I don't know about this one, unless they're pursuing some other talented freak I don't see him leaving. I doubt he's the reason why they're struggling.
Don't think you can ignore the chemistry issues he creates anymore. And its not like they wouldn't still have a number one receiver on that team who could continue to hold up the passing game. The only issue is how it affects their cap. They have to re-sign Demarcus Ware soon and can't afford to take an unnecessary hit.
Do they still have a number one receiver without TO? Roy Williams had a very poor year for his standards once he got in Dallas.
How many players can you name off the top of you're head, that joined a new team near mid-season that have ever made a huge contribution? Learning the playbooks and gelling, that means getting timing, learning schemes, etc., isn't all that easy, that's why they have summer camps and training camp, and preseason, yet they still are working out kinks first part of the season. Roy Williams and Crayton would do a fine job, and they'd still have Witten. Choice, Felix Jones, and Martellus Bennett all would have another year under their belt and contribute too IMO. I'd be interested to see where TO goes next if he was cut.
Yeah sure Roy Williams could still be a #1, that wasn't my point. It sounds riskier for the Cowboys if they cut Owens with no back-up plan. You're going to put all your hopes in Roy Williams? He's still not as good as TO, I'd look to acquire another weapon then.
Dude, TO wasn't even their #1 target, that's why they'd be cutting him cuz he always complained. Witten was the guy Romo always looked for, and they're developing another big TE target. They also have Crayton, Austin, and Stanback at WR that they're developing. Cowboys have enough weapons and Roy Williams is still pretty good, so losing TO wouldn't hurt.
Roy Williams hasn't had a dominant season since 2006, it is risky either way dude. And TO sure looked like a major catalyst when they won 13 games last year. I don't go by Receptions... Yardage and Endzone-wise, TO was indeed the number one target and the most consistent receiver on deep balls (which correlates extremely well with winning). TO led his team in these important categories three straight years, and he was hardly the reason why the Cowboys imploded at the end of the year. I'd say it had more to do with Dallas allowing the Ravens two 70+ yard runs at the end of the game, or just them all generally sucking against Philly. If Romo hadn't missed three games Dallas would have probably still gotten in the post-season anyway. TO isn't untouchable, but I'd only get rid of him if I got someone else in return. ESPN was also fuzzy with the whole Witten-TO Drama. It wasn't made clear to me how egregious his actions were, or if TO was just in an innocent private meeting. Getting rid of TO would also have to do with cap space and age, so in that sense I approve. But I'd give it thought before mindlessly casting him aside.
It's a risk keeping him too. You can't ignore the fact that he causes locker room problems anymore, as it's already been said here.
Whatever cut him then, I'm sure he'll be nice on a one year contract for whatever team picks him up. But he wasn't the reason they completely imploded against the Eagles, or lost to the Ravens.
Of course Owens would be good for 1 year, he's always good the first year but Dallas would be better if they cut Owens IMO. Romo is a good QB that spreads it around great but he has to feed Owens to keep him happy. Everyone has their own opinion, so we wouldn't know who'd be right unless it happened.
