It’s been just over a week since the Dallas Cowboys released star wide receiver Terrell Owens, and I will be the first to admit that I was upset when I heard this news and saw the coverage on ESPN.
After having some time to think about it and watching everything unravel, though, the entire situation has worked out for everyone involved.
And the person this release helps out the most is Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.
Romo will now have the opportunity to stand up and take charge of the offense after being criticized for not playing with heart and taking responsibility for the Cowboys’ 2008 demise, most notably the loss against the Eagles in week 17 that knocked Dallas out of the playoffs.
As the quarterback of a team, especially the Cowboys, you’re supposed to grab hold of the reins and take control of the team, no matter what kind of personalities you go into the huddle with.
Yet, Romo was reluctant to do so and made sure he took care of his disgruntled teammate before his 51 others. There were games where it was embarrassing to watch him force terrible passes in Owens’ direction only to be off the mark or have the ball land in the defender’s hands.
Now with Owens out of the picture and working with the original group of guys Romo developed around, it should be easier for him to assert himself and step up from the “aw-shucks” attitude.
We already know he has the respect of his teammates from what he has done on the playing field, now he just needs to prove that he can be the boss inside the locker room, too.
Cowboys offensive players such as tight end Jason Witten, running back Marion Barber and wide receiver Patrick Crayton will rally around Romo and the Cowboys coaching staff and create a positive atmosphere in Valley Ranch and the Cowboys’ new stadium.
Wide receiver Roy Williams will develop into a big play threat, but he will have to get the chemistry with Romo going and the playbook down before he becomes the true No. 1 receiver.
Once he does, he’s going to be a dangerous weapon and open things up for the young, talented wide receivers like Sam Hurd and Miles Austin.
In the end, Romo should take the three years playing with Owens as a blessing but move on and become the locker room leader that he was supposed to be from day one.
So Bills fans, be happy and celebrate the arrival of the best receiver to come through Ralph Wilson Stadium since Andre Reed. At least you won’t have to worry about him missing anything wide right.
Cowboys Nation will be happy when Romo takes control of the TO-less team and gets back to his true gunslinger form rather than forcing the ball to an attention-craved receiver.
-Jono Greco is a journalism sophomore.
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The_Thrill 3 years, 2 months ago
This article was much better when it was written by the several thousand sports journalists a week and a half ago.