I knew any so called, and in my opinion overrated, talent we’d miss from T.O., we’d gain back 100 times over in team chemistry and attitude which is probably even more important.

When I heard Jerry cut his arse, I said to myself, “we have a good chance now, a really good chance.”

With him still on the team we were doomed for failure.

Otherwise you get labeled as being in a (shudder) “Rebuilding phase”

I DO think JJ learned the importance of team chemistry. You can’t buy it and you don’t build it overnight. I really don’t see him making the move to bring proven malcontents and trouble makers into the fold again.

Contrast TO’s comment to Austin’s comment when asked in a postgame interview by Peter King about only having one catch on Sunday night:

I asked Austin, after all of his recent success, if he was getting a little testy out there, not catching a ball in the first 50 minutes of a big game. And what he said is why the Cowboys like the kid so much.

“Well, there’s times when I think I’m open, and I wish I’d get the ball,‘’ he said. "But I’m not Tony. And I have no idea what he’s going through back there. Usually he’s got some 300-pound guy back there chasing him, trying to rip his head off. So no, I don’t get too upset by that. Right now, we’ve got a good thing going. Guys are making plays when they’re called.’’

Someone send that quote to Owens.

Aside from his me first attitude returning with a vengeance last season, he’s just not the same player anymore. His decline has been surprisingly rapid.

Especially in 2007. And don’t kid yourself, if he were younger and/or still producing at a high level he’d still be here. The truth of the matter is that his skills were eroding before our eyes last year and this made cutting him a much easier decision for Jerry. There was a lot more wrong with this team last year than Owens.

I was sad, at first, when I heard the news about his being cut but I also felt a positive tremor in the force about Austin. I had a feeling that he’d have a break out year. And now, because I was right about that, I intend to tell the cops, when and if I’m ever pulled over again, that "this is not the car they’re looking for"

 In short I hold no ill-will towards Owens. His career is sadly winding down and most likely without a title. All of my focus is on this 2009 team and that they can once and for all get that December/Playoff monkey off their back.

Wish JJ had never signed him, but it was a gamble.

The big mistake was after the 1st season giving him a contract instead of continuing the one-year-at-a-time roster spot approach.

I don’t think bringing him in was a total mistake at the time. Keyshawn was near the end of his career, and not many available receivers out there to replace him. And we would soon find out that the end was near for Terry Glenn as well.

A lot of people think Owens drove Parcells away. Maybe that’s true, and maybe not (the Tuna is notorious for not sticking around more than a few years, though). But he did give an emerging Romo a mostly solid target for three seasons.

Part of me almost feels sorry for the guy. He won’t win a Super Bowl, nor will he get in the HOF (had he managed to get along with McNabb in Philly, they’d both have rings by now).

TO was a gueranimal when here, until midway through last season, when he simply lost a step. he was great up until that point, despite the drops and the drama. his time here ran his course, and jerry let him go at the right time. the extension was a necessary evil of keeping him happy with thoughts that he would at least have this year to be productive.