Word on the Street: Terrell Owens, Jason Witten Had Words, Had to Be Separated

As things continue to unravel in Dallas, the Cowboys' spin control machine insists that it's "business as usual" at Valley Ranch, and the team is cheerfully focusing on the Giants and a run at the postseason. And then everybody chugged egg nog, belted out some Christmas carols and lived happily ever after.

The reality is that the Cowboys are a mess. Following Sunday's loss to the Steelers, Terrell Owens, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton met with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to express their dissatisfaction with quarterback Tony Romo primarily targeting tight end Jason Witten.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported that T.O. was jealous, a day later T.O. refuted the allegation, and then cornerback Terence Newman blamed it all on the coaching staff. Yep, business as usual.

There's more, of course. In today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Mac Engel and Clarence Hill write that "According to two sources, [Owens and Witten] exchanged words before being separated. Both players acted as if everything was fine when the media was allowed in the locker room. But Owens was still clearly miffed."

PFT thinks Witten or his agent might've blabbed the news to Werder that T.O., Crayton, and Williams had a, on-the-DL meeting with Garrett, which would explain the almost-catfight.

All of this leads the Dallas Morning News' Jean-Jacques Taylor to conclude that Stay Puft Marshmallow Wade "has zero control of this team. None. Nada. Zilch." He forgot zippo, nil, and diddly-squat.

The players like him – who wouldn't? – but they don't respect him. Or fear him. And they shouldn't. They do what they want. And say what they want. Repercussions don't exist.

Phillips has no power. Jerry doesn't even bother hiding it anymore. Since Jerry calls all of the shots, why would anyone care what Phillips thinks? Besides, we all know Jason Garrett is going to be the next head coach.

And it's Taylor's last point that matters most: Garrett is the Cowboys' next head coach, and we should be hearing the official announcement shortly. My guess: three weeks, about 15 minutes after the season finale against the Eagles. Call it a hunch.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-13-2008 @ 12:27PM

ChicC said...

Mr. "T" (*.*) "O"
Has only one problem which has been his major problem his entire life. "His Big Mouth" - he simply doesn't know when to shut up. He feels it's his goal in life to explain things that doesn't understand. He needs to lock himself up in his secret room in his manison turn out the lights and repeat one thousand times, " See no Evil , Speak no Evil, Hear no Evil.'
and then suit up with TAPE OVER HIS MOUTH FOR THE WHOLE GAME.

12-13-2008 @ 12:49PM

Morphy said...

Eventually, Owens will always turn out to be a cancer on the team that selects him.

Moss will eventually do the same as well.

12-14-2008 @ 10:46AM

javie said...

as i said before jason and romo stick their tails between their legs(sit on the bench hiding behind the playcard) wade ani't got no guts to or be a headcoach (no hevoes) make him a defenseive corrdiator fire jason bring in a john gruden type of headcoach and jerry stay in your office.

12-13-2008 @ 8:31PM

Rich said...

Morphy is exactly right, sinceT.O. is ruining the playoff hopes for the Cowboys he should be traded to the Lions right now and Witten can say during a playoff interview after receiving for over a 100 yards and 2 scores: "hey T.O. how ya like me now".
ChicC, lets make that Gorilla glue, that big mouth of his would rip right through tape

12-13-2008 @ 11:47PM

LNemesi19 said...

Get rid of TO, even if its for a 2020 7th round draft pick. Roys the new NEMERO UNO. He makes the catches, and is a classier athlete. Its a shame that JJ will never hie the type of coach the Cowboys need because of his "I want to call the shots" attitude. I dont think Garretts the answer and I would hate to see another year wasted with this talent. Bring in a coach that can COACH. Bring in a REAL COACH. Dont throw away a possible dynasty with another puppet. Brimg in someone who can control the team. Jerry needs to pay up for a real coach seeing that any available one probably wants no part.... PAY ME NOW.......LOVE Bill Cowher

12-14-2008 @ 12:16AM

BigTex84 said...

If I am correct, I believe TO went (privately) to his Offensive Coordinator to talk to him. He did not say anything to Tony, Witten, or the media. What did he do that was so wrong?! If any one of you had a problem at work, you would talk to your boss. That's not a bad thing, this is what we've been wanting TO to do for the longest...don't throw anyone under the bus, don't complain to teammates, keep your business in-house...he did that...so why is everyone mad at him. Why aren't we mad at Roy Williams and Pat Crayton...they did the same thing he did!!!! The media made this out to be more than it is, not TO...

12-14-2008 @ 10:10AM

john said...

bigtex are u serious???....your bout half right, he did go 2 his OC n tell him what was bothering him...then turned around and told the media....lol...how do u think every1 heard about this?..TO's insane and a cancer.....just ask philly....if he would've kept that little meeting private, no1 else would know about it....as 4 crayton and williams, their idiots 4 siding with him...this is what TO does....DIVIDE THE LOCKER ROOM...

12-14-2008 @ 12:53AM

Theo said...

T.O. did nothing wrong. LOL......................

The guy is a retard who throws his QBs under buses. T.O. could not win in the Special Olympics. those special atheletes have what T.O. lacks; character.

12-14-2008 @ 1:33AM

cbach said...

personally i hope the giants beat dallas 50 to 0. they deserve it. the team has shown that they have the qualities of a team that does not deserve to be in the playoffs: they are gutless , heartless,and clueless. the coaches have no idea that this was going on, the offensive coordinator does not have the guts to tell these guys to play ball. the head coach was clueless. the owner calls out his best offensive player so he was clueless and gutless. the whole team after the pittsburgh game has certainly shown no heart to try and get together for a win!!!! what these guys need to do for tomorrow's game: romo and witten should sit out. barber should rest his toe. jason garrett went from red haired genius to red haired step child. wade phillips should resign. brian stewart should become the head coach. brad johnson should be the starting quarterback.

12-14-2008 @ 2:45AM

RayRay said...

TO is a big Baby. He will hurt the Cowboys Playoff hopes. TO always thinks he carries the team, but I dont remember there being an "I" in team or a "TO". TO should stand for "Time Out", cause that what he needs. Im not a Cowboys fan, but no team needs the wrong hype TO keeps bringing.

12-14-2008 @ 7:17AM

Elsquare said...

The problem in Dallas has been, is now, and will ever be, Ownerjjones. The one person who can change anything is the owner. Ownerj is the Arkansas Traveler personified. He has never been, is not now, and will never be accepted in Texas as a suitable person for ownership of the Dallas Cowboys. Ownerj has no style, no grace, no dignity, and no class. Make no mistake, Ownerjjones will eventually corrupt everything he touches. Ownerj is and the Cowboys are losers. With new ownership, there is a chance the Cowboys can change. Not so, Ownerj. He is now, and will ever be, a loser.

12-14-2008 @ 7:22AM

Randy said...

Cowboys remind me of the Yankees. Lots of talent on paper, but no team chemistry. This guy TO has created problems everywhere he goes. That's why Bill Parcells left the Cowboys. Jerry Jones made the decision to go after TO, and Parcells is smart enough to know this guy is a cancer and knows nothing about being a good teammate and would destroy any chemistry to team had. Their performance has nothing to do with Wade Phillips's ability to coach, they're just a bunch of prima donnas who collect their paychecks and go to the house. If TO doesn't like the way Romo plays quarterback, I suggest he be the quarterback and let's see how he does!

12-14-2008 @ 7:31AM

Amen to comoment number 10.

12-14-2008 @ 10:58AM

Maximillian said...

Jerry; Let the coaches coach, sign the checks and shut up.
Garett; Your not a genius, to predictable.
Romo; Stop forcing the ball into bad situations.
TO; Shut up and catch the ball as you are paid to do.
Phillips; Sit disruptive player on the bench, no matter who.
Cowboy Players; There is no 'I' in the word 'TEAM'.
"Try to remember what a good coach can do. Tom Landry,
Jimmy Johnson."

12-14-2008 @ 11:55AM

PhillyGirl4Life said...

As far as T.O. Goes I really used to like him when he was in Philly, that was untill his ego got the best of him. I actualy thought for a minute that maybe he would change but I guess that will never happen. Witten is a class act, plays with injurys and makes big plays for his team. He is a team player and Owens is not. Owens thinks he can be the team all by himself, its really sad. Good Luck Dallas your going to need it.

12-15-2008 @ 12:35AM

Brenda said...

Has anyone ever throught the culprit here might me the offensive play-calling of Garrett??? Witten and Romo are great players, but when you have the weapons of TO and Williams (who, I have not for the life of me understood why he has not been included in more plays since acquired) sitting open downfield and they don't get the ball thrown to them, I would be a little miffed, also. I , also, would love to know who all the "anonymous" sources are!!!! Or, could it possibly be something Werder thought would make a good story. Do not believe everything you read or hear, esp. by ESPN!!!!! I do not trust anything I read that refers to an "anonymous source".
I hope this all just comes to an end......BUT, it would not be such a good story if it weren't "America's Team", a name given to the Cowboys by the MEDIA!!!!!!!
Dear Ryan,
I am also personally sick and tired of your Wade Phillips bashing. In every article you "write", you are so disingenuous!! (look it up) As you mentioned in a previous article, please take your own advice and go to "journalism school"; however, it may or may not help.......
Have a great day all,

Brenda GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!

12-14-2008 @ 5:44PM

Vinny said...

Granted, you bring up some good points. BUT...how many times is it a case of Romo having to check down to Witten because his WR's don't have enough separation between them and the secondary covering them. They may end up open, but by then the pocket could be collapsing and the play breaking down. Just a different scenario I thought I'd present. BTW, I gotta agree with most here that TO has been a cancer on every team he's been with so far.

12-14-2008 @ 2:46PM

Ed said...

Lets see.....San Francisco, Philly, Dallas, same old player, same old"Nobody likes me" bull----. Your right, you aren't liked when you act if you are the team. You are only one of the players on a team.
Grow-up T.O.

12-17-2008 @ 5:49PM

brian said...

when is T.O going to shut his mouth and play foot ball and get along with his team mates thats his hole problem his entire career he cant play with a team mate unless he is the ball hog so T.O shut your mouth and play footballthen you can get in the playoffs

12-15-2008 @ 12:07AM

jessica said...

t.o.'s little dramas always sound like they are a way bigger deal than they really are, but he does deserve to have the ball thrown to him because he is good. The cowboy's do better when t.o. gets the ball because he is good. He does have a big mouth, but he is right he should get the ball more because he is good.