Terrell Owens Stands by Criticism of Cowboys Offense, Presumably Because He's Right

If you were one of the hundreds of football fans who have NFL Network, and you weren't distracted by Deion Sanders' homage to the '80s, you probably saw and comprehended his Thursday night interview with Terrell Owens during halftime of the Bengals-Steelers game.

As far as T.O. woe-is-me sessions go, this was pretty tame, and in fact, the most inflammatory thing to come from the one-on-one -- other than Mr. Prime's ensemble -- was this relatively innocuous quote: "For me to have the numbers that I have and not really being involved it is discouraging," Owens said. "It is frustrating, but what can I do?"

Yesterday, however, the Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins wrote that Owens "wasn't backing down" from his NFL Network comments "in which he said his offensive numbers are not to his liking because of the Cowboys' system."

Again, hardly scandalous. Watkins explains:

When pressed about his problems with the offense, Owens said it lacks flexibility and that defenses have caught up to coordinator Jason Garrett's scheme. Owens said the Cowboys have not made the necessary adjustments to combat what teams are doing to stop him.

Is that true? I have no idea; It's tough to judge a scheme when a team is forced to trot Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger onto the field for three straight weeks. Whatever, Owens admits that he misses the West Coast Offense, before adding: "[But] you've got to deal with the cards that are dealt ... [The WCO is] a different offense ... It's a lot of flexibility." And after you deal with the dealt cards, you've got to play them.

Watkins rightly points out that this is the same offense Dallas ran a year ago, when T.O. racked up 1,355 receiving yards, 81 catches and 15 touchdowns. And the Johnson/Bollinger two-headed experiment that went horribly awry had something to do with the midseason collapse. Still, the Cowboys are 6-4 and still in the playoff mix.

I have no problem with Owens' comments, and based on his body of work, they barely merit a mention (yet here we are). It's just too bad more NFL players aren't like Marion Barber.

Latest Cowboys Photos

** FILE ** In this Oct. 9, 2008 photo, Dallas Cowboys' Adam "Pacman" Jones prepares to participate in practice at the Cowboys training facility in Irving, Texas. Jones' suspension was lifted by the NFL on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, just over five weeks after the Dallas Cowboys cornerback was banned for another violation of its personal conduct policy. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) holds his right pinkie after making a few passes during practice at the Cowboys training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman reaches up for a pass during drills at football practice at the team's training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys running backs Felix Jones (28) and Marion Barber (24) stand in the end zone waiting to participate in drills during football practice at the team's training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) stretches along with the rest of the team before the start of football practice at the team's training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) makes a throw during football practice at the team's training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, front, prepares to make a throw as backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger (5) looks on during football practice at the team's training facility in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

** FILE ** In this Nov. 16, 2008 file photo, Washington Redskins punter Ryan Plackemeier punts the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Landover, Md. It's the Washington Redskins in a burgundy state landslide! Thanks to the team's aggressive vote-early-and-often-campaign, Redskins are leading the NFC Pro Bowl ballotting in 16 of 19 positions. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

** FILE ** In this Nov. 16, 2008 file photo, Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis rushes for a short gain during the first quarter of their NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates on the field after defeating the Washington Redskins in their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland November 16, 2008. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-22-2008 @ 11:14AM

BlueStarDude said...

Football fan - check.
NFL Network - check.
DVR'd Steelers-Bengals to watch after putting kids to bed - check.
Watch TO interview - no f'in way. Waste of time. The guy's an a$$. Will probably always be an a$$. Never wanted him on the team. Wish he'd go away.

11-22-2008 @ 7:53PM

Sports Fan said...

I'm not even a Cowboys fan but what they are doing on offense this year is a shame. Garrett is the heir to be? Wake up.

11-22-2008 @ 4:59PM

skinsfan said...

what a selfish little moron, hes such a cocky little ass "the only way we'll win a championship is if i get the ball!! whaaaa!!@@@"

i hope he gets injured in the mouth so he would just shutup

11-23-2008 @ 12:23PM

redskinsfan said...

Iam soo glad dallas got this high paid crybaby. Just goes to show money dont buy you everything jones. I think you should pay the guy some more money jerry. HA! HA!

11-23-2008 @ 1:25AM

Bill Tsiu said...

The Cowboys must continue to run the football with Marion Barber and play aggressively on defense. Look for quarterback Tony Romo to incorporate wide receiver Roy Williams in the downfield passing attack along with Terrell Owens. BTW, found some cool widgets at statbeast.com. Check it!

11-23-2008 @ 5:25AM

giant fan since 57 said...

I'm in the regrettable position of agreeing with TO. You can't blame the Cowboy's offensive lackluster performance on Romo's absence. Now that they have Roy Williams they ought to be able to do more in the air because he and TO (whatever you may think of him) make a great pair of receivers. Add Witten to the equation and there is no reason they shouldn't be picking up big chunks of yardage via the pass.

11-23-2008 @ 6:36AM

jerry jones said...

what a waiste of popcorn !

11-23-2008 @ 8:37AM

randy said...

This guy is truly an idiot! I wish someone would ask him about all the dropped passes thrown his way, especially in critical situations. Without question, Roy Williams will prove to be a better receiver than this moron! Truly the fool!

11-23-2008 @ 9:21AM

Tired of high paid babies said...

Hey Owens - shut up and play or just go away!

11-23-2008 @ 8:55AM

cowboys4good said...

I have to agree with T.O. Everyone doggs him but he is correct any time he gets the ball more then 3-5 times a half we score points. LOOK at the stats...it shows that when he is involved things happen. BUT people want to start bashing him because he is confident and is a PLAYMAKER that wants the ball. OUR O-LINE needs to block and DB's need to cover somebody. We are still in the hunt, and the Giants are not as good as everyone thinks.. any play any SUNDAY. GO COWBOY'S

11-23-2008 @ 9:30AM

daytimedaddo said...

seems as if those that support big mouth forget he whined and moaned with every team hes been with....i know,i know,but THIS TIME HES RIGHT,eh?

11-23-2008 @ 10:17AM

This has NOTHING to do with whatever valid points T.O. might have. Yes, Garrett's play-calling has been a disappointment this season. But it's a team sport in which success is based in large part on chemistry and trust (as well as preparation and execution). If you have [stuff] to air, you air it in-house. You don't go whining through the media.

T.O.'s an a$$ wrapped in a big soggy diaper.

11-23-2008 @ 11:28AM

Steve O said...

T O is a disease, there is no cure. No team with him will win a super bowl. 'Boys' problem is they have had to use Whitten to block their fragile QB's

11-23-2008 @ 2:49PM

kay said...

Cowboys are kicking butt right now ! we're beating 49ers, 22 to 6 LMAO !

12-06-2008 @ 12:32AM

steelers4life said...

we have always had your number and this time isnt any different,i hope the steelers kick your asses all the way down south, adn so far down south tha you guys end up in mexico hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!so the only way for you wetbacks to get back to the states ,would be if you were given green cards hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!bunch of wetbacks hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!