Best Week in Big D Since 1996

FINALLY. The Cowboys not only dropped Terrell Owens, finally, but dropped Roy L. Williams as well. Many Cowboys fans had recently been pondering whether or not Jerry Jones still had any brain cells left after a series of risky and rash decisions. As the start of a new era in Dallas, this week has immense impact on the team as a whole and the chemistry of the team. Now after 2 1/2 seasons, Tony Romo finally has the chance to develop into the next Troy Aikman that the Cowboys are looking for him to be.

Since 2002, when Roy Williams was drafted, the Cowboys' defense has struggled in giving up the big play quite frequently. Williams, as good of a hitter as he is, is probably the worst cover safety in the game today. Simply put, he is just plain atrocious. There is no question that Williams has skill and will certainly be a good addition to many defenses around the league. However, it was time for him to move along from Dallas.

His absence however, may be bittersweet. Recently, the Cowboys shipped starting CB Anthony Henry to the Detroit Lions for QB Jon Kitna as Romo's veteran back-up. So now that leaves two big holes in a secondary last year that battled with injuries the whole season. First of all, SS is a hole that was filled this past season by Keith Davis when Williams was put on IR with an injured forearm. However, at the end of the season, Davis suffered an MCL sprain and injured his shoulder, yet played through the injuries. The question there is whether Davis will be able to stay healthy throughout the entire season. Most likely he'll be just fine yet he needs a backup. So there is a hole at the SS position.

Then the CB hole. Henry was the starter that the Cowboys could lean on to cover the best receiver on the opposition. Newman will be back and hopefully can stay healthy this season to take back that role. However, that leaves an opening at the other corner. Now, the Cowboys have two young CB's who are skilled players in Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins, however, both are young. That is putting a great deal of pressure on the youngsters to take over a starting role in the first few years of their careers. So there is the possibilty of a hole there.

And now to the offensive side of the ball. Although T.O. has a replacement in Roy. E. Williams (now he doesn't need the initial anymore!!) the offense is lacking a great slot receiver. Crayton can be the #2 receiver and Miles Austin is a solid #3 but a great slot receiver could add another aspect to the offense that will trip up defenses across the league. So that is another hole that could use some work.

So there are three major holes that need some work, whether through the upcoming draft or through free agency. Having just drafted a CB in the first round of last year's draft, it might be difficult to do the same thing again. Also, there are other holes that need some support as well. So Jones has an interesting few months t figure things out for himself and for his team. Because it has been 12 years since the last Dallas Super Bowl win and it has always been a source of pride for Cowboys fans to have the most Super Bowl titles, which now falls in the hands of the Steelers.

But Hallelujah Jerry. Finally, you have done something to take this team in the direction it needs to go in order to win a championship agian. Heck, maybe even a playoff game in general.

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Terrell Owens Cut by the Cowboys

In breaking news reported by ESPN.com's Michael Smith late Wednesday night, the Dallas Cowboys released their star, and often controversial, wide receiver, Terrell Owens.

Owens had been with the Cowboys for three seasons. In 47 games with Dallas, Owens registered over 3500 yards and 38 touchdowns. He has had over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of the three seasons as a Cowboy.

But his legacy in Dallas, like in San Francisco and Philadelphia, will be more judged on his downfalls than his accomplishments.

The 6'3", 13-year veteran is part of the long list of older players that have been cut this off season. He joins the likes of Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis, Fred Taylor of Jacksonville, and Derrick Brooks of Tampa Bay. The difference between Owens and these players are the reasons he was cut.

Owens was not cut to shore up money problems and save cap space. Owens was cut, instead, to save the team chemistry and allow quarterback Tony Romo to develop as a team leader.

After not getting along with former teammates Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb, Owens seemed to have found his match when he teamed up with Romo. The two formed a seemingly unbreakable bond, that was publicly broken this past season. Owens claimed that Romo was creating plays with tight end Jason Whitten behind closed doors. He felt that he should be the primary receiver and, therefore, see the ball more. Statistics showed that Owens actually received the ball more than any other teammates.

"There are several decisions on our roster we have to look at," Jones said at the time. "This is the time of year we do that. I'm not trying to be trite, but as you all know we're evaluating players in college, we're evaluating free agents and we're evaluating our own roster. This is an ongoing thing, not any different than this time last year."

As for the Cowboys, the loss of Owens will certainly hurt the offense. Dallas does currently have some options at wide receiver, but may be looking to pick up someone in the draft or through free agency.

Their current wide receivers:
Patrick Crayton
Roy E. Williams
Miles Austin
Issiah Stanback

Williams can be a solid No. 1 receiver, while Crayton is not shabby at No. 2. What the Cowboys need is a quick slot receiver, ala Percy Harvin of Florida.

Now onto Owens, who seems to have limited options. He is one of the most physically dominant receivers in the game and still seems to have a little in the tank. The huge hindrance against Owens is his brash personality, the reason why this topic has even come into question.

The Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers all come to mind looking for receivers.

Owens may find problems, as his expectations will be high when looking for a team: A playoff contender, a decent quarterback, and finally money.

The Cowboys paid Owens a $12 million signing bonus just last year, included as part of a new four-year, $34 million deal.

When this mess gets sorted out there will be a distinct winner and loser in this transaction:

WINNER - Dallas Cowboys
LOSER - Terrell Owens

The voices of Dallas Cowboy fans across the nation can be heard simultaneously rejoicing at this very moment.

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