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All of those who think that the biggest problem with the Dallas Cowboys last year was Terrel Owens put up your hand.  Ok, so that might be most of you, but I am here to give you another less ‘spun’ side of it. 

Lets get a couple of things out of the way now.  T.O. is still an excellent receiver.  His detractors like to point to his drop of production this year, but his numbers were actually impressive when you consider he had to endure several games with Brad Johnson as his QB (who can’t throw the ball more than 20 yards) to say nothing of many of the other Cowboy problems – injuries, bad trades (Roy Williams) and a total lack of leadership from Tony Romo who had yet another horrendous December (you want to blame number 81 for that as well?).

Many of Owens’ teammates have already spoken out regarding him being painted unfairly as the source of problems.  In Philadelphia over half the lockerroom actually was on his side during the blow up there.  Does T.O. cause problems? Yes. In the absence of leadership, in a vaccuum, someone with a strong personality like Owens will step into the void.  You have a team in Dallas with a weak head coach, a weak starting QB, and an owner who thinks he knows more than the coach.

 Lets talk about Romo.  What about the comments in the media about players and coaches having concerns about his preparation and laziness during practice?  Shortly after that broke, Troy Aikman mentioned that Romo never should have gone to Cabo with his girlfriend in the off week before the Cowboys one and done in the playoffs.  It doesnt matter what Romo says (and he says very little) his actions speak louder than any words – lazy practice habits, leading perhaps to two brutal meltdowns in the games he needed to step up in.  Romo’s lack of preparation and intensit also impacted Jason Garrett, an offensive coordinator who lost credibility with his team for not cracking down on Romo. No one works harder in conditioning or practice than Owens, so of course there will be players that will look at T.O. as the leader of the locker room.  One thing is for sure, after cutting loose T.O., Romo will be out of excuses this year.

How about this one that got reported this week: Romo felt under enormous pressure to always make sure T.O. got the ball.  Pressure from who? Owens? If that is the case, its time to grow a set and take charge of your team.  What do you think Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would say to a receiver complaining about not getting the ball?  Too much pressure?  You are the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, so if you dont like pressure, go play in Jacksonville.

Bottom line is T.O. is about winning, and the stats prove out what Jerry Jones knew: that when T.O. got the ball in his hands the team won football games.  All those who think Roy Williams will be able to fill those shoes put your hand up.