Jerry Jones Calls T.O. a 'Natural Leader'

Presumably, there is a method to Jerry Jones' madness. The Cowboys' owner also serves as general manager even though he was in the oil business prior to buying the team in 1989. And it's this perceived lack of experience that sometimes makes him an easy target.

To his credit, Dallas has three Super Bowl titles in the last 20 years, but -- and this almost certainly has become common knowledge by this point -- the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. Which makes it much easier for fans and media to scrutinize every personnel move, most recently, Jones' decision to release Terrell Owens and Roy Williams.

Okay, no one questions why Williams was cut loose, but TO's departure, while not completely surprising, also leaves a void at wide receiver. No worries, however; Jerry explains (via NFL.com's Adam Schefter):

Jones told me today during a one-on-one interview for NFL Network that T.O. did "everything I asked." He also told me this about Owens: He's a "natural leader" who "walks the talk" and is a "dedicated, hard worker." ...

I found this interesting -– Jones noted that giving a chance for Roy Williams to be the Cowboys' top receiver was a "significant factor" in his decision. That makes one wonder if it's reasonable to believe that Jones could envision this scenario playing out when he traded for Williams during the season. Williams was underwhelming in 10 games for the Cowboys, finishing with 19 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown.

The Roy Williams that didn't get his walking papers has experience as a No. 1 wideout -- he played the part for three-plus seasons in Detroit -- but now the Cowboys are without a proven No. 2. Patrick Crayton could blossom in that role (he did catch 50 passes in '07), but he's been inconsistent for most of his career.

There's always free agency and the draft, but Dallas' first-round pick went to Detroit in the deal that landed them Williams. One option that actually makes a lot of sense: Torry Holt. The Rams are trying to trade him -- and he wants to be released -- and while Holt, like Owens, is a Pro Bowl pass catcher in his 30s, he's known as much for his sunny disposition as his precise route-running ability and his fantastic hands (three things T.O. never quite mastered: his temper, running routes and not dropping every third ball thrown his way).

It's just a short-term solution, but if the idea is addition by subtraction, Holt seems like a logical choice. Which is why Jones probably won't be interested.