IRVING, Texas - While Terrell Owens might have stirred the pot, especially that of the media's, with his comments on the NFL Network about his lack of involvement in the offense of late, blaming it on the "system," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brushed the whole subject off as no big deal.
That was the final word from here at The Ranch on Friday as the Cowboys were completing preparations for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, although the NFL Network's Deion Sanders, who conducted the interview with T.O. at his downtown condo this week, promised a more riveting second installment on the Sunday pregame show.
When Jones was asked if Owens comments have created a stir at The Ranch, either among the players or the coaching staff, he said, "No, no, not at all. I don't see anything at all. There is so much made of this impact. What impacts these players is playing and how you play and how you practice. So I don't see - it impacts us all when we aren't successful.
"All this stuff about growing tired about comments, attitude, that's not even one percent. I don't spend any time worrying about that kind of stuff. It's not an issue. I make no decision around here based on people getting sensitive about what somebody else is saying."
But Owens comments about not being involved enough in the offense - he has 17 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown in the past four games, three of which quarterback Tony Romo missed with his fractured little finger and the other he played with a splint on his still fractured finger - seemed to create another distraction surrounding the Cowboys.
Owens told Sanders in the interview, "For me to have the numbers that I have and not really being involved, it's discouraging. It's frustrating, but what can I do." He then would say the reason for his minimal contributions: "it's the system in which I'm in."
He would go on to say, "It's not that I can't play, it's the system."
When asked about his comments here at The Ranch on Friday, Owens stood his ground, basically saying he just feels there is more he can do if thrown more passes he can catch. And when asked what's the difference between this year's offensive system and the one last year, which produced a Cowboys club-record 15 touchdown receptions and 80 catches, Owens smugly said, "Listen Sunday."
But Jones said there really is no need to since the Cowboys offense still operates under the same offensive system. And when asked if there have been any big changes in the offense, Jones said, "None, none, same system, same guy calling the plays. You know, Terrell was the most enthusiastic of anybody on the team to get Roy Williams in here so that's the clearest tangible thing for what it's about for him is to get the ball to where we have the best chance to win.
"Plus there's one other second feature: We win more when we get him the ball, so it's hard to argue with any logic he might have there. I have no issue at all with or any concern about Terrell where his mentality is with the offense getting him the ball."
Stay tuned.
Choice Staying Ready
With Felix Jones (torn toe ligament) out for the season and having surgery on Saturday, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has indicated that his other rookie running back, Tashard Choice, could have a slightly larger role on offense behind Pro Bowl starter Marion Barber.
Choice has only 13 carries for 72 yards this season, including eight carries in the four games Jones missed with a partially-torn hamstring. The fourth-round pick is not sure how much he'll be involved on Sunday but said he continues to stay ready each week.
"It's all about the situation of the game," Choice said. "Like for instance, last game MB had a heck of a game (114 yards, one touchdown), so you don't want to take a running back out of rhythm. And in the other games we were struggling offensively.
"So you never know. It's all about situations and when you get an opportunity to get in and get out of the game."
Jones said Friday on his weekly radio show (KTCK 1310-AM) that the team will explore the possibility of signing a third running back who can contribute on special teams. Alonzo Coleman, their practice squad running back, would seem to be one option. If the Cowboys are to make a roster adjustment in time for Sunday's game, that would have to occur by 3 p.m. (CST) Saturday.
Jones also complimented Choice's skills and said he's ready for more touches if called upon.
"He's a really good runner," Jones said. "He reminds you - now we all know Emmitt Smith, and he's no Emmitt Smith - but he does remind you in running style, the way he's so efficient in how he makes his yards. He's a north-south runner. He's got good vision. Given a chance, he's going to do some good."
-Rob Phillips
A Little More T.O.
Sunday will be the first time Owens plays his former team as a Dallas Cowboys receiver, but he was pretty nonchalant about the occasion, saying there is no revenge factor about the game in his mind.
"They got rid of me," Owens said shrugging his shoulders. "I was supposed to have been the problem, and they got rid of the quarterback (too)."
But Owens, selected in the third round of the 1996 draft by San Francisco, said he does have fond memories of his eight seasons with the 49ers, along with playing alongside all-time NFL receiving leader Jerry Rice.
"Yeah, that's where I got started," Owens said of San Francisco. "I don't think I'd be as good as I am now if not for the coaches that I had there and the talent there that set the bar."
Owens, though, still expressed being partial to the West Coast offense in which he got started at San Francisco, saying it's "more flexible" than the system he's in now.
Many Happy Returns
There seems to be this odd rush out there to remove Patrick Crayton as the Cowboys main punt returner, as he has been ever since Pacman Jones was suspended four games ago - the same guy who handled most of the returns last year for the Cowboys.
Odd because Crayton is averaging 11.1 yards on seven returns, with a long of 33 yards.
Pacman Jones, on 16 returns over the first six games of the season, averaged five yards a return, with a long of 18 yards.
Phillips certainly appreciates the job Crayton is doing, and what he did last year for the Cowboys, averaging 9.1 yards with a long of 49 against Miami.
"He's consistent, he catches the ball and makes good decision back there, and that's what you want," Phillips said of Crayton, who is not the home-run threat Pacman Jones is. "We feel real comfortable with him."
In all likelihood, though, when Pacman is eligible to play again in the Dec. 7 Pittsburgh game, returning punts might be the best way to ease him back onto the field.
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Mickey Spagnola - 
