T.O.o Much Baggage

We've been calling for this for a while, and it appears Jerry Jones has finally listened.

The most destructive force in the NFL, otherwise known as T.O., was shown the door yesterday as the Cowboys' brass finally came to the realization that they'd never win a championship with Owens as a part of the team.

And the reason for this is the words "Owens" and "team" don't go in the same sentence.

Rumors of this move began to echo shortly after the Cowboys were ousted by Philadelphia in Week 17 to conclude an underachieving season in which the preseason Super Bowl favorites failed to make the playoffs.

But the move wasn't one that didn't require a great deal of thought and money.

By cutting him just one year into his four year, $34M extension, the Boys are forced to eat $9M against the cap in '09, and that's a pretty penny for a team (and owner) to absorb, regardless of the billions Jones earned in the oil business.

But now the Cowboys can take a real step forward to becoming a team and not a group of high priced stars who can't coexist as a unit.

Owens had an overwhelmingly decisive effect on team chemistry and the locker room and this has been something he's been unable to shake since he emerged from Rice's shadow to become T.O. in '98.

So where does the enigma go next?

As of last night, only two teams said they would have interest in the 35-year-old receiver. And then that number dwindled down to one as the Titans withdrew their name from consideration today.

But earlier today, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that Owens would have a team by next week.

We'll see if the Raiders, whom I presume he meant by team, move that quickly, because that's probably the only real destination for the embattled receiver.

Could others use the "take him for one year" train of thought and justify picking him up?

Sure.

But I can't see a winning organization taking on his personality, which has already worn out his welcome in two of the highest profile franchises in the NFL.

And he had it good in both. But as usual, he blew it.

If someone else does land him, they'll probably figure they can get a very talented, albeit aging receiver for far under market value and hope that he can put them over the top.

But that's all wishful thinking.

Owens will never be a winner, because in football, you win as a team and lose as individuals.

And T.O. is an individual in every sense of the word.