TO Cannot Go

For weeks now, there have been rumors circulating that the Cowboys are pondering releasing their drama queen star receiver Terrell Owens from the remainder of his contract. Say what you want about the issues he creates off the field; he's a bad teammate, he's a 'me-first' individual, he's a cry baby, etc. What you cannot deny is what this man brings to the field on game day.

He is arguably one of the top 5 Wide Receivers of all-time and will undoubtedly be enshrined in Canton someday as a member of the Football Hall of Fame. But, in many cases, with talent comes a sense of egotism and cockiness masqueraded as a humble individual who goes about his business the right way. Cris Carter was that sort of receiver and to a small extent, Jerry Rice was as well. With Terrell Owens however, that facade that the previously mentioned athletes put up hasn't worked, because he doesn't want it to.

He doesn't care whether you like him or hate him (many fans despise him and refer to him as a locker room cancer), but he earns respect by going out on the field every week and performing at an optimal level. Sure, there are times when I'm screaming at the top of my lungs at my television set when Owens drops an easy first down catch on 3rd and 5, with time running out on the game clock; but it would bother me more as a fan if he didn't want the ball. There are athletes in every sport who shy away from the pressures of late game situations because they don't have what it takes mentally. Terrell Owens isn't that type of player. He shines when the spotlight is on him the brightest.

Controversy has surrounded Terrell Owens for his entire career, because he likes it better that way. He can't operate unless he's the center of every media member's world. In his career, it doesn't matter the personality or the coach, if he has an opinion, you will hear it. He's feuded with a tuna (Bill Parcells), a jellyfish (Wade Phillips because he's spineless duh) and a Walrus (alright, look at pictures of Andy Reid and a walrus and tell me they aren't long-lost twins).

In San Francisco he played with a guy he insinuated was homosexual (Jeff Garcia). In Philadelphia he played with a guy whose testicular fortitude under the pressures of crunch time in the Super Bowl was questioned (Donovan McNabb). And in Dallas, he's played with a guy he's cried over (remember, that's MY quarterback!) one year and then the next year he complains of the friendship he has with his tight end. Terrell Owens is controversy.

Last season, he created a stir when he publicly questioned the fact Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo seemed to have been throwing the ball in the direction of his Tight End Jason Witten more often than he was targeting himself, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams. At first glance, it seemed like this was another instance of a selfish player just wanting the ball and get more money. Looking into this further, I realized there was a little truth to what Owens was saying. Consider this for a second, Jason Witten caught 74 passes last season thrown by Tony Romo, while the Cowboys top three Wide Receivers (Owens, Williams and Crayton) caught a combined 105 passes or an average of 35 catches per person.

Although Owens took the wrong course of action in airing his frustrations with his lack of involvement in the offense, he was basically right. In October 2007, before a game against the New England Patriots, Terrell Owens posted a note on his locker that stated:

"Dear Reporters,

Due to the magnitude of this week's game and high volume of questiosn for the Original 81 (Owens) about the other 81 (Randy Moss), I will be taking all questions immediately following Sunday's game.

Sincerely,

Terrell Owens

P.S. Getcha Popcorn Ready"

To be completely honest, he's absolutely correct. You get the ball to Owens, you win games. Simple as that. Excuse me for a moment while I spew a few statistics at you to further emphasize my point:

In 178 career games, Terrell Owens' teams have a record of 110 - 68, which averages out to nearly 10 wins a season.

In games where Owens catches 7 or more passes, his teams have a 32 - 12 record, for a .727 winning percentage.

During games in which he has 100 or more yards receiving, his teams have a 33 - 14 record, for a .702 winning percentage.

In games where he is able to score at least one touchdown, his teams have a 73 - 31 record, for a .701 winning percentage.

When Terrell Owens scores at least one touchdown and has 100 yards or more receiving, his teams have a 28 - 10 record with a .736 winning percentage.

Lastly, the average season for Terrell Owens sees him catch 73 passes, with 1,086 yards receiving and nearly 11 touchdowns.

Case in point, the man wins games. He is a true #1 receiver. He constantly sees himself being double covered by opposing defense and he's able to put up the numbers he does.

Teams that have had Terrell Owens as a player certainly haven't won anything with him (considering he has more accidental overdoses than he does Super Bowl rings), but the 49ers haven't been the same since he left the Bay Area in 2003, the Eagles haven't gotten to the Super Bowl since he was cast off and the Cowboys are just plain pathetic.

Although Owens hasn't been able to bring the Cowboys to the pinnacle of sports being a Super Bowl berth, let alone even win a playoff game, I most certainly know we can never win anything without him. So, I'm pleading with Jerry Jones and anybody else in the Cowboys front office with a brain cell. Disregard whatever controversy or headaches that Terrell Owens may cause. If the Cowboys expect to make another run at a division title and challenge the Giants for NFC East supremacy, we can't do it without #81 lining up on our offense.

If Owens is released in the coming weeks and his Cowboy tenure comes to an end in disappointing fashion, I'm sure I'll be one of the few who are saddened to see him go.

But, if Jerry Jones doesn't listen to all the pundits and decides to give Owens and the rest of the Cowboys another chance to reclaim the glory of being "America's Team", then I'll be sure to have my popcorn ready.