The T.O. Chronicles: Smoke = Fire?
by Dave Halprin on Jan 15, 2009 11:05 AM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintThis post isn't for everybody, only the sexy people. I kid. It's only for people who aren't consumed by the idea of a grand-conspiracy by the press to force the Dallas Cowboys to get rid of Terrell Owens. In the first place, I don't think the press has that kind of power, especially with Jerry Jones who pretty much does what he wants. Secondly, while I concede that there are certain members of the press who hate T.O. and will take every opportunity to trash him, they aren't core to the argument presented here. Why? Because given all their proclivities for hyperbole and ratings-grabbing, I am not one who thinks they just make up quotes, even anonymous ones.
Make the jump if you want to read more, I'm not forcing you to. ;-)
What I've learned over the past three years of blogging the Cowboys is that the old maxim of where there is smoke there is fire, is actually true. I come by that objectively because some of the smoke was in reference to things that I desperately didn't want to happen, but they happened anyway. The fire quickly followed the smoke. It also occasionally worked the other way, things I wanted to happen followed the same smoke/fire equation. All of that is a long-winded way of saying that the Cowboys are a housed-divided about the future of T.O. and that house appears to be Jerry Jones vs. the rest of Valley Ranch. Perhaps a bit over-simplistic but nothing I've read over the past 24 hours leads me to believe anything different.
If I haven't lost you already, and I'm sure some of the T.O. faithful are steaming right now, I'm sure this next sentence will cause a mass-defection. According to a story on ESPN by Ed Werder...aiyeee, there goes everybody over the side of the boat...everyone from the janitor to Stephen Jones is trying to convince Jerry Jones that T.O. must go.
The ever-present but ever-elusive anonymous Cowboys source said:
"I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else," a Cowboys source said. "Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? We're like the Redskins used to be when they signed every player they wanted. There's more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team.
"The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard."
I can't say I disagree with that assessment, considering yesterday, before the story came out, I ranted about the way Jerry and Wade have lost control allowing the inmates to run the asylum and have made ‘talent' the only variable worth looking at in a player. My quote:
The Cowboys have lapsed into a world where the belief in pure talent has blinded them to the other aspects that make a team successful. They do this at their own peril and that peril has been realized repeatedly in their recent past.
Now, you can debate whether this anonymous source is somebody important with knowledge of the inner-circle of power out at Valley Ranch or a low-level flunky, the truth is something we will probably never know. But to me, this is the most important line in the whole Ed Werder article.
At least two sources believe that vice president Stephen Jones will attempt to convince his father that Owens should be finished with the Cowboys.
If you believe that, then you believe that it has gotten very serious at Valley Ranch. In my mind, the only person who has a chance of changing Jerry's mind about T.O. would be Stephen. If Stephen is truly trying to do that, then there is smoke and it might come to fire, as in fire T.O.
This piece is not about the merits of keeping T.O. or letting him go, just an acknowledgment that there really does seem to be serious discussion about it happening out at Valley Ranch. I've reached a point where I would be OK with either scenario because I am conflicted about the situation. Since I know that this article will begin the inevitable discussion on the merits of T.O. and his place on this team, I'll go ahead and give you my broad outline of the pros and cons.
On the pro side is the recognition that T.O. is a very talented WR who adds a dimension to the Cowboys offense not easily replaced. He causes defenses to account for him on every play and forces them to play a safety over the top. He is productive and he scores TD's. That is what you want from a #1 WR and he provides that. There's no debate over that for me.
On the con side is the fact that he is aging and there will come a day, when that day is I don't think anybody can accurately predict, when his skills will start to erode. He also doesn't have the greatest hands in the world but I think you can live with that. Of course, the elephant in the room that must be addressed is his off-the-field behavior. This is where it turns into a madhouse. While his behavior in Dallas has been pretty good and doesn't even come close to the disasters that happened at the end in San Fran or Philly, personally I can see signs of serious conflict on the way. That's my opinion, not the opinion of ESPN or other media or anybody else, that's just the way I see it and I won't back off that statement. If you don't believe that then you're entitled and I'm not going to say anything negative about your opinion.
Either way, whether he stays or goes, I still believe that the Cowboys must get control over the locker room, team chemistry if you like. Again, I say talent can't be the deciding factor right now because we have all the talent in the world on this roster and it hasn't worked. It's obvious there's a problem elsewhere. In my opinion, it's a team that has little common purpose and is at odds with itself.
Matt Mosley opines on the situation here. Also, Mike Lombardi, who I referenced yesterday in this post, has more commentary on the situation over at the DMN. He highlights a part of the story that hasn't gotten as much attention and that is the idea that the rift between T.O. and Jason Garrett has actually reached a "me or him" moment.
"They want some team chemistry. Jason Garrett has basically said, 'Its going to be TO or it's going to be me. I am out looking for a head coaching job. I may get one of those head coaching jobs, but I just really can't co-exist with TO. You are going to have to make a decision."
With Garrett still in the mix for the St. Louis job, this adds a whole new variable to the discussion. Is Jerry Jones at all influenced by keeping Garrett in the fold and would he actively try to do something to stop Garrett from leaving if offered the Rams job? Would that include getting rid of T.O.? At this point I have no idea. I'm not sure if Jerry knows for sure either.
And finally, to wrap it all up, there is the salary-cap issue with releasing T.O. The ever-dependable Todd Archer gives us the details in this article.
Last June, the Cowboys paid Owens a $12.9 million signing bonus as part of a four-year, $36 million contract. Should the Cowboys cut Owens, he would count $680,000 more against the '09 cap than the $8.99 million he is scheduled to count if he stays. And because this is the last capped season, the Cowboys cannot spread out the hit over two seasons like teams were able to do previously.
A corollary to the T.O. situation is the effect his release might have on the signing of DeMarcus Ware to a long-term contract. Jerry said this recently:
When the season ended three weeks ago, owner Jerry Jones was almost immediately asked about the possibility of cutting loose a high-salary player. Jones said a move like releasing Terrell Owens was un-doable because the resulting cap hit would take away the possibility of a new deal for Ware.
On one level that's a straight-ahead quote about keeping T.O. and that DeMarcus Ware is the highest-priority for the Cowboys in terms of getting players signed. But I read something else into it. I don't know if I'm correct but if Jerry Jones was absolutely steadfast on the idea of keeping T.O., I don't think he would couch the discussion of his remaining on the team with the idea that he has to keep him to sign Ware. I would think he would just come out and say we're keeping T.O. because of what he gives us on the field. Maybe I'm reading too many tea leaves but I thought it was a curious comment.
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I have heard some of the same stuff you just posted. I am listening to lunch break
right now and Darren Woodson has just said that if you had to make a choice between JG and TO then you take JG because long term he feels he is the best option and that TO’s time in the league is almost over.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
I agree if it came down ot a choice between the two of them
but I hope we can keep both
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
Conflicted
I’m like you, I can go either way on this one, I just find it amazing to think back to the end of the ’07 season and how TO was considered the most indispensable piece of the offense after seeing how things bogged down when he was injured. Now one year later, even though his ability has really diminished little if at all, he is considered by some to be the exact opposite… the once piece of the offense that needs to be dispensed with and the reason why it bogged down.
Nick just said that if JG is really drawing a line in the sand then
he would send both TO and JG packing.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
I don't care if we had to retain Charles Manson...
as long as we resign Ware! We need this monster!!!
by AikmanNailedMySis on Jan 15, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions
No way does let JJ let Dware hit free agency, he will find a way to make it happen
does anyone remember how he was able to get Deon paid even though he did not have the cap room? It was a little outside the lines of how the owners rules, he found a way.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
He better not. I invested in an authentic white #94 cowboys jersey with "WARE" on the back two years ago.
If D-Ware doesn’t receive a new extensive deal from da King, I will go ballistic!!!
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Jan 15, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think we need to worry about Ware being resigned.
I know we want him signed long term. But he seems perfect for the franchise tag. In fact, because the franchise tag is the average salary of the five highest paid players at the position and because Ware’s contract will probably make him the highest paid player at his position, then it would be cheaper to franchise him. In other words, the average is less costly than the highest salary. Am I wrong about this?
Okay Grizz...
If we get rid of TO (a big if) how will that make us a better team, chemistry you say? What if we get rid of TO and our chemistry still stinks? Garrett has alot to learn to become an effective coach of any kind in the NFL. Some would say that he has been made to look like a genious because of this same talent we have, when he really wasn’t a genious at all, just another pedestrian average OC in the NFL.By the time he “Gets it” all of the so-called talent the Cowboys have will be gone. If he is a good offensive coach, then he will command respect and get the teamwork out of them. TO would not care so much if he had 100 passes or 3 passes in a game- he wants to win (just like all of us) so we should not really make this a “TO is the scapegoat and cutting him will solve our problem” angle for the offseason. If we win, TO is happy (and all of us) and everything is ok. It’s not because of TO we have lost games. I respectfully disagree with Darren Woodson(my favorite player) and the guy who is in the picture of my profile!
The hope is cutting TO will give the team unity and a sense of purpose. Why can’t a coach do his job? ignore TO- he has not been that much a distraction. But if the coaches will continue to botch they’re job (they will, trust me, because they hold none of the players accountble) then you are right Grizz, things will blow up. Maybe it is better to sever the tie before it gets to that. All this hope pinned on the emergence of Jason Garrett as a bright coach that will miraculously turn the team around? I hate to say it Grizz, but get rid of JG would be my reaction. TO being cut would be a different matter than whether JG shold stay or not.
For being a so called scholar, he wasn’t to bright for giving up the Baltimore HC position, was he? The more I hear Aikman build up the Eagles as “the best team”, knocking both the Cowboys, the more I want to ask Aikman “Why haven’t you commented with your big mouth about how horrible an OC Jason Garrett is?” God, I wish Roger Staubach would punch Aikman in the mouth sometimes.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
A lot to digest DallasPalace but let me give you my honest reply
I don’t think I’ve advocated that getting rid of T.O. would fix the chemistry problem by itself, I’ve tried to make it clear that it goes deeper than that. I do believe that T.O. has started to chirp about getting the ball and the direction of the offense a little too much for my tastes. I also think that will escalate, it seems the longer T.O. stays in a situation the more vocal he becomes about his issues with that team. Again, I’m just giving my opinion, I don’t have a magical crystal ball. I’ve said that I think the chemistry can’t be fixed until Jerry and Wade get on the same page and start setting some boundaries and laying out some discipline to offenders. I can name other problems along with T.O. like Greg Ellis’ constant whining, Zach Thomas’ belief that this system is not for him and I think that Tony Romo needs to step up his efforts at being a vocal leader of the team. Guys like T-New and Crayton also need to check themselves with some of their comments. But I don’t think I’m alone in believing that T.O. has the ability to upset team chemistry and I’m on the fence about whether he is worth the effort right now.
As for the idea that if Garret was a better coach he would command respect and get teamwork in respect to T.O., I have to disagree, no coach has ever seem to have that ability over a long stretch with Owens. And he has played for some good coaches.
I also make no secret that I think Jason Garrett is a talented coach and I think he has a very bright future. Again, these are all subjective things so no one holds the absolute “truth” in their hands. I have criticized some of his play-calling this year and his over-reliance on the pass but that doesn’t mean i don;t think he can improve and I think Dallas would be wise to keep him. If it’s a T.O. vs. Garrett debate, my own opinion is that I’d rather keep Garrett, in the long-run I think he will be valuable while I think T.O.‘s future in this game has a very limited shelf-life, mainly do to age. But I also don’t like what he brings to the team in terms of off-the-field issues even though his time in Dallas has been OK in that respect, I believe I see the signs of escalation into the ‘bad T.O.’ zone on that front. I don’t think Owens will ever be truly satisfied unless the team wins and he plays a major role in that and he will voice his displeasure if that doesn’t happen. That’s just an opinion, but that’s what I do hear on this blog, give my opinion. I have no problem with people disagreeing.
by Dave Halprin on Jan 15, 2009 12:38 PM CST up reply actions
+1
What a situation.. I just wonder how much dirty laundry does TO air out if he is cut.. We will be hearing about that every time Romo throws a pick or we loss a game..
If we cut TO we better come out hot next season..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Let's set aside the chmistry/distraction issue for a moment
Are we certain that this guy, who turns 36 this year, can continue to produce at a high level? How many 36-year-old receivers have knotched a 1,000 yard season in NFL history? Two? Three, maybe? And one of those guys is the greatest route-runner of all time.
I guess I just have limited confidence in T.O.’s ability to continue to put up acceptable numbers.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Dear Grizz...
Please understand, my post was in no way meant to defend TO and his constant bickering in no way. In fact, I do agree with you that we are possibly going in a direction with him that will end up in a blowout, and the media will have a field day with it, and of course with a “I told you so” slant.
But to think that TO is the only problem that the Cowboys have is ludicrous. TO is really not a problem, losing is a problem, losing stupidly because of bad coaching decisions is even stupid-err.
Winning cures all that ails you. If Garrett had any inkling of an idea of what to do as a coach of the offense, then I am 100% positive that TO would not be an issue at all. If JG has drawn a line in the sand and said “It’s me or TO”, then that pisses me off at JG worse than his idiotic playcalling. He can leave and sooner than TO, but TO leaving should have nothing to do with JG. Hey, this is an Idea- let Aikman work for the Eagles in some capacity (if anyone watched the Giants-Eagles game, Troy sure showed the Eagles alot of love and basically trashed the Giants), and he can hire his good buddy Jason Garrett to go over and work for them. TO has produced great numbers for us, and that speaks volumes to me and the rest of the fans. Losing that will be VERY hard to replace. It’s not TO’s fault that Jason Garrett can’t design any plays to utilize him. How many times does an average fan have to hear the so-called Offensive experts ask the question of “why the Cowboys don’t use TO in motion hardly at all” before the average fan figures out that it’s because Jason Garrett decides not to run a play like that.
"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"
by DallasPalace on Jan 15, 2009 8:34 PM CST up reply actions
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 10:47 PM CST up reply actions
TO
3 Seasons with 1,000 yards ? we have to keep T.O. or give me someone better and wasting 9 millions if we kick him out, I rather have TO than Garret ! this offense is not working as should be, has good numbers because has good players, but it should be a lot better.
See above
Name for me every 36-year-old receiver who’s had a 1,000-yard season.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
I see your point, but TO seems physically freakish, so if anybody could do it, it'd be him
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
No receiver in the history of this game has kept himself in the shape TO has, no one.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
No chance.
TO kept himself in better shape then Jerry, TO…this year, at 35 was the fastest of his career
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions
Just because Jerry Rice never looked like an amateur bodybuilder doesn't mean he let himself go.
That’s just plain goofy and goes against everything I’ve ever heard about Rice’s work ethic. Of course, maybe you were on the 9ers or Raiders practice squad and have inside info about Rice going on all-night coke binges and indulging in powdered donuts during the offseason.
I’d say Rice blowing out his knee at the ripe old age of 34 (his first major injury) was a huge factor in Rice’s decline in addition to him just getting plain old like everybody does. Yes, even T.O. will get old.
No one said Rice "let himself go" your putting words into other peoples mouths
Joey just said that TO is in better shape then Jerry was at this point in his career, which is true
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 16, 2009 7:07 AM CST up reply actions
Rice
Rice’s work ethic is legendary (as is T.O.‘s), but his saving grace was not his physical conditioning, but rather the fact that he was an immaculate route-runner (which T.O. is not). If you watch tape of him those last few years in OAK, he’s not running by guys or even out-working them; he’s running precision routes.
When his body, failed him, his mind and experience made up for it, and I just don’t see that happening with 81.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Great points.
I believe a major part of Rice’s offseason regimen was working on running the most crisp precise routes he could every single day.
Po-tay-to. Po-tot-to. He plainly stated: T.O. KEPT(key word here) himself in better shape than Jerry.
And even said there’s NO CHANCE T.O. slows down. To me that suggests Jerry’s offseason regimen was somehow inferior to T.O. if he knows for certain T.O. can’t possibly slow down like Rice did. I just don’t buy that whatever T.O.‘s regimen is, it’s superior to how Rice prepared in the offseason.
Whatever his point was, the central point still stands: if Jerry slowed down, anybody can; plus on the injury front T.O. hasn’t exactly been unbreakable since arriving in Big D; however great his offseason regimen may be.
For the record, I think it’s a bit naive if not bordering on foolish to think even a declining T.O. can be so easily replaced by a wild card like Miles Austin. However, he is getting old-ER no matter how much of a physical specimen he still might be.
I never said he can't slow down
I just said I would find it odd that he gets slower, a year after being the fastest of his career. TO is in much better PHYSICAL shape, then Rice was, and where Rice made up for it with routes running, and etc, TO makes up for that with his freak of nature like body.
by joey7289 on Jan 16, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
Of course TO will slow down and decline physically
all I was saying is that the way he keeps himself in shape should slow that decline and prolong his career
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 16, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions
I disagree
TO is more physically gifted then Rice, but Rice had a legendary off-season workout.
I agree TO is always in top physical shape, but age is age, no escaping it.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Couldn't agree more
Maybe I’m reading too many tea leaves but I thought it was a curious comment.
There’s nothing curious about it to me. It’s a round-about way of saying “I’d really like to get rid of him, but first I need to figure out how to keep my most prized defensive possession. Then I’ll worry about cutting out the tumor.”
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
It's and interesting comment from Troy, because of how he ties it into RW2 and that
the team factors RW2 factors into the decision because of how they think he will perform without TO’s presence. It’s a take I have not seen before and I think he is right, JJ is not on board with the idea, and in reality JJ is the one who will be the main factor as to whether or not TO stays.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
And Troy has inside info
If he is saying it, you know it probably came from JG himself.
by JimmyJohnson on Jan 15, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
I think troy bases that off of what he knows about JJ, but he was probably just offering a correlation
to RW2 in this situation because his reasoning is the team may be hesitant because they feel they do not know what RW2 production ceiling will be if TO is gone so that does speak to RW2 abilities, not that he is a bust but it’s just an opinion.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
boo. don't quit your day job.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Jan 15, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
TO II
That’s what I say, Cowboys can’t waist 9 million and then have only Williams, Crayton and the other one, and then try to get Ware to a long term deal, is not right to think this way, ESPN and everybody else is just all over TO trying to get him say something wrong (which he normally does) but that’s it, what we need is someone like Dawkins (iggles), Lewis (ravens), Pierce (giants), it really, it looks bad that the Boys doesn’t have any leader on the team, someone that can kick some players balls around to make them give the best in them, before we have Troy, Irvin, Emmit, Woodson etc etc…..
T.O. needs to stay....
If T.O. is getting evaluated, every other player should be getting evaluated too. One player does not make or break ‘team chemistry." He is just the most convenient scapegoat in that locker room. Be careful what you wish for too. The Giants are gonna need a big play reciver for a year or two before the others they have are really ready. I would like to hear T.O.’s thoughts on this team and Wade after he was cut though….gotta be some good nuggets in there.
he can also be a symbol if they were to cut him
that would definately shake up the comfort level in the locker room, and get people on their toes.
Theres a few players I’d cut really. Among other things too I’d start putting smarts higher up the rating scale of evaluating college players. You got to wonder what effect TO has on players like Anthony Spencer who don’t produce and whose work ethic is doubtful.
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
yeah maybe.
All I want is for all this stuff to be solved next year so they can get in the playoffs and for them to play to a level the fans deserve. I don’t know whose egg is going to get broken to make this omlette.
In other news, 9 wins got 2 teams in to the NFC title game
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
For them to play at an elite level
Cut down on bone head plays, eliminate penalties and block for your quarterback, it’s not that hard.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
Pac wasn't a big enough symbol
to send a message.
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Jan 15, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
What bothers me about Pac
Is the fact we didn’t cut him to make a statement, we cut him because more news came out. Jerry was prepared to move forward with Pac, but the OTL report came out.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
I would be happier
if TO were off the team, however, if we had trouble running with a safety off the line (because of TO), how will we run with the safety creeping up?
If Raef is right and Austin can be a TG to this offense then we may have some regained credibility with a RW/Austin/Crayton trio along with Witten, not to mention the flexibility to flex Cat outside.
This would lend credibility to more of a balanced rushing/passing attack.
Consider the Source(s)
Ignore the grossly misleading title in Werder’s column (Cowboys may release Owens) and focus on the undeniable facts in the column itself.
Fact #1: A “Cowboy” source that told Werder team chemistry is a problem, and will be a major focus this off-season.
Fact #2: The same “Cowboy” source told Werder that the team has not even discussed Owens yet, and only speculates that they will in the future discuss Owens “real hard”. How Werder and his editors (if he even has one) can justify a headline that “Cowboys may release Owens” from those facts is unfathomable.
Werder goes on to undermine the misleading headline:
“The discussions involving Owens have not yet been formally initiated and probably will not occur until the Cowboys are more certain of the composition of their coaching staff.”
So, what is really going on? I don’t know, but I think there is enough here to speculate as follows: the smoke leads us to the inescapable conclusion that Garrett and Owens do not want to work together any more. Jerry would obviously like to retain both (see Werder’s quote from a team source that Jerry “like the thrill of trying to make it all work.”), but both Garrett and Owens are going to have to give in. This article satisfies that purpose in that it allows Garrett and Owens to both read that Jerry is not going to take sides. So Owens will read that the team is preparing to evaluate whether or not to cut him, and Garrett will read that if he threatens to make Jerry choose between him and Owens, Jerry will “let Jason leave.”
Now, about the Stephen Jones angle. Does anyone really believe that Jerry’s son needs to launch a whispering campaign in the media to persuade his father to cut Owens? Come on. This is the classic good cop, bad cop. Stephen is willing to play the heavy and campaign to cut Owens, and then Jerry can come to Owens’ defense and, establishing his bona fides as a honest broker, hopes to persuade Owens to tone down his criticism of Garrett and get both men to cooperate.
Of course, all of this goes out the window if Garrett is hired by another team, but you can probably conclude from the timing of this article that is unlikely to happen. After all, why else would Jerry allow a “team source” to tell Werder he’d let Garrett leave. I don’ really believe that, so Jones probably knows that the Rams will not hire Garrent, thus he is safe to threaten Garrett.
Grizz stated Mike Lombardi as the 1st source, it was not just turder.
The only thing that the reports are talking about is that the cowboys brass is going to have a discussion about whether or not to keep TO. Just because they may discuss the idea does not instantly mean that he will be let go.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
To be true this was the year TO should of stepped up and been a leader
in a positive way, he has the charisma and talent. Instead he went on a halftime interview with Dieon Sanders and ripped his coach up.
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 12:41 PM CST reply actions
I
can’t believe I’m agreeing with Stephen A. Smith …. but he went on a tirade about the TO situation. He thinks it’s dumb if the Boys get rid of TO. He said that “if you think the problems in Dallas were all TO, you’re dead wrong.” He then said that Phillips is the one that needs to go. Said Garrett needs to worry about being a successful OC before becoming a HC. Saying maybe TO was on the decline this year cause the play calling sucked. Van Pelt tried to be devil’s advocate, saying that TO blows up on the sidelines and stuff like that. Smith then actually defended TO for the whole Philly/McNabb drama, and said that TO’s major problem is that he’s toot sensitive.
I actually agree with him. I think TO gets too much crap, and I also think that if Dallas wants to compete for the playoffs next year, they need him. But that’s just me.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Since when did chemistry become this team's #1 problem?
Whoops, posted that one early.
I agree that chemistry is ONE of our problems, but TO does not play offensive line. TO is not the reason our franchise QB is getting knocked down every other play. I agree that TO may hinder Romo in some way (if he locks onto him too much, rather than spreading the ball around), and maybe Garrett’s scheme will suddenly become a more balanced offense without #81 on the field. But that seems more speculation than reliable fact at this point.
I agree that if you can ditch guys who hurt team chemistry without losing much in the production department, then yes, go for it. Tank and Pacman are good examples. However, production is important too. The Giants jettisoned Plaxico over chemistry issues, and their now ineffective offense is begging to have him back next year, assuming he’s not in jail. Compared to Plax, TO is pretty tame.
Let’s not lose sight of our overall offseason to-do list. Chemistry is great, and the TO issue is probably one worth thinking about, but for me it ranks a distant fourth behind:
-Improving the offensive line
-Revising our offensive schemes to incorporate new weapons (3-headed running attack, RW2, etc.) and emphasize the things that made us successful in 2007
-Find a long-term solution at safety opposite Ken Hamlin
The cast of characters on this team is going to be largely the same, including the coaching staff. I don’t know if a dramatic chemistry overhaul is realistic (although if TO is truly influencing players like MB3 in a bad direction, that’s a bit concerning). Those things above, though, are tangible improvements that we can definitely try to make.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
After having said all of that...
…I think it is also worthwhile to note that Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tennessee, Miami, Minnesota, and arguably San Diego all had great success this year WITHOUT a true blue-chip WR. So if, for some reason that I can’t see from outside the organization, management decide TO must go because he is having a negative effect on young players, then it should not suddenly mean our offense is doomed. That’s a cop-out.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
I'm tempted by giving Miles Austin more playing time
but I don’t really know anything of substance about talent eval
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Ahem
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Tennessee, Miami, Minnesota, and arguably San Diego all had great success this year WITHOUT a true blue-chip WR
Don’t forget Pittsburgh. If Mason and Jackson aren’t considered “blue-chip” then neither is Ward.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
I would consider Sanantonio Holmes blue-chip
Due to his draft pedigree, his home-run potential, and his production at a relatively young age.
Although you’re right, that probably means you’ve got to consider Vincent Jackson in that category as well.
I don’t give it to Mason due to his YPC numbers— he’s a possession guy. He doesn’t demand game-planning or safety help the way the others do.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
I don't know
I like Holmes…I really do, but he gets three seasons and can’t reach 1,000 yds? He’s a VERY nice #2 IMO.
Muschamp seems like the kind of guy who used to beat up guys like Bob Stoops in high school.
Yet none of them have won a superbowl
And when Pittsburgh did, Hine Ward was a number 1.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
I like TO the player and his work ethic and production is top notch but..
I have wondered if hi out there has started to hinder or ever hurt Romo’s game. A QB should not have to worry about keeping someone happy with a certain number of touches. He shouldnt start every play starting with anyone and finishing with anyone.
Our passing game looked stiff and unimaginiative at times. Romo looked un natural at times in his reads and flow of play.
The question for me is TO hurting Romos play? A QBs job is to find the open man and throw him the ball. Nothing else, your open, you get it.
In the N.O. area everyone here tells me that if Brees had the Cowbos recievers he would have broken Marinos record. All I could think of was if we had N.O. recievers we would have made the playoffs. They play hard get open and Brees doesnt have quotas or ESPN or the local media counting throws and all of this other foolishness. TO is a talent but he goes though QBs like Imelda Marcos went though shoes.
I think with RW2, Witten, already established, the cutting of TO could allow for the ascension of Martellus and Austin. These guys can grow up as well as the polishing up Romo. I believe the time is right to move in another direction.
Patrick Crayton on ESPN
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/patrick-crayton-tos-a-great-teammate-who.html
All this conversation about man to man talks… WHAT THE HELL this team needs practice and better execution. these men need therapists for their off-days, not to spend team time exploring their feelings for one another.
except parcells collects players that once played for him
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
He collects "Parcells Guys"
Don’t know that I’d consider TO that.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
I wouldn't of though Keyshawn was too
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
But Big Bill drafted Keyshawn. It was da King's idea to sign TO as a FA.
And in Owens’ first year in Dallas, Parcells constantly referred to #81 as “The Player.”
With BP’s ideal of “no player being bigger than the team,” I just cannot see him pulling the trigger in Miami to acquire The Original 81 from Dallas.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
Parcells was against drafting Terry Glenn, but he became one of his guys
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Loose Lips Sink Ships
Jerry’s got bigger problems than TO. By my count, Grizz’s post attributes at least three anonymous “sources” giving their take on this issue. Presumably, these “sources” would have to be involved enough in the front office decision-making scheme to even know all of this. This is completely unacceptable. Just as one of the player’s said there was a ‘coward’ tearing the locker room apart, there is apparently several cowards tearing the front office apart. All of these leaks get disseminated to the media, filter down to the players, and inevitably wreak further havoc on the team. If Jerry wants to get his house in order, he better start at the very top…
DNA is corrupt
See my post above—“Consider the sources(s)”
These stories are obvious plants by our Owner/GM that both: (1) keep him the focus of attention and (2) hopefully strengthen his hand in resolving the Owens/Garrett spat because he does not want to release either one.
Jerry's Lips???
You think that Jerry is the source of all these leaks? All so that he can strenghten his hand in some power struggle? Wow. If that’s true, he makes Machievelli look like a dimwit. That’s an awful convoluded way to address this issue. I like a good conspriracy, but that sounds like a reach. If it’s true, then our teams in far worse shape that I feared…
by Boundforbeach on Jan 15, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
Not the actual source
But certainly planted for his benefit. Read the Werder story and see how it casts Jones in a positive light:
“But I really think Jerry likes the thrill of trying to make it all work.” is an example.
I think this is valid
I think it is a valid assumption to suggest that Werder’s sources are, in fact, leaking information with JJ’s full knowledge. Trial balloons. He’s floating an idea to the masses, to the press, to TO’s agent, and to TO himself, that the end is near, that a large part of the Cowboys organization doesn’t want TO around. Part of the trial balloons paint Jerry as TO’s lone supporter, a man of his word. Then, when he finally cuts TO, he will tell us – in his cryptic, disjointed, fragmented sentence style of his – that as much as he hates to do it, he’s doing what he feels best supports the ENTIRE organization. It’s win-win for him all the way. He cuts TO without TO hating him, he has support from all the TO haters, he has respect from those who support TO because he’s putting team chemistry and Romo’s future development ahead of his personal feelings for TO, the fans buy into his end of the season promise that “things are going to change,” and the locker room gets a 110 volt shock that times are indeed going to be different.
Listen, we’ve seen trial balloons with JJ before. The 500 coaches comment, meeting with Parcells on his private jet, cutting Emmett, releasing Aikman, hiring Red Jesus, signing TO, signing Pacman, signing Tank, signing Bledsoe. We can go on and on and on with examples of things we knew about from “team sources” a full week or so before they happened. It has been that way since the first day JJ owned the team. He uses the media. Parcells used Chris Mortenson the same way.
I think ya’ll are jumping too quick to crucify Ed Werder. There’s no way he’s naming JJ or one of his top lieutenants as his source because that kills JJ’s normal method of launching the Cut TO trial balloon, which allows all of us – including the media, and TO and his agent, time to digest the news before it actually happens.
I think TO is history here. And I agree with it!
One exception
I think Jones is orchestrating leaks to Werder to strengthen his hand in resolving the Owens/ Garrett fall-out so that he can retain both of them. I believe Jerry has some serious fiscal handcuffs this year and doesn’t want to pay Owens $9 million and have nothing to show for it—not to mention the $12 million bonus he paid just last year when times were good and the living easy.
I liked it better when we were BORING and sucked
Can we go back to that?
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
Or you can just shut off your TV and not watch.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
I'm here forever, or until I become a Lemming like yourselves.
To bad T.O didn’t get to do his impression of a Lemming
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
LMAO!!!
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
Agree With SteveCop
Jerry wants TO to still love him after Jerry sends him packing; Jerry wants to present TO at his Hall of Fame introduction, where they can cry and hug like lost lovers. Whatever; just get rid of him and rebuild this team that has lost for so long now that we may have lost the institutional knowlege of what it takes to be a champion. zero for 13 is a long time.
(Most) Everyone on the BSR.com...
were all for resigning all these tools last year. Now you’re all crying (BooBooHoo)!!!
You should act like men.
I was against the resigning of MB3, Flostart Adams, TNew and T.O.
Now look where we are, we can’t sign out best player unless we keep our worst.
Listen to me from now on, Kneel Before Zod.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:32 PM CST reply actions
What??
You think it was a bad idea to resign MBIII and TNew??? What in Tex’s world do you base that on?
by Boundforbeach on Jan 15, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
You should have been a faithful BSR'R
Please don’t make me reiterate for the 10,000th time.
All I have to say is do you honestly believe MB3 should be making that kind of money?
TNEw is a waster. So overrated. We filled those 2 positions in the draft.
He should be walking this year.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
TNew is a waster
Yet he shut down Santana Moss this year, ok you got it.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
Hindsight is blind...
So…at the risk of making you reiterate something for the 10,001th time, you believe that our 13-3 team, going into 2008 and hopefully primed for a long playoff run, should have allowed oiur pro bowl running back and corner to leave so we could place all of our faith in two untested rookie backs and two untested rookie corners? Puhleeze
by Boundforbeach on Jan 15, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
Either way we aren't in the playoffs!
Save the money and build a team the right way.
(See the ’92 Cowboys)
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:37 PM CST reply actions
There is no right or wrong way.
Who freakin cares how you build your team as long as its successful.
by houseofprime on Jan 15, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
Zero for 13
Is a prettly loud statement that something is wrong; good God; zero for 13. Can you really believe that? Jerry is a POS for this record.
-1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions
Locker Chemo
What they are saying now if the real problem in the lockeroom was the place where Tank, Pacman and Hamlin is, these 3 guys were going in their own agenda, and I haven’t heared anything about TO mixing with guys and planning doing crap, of course we have the meeting between the receivers and Garret (bull…..) Let’s keep TO
Patrick Crayton on ESPN
Says there are no arguments in the locker room, and calls out Ed Werder, saying he doesn’t know who it is. Thinks TO has a good influence on the team, and thinks he gets players to want to win. Thinks he has a bad rap because of his past…and believes the unnamed sources aren’t players. Says relationship with Garrett was a little rocky…Says he think TO respects Garrett to a tee, but doesn’t know for sure…He says he thought they lacked “togetherness” and thinks TO will be back but isn’t his call.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:41 PM CST reply actions
So T.O. can bitch more next year and we have the same problem with the offense.
Confusious say: Those who don’t learn from their mistakes are doom to repeat them.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:44 PM CST reply actions
Well maybe you should take his advice
And stop wasting people’s time with this idiotic posts.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Why because I'm right and you can't admit it.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:47 PM CST up reply actions
Not to mention TO didn't "bitch" this year.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
Did you watch the games?
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions
What did he say!?
You must have been on the sideline because well I can’t recall him saying anything…unless you believe those unnamed sources…now why would you do that!
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
What do you think TO was screaming?
I love that call? Romo is great?
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Maybe for all you know he could be yelling he's hungry.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions
both ways
And for all you know he is yelling how much everyone else sucks.. If you think that TO comes off the field screaming about food you are only lying to yourself.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
No if he yelled that someone from the media would have reported it.
And everyone would have believed it…oh wait didn’t that happen?
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Joey, come on
Then why did Owens have that interview with Deion Sanders? Read Crayton’s comments in the ESPN interview when asked to address the relationship between Garrett and Owens.
"After some harping about Ed Werder’s unnamed sources, the interview really got interesting when Crayton was asked about T.O.’s relationship with the coaching staff.
“By the end of the season, I would say maybe a little rocky,” Crayton said. "A little rocky because I think sometimes when you sit down and you have man-to-man talks, I know Terrell is one of those guys who is not going to bite his tongue, and if you’re not going to be straightforward with him, there’s not going to be a respect there. If you’re not going to shoot him straightforward when he’s shooting you straightforward and being honest …
“He’s one of those guys, like several other players, we wear our hearts on our sleeve. When it comes time to get business done on the field, that’s what we’re about. If you’re not going to be straightforward, you’re going to lose some respect there. They always say respect is earned; it’s not given. You have to earn the respect of a player like that.”
Does T.O. respect Jason Garrett?
“I think he respects him to a degree,” Crayton said. “I’m not sure exactly. You really have to ask him how much he really respects him totally. I’m not sure if he respects him totally because of some of the comments and some of the things that happened throughout the season.”
+1 for the Good Guys!
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
I just watched the interview
I know what was said, but everyone mentions about how TO has called out everyone and said this and that when most of the stuff he’s said has been leaked…
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
I saw his baby like tantrums on the sideline.
He didn’t have to say anything, his expressions told it all.
Whack him!
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions
yeah
complaining on the sidelines merits cutting the only guy on the squad that consistently gets 10+ TDs a year.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
He's ruining the team, what don't you get about that?
We’ll get the TD’s somewhere else.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
how is he ruining the team?
he dropped a few balls. Gotcha. Romo threw a lot more INTs than TO dropped balls.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
It's
nothing close to what he did in Philly and SF. If he was gone, it would hurt the team more than help it, IMO.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
I'm fairly new to this blog...
Is Captain Comeback related to Tex?
Joey are you Drew Rosenhuse?
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
How did you know!
Hence the name Joey…your so clever.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
Tex and I can think for oursleves
You all just follow crowd and drink the Kool Aid.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Everyone on here wants to get rid of TO
So your just part of the crowd…does that burst your bubble!?
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
Suicide is no joke my friend
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
Its not that everyone on this Blog follows the crowd and drinks Kool Aid
You do exactly the opposite of drinking Kool Aid, which doesn’t make you any better. You and Tex think you know everything just because you are extremely cynical. That doesn’t make you right.
Tex is Heath Ledger I'm the other dude
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
HAHA
Jake Gyllenhaal…wow I actually laughed pretty hard at that one.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions
See I'm not that bad.
Just express my opinions a little differently.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
You should...
Probably remove that last part of your signature line…
That won’t go over well with Grizz…
I'll change it.
You mean the part about Jerry needs to hire a GM, right?
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions
Here it is.
I got creative.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
That might be a good thing.
Maybe you shouldn’t have said anything.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:23 PM CST up reply actions
Not with Owens or Wade here.
Hopefully your not to old and can stick around a while.
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
Wade said they did.. last year
Apparently getting a bye is the same as winning a game
by Boundforbeach on Jan 15, 2009 2:07 PM CST up reply actions
I like TO, but axing him is the right thing to do
5 Reasons why I think it would be good:
1) It would send a message that Jerry’s days of befriending players and allowing them to end run the coaching staff are over. That’s a major reason the building has no discipline. Jerry siding with the coaches against a popular and talented player would dramatically strengthen the coaches disciplinary hand.
2) TO might be a hard worker on the practice field, but I don’t think he’s a hard worker in the film room. He kind of reminds me of the bad version of Vince Carter: he’s got prodigous athleticism, and he puts up numbers, but he also does all of the little things badly. (ever notice how almost all of Romo’s INT’s in route adjustment situations involve TO?)
3) TO is impossible to disclipline because of his threat to blow up/be petulant. I don’t think there’s a strong enough coach on our staff who can risk confronting him over his subpar play. And let’s face it: he wasn’t getting a lot of separation this year.
4) TO will never accept that he’s a player in decline. Jerry Rice went to Oakland and was a productive 2nd option behind Tim Brown. TO will never accept that he’s not the TO of his youth, and he’ll blame shift for his production drop.
5) I think TO is a personally likeable guy who is charismatic and sweet enough that many of his teammates will side with him. He’s not a traditional “locker room cancer,” in the sense of being an angry malcontent who can’t get along with anyone. He’s a pretty nice guy…but he never accepts responsibility for his own failures, and always seems to have “trust” issues with his coaches. I don’t think he’s an intentional mutineer, but he makes it virtually impossible to impose discipline in the locker room.
The Skip Bayless critique of him is overblown and tired. But Owens benefits now are outweighed by his costs.
I like TO and think he gets a bad rap sometimes
But I do wonder if letting him go would make Romo a better QB, like when Sterling Sharpe had to retire prematurely. It probably made Favre better.
I think you captured it on #4
T.O. is a player whose skills are fading. He can still have a big game here and there, but he doesn’t beat the press, catches the ball more poorly than he used to, can’t make hard cuts without either gearing down or rounding them off and has lost a step.
That is all fine and good, if you’re willing to accept a lesser role, but that isn’t T.O. in any way shape or form. He will never accept that. He wants…no, he NEEDS to be the number one option because of who he believes himself to be.
As a result, he has placed himself and his own performance ahead of his team, and is a detriment. Now, he’s probably less of a detriment than Wade, but that’s a whole other story.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
+1 Timmy!!!!
Good job
Romo really does suck. Jerry really needs to hire a GM. Fuck your new stadium Jerry.
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:07 PM CST reply actions
This is the bottom line regarding T.O. and team chemistry
from Patrick Crayton
“This past season was just really, really disappointing, just because we had all the talent but we didn’t have that one thing we needed to get us over the hump, and that was some togetherness.”
Most folks can agree with Crayton’s last statement. The debate is whether getting rid of T.O. would help the team’s togetherness.
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/patrick-crayton-tos-a-great-teammate-who.html
T.O. and Garrett clearly do no get along which has divided the locker room as Crayton points out. This team cannot fix what ails it with both T.O. and Garrett together again, it just won’t happen.
IMO, everything will be determined on whether Garrett gets hired by the Rams. If he is hired, Jerry will not feel the need to let T.O. go and whoever they bring in as OC, whether its appointing Sherman or bringing in somebody else, T.O. and that new OC has to develop a good relationship.
If Garrett stays, Jerry is almost forced to release T.O. because if he doesn’t, the togetherness that Crayton states is lacking, will never happen, and the Cowboys will not play good football as a result.
In Romo we Trust
I don't think Jerry
Will be forced to do anything, and that might be problem.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
Oh and on another note...
Who else is going to be pissed if the Superbowl ends up being Pittsburgh-Philthy?
As long as Philly doesn't win
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
I don't
Want to see the Steelers get #6 before we do….and I sure as hell don’t want Philly finally getting something for their trophy case…
So go Ravens & Cards!
I know it's a tough call between Steelers and Philly but
I don’t want to see the Losers win.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
I'm pulling for Philly
It’d be a salve on the wound to lose the SB champs 2 years in a row… sucky but true
by AustonianAggie on Jan 15, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
and Jerry needs swallow his pride :)
People are who they are, most people can’t change.
Look at Tex.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:25 PM CST reply actions
I love me some me.
I even do the Tuck in the mirror.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:27 PM CST reply actions
Just trying to have some fun in this dark,
dismal, depressing blog.
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
Gallows humor...
is appropriate after this season
by Boundforbeach on Jan 15, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions
I think Raf posted something new
I’m going to stir something up over there :)
Let T.O. Go!
by Captain Comeback on Jan 15, 2009 2:31 PM CST reply actions
Here is my problem with the article
I don’t for a second doubt that werder is reporting accuractely whatever his cowboys source says. However, if this is the same source that spoke out earlier, i think its ridiculous to take the word of 1 guy who obviously doens’t like TO anyway. I’d also like to know who that guy is, cause i want him out the door too. At this point i don’t care who it is.
I’m generally not a huge TO apologizer, and if this is true, i’d keep garrett over TO and not think twice. but this article does not say 1 single positive word about the guy. Which makes me think its more of werder just stirring stuff up out of spite.
1. It talks about a decline in numbers but refuses to acnowledge that TO generally requires double coverage, which gives witten free room to operate. If TO leaves, i think it will be aplax-giants type effect, except we don’t have their run game.
2. Our receivers have TREMENDOUS respect for him, hes always helped out the younger ones in camp, he practices hard and they look up to him. Thats gonna be one POed group of players if we cut him.
Your two points will never ever be repeatedly mentioned on the worldwide leader in sh - t
For every one positive Cowboys fact reported, four negative commentaries will be touted. From TO to Romo to Wade to Jerry… expect one of those five to be badmouthed at some point by BSPN.
And players like Crayton and Newman oblige to the Bristol Blowhards and say more things that the turdwide feeder cut and paste to support their latest bashing of da Boyz.
Da__n I hate that network.
NFL Network > BSPN
Fox Sports > BSPN
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
CC
OK, what is The Tuck? Do you have to be naked? Please don’t tell me it’s what that butterfly man on Silence of the Lambs did in the mirror, I might have to kill myself.
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Jan 15, 2009 4:18 PM CST reply actions
oh damn...........it's gotten to this point...
if T.O goes we’ve got to get a #1 WR back though, maybe some trade or something, but we can’t just release him and expect to have the same potential, it changes the whole dynamic of our offense, you take away that double coverage that T.O commands…completely different offense…
Yeah, it makes you have to run more and throw only to the open guy
What a disaster that would be…
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bye, T.O.
I like him as a player and think he’s pretty cool outside of football.
But, the sooner the better for me.
Don’t really care for him to be on my favorite team, anymore.
I think Romo will continue to digress on spreading the ball around as long as he’s here.
Lame—
Just got my girlfriend a T.O. jersey this season.
George Teague did it all.
Crayton
Crayton will do anything for some face time. If there is a guy who would happy if TO left it would be him. Right now he is the 5th option in our passing game.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Are you serious.
He’s his best friend on the team, and during the end of the year Crayton was on the field more then Austin, I may not agree with that move but Crayton caught the TD against the Giants. Austin has been injured almost the whole year, at least Crayton stays healthy.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 7:26 PM CST up reply actions
You can be friends with someone
but if TO moves on Crayton sees more balls. Austin beat him out last year and he will do it again this year. I never said I didn’t like Crayton. Hey Crayton wants the ball, TO stays he will barely see it.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
I don't buy it...the guy was selling his sole for TO today on ESPN.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 7:38 PM CST up reply actions
selling?
Or being a team player and getting a chance to get some face time.. He isn’t going to bash TO, but he will take the oppurtunity to be on TV.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
You really think Crayton wants TO to go.
Come on…now your just hoping.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
I am not hoping
I am pretty indifferent.
1. I think we can go deep in to the playoffs without TO. You don’t have to have a WR who can catch 15td’s to win a SB. Micheal Irvin had one 10td season. Run the football play good D.
2.I don’t think Jerry will cut him.
I was just making a point that Crayton loves his face time and is a guy who benefit if TO is gone.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Crayton will still be the 5th option
Even with TO, and I do think you need a number one, you can’t name the last team to win a Super Bowl without a number one. Everyone can name teams that make it and never quite can finish it off. But I do agree he doesn’t have to catch for 15 TDs, but 10 and thousand yards are just find.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
Roy Williams
is more then servicable at 1. Roy and Romo together can be special. This guy caught 1300 yds with Jon Kitna throwing him the football..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
And hasn't stiffed it since.
I know, I like Roy too, but he’s shown time and time again he can not beat double coverage, I would rather one more year with TO, and one more with Roy at two.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions
can't blame you for that..
Roy and TO.. I want us to run the ball more, but if you have TO, Roy, Witten, and Austin we will not be running it more..
very intriguing..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Fair Point.
I think if we manage the game we can do both. It’s going to be difficult, but I also think if we win, no one will care about touches.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
+1
I also think Crayton has some room to improve his game. His upside hasn’t plateaued or anything.
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Jan 16, 2009 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
hopefully
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 16, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
You all drank the cyanide.
Because ESPN told you it would get you to heaven.
Enjoy your fate. I won’t
IF YOU'RE LOOKIN FOR ME...I'M AT THE SCRIP CLUB WITH PACMAN.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 15, 2009 9:52 PM CST reply actions
It means no one outside of ESPN has said T.O. is a cancer.
Do we have a quote from one player or coach?
We have however heard multiple players throw sideways jabs at Garrett.
So who’s the problem.
IF YOU'RE LOOKIN FOR ME...I'M AT THE SCRIP CLUB WITH PACMAN.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 16, 2009 7:21 AM CST up reply actions
Terrel Davis and Jim Mora Sr. on NFL Network
Said Dallas needs to cut TO. So it isn’t just ESPN. A couple of NFL analyst on Siruis NFL radio said the same, and don’t forget Troy Aikman. So you just can’t have a blanket statement and blame ESPN.
Players going after the coach, let ask you this who was the 1st player to speak out about the coaching of JG. TO got the whole thing started. You think Dallas has is the only team disappointed with their season? You Dallas is the only place that has players who are disappointed in coaching decisions? No way, but our players think it is ok to air out dirty laundry. TO the leader should have stayed in JG office working on the problems opposed to complaining via the media, then you had a waterfall effect of other players joining in. TO should kept in house.
TO isn’t the only problem, but he habitual complains about other players and coaches via the media that you can’t deny.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
ESPN, NFL Network whatever
What teammate has said one bad thing about T.O.? Which one.
IF YOU'RE LOOKIN FOR ME...I'M AT THE SCRIP CLUB WITH PACMAN.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 16, 2009 10:19 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks for reminding us Grizz
We should probably start a running column of red herrings and other misnomers repeated on this board. One would be that Ed Werder reports lies about the Cowboys. Now, I am no big fan of the ESPN hype machine, but the sum and substance of Werder’s piece was Owens is upset with how often Romo throws to Witten instead of Owens. Yet, in that very article, Owens is quoted as follows:
“I just want to win. I’m not trying to create a war of words with anybody. I thought we had a productive meeting, and I just talked to Jason [Garrett] about Tony reading the whole play because other people are open besides Witten.”
Sounds to me like Owens was upset with how often Romo throws to Witten.
Which he should be
People complain about Romo forcing the ball to Owens…Owens just wants him to read the entire play…:)
by joey7289 on Jan 16, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
what?
who are you insulting, the pro-TO guys or the anti-TO guys?
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 10:51 PM CST up reply actions
LOLz all over myself
Means laughing really hard, not making fun of anyone.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
Man bites dog!!!
There’s an old adage in newspapers that goes something like..if you have a head line that says..“Dog bites man”..that’s not news,,but…."Man bites dog!! "now that’s news!
So, when you buy the newspaper because you read that newsworthy headline, but then you find out the truth, and the truth was…someone was at a Sonic Drive -In and bit into a coney-dog… there’s some truth there, yes..but intentionally misleading.
I’ve lost respect for the press…..during this last election, I watched the press, not report the news..but try to shape the news by what they chose to report, how they chose to report it.
I developed a real mistrust of the press because of that.
It seems that the same could be true of the sporting press
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
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