Terrell Owens: Should the Dallas Cowboys Take a Chance on T.O.?

The Dallas Cowboys showed on Sunday night that they have next-to-zero confidence in their receivers beyond Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.

Late in the game, Bryant could barely walk due to leg cramps and muscle problems, but the coaches kept him in the game anyway.

Overall, keeping Bryant in the game probably hurt the Cowboys more than it helped them. I’m all for guys being tough and playing through pain, but only to a certain point.

Bryant couldn’t run routes very well and didn’t have the speed that makes him an excellent receiver. Add in the fact that Darrelle Revis was covering him and that’s a lose-lose situation.

But apparently the Cowboys don’t trust Kevin Ogletree, Dwayne Harris or Jesse Holley to make plays, so they left Bryant in the game.

If they really have that little faith in their backup receivers, should they sign a free-agent wide receiver like Terrell Owens?

Owens has had a mixed history in Dallas already, but in each of his three years with the Cowboys (2006-2008), he had more than 1,000 yards receiving and at least 10 touchdowns.

He’s 38 years old now, but he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Last season for the Cincinnati Bengals, Owens had 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

That’s better than Ogletree, Harris or Holley will be in 2011, so why not take a chance on T.O.? If they sign him now, they don’t have to give him a guaranteed contract, so he’d be motivated to play well to earn his money.

The biggest question is whether he’d be able to accept being a third receiver without stirring up any controversy. He’d have to understand that he’s behind Bryant, Austin and even tight end Jason Witten in terms of where Tony Romo will look to throw the ball.

But, at age 38, he needs to be honest with himself and accept a lesser role with a team that has a chance to make the playoffs. He’s still chasing a Super Bowl ring, and the Cowboys are probably one of the only legitimate playoff contenders with a need for him.

If the Cowboys and Owens can agree to let the past go and agree on an incentive-laden one-year contract, T.O. could be just what the team needs in 2011.

And, of course, if things don’t work out again, they can always cut T.O. without losing very much money in the process. It’s worth a shot if this team is serious about contending for the playoffs this year.