Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
In what is likely a shock to no one, except maybe Jerry Jones himself, sources from within the Cowboys organization are hinting at a possible release of Terrell Owens:
"I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else," a Cowboys source told [ESPN’s Ed] Werder. "Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? We're like the Redskins used to be when they signed every player they wanted. There's more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team. The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard."Nothing annoys me more than when fans, or anyone outside of the team, claim that a player is a “cancer,” or detrimental to team chemistry. We aren’t in the locker room; we don’t know. From the outside looking in, and based on what this "source" told Werder, combined with what has occurred in the past, it would seem that T.O. causes rifts amongst teammates. But everyone also loves to hate Owens, so I feel like much of that is overblown -- perhaps his teammates don’t dislike him as much as we wish they would."I think some of people want to just cut our losses and get rid of all those guys ... TO, Tank, Pacman,'' another Cowboys source said."But I really think Jerry likes the thrill of trying to make it all work."
Having said that, if the team -- you know, the people on the inside -- feel like he’s dividing the locker room, then now might be a good time to let T.O. go. He recently turned 35, and his numbers, while still strong this season (1,000+ yards, 10 TDs), are declining, not to mention he led the NFC in drops. With the four-year extension he signed over the summer, the Cowboys have him through the 2011 season. Certainly by then, he’ll be in the twilight of his career. For Dallas, right now it’s about balancing the problems he supposedly causes with the cap hit they’d take by cutting him. Or maybe none of this matters and Jerry will keep hiim regardless, seeing as he enjoys the thrill of not making the playoffs. (At least ESPN was still talkin' bout them Cowboys!)
Either way, this little dilemma is overshadowing the biggest mistake Dallas has made in recent memory: Trading four draft picks for Roy Williams. I’m not even sure the Redskins -- back when they “signed every player they wanted” -- would’ve done something that stupid. Although one should never underestimate the ineptitude of Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
Comments
Nothing annoys me more than when fans, or anyone outside of the team, claim that a player is a "cancer," or detrimental to team chemistry.
Until the beginning of last season I had been a lifelong Cowboys fan. However, since Jerry Jones started the team down a "cancerous" path with the signing of TO, Tank, and Thugman, I had to drop them. If he makes the right decision and cuts the "cancer" out, I might consider coming back into the fold. Thuggery, in all of its forms, must be rejected. I’ve known numerous lifelong fans who have dropped the Cowboys, beginning with the unceremonious firing of Tom Landry, and ending with the signing of the Thugman. JJ needs to consider who he wants his fan base to be.
by J Bone A on Jan 15, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions
Pop quiz, hotshot – who sucks worse:T.O. or Ed Werder? Personally, I hate them both.
by wilso2aj.tsn on Jan 15, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions
I’m hoping T.O. drinks the Kool-Aid and signs for the league minimum with the Patriots. Wouldn’t that be a great F-U to all the haters if he turned into another Randy Moss?
by The Great Snook on Jan 15, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions
i am by NO means a cowboy or t.o. fan, but it seems to me that no one in the cowboys orginization wants to man-up and admit that they made a BIG mistake with tony romo…he has blown all dallas big games long before T.O. got to town. Romo is the problem in dallas, he has repeditly proven it..this time, it AINT t.o.
by HITMAN211 on Jan 16, 2009 6:35 AM EST reply actions
Romo’s not very good, but that’s not what the article is about. Ed Werder doesn’t have anything to do with what goes on in the locker room or on the field.
How many rings does TO have?
I also hope TO goes to New England, so he can poison them like he does every team he plays for.
by J Bone A on Jan 16, 2009 8:43 AM EST reply actions
Somebody has to take the blame right? So if the Cowboys are looking to fix it’s chemistry why not start with the guy who seems to self destruct everytime December comes along. The guy who thinks he’s too cool to be a fool. For once I’m 100% sure that T.O. is being used as a scapegoat. Does Tony Romo, the biggest choke artist in the league deserve any respect? Tony Romo should be nicknamed "The Birdman" because when the weather gets cold Romo’s game and brain seems to head south of the border. The Cowboys can release T.O. if they want, but who are they going to blame next December when Romo’s talent takes a vacation and the Cowboy’s again fail to compete for a championship. Tony Romo is the biggest choke artist in the league. Period. Since chemistry is the word being thrown in reference to the reason why Ownes is not wanted in Big D, has anybody thought about the the effect Mr. Romo leaves on his teammates when he completely bails on his team year after year physically and mentally. Come on now even I can admit T.O. has a big mouth and he won’t hesitate to speak his mind whether he’s wrong or not, but at least when Owens goes out on the field you know he’s going to do his best to help the team win. T.O. played in the super bowl with a broken leg. Romo missed how many games because of a pinky? Tony is soft. Tony Romo is what Donovan McNabb was. Look what happened when the Eagles stopped pampering McNabb. McNabb grew up and now he’s a game away from a title.
by damiraclekid on Jan 16, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions
Shuck this joker, (TO), like an ear of corn and throw him away. Without any hard feeling’s of course. It was a good run for egotistical maniac’s to spend a few year’s gathering press clipping’s and admiration from people who follow personalitie’s, rather than team’s. That’s what the problem is, this team lack’s team mentality. Go on Jerry, you know you want to, just do it. We want our team back.
by listen up on Jan 16, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions
The one thing that tells me he was just bidding his time untill he started his team wrecking act was when his agent says and I quote..T.O. just got a extension so he isn’t going anywhere!!!! This is why he let his real self show. It waited until he knew he was ahead of the game and money wise he had the team at a disadvantage if they cut him. So he let out the guy we all know!! I hate to say this but if they keep him they are foolish and if KeyShawn could not find a job then this Bumm should be shown the door that never opens back up!
by joken1010 on Jan 17, 2009 9:53 AM EST reply actions
Are you kidding me?? Romo is the problem?? How many years did it take Eli or Payton or Farve or Aikman or McNabb or just about everyone not named Roethlisber to win in the playoffs? Oh dumb@ss maybe they should cut Romo and start Brad Johnson or whatever that 3rd QB’s name is. Hey they could always draft another one and start over from scratch. TO has been a cancer on every team he has been on. enough said.
by tambroso on Jan 18, 2009 9:29 PM EST reply actions
Are you kidding me?? Romo is the problem?? How many years did it take Eli or Payton or Farve or Aikman or McNabb or just about everyone not named Roethlisber to win in the playoffs? Oh dumb@ss maybe they should cut Romo and start Brad Johnson or whatever that 3rd QB’s name is. Hey they could always draft another one and start over from scratch. TO has been a cancer on every team he has been on. enough said.
by tambroso on Jan 18, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions
T.O makes plays when you get him the ball but that’s also the problem.If he’s not thrown to enough to satisfy him he pouts and becomes a huge distraction. I remember their 1st loss against the Redskins.They were running the ball down Washington’s throat and scrapped the game plan to start throwing T.o.’s way even though Shawn Springs had him blanketed all day. they lost and their season was never the same.Thanks,T.O. Now get the hell out!!
by NYC Born on Jan 18, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions
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