Addition by Subtraction: A Brief Analysis

It is a common trend in the sports world for any and all personalities therein to adopt various buzz words and jargon. Words or phrases that are either rooted in obscurity or just tossed out to brighten up a forum discussion. In recent months the phrase "addition by subtraction" seems to be seeing heavy use by sports analysts.

First and foremost, this phrase makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It is literally impossible to subtract something and have it end up as an addition. The only way that is possible is with negative numbers, but sports involves people not numbers.

However, I can understand where the idea makes sense. The phrase has been used heavily in reference to Terrell Owens and his departure from Dallas to Buffalo. He had overstayed his welcome with the team, naturally, and was summarily released following the 2008-09 season. He had become a distraction on and off the field.

Despite his overall production on the field, 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns, he complained that he was not getting enough touches.

This complaint was merited if you consider the fact that tight end Jason Witten had 12 more catches than Owens. Still, Owens was second on the team in catches and first in yards and touchdowns.

Owens' personality and penchant for shooting his mouth off got him in bad with all the right people and he was removed from the team. This is the subtraction the phrase alludes to.

Where, I ask, is the addition?

One could make the argument that the team will gain an added sense of camaraderie without the cancer that is Terrell Owens wreaking havoc in the locker room. But this is simply a return to zero for the team.

There was no locker room or sideline problems before Owens arrived, and Keyshawn Johnson was in Dallas the year before meaning there was a potential for fireworks that didn't happen under then coach Bill Parcells.

Consider for a moment what Owens brought to the Dallas Cowboys. Over 3,500 yards, 38 touchdowns and 235 catches. He brought a veteran presence to a relatively young group of receivers. He brought intensity on and off the field. He brought speed, strength and some of the best overall skills a receiver could have.

He brought a Super Bowl ring from his second season in the league with Steve Young's 49ers.

He also brought his diva attitude. His ugliest and most negative trait has to be his inability to truly see past himself and through to the overall success of the team he is a part of.

As it stands, Owens brought a handful of positives with him to Dallas and just one glaring negative. And the phrase addition by subtraction disregards the many positives for the one negative. Terrell Owens was the best receiver the Cowboys had on their roster since Michael Irvin, yet his departure stands a positive thing?

There is no such thing as addition by subtraction. Terrell Owens brought more to the Cowboys than his egotistic way of handling the game could ever take away. This is nothing more than a case of subtraction by subtraction.

Can we please stop using the oxymoronic phrase now because it clearly cannot hold up to the most basic of arguments against it?