Terrell Owens Gives Dallas Cowboys Talent and Fighting Chance

Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys.

One of the best receivers in the game and one of the elite teams in the NFL.

It seems to fit. Although the Cowboys finished 9-7 and failed to make the playoffs for the 2008 season, Owens seemed to be one of the players who kept running his routes and playing the game during their final game of the season against Philadelphia.

Although his career in Dallas has been full of negative headlines, Owens has brought a playmaker status to Dallas, the first receiver since Michael Irvin in the '90s. 

His stats diminished during the season, finishing with 1,052 yards and 10 TDs, leading both categories for receivers, and playing in three games without Tony Romo at quarterback. Romo’s absence took the deep ball away from the Cowboys offense, something that Owens excels in.

Talk around the organization shows owner Jerry Jones wants to fix the chemistry problem with the team. The Cowboys have already made progress by releasing troubled cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones and Tank Johnson; Owens appears to be the next on the list.

Owens had numerous occurrences in Dallas in which he; called out the play calling of Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett, the relationship between Romo and tight end Jason Witten, and the lack of involvement wide receiver Roy E. Williams had in the offense. All weakening the chemistry in the Cowboys locker-room.

Although the release of Owens seems promising for the Cowboys future and mood in the locker-room, Owens has been one of the best offensive weapons for the Cowboys this season.

His speed forces corners and safeties to double team him, leaving room over the middle for Witten and other receivers. For those that watched the Cowboys this season, none could agree more that as of now, Roy E. Williams has been nothing but a bust. The release of Owens not only removes a key part of the offense, but makes Romo’s job tougher in having to rely on Williams and third receiver Patrick Crayton for the receiving game.

Jones has invested a lot of money in Owens this season, and so far Owens has performed on the field when called upon. In Owens defense, many should understand why he rants and complains about not getting the ball. He is a playmaker, games are won when he catches six or seven balls a game.

Owens is happy when his team is winning; something the Cowboys struggled to do in the last half of the season. His ability on the field has helped the Cowboys win some crucial games in his career with Dallas.

Releasing him not only weakens the offense, but will eventually lead to higher numbers in the loss column.

In my opinion, the Cowboys offense struggles due to both Williams and Owens. They will not go over the middle. Garrett is limited in his play calling when his two receivers will only work outside the hash marks. 

In a secondary’s eyes, having to guard Owens and Williams on a quarter of the field is easier than covering him from sideline to sideline.

So Jones has a tough choice on his hands.

If the Cowboys want to fix their chemistry problems, they need to release Owens and hope Williams develops into the receiver they paid $45 million and traded three draft picks for.

But if they want to win, Owens has to be wearing a star on his helmet for the 2009 season.