Talking Myself Off of the Ledge: The Dallas Cowboys Release Terrell Owens

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys released troubled wide receiver Terrell Owens. Calls to cut the wide receiver out of the Cowboys lineup have been coming for months, but it seems as if Jerry Jones finally listened to those closest to him.

The Cowboys will miss Owens’ production and consistency as he led the team in receiving touchdowns and yards each of his three seasons at Valley Ranch. The team traded for former Texas Longhorns wideout Roy Williams last season to possibly replace Owens in the future.

But who thought that it would be this soon.

I have lobbied for the Cowboys to release Owens since the end of last season, but that was mainly because I didn’t think Jerry would actually do it. Jones favors a circus atmosphere more than he does the chemistry of a team, so why would he get rid of his best player?

To be honest, I was in shock when I read the headline that T.O. was finally cut by the team he so beloved. Just a week ago during the combine, Jones hinted that Terrell would be back in Cowboys blue next season.

During ESPN the Weekend, Roy E. Williams stated that he thought that T.O. would come back to Dallas next season.

So was Jerry just pulling the wool over our eyes?

In releasing T.O., the Cowboys will take a $9 million cap hit this year. The team wasn’t able to sign linebacker Ray Lewis because the funds were not available and they are saving as much as possible to get a long term deal done for hybrid DE/LB DeMarcus Ware.

So why not try and trade T.O. to get value for him? The team traded Anthony Henry for a back-up quarterback. I mean, this would at least make more sense, right?

Right!?

My calls for releasing Owens were maybe a little premature. Williams is un-proven with only 1,000 yard season. Crayton seems to place excess amounts of oil and butter on his fingers and hands before each game and Miles Austin is just, well, un-proven.

Oh crap, I’m starting to panic! Did we make a mistake!?

Should we get on the horn right now and beg for T.O.’s services again!? Is this in the best interest for Romo and the team? Will Jason Witten see more double coverage because “the player” is gone now!?

Who has the money to pay for those expensive PSL’s for our new stadium!!?

Ahhhhh, I’m freaking out!!

Ok, ok, ok, ok. We, we, we, don’t need Owens. He wasn’t that great anyway. I mean, who wants an insecure crybaby who predicates his happiness on touchdowns and crowds chanting his name? A player who only trails Jerry Rice for most touchdown catches and is tied for sixth in receiving yards all-time

Wait a minute...

So why did we release a future Hall of Fame receiver!?

Because he was a detriment to the Cowboys team chemistry and well, Tony Romo and Jason Garrett were tired of him.

Right...

I think that I can take a breath now. Maybe the Cowboys will be ok, maybe Miles Austin will serve as a great slot guy and free up touches for Williams and Witten.

After all, we still have Felix Jones and Marion Barber.

Please tell me I’m right!