Daily Skiff

Controversial receiver's release good riddance

When the Dallas Cowboys released wide receiver Terrell Owens last week, I was foolish enough to think for a second the madness was finally over.

I was moronic enough to think teams in the NFL would learn their lessons and realize that Owens is nothing but a cancer that will corrode any team from the inside out.

I was naive enough to think the receiver might be heading his way north of the border to the wasteland that is Canadian football.

He got really close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

So now we have to deal with his antics for at least, and hopefully just, one more year.

I think T.O. picked the Bills for two reasons. One, it was probably his only option other than the black hole that is Oakland, and no matter how bad it gets in Buffalo, he will never be the worst Bill ever. Sorry, Scott Norwood.

How could Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones not know this was coming? Owens helped destroy the 49ers franchise, which is still in disarray. He refused to report to Baltimore Ravens' camp when he was traded there. Then he signed a seven-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 before being released just two years later. And finally, he came to Dallas where he helped the team win exactly zero playoff games.

I don't know whether the Cowboys' not winning a playoff game is because of Owens' antics or quarterback Tony Romo's inability to catch a snap or poor leadership skills, but Owens proved his worthlessness this year claiming Romo was making special plays with tight end Jason Witten.

So basically what I have to say is good luck Buffalo, enjoy your 10th straight season without a playoff berth even with Owens' "help." Also, enjoy your franchise now before it crumbles around you after being hit by the wrecking ball that is T.O.

Billy Wessels is a senior news-editorial journalism major from Waxahachie.

Owens' dismissal not a smart move for team

There are very few players in any sport that have the ability to single-handedly affect the outcome of a game. Terrell Owens, even at the age of 35, is one of those players.

The Dallas Cowboys' release of the infamous receiver last week will end up being a move the troubled franchise regrets.

Owens' biggest fault is - and always has been - his seemingly unmatched desire to win football games. He knows good things happen when the football finds its way into his hands. It's hard to fault a guy who gets fired up because he wants his team to succeed.

Things were great with Owens when the Cowboys were winning games and he was catching touchdowns. Problems only arose when the team struggled and the ball wasn't being thrown his way this past season. While there's no question Owens is a hard man to please, sometimes you have to put up with a player's complaints in order to move forward as a team.

In his three seasons with Dallas, Owens caught 235 passes for 3587 yards and 38 touchdowns in 47 games. Those numbers will not be matched by Roy Williams, the Cowboys' new top receiver.

Owens' tenure in Dallas was certainly filled with its share of ups and downs. From the accidental overdose to his apparent brawl with teammate Jason Witten and everything in between, there was never a dull moment while he wore the star.

But now that he has departed, numerous current Cowboys have come out in support of the controversial wideout. He clearly wasn't loved by everyone in the organization, but there were several players on the team that loved what he brought to the field on Sundays.

Owens may not have very many great seasons left in the tank, but the Buffalo Bills added an unfairly criticized, great player to their team Saturday.

Sports editor Michael Carroll is a senior news-editorial journalism major from Coppell.

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