Post by prossman on Mar 11, 2009 6:05:32 GMT -7
DMN: Watkins: Dallas Cowboys owner says T.O. didn't fail chemistry test
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Dallas Cowboys owner says T.O. didn't fail chemistry test
12:05 AM CDT on Wednesday, March 11, 2009
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
In his first comments to the local media about the release of Terrell Owens, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the wide receiver was not cut because of chemistry issues.
Jones said cutting Owens was more about allowing Roy Williams to become the No. 1 receiving threat and the development of Miles Austin as a potential No. 2 wideout.
"I had to look at Roy Williams and the future that we have with Roy," Jones said on The Fan (105.3 FM) on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm excited about Roy, so I'd rather have him than the [three] picks we gave up for him in this draft."
Jones also said it gives quarterback Tony Romo a chance to spread the ball around to tight ends Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett and running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
Owens, meanwhile, still stunned by his departure, said the Cowboys are blaming him for a 2008 season that ended without a playoff berth.
"I was the fall guy for some of the things that happened during that season," Owens said in an interview with NFL Network. "But those guys in that locker room, they know that whatever is being reported out there right now is very, very inaccurate. I have no problem with how people perceive me. I know myself. I know my heart, and I know what I am."
Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took several shots at the Cowboys' decision during a Tuesday morning radio interview with WQAM in Miami.
Rosenhaus said that before he met with Cowboys officials last week, Barber, also a Rosenhaus client, asked to speak on the receiver's behalf. Rosenhaus told Barber it wasn't necessary because he didn't think Owens would be cut.
"I believe that the organization is going to regret this decision," Rosenhaus said. "I believe Terrell is not only going to have a Pro Bowl season with the Bills and cause a lot of sleepless nights for AFC defensive coordinators. ... I also believe the Cowboys are going to miss him and that they are going to regret making this move."
Rosenhaus was asked if the decision was influenced by Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
"I'll let other people do that, that's not for me," Rosenhaus said. "But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there was certainly a division of players and coaches and maybe even front office executives."
Jones said letting Owens go was a risk, like any other personnel decision, but he wasn't looking back on it.
"It would have been madness to make a decision like that without getting all kinds of input," Jones said. "He certainly had a lot of support from his coaches, that's very important. But by the same token ... you're [always] looking to get younger players on the field. That was important to us."
__________________
Cowboy
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Dallas Cowboys owner says T.O. didn't fail chemistry test
12:05 AM CDT on Wednesday, March 11, 2009
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
In his first comments to the local media about the release of Terrell Owens, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the wide receiver was not cut because of chemistry issues.
Jones said cutting Owens was more about allowing Roy Williams to become the No. 1 receiving threat and the development of Miles Austin as a potential No. 2 wideout.
"I had to look at Roy Williams and the future that we have with Roy," Jones said on The Fan (105.3 FM) on Tuesday afternoon. "I'm excited about Roy, so I'd rather have him than the [three] picks we gave up for him in this draft."
Jones also said it gives quarterback Tony Romo a chance to spread the ball around to tight ends Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett and running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones.
Owens, meanwhile, still stunned by his departure, said the Cowboys are blaming him for a 2008 season that ended without a playoff berth.
"I was the fall guy for some of the things that happened during that season," Owens said in an interview with NFL Network. "But those guys in that locker room, they know that whatever is being reported out there right now is very, very inaccurate. I have no problem with how people perceive me. I know myself. I know my heart, and I know what I am."
Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took several shots at the Cowboys' decision during a Tuesday morning radio interview with WQAM in Miami.
Rosenhaus said that before he met with Cowboys officials last week, Barber, also a Rosenhaus client, asked to speak on the receiver's behalf. Rosenhaus told Barber it wasn't necessary because he didn't think Owens would be cut.
"I believe that the organization is going to regret this decision," Rosenhaus said. "I believe Terrell is not only going to have a Pro Bowl season with the Bills and cause a lot of sleepless nights for AFC defensive coordinators. ... I also believe the Cowboys are going to miss him and that they are going to regret making this move."
Rosenhaus was asked if the decision was influenced by Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
"I'll let other people do that, that's not for me," Rosenhaus said. "But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there was certainly a division of players and coaches and maybe even front office executives."
Jones said letting Owens go was a risk, like any other personnel decision, but he wasn't looking back on it.
"It would have been madness to make a decision like that without getting all kinds of input," Jones said. "He certainly had a lot of support from his coaches, that's very important. But by the same token ... you're [always] looking to get younger players on the field. That was important to us."
__________________
Cowboy