus, Owens' high-profile agent.
"Drew can make a good deal for any of his players, and he has a lot of them," Jimmy said. "But Terrell has his own expectations. That's why it's kind of iffy on what kind of money will be expected this time."
But back to the original question:
WWJD?
"To me, it depends on how secure the coach is," he said. "If he's got a five-year deal, then I wouldn't mess with a Terrell Owens.
"But if I'm in a situation where I needed to win this year, then, yeah, I'd do it. Go ahead, give it a try. What is there to lose for a coach?"
OK, now apply that to the Cowboys' current situation.
Is this Big Bill's final year? Will he retire after next season?
The contract extension of two months ago put Parcells' salary near the $7 million category for 2007. It's hard to imagine him walking away from that.
But many think he will.
If so, then why would Parcells care about what happens with Owens after the '06 season?
Big Bill would be a coach homed in on this season, then gone. Owens would be the next coach's headache. And Jerry's, too.
"I don't mind a little tension on a good team," Johnson said. "But on a struggling team, it will destroy you. And in the long run on any kind of team, it's not good.
"With Terrell, he's going to be disruptive. He's going to be yelling at Drew [Bledsoe], he's going to divide your locker room. It may be sooner, it may be later, but it will be a negative for your team.
"If you want his talent, you've also got to be willing to accept that."
Only the desperate would dare do this.
At Valley Ranch, we will eventually know just how desperate things have become.
Randy Galloway's Galloway & Co. can be heard weekdays 3-6 p.m. on ESPN/103.3 FM.

Does anyone here disagree with what Jimmy is saying ? He's been there and done that...Talked the talk and walked the walk.

According to Jimmy, we are desperate if we do this.

Are we desperate ?

 

[CowboyManDan]

Can't argue with anything Jimmy said...all of it's on the nosey....and from a guy who has a world of experience.

Here's the problem for me....and btw, has been the problem for me since Parcells has arrived...the franchise is being run as if it's life is the same as Parcells...when he is long gone, the Cowboys will still be in existence...so yeah, great, Parcells should take a run at Owens since he's at the end of his career...but the COWBOYS are not at the end.

Rather than Jerry saying "Hey, sorry. I'm not going to jeopardize this franchise by allowing decisions to be made that are self serving." his ego gets in the way and the lure of winning another championship (which is a farce because this team has too many holes, even with Owens) over rides what should be, better judgement. That's the key to what Jimmy said. Haley was the missing component. Owens ain't. Owens is as much the missing component as Joey Galloway was. And we saw how that bad decision cost us dearly.

Jerry has ALWAYS been about the quick fix. Jerry is the guy we see on the highway, cutting in and out of lanes, only to arrive at the exit at the same time as you.

People here think I hate Parcells. I don't. I hate his approach. I've suspected he makes decisions that are based on the time HE has left in the game, e.g. not wanting to develop a young QB. I've said a zillion times, this isn't the same Parcells I followed closely in NY for years. He's a coach who is now making decisions based on how much time HE has left.

This Owens thing, if it comes to pass, is the most clear cut evidence of this...and personally, I don't like it.

Good post, I've felt this way for a while myself too. I mean even if we're able to put it all together for next year and win the SB, is it worth it all falling apart the following year? (When guys like Bledsoe, Glenn, and others retire and TO creates divide or retires himself). I'm happy with the other FAs we signed in that they're young and have a future. But we better set up guys to step in behind these 'win now' guys and have them ready to.

TO is a Cowboy, and therefor I'll be rooting for him. But some parts of this team just have an artificial feeling to me. I'm a Cowboy fan true and through though, so let's go Cowboys.

The part that sticks out to me in this article:

Only the desperate would dare do this.

 

[Zaxor]

I'm with you Juke

 

[SultanOfSix]

Uh...Does anyone else besides me remember the blow up between Jimmy and Charles after the Miami game back in 1996?

Jimmy is a psychologist. An expert at double speak.

 

[Jarv]

Uh...Does anyone else besides me remember the blow up between Jimmy and Charles after the Miami game back in 1996?

Jimmy is a psychologist. An expert at double speak.

Jimmy left after the 1993/1994 Superbowl...

So no I don't...

But seriously, there was one in 92 or 93 I belive.

 

[Zaxor]

Uh...Does anyone else besides me remember the blow up between Jimmy and Charles after the Miami game back in 1996?

Jimmy is a psychologist. An expert at double speak.

I remember friend but what does Jimmy have to gain by tossing TO under the bus

 

[SultanOfSix]

Jimmy left after the 1993/1994 Superbowl...

So no I don't...

But seriously, there was one in 92 or 93 I belive.

He was coach of the Dolphins at the time.

 

[lspain1]

Juke...truer words have never been spoken. I only hope that after BP leaves, and Owens has burned down Texas Stadium, there will be a few ashes left to build on...

JakeCamp12 and Juke,

I think both of you are all wet on this. You folks see a different NFL than I do. In today's NFL, ALL TEAMS HAVE HOLES. In a cap limited free agency era, no one can really build a long term winner without constantly rotating players in and out. It means that every year teams can come from nowhere to make a run into the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

I'm not saying the Cowboys don't have holes. They do. I wanted them chasing a kicker frorm day one. I hope the have a plan. But to say that signing one of the best WR's in footabll is a bad idea and short term thinking is simply not seeing things as they are. The Cowboys have cap room and if they sign TO they are a better team today than they were yesterday. They can still try to fix the other problems, but the fact will remain they will be a better team. And they can still draft a WR for the future.

TO is the southbound end of a northbound horse. I chortled with every blast out of his mouth last year and as the Eagles decided to professionally shoot him in the head. But the Eagles understood the threat he represented when Jerry talked about him late last year. If it had been Joe Schmoe they wouldn't have immediately filed tampering charges, trust me.

I understand your concerns. I just don't agree.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

ISJWSO - I say Jimmy would sign Owens!

I totaly agrre there. I love Jimmy Johnson but, like Jerry Jones, he's a class-A BS-Artist. I mean come on -him insinuating that he and Haley got along off the field? Please! One of the biggest disagreements that Johnson and Jones had leading up to Johnson's firing was what to do with Haley; Johnson was fed up and wantred him gone because Haley -though productive - could not be controlled by Johhnson.

And who's Jimy Johnson to criticise a player for caring about money when they're being paid below market value? Isn't Johnson the same coach who often scoffs at coaching again because his broadcasting gig is more lucrative?

Anything Jimmy Johnson says is like the pot calling the kettle balck, and doing it in an interview with Randy Galloway is like doing it on a stove that's been set to 600 digrees and left unattended.

**

 

[iceberg]

At Valley Ranch, we will eventually know just how desperate things have become.

as illustrated by all the people in here saying "i'm tired of losing" thinking *this* is the key to winning when the antiTO crowd see it just as this - a sign of desperation.

 

[Mash]

One thing about Jimmy.......

He doesn't care about character.......his main goal was winning....what u did off the field wasn't his business and had a blind eye towards it.

As long as you showed up Sunday and played well......u were good in his books.

Just look at his past.....Miami....Dallas (White House).....

 

[iceberg]

I've always liked Parcells...truly admired the way he has coached...but as I've said, this isn't the same guy and it's because he's making decisions based on the fact that he's almost done with is career...and I am beyond sure that it's with Jerry's approval.

jerry jones built this problem by his previous meddlesome ways so he has no choice but to let BP ride it out and we all know there are some MAJOR differences between the two.

henson vs. bledsoe for example. jjones used to be quoted on the radio about how he wanted henson to play. in the next few weeks that turned quickly to being a billp parakeet.

jones has to let billp do what billp wants and yes, this is a man making decisions as if he has a very short timeframe left.

acts of desperation seldom bring about solid results.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I think some of you are overstating and overcriticizing Parcells' "win today" approach.

Sure, he's doing that. We see that with Bledsoe, Owens, (if he comes), etc.
But the fact is, that is today's NFL. It is a win now proposition and Parcells isn't above that. His big, fat butt will be fired from his $5+ million a year job if he doesn't WIN! This isn't the NFL of the '70s that I loved and grew up with. The league changes year to year.

BUT, at the same time, Parcells has almost single handedly rebuilt the franchise and given it a foundation for the future that Jerry almost single- handedly destroyed with help from guys like Lacewell and Campo.

Parcells restructured the scouting dept. That's a move that is for the Cowboy's future, not just Parcells' immediate need. He's helped us obtain some real foundation stones for the franchise in guys like Witten, Ware, Spears, Canty, Newman, Julius, Barber, etc. etc. Sure he's missed on some, like Rogers, but ANY talent evaluator misses on players. Jimmy missed on a bunch of them! What would you guys do if Parcells had chosen John Avery ,(now of CFL glory), as our first round pick?!

But to me, (and I know I see this differently than some of you), I think Parcells BEST example of trying to help the future of the Cowboys is his handling of Drew Henson.

I just saw the piece on Henson last night on NFL Network. Henson said that he agreed with Key who told him that Parcells is the absolute BEST HC to come into the league and play for because he is the best at PREPARING a young player to play in the NFL.

That is exactly what Parcells has been doing for 2 years with Henson. I'm a huge Henson fan, and we can argue about him all we want, but he was no where near ready to play in the NFL when he came to us! Forget last pre-season. I watched him his first pre-season in the Monday night game against the Chiefs. Everyone was bragging on how great he looked. Well, he came in that game and it was one of the worst QB performances I have ever witnessed in almost 40 years of watching the Cowboys. Henson couldn't even throw a pass with proper mechanics. It was embarrassing and I was so disappointed!

I firmly believe his confidence would have been destroyed if Jerry would have had his way and played him over an extended period of time. Parcells is handling Henson the way he is because that's what he believes is best for Henson and the franchise and gives both of them the best opportunity to succeed in the long run.

Parcells doesn't hate Henson, he is trying to NUTURE and DEVELOP a young QB and not ruin him by playing him before he is capable of handling the responsibility.

I truly believe Henson can do it. I loved the interview last night. But, if he does it (and that's a big "if" right now), he can thank Parcells for not throwing him to the wolves like Jerry and a lot of fans wanted him to do and destroying him.

 

[Concord]

Who the Hell is Jimmy Johnson and what the Hell does he Know?

 

[iceberg]

I think some of you are overstating and overcriticizing Parcells' "win today" approach.

Sure, he's doing that. We see that with Bledsoe, Owens, (if he comes), etc. But the fact is, that is today's NFL. It is a win now proposition and Parcells isn't above that. him.

really? the patriots seemed to have built it up with a team approach and showed the world that a team concept DOES matter. is this the "win now" you're talking of?

dynasties got harder true. but having values and respect are still the core to winning in the end.