Eagles release headache Owens

Terrell Owens is free to play for any team willing to have him.

The Philadelphia Eagles released the exiled Owens on Tuesday, ending a tumultuous, two-year relationship with the wide receiver.

Owens was due a $5 million roster bonus on Wednesday, so the Eagles had to cut him or trade him before then to avoid paying him the money.

The move was a formality because Owens was kicked off the team in November following a series of incidents and infractions, including repeated criticism of quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles announced the cut in a one-sentence statement. Team officials said they would not comment.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, both declined to speculate about his future.

The Eagles gave Owens and Rosenhaus permission to talk with other teams in January. The former All-Pro met with the Denver Broncos. Miami and Dallas reportedly have interest in Owens, and Kansas City president Carl Peterson has said he'd consider giving him a one-year, incentive-laden deal. The Cowboys released Keyshawn Johnson on Tuesday, possibly clearing the way for Owens.

Owens helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in his first season in Philadelphia, but his problems started when he demanded a new contract just one year into a seven-year, $48.97 million deal.

He criticized management, feuded with McNabb, violated team policies and eventually was banished seven games into last season. An arbitrator upheld the Eagles' decision to suspend Owens without pay for four games and deactivate him the final five games.

Owens was set to earn base salaries of $770,000 plus $7.5 million in bonuses in 2006, $5.5 million in 2007, $6.5 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009, and $8.5 million in 2010.

It's unlikely he'll get a similar deal from another team.

The Eagles were 17-5 in games Owens played, including playoffs, and 4-9 without him. They finished 6-10 last year, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Owens came to the Eagles after eight often controversial seasons in San Francisco with a reputation for being a playmaker. However, his selfish behavior and flamboyant touchdown celebrations often overshadowed his performance on the field.

He caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2004, and made a valiant return from ankle surgery to play in Philadelphia's loss to New England in the Super Bowl.

From there, it was downhill.

Owens took his first verbal shot at McNabb last April, suggesting the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback was tired in the fourth quarter against the Patriots.

McNabb responded harshly and the two didn't speak for a prolonged period in training camp. They briefly reconciled their relationship and performed well together on the field -- Owens had 47 catches for 763 yards and six TDs in seven games last year.

Owens was sent home for one week from training camp last August after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid that followed a shouting match with then-offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

Owens also annoyed the Eagles by breaking the dress code on road trips, parking in coaches' spots at the team's practice facility and sleeping through one team meeting, not bringing his playbook to another and refusing to open the playbook at another meeting.

In early November, the team had enough of Owens' antics after he again criticized McNabb, called the organization "classless'' and fought with former teammate Hugh Douglas.

One day after the Eagles told him to go home for good, a contrite Owens pleaded for another chance in a public apology outside his home in Moorestown, N.J., but the team was unmoved.

A five-time Pro Bowl receiver, Owens has 716 catches for 10,535 yards and 103 touchdowns, including two rushing scores, in 10 seasons in the NFL.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2368431

Cowboys cut Johnson, opening up extra cap room

Keyshawn is gone. Could T.O. take his place?

With timing and a storyline seemingly borrowed from daytime television, the Dallas Cowboys released leading receiver Keyshawn Johnson only hours after the division rival Philadelphia Eagles cut their tempestuous, talented receiver, Terrell Owens.

The Eagles have long been wary about the Cowboys trying to land Owens, even asking the NFL to punish Dallas owner Jerry Jones for comments in November that they interpreted as trying to woo him. Philadelphia backed off its tampering claim a few days later, but the coming days might prove whether team officials were onto something.

Johnson was released Tuesday to avoid a $1 million bonus. He was scheduled to make only $1.5 million this season, but was seeking an extension and a raise.

"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys," Jones said. "The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."

Johnson turns 34 this summer and is coming off a solid season. He led the team in receptions with 71, and had 839 yards and six touchdowns.

Owens is two years younger and more dynamic, with defenses fearing him deep and across the middle. He has also been disruptive to his own teams, leaving bad feelings in San Francisco and wearing out his welcome even more quickly in Philadelphia, albeit after helping the Eagles get to the Super Bowl.

Owens in a Dallas uniform would be a stunning turn of events considering how reviled he was for celebrating touchdowns against the Cowboys on the team's midfield logo at Texas Stadium. But he's a marquee player in every sense, and Jones has never shied from those types.

Adding to the intrigue is the presence of coach Bill Parcells. He had no problem taking in Johnson two years ago when the receiver was coming off a spat with Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, but that was different because they'd been together before.

An Owens-Parcells pairing would be nothing if not interesting, although the same was thought about Parcells and Jones, and they're three years into their relationship without any known blowups.

Then again, Owens might not even want to play in Dallas. The Cowboys are coming off a 9-7 season and seeming to be more than a big-time receiver away from a championship. He also may not appreciate the one-liners and nicknames Parcells uses to motivate players.

Still, Dallas is among four teams Owens is believed to be considering.

He has already met with the Denver Broncos, and Kansas City president Carl Peterson has said he'd consider giving Johnson a one-year, incentive-laden deal. Miami is another possibility, one that may pique Johnson's interest more following the acquisition of quarterback Daunte Culpepper on Tuesday.

If Owens signs elsewhere, Dallas would still need someone like him and Johnson: A big, sure-handed receiver who can catch make the tough catches that keep drives alive. Terry Glenn is the only other accomplished receiver on the Cowboys' roster and he's more of the small, speedy type.

Another possible replacement is Buffalo's Eric Moulds, who had some of his best years playing for Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe when they were teammates from 2002-04. Moulds' personal adviser told The Associated Press on Monday that the receiver has asked to be traded or released. He has two years left on a contract that's scheduled to pay him more than $7.1 million next season.

Another intriguing option: Johnson, who could still be re-signed.

Dallas already has missed out on Antwaan Randle El, who signed with Washington, and Brandon Lloyd, who also joined the Redskins in a trade from San Francisco. The 49ers have signed Antonio Bryant, but the Cowboys were unlikely to be interested in someone they gave up on a few years ago after he threw a sweaty jersey at Parcells.

Dallas also needs a new blocking tight end following Dan Campbell's signing Tuesday with Detroit.

The Cowboys acquired Johnson from Tampa Bay in a trade for Joey Galloway after the Bucs deactivated him for the final four games of the 2003 season, a move the Eagles mimicked when they told Owens he was no longer wanted seven games into last season.

Johnson's spat with Gruden added to a list of incidents that had him mockingly branded "Me-shawn." Yet over two years with the Cowboys, Johnson made only ripples, not waves, and was a solid producer. His 25 receptions on third downs last season were eighth-best in the NFL and several of his touchdowns were game-winners. He never missed a game despite various injuries.

Johnson was the No. 1 overall pick by the New York Jets in 1996. He spent four seasons there and four more in Tampa Bay. After 10 seasons, he's 20th on the career receptions list with 744. He's caught a pass in all 151 games of his career, four behind Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison for the longest active streak.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2368544

I wonder if Dallas cut Keyshawn Johnson in order to make room for TO.

More reports have T.O. headed to Dallas

Even in free agency, Terrell Owens' situation continues to be somewhat of a saga.

A source close to Owens told FOXSports.com that the receiver has agreed to a three-year deal with the Cowboys — a deal that likely won't be announced until the weekend in order for owner Jerry Jones to be available in Dallas to properly make the announcement.

A report posted on the Dallas Morning News' Web site Friday night said sources close to the situation have confirmed a deal to bring Owens to Dallas and that a formal annoucement is likely to be made in the next few days.

Thursday night, Lubbock's KLBK-13 CBS TV reported that the Cowboys have struck a deal with Owens. But when contacted by FOXSports.com about the report, agent Drew Rosenhaus vehemently denied that any such deal was finalized.

Now the next 48 hours will tell who's telling the truth.

Owens was finally released by the Eagles on Tuesday, and his release was timed so that the Eagles could avoid paying him a $5 million roster bonus due Wednesday. In addition to Dallas, Denver, Kansas City and Miami were said to be interested.

But the Cowboys talk heated up when, soon after Owens was released, the Cowboys cut receiver Keyshawn Johnson to avoid a $1 million bonus. Johnson was scheduled to make only $1.5 million this season, but was seeking an extension and a raise.

Owens is two years younger than Johnson and more dynamic, with defenses fearing him deep and across the middle. He has also been disruptive to his own teams, leaving bad feelings in San Francisco and wearing out his welcome even more quickly in Philadelphia, albeit after helping the Eagles get to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles have long been wary about the Cowboys trying to land Owens, even asking the NFL to punish Jones for comments in November that they interpreted as trying to woo him. Philadelphia backed off its tampering claim a few days later, but the coming days might prove whether team officials were onto something.

Owens in a Dallas uniform would be a stunning turn of events considering how reviled he was for celebrating touchdowns against the Cowboys on the team's midfield logo at Texas Stadium. But he's a marquee player in every sense, and Jones has never shied from those types.

Adding to the intrigue is the presence of coach Bill Parcells. He had no problem taking in Johnson two years ago when the receiver was coming off a spat with Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, but that was different because they'd been together before.

An Owens-Parcells pairing would be nothing if not interesting, although the same was thought about Parcells and Jones, and they're three years into their relationship without any known blowups.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5420122

Drew Bledsoe is now a 2nd round fantasy pick, for at least the first 5 games until something blows up in Dallas.

It's official....Owens signs with the Cowboys

A star is born: Owens signs with the Cowboys

Jerry Jones was finishing yet another explanation of why he thinks Terrell Owens will be on his best behavior with the Dallas Cowboys when his new star receiver chimed in.

"Jerry, I know what's expected of me," Owens said. "I won't let you down."

The Cowboys sure hope so, especially since they didn't get it in writing.

The receiver who has proven he can wreak havoc on or off the field signed a three-year, $25 million contract with Dallas on Saturday. The deal includes a $5 million bonus and $5 million salary this season, but no added penalties should Owens pull any of the stunts that caused so many problems for his two previous teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

His relationship with the Eagles soured only months after he led them to the Super Bowl, leading to a bitter breakup that ended with his release Tuesday.

"It's more than his word, it's about logic," Jones said. "This is an opportunity for him to basically put it all together and come in here and have a very positive experience. ... Whoever got him after those two experiences was going to get a more knowledgeable and educated player."

Agent Drew Rosenhaus said Jones never requested anything beyond a standard NFL contract. Jones might not have wanted to bring it up considering Rosenhaus said there were six other teams also aggressively seeking Owens.

"There was so much interest in Terrell, there was no reason to do anything but that kind of deal," Rosenhaus said.

After his windfall this season, Owens will get salaries of $8 million in 2007 and $7 million in 2008. All told, it's a lot more than he would've made under the contract with Philadelphia that began his bad blood with the organization.

"All's well that ends well," Rosenhaus said. "He's a big, big winner and so are the Dallas Cowboys."

Jones said team officials began kicking around the idea of acquiring Owens in November, once it was apparent he wouldn't be back with the Eagles. They interviewed his friends and enemies, then talked extensively to him before deciding he was a risk worth taking.

"The more we looked, the more we became convinced he'd be a good fit," team vice president Stephen Jones said.

There's no questioning his talent -- Owens has consistently put up statistics the Cowboys have lacked since Michael Irvin was in the prime of his career in the mid-1990s.

It's his attitude that's an issue. Owens has badmouthed his last two quarterbacks even though both were Pro Bowl players, squabbled with coaches and gotten angry at his bosses for not properly celebrating personal milestones such as his 100th career touchdown.

"I'm going in with my eyes wide open," said his newest quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. "I know there have been some issues. But at the same time, going forward from here, I don't see how it helps us to dwell on some of the stuff that's gone on in the past."

Owens will join a locker room lacking veteran leaders who might be able to keep him in check. Captains Dan Campbell and Dat Nguyen already are gone, as is La'Roi Glover, another calming influence.

But Owens, who has been away from the team setting since November, vowed he won't need any help getting along, saying he's had plenty of time to think about the problems he's caused.

"I'm going to put those things behind me," Owens said. "They can only make a man stronger, wiser. For me, that's what it's done. I'll be a better teammate, a better person, a better man in life."

Perhaps the biggest test of that will be his relationship with his new coach, Bill Parcells.

The two have spoken only by telephone. Parcells missed the news conference Saturday because he was in Florida. Don't read anything into it, though, because Parcells hasn't attended any news conferences for free-agent signings since joining the club three-plus years ago.

"Bill is very much on the page here, very much," Jones insisted. "We're not just in the business here of walking problems through the door to create challenges. We've got enough on our own."

Jones also tried to douse speculation that Owens' arrival could hasten Parcells' departure.

"I don't think it's fair to say if this doesn't work, Bill's not going to be here to live with it," said Jones, who in January gave Parcells a raise and an extension through 2007. "I don't think it's going to have any bearing at all to how long Bill is going to be here."

Part of the gamble with Owens coming to Dallas is whether fans will embrace him. Many are still bitter about the September 2000 game when, while playing for the 49ers, Owens celebrated each of two touchdown catches at Texas Stadium by running to the team's star logo at midfield. Safety George Teague secured a spot in team lore by decking Owens after the second one.

Then, on a Monday night game in 2004 best remembered for his pregame skit with a "Desperate Housewives" actress, Owens celebrated another score by tapping on a logo in the end zone.

Owens said he and Jones already have discussed his future TD celebrations. With an arm on Jones' back, he smiled wide and said, "I will embrace the star."

Until the Eagles banished him after nine games last season, Owens had at least 75 receptions and 1,100 yards receiving in five straight seasons. The last time a Cowboys receiver hit both figures in one season was Irvin in 1997.

Irvin and Owens are good enough friends that they spoke before Owens decided to join the Cowboys. Irvin is so happy for his pal and his former team that he said, "This move for Dallas put them -- and I'll say it -- in the Super Bowl."

That's quite a leap considering the Cowboys were 9-7 last season. They've missed the playoffs the last two years and haven't won a playoff game in nine years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2374189

The NFC East is gonna be a bloodbath. TO will look to pull as many stunts as possible atleast 2 games a year. My money in on drew bledsoe fighting owens after the 5th game.

This also does wonders for rosenhaus's resume. he still got his client the money after all that. albeit for 2 seasons.

Panthers land Keyshawn in $14M deal

A few days after Terrell Owens signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the man he replaced signed with another strong NFC contender.

Panthers officials told FOXSports.com that they have agreed to terms on a four-year, $14 million contract with wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

Johnson was released recently in order for the Cowboys to avoid paying him a bonus and had interest from the Seahawks and Giants, but instead chose to pair up with perhaps the league's most explosive player in fellow wideout Steve Smith.

Carolina coach John Fox has been looking for a bona fide No. 2 wideout who brings toughness, blocking and reliable hands opposite Smith, and might have found that in Johnson.

Johnson met Thursday with coaches and team officials. He spent Thursday night dining with general manager Marty Hurney.

Johnson is representing himself because his agent, Jerome Stanley, is serving a one-year suspension imposed by the NFL Players Association disciplinary committee. The receiver was reportedly seeking more than $3 million a season, which is what he turned down earlier this week from the New York Giants.

Since Fox took over as head coach in 2002, the Panthers have typically shied away from signing players who have been disruptive with other teams or represent a potential locker-room distraction.

Johnson wore out his welcome with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but didn't appear to have any major problems in two years with Bill Parcells in Dallas.

"We've done a lot of research, believe me," Hurney said. "We don't have any concerns. The more you spend time with Keyshawn, the less you think of that as a concern."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5439586