Owens forces Cowboys into internal struggle over WR's future in Dallas

[Hostile]

And I think the point would be that the core of the team would be upset if he was cut and dare I say it-------DISTRACTED?

I doubt it very much. No one is that important.

 

[Rogerthat12]

One direction from the Coaches is that they send the entire team a message that Owens type of acts will not be tolerated.

I would love to keep TO. I have said that so many times I lost count. But because I say only if he shuts up, people forget that I see both sides of the issue.

I think his work ethic is great for the team. Pity he doesn't understand the team concept. I mean that. There is nothing greater than a talented player like Michael Irvin who puts the team first. Nothing greater.

He doesn't. That is why the Cowboys are calculating whether or not it is worth keeping him. That is the only reason why.

If we keep him and he finally buys into the team concept, no one would love it more than me. I mean that. I don't think he's a bad guy at all. I've talked to him twice. He's very likable.

If we let him go I won't shed a single tear. He's old, his abilities are fading, and he's causing issues with this locker room.

I care more about the team than I do Terrell Eldorado Owens. Therefore, yes, I am more than willing to understand why Dallas might eat that $9 million and move on.

I share the same perspective, TO is not a bad guy but needs to put the team before himself.

I do not think he is the main problem in Dallas but his personality and approach attracts way too much attention that is negative.

I do think we suffer short term if we cut him but we may need to do what we gotta do.

I hope he checks himself and stays but I am tired of losing and the drama fest.

 

[RoadRunner]

Owens performance is not why he might get released. It is the rest of the baggage he brings with his work ethic.

Overall, a good guy, but he is high maintenance and that is a huge negative that offsets his huge positive.

Can you give specific examples please. Something real, not media specualtion.

 

[5Countem5]

Can you give specific examples please. Something real, not media specualtion.

It's classified...

 

[Hostile]

Can you give specific examples please. Something real, not media specualtion.

I think every Cowboys fan knows that he is high maintenance. Examples aren't really needed. If they are, I'd suggest 3 years worth of threads on this forum.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

First it sends a message, team first. No exceptions.

Two, it makes them adjust to other weapons and probably means more of Felix, Choice, and Roy as well as Miles and Bennett. By concentrating on run blocking it shores up the entire Offense.

This team is not destitute if it cuts Owens.

Hostile, I see your point. I don't think we should cut Owens but I can see where your coming from. We do have an array of weapons that can spread out the void of losing Owens. However I look at a team like the Giants and how they basically went into a rut without there big play guy Plaxico. Will losing Owens have the same impact as the Giants losing Plaxico? Do we trust Garrett to get these guys all involved? Was Garrett just in a sophmore slump as an OC? These are the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves before we get rid of a guy who constantly was doubled, opening the middle for our all-pro TE to do what he does. And if I'm not mistaken he and Romo led the NFL the last few years as far as QB/WR tds combination. Don't get me wrong, we will not fall on our face with Owens gone but I think we are a lot more dangerous with him than without him.

 

[Jon88]

Jerry Jones is the only person who didn't know this would happen. Why he's attracted to players like Owens and Pacman Jones is beyond me. But I do know one thing, it's a dumb *** way to build a football team.

 

[Hostile]

Hostile, I see your point. I don't think we should cut Owens but I can see where your coming from. We do have an array of weapons that can spread out the void of losing Owens. However I look at a team like the Giants and how they basically went into a rut without there big play guy Plaxico. Will losing Owens have the same impact as the Giants losing Plaxico? Do we trust Garrett to get these guys all involved? Was Garrett just in a sophmore slump as an OC? These are the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves before we get rid of a guy who constantly was doubled, opening the middle for our all-pro TE to do what he does. And if I'm not mistaken he and Romo led the NFL the last few years as far as QB/WR tds combination. Don't get me wrong, we will not fall on our face with Owens gone but I think we are a lot more dangerous with him than without him.

Owens is dangerous. To opponents and his own team.

The team is trying to decide if he is worth that danger.

I will support them either way, but for people to assume this is purely a media driven hatred and there is no substance to the rumors is folly.

He very well may stay. Jerry is a gambler. No matter what they ultimately decide someone will see it as wrong.

No player is irreplaceable.

 

[Big Dakota]

Owens is dangerous. To opponents and his own team.

The team is trying to decide if he is worth that danger.

I will support them either way, but for people to assume this is purely a media driven hatred and there is no substance to the rumors is folly.

He very well may stay. Jerry is a gambler. No matter what they ultimately decide someone will see it as wrong.

No player is irreplaceable.

Agreed Hos, and here's another thing. I've said myself that cutting TO could rub some players the wrong way, and even if most of the players on the team like and support TO, some fans think that makes everything OK. Even if TO's divisiveness only touches a few key players and some of the coaches it can cause such a divide on a team that the situation becomes untenable. That sort of a situation seems to follow this guy around. TO isn't the only problem but if Stephen and others think he could become a much bigger problem cutting him is a good place to start. Like you have said, it sends a message. IMHO, if the Stephen rumors are true, he obviously feels he needs to take back his team. Can't let the nuts run the asylum. I'm an old school Landry man myself and believe you can never allow players, no matter how much you have invested, usurp coaches power

 

[Bleu Star]

Faction that wants him gone headed by Stephen Jones and Carrot Top. Hilarious part is Wade could live with him here or gone, unbelievable. Head coach needs fire, not wishy washy whatever attitude. Here is article. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/02/13/cowboys/index.html?eref=T1

 

[Ren]

Wade needs to grow a pair and tell him and everyone else to shut up or go sit on the bench, Wade is never going to do that though, so somehow cutting him solves this problem? Someone else will just take his over the distraction role.. should we just keep making the team worse to make up for Wades lack of *****? That's a 1 way road right back to the Campo years

 

[Ren]

I'm an old school Landry man myself and believe you can never allow players, no matter how much you have invested, usurp coaches power

The problem with that is that we might as well just cut the whole team this coaching staff has NO power and no control over this team with or without Owens

 

[Hostile]

Agreed Hos, and here's another thing. I've said myself that cutting TO could rub some players the wrong way, and even if most of the players on the team like and support TO, some fans think that makes everything OK. Even if TO's divisiveness only touches a few key players and some of the coaches it can cause such a divide on a team that the situation becomes untenable. That sort of a situation seems to follow this guy around. TO isn't the only problem but if Stephen and others think he could become a much bigger problem cutting him is a good place to start. Like you have said, it sends a message. IMHO, if the Stephen rumors are true, he obviously feels he needs to take back his team. Can't let the nuts run the asylum. I'm an old school Landry man myself and believe you can never allow players, no matter how much you have invested, usurp coaches power

Great post. Which means someone will hate it.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

I will support them either way, but for people to assume this is purely a media driven hatred and there is no substance to the rumors is folly.



No player is irreplaceable.

I think its both. It's obvious how the media feels about TO (especially Espn). They take shots at him every chance they get. And yes TO rubs guys the wrong way. I think the things he says about the team is a 100% correct but theres a way of going about things.

To me, I think we have bigger problems than TO. Wade Phillips as an enept head coach, a OC who is either in over his head or underachieved in his sophmore season, Jerry Jones decision making as a GM, a offensive line that is overatted and a QB who really doesn't understand how important it is to protect the rock.

TO wears his heart on his sleeve and thats the problem. Micheal Irvin did the same thing. They both play with passion and they both hate to lose. I want all my Cowboys to hate to lose and I bet Owens wants that too. He just goes about it the wrong way.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

I'm an old school Landry man myself and believe you can never allow players, no matter how much you have invested, usurp coaches power

That in a nuttshell is what is wrong with our Cowboys. The coaches don't have the power, the GM does and until he gives the coaches the power we will always be in this boat we are in now. One thing that I can look forward to is Jerry only gives that power to legendary coaches. In 2010, Shanahan, Holmgren, Gruden and Cowher will be available. Hopefully he lets one of these guys pick his staff and truly gain the power the HC deserves.

 

[Big Dakota]

That in a nuttshell is what is wrong with our Cowboys. The coaches don't have the power, the GM does and until he gives the coaches the power we will always be in this boat we are in now. One thing that I can look forward to is Jerry only gives that power to legendary coaches. In 2010, Shanahan, Holmgren, Gruden and Cowher will be available. Hopefully he lets one of these guys pick his staff and truly gain the power the HC deserves.

All of us that are honest know this. Maybe it has begun, that Jerry will allow Stephen to become the man and in turn allow coaches to have ultimate power. I doubt it, but Jerry won't hold ultimate power forever.

 

[Royal Laegotti]

I absolutely cannot freakin' wait until Stephen takes over the control of this wreck Jethro has created!

 

[DallasEast]

I think its both. It's obvious how the media feels about TO (especially Espn). They take shots at him every chance they get. And yes TO rubs guys the wrong way. I think the things he says about the team is a 100% correct but theres a way of going about things.

To me, I think we have bigger problems than TO. Wade Phillips as an enept head coach, a OC who is either in over his head or underachieved in his sophmore season, Jerry Jones decision making as a GM, a offensive line that is overatted and a QB who really doesn't understand how important it is to protect the rock.

TO wears his heart on his sleeve and thats the problem. Micheal Irvin did the same thing. They both play with passion and they both hate to lose. I want all my Cowboys to hate to lose and I bet Owens wants that too. He just goes about it the wrong way.

It'll never happen, but I wished the comparisons between Owens and Irvin would cease because any assertions are false. As a player and teammate, Irvin would stick with his fellow players through thick-and-thin. On the other hand, Owens will quit on his team, run to the media to air dirty laundry, etc. They were/are great players. That's where the similarities end.

Owens has been in the league for 13 years. Isn't it way past time when he should've come to the realization that there is a right way and a wrong way to handle adversity? Or is he "owed" a mulligan every time he consciously reacts "in the wrong way" to any given situation? When exactly should he be viewed as just another NFL player in regards to handling situations correctly? "After he has retired from pro football, perhaps?" Wouldn't that be too late? Does he have to turn 40 before he decides to rationalize like any common 21-year old? I know that you don't have the answer, but I would really like to know when is going to be actually be when for Terrell Owens.

 

[newlander]

What makes you think Stephen will be any better? I hope like 'H" you are right, but I've never seen anything from Stephen that indicates he'll have better wisdom and judgement: but I might have missed some serious clues. I know he didn't come off as the sharpest knife in the drawer on 'Hard Knocks" but maybe I misread him. He's obviously younger, but what has he ever accomplished on his own that leads you guys to believe he will rectify this situation? Not pressing buttons....honestly asking. Give me hope...any hope I can cling to............

 

[jobberone]

I did watch. And no, not all his big plays came off free releases.

Some guys like Shawn Springs are excellent in press coverage. It not only gives Owens issues, it gives every WR issues because guys like Springs are good at it.

But the big problem Owens had early on was he was getting doubled...almost every single down. Even when he was making plays he was doubled. It was usually a case of a breakdown in coverage from the safety and Owens and Romo being on the same page. Yet, there was press coverage...which in part is the danger of press coverage.

In the second half of the season, Owens got open repeatedly as I charted the games, particularly against press coverage. But Johnson certainly couldn't find him and Romo would either miss him or would throw an incomplete pass.

But yes, after about week 7 Owens didn't have that much trouble with press coverage and I believe that's why the Niners didn't press him much along with some success in the running game and at TE the few games before. So they moved the safety down a little more and didn't dare press because of fear that Owens would blow by the corner (mainly Clements) because he was blowing by corners who pressed in the few games before it.

If I was defending Owens, I'd put man-to-man press coverage with safety over the top. Garrett won't run a slant or a crossing route for whatever reason and I'm not sure the Cowboys have somebody opposite of Owens to keep them honest or a running game that can keep the defense honest.




YAKUZA

Good post. Too much is being made of chemistry and not enough about the holes in this team IMO.