T,O. Gets TKO'd

Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is a pattern. The Cowboys are the third franchise to cut ties with Terrell Owens. Owens has only played for three teams. (Although he once was traded to the Ravens and he promptly decided he didn't want to play for the Ravens. So we really don't count that as being on a team.) So what does it all mean? Well that's too deep of a question to explore today so let's just examine the obvious T.O. fallout.

The list of suitors for T.O. is going to be tiny. The money will be even smaller. Except for maybe the Raiders. They're the wild card and the obvious fit for T.O. at first glance. Al Davis might be willing to throw T.O. $5+ million for a season or two. Why not? T.O. could get his 8 billion targets per game and Russell would at least have a competent, healthy WR. It would ultimately be a disaster but what the hell right? Anyway, he only goes to a non-Al Davis team on a 1 year near the minimum with a couple of incentives deal. Let's just list the teams that Owens will NOT be playing for: Cowboys, 49er's, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, Patriots, Dolphins, Chiefs, Cardinals, Seahawks, Vikings, Bears, Packers, Steelers, Ravens, Falcons, Browns and Chargers. That's 18 teams. Add in the Raiders and it's 19 teams. Out of the remaining 13 teams I really can't see the Colts, Bucs, Panthers, Saints, Bengals, Lions, Rams or Texans adding Owens. So that leaves 5 teams (not owned by Al Davis) that I could see having some possible interest in Owens: Jaguars, Jets, Broncos, Titans and Bills. The Jaguars, Titans and Bills would only probably kick the tires because of positional needs and the fact that Owens could be had on the cheap. He would instantly be the best receiver on either the Jaguars or Titans and he could be the answer the Bills have been looking for opposite Lee Evans. Thing is I doubt any of the those 3 teams have a QB that could handle/satisfy Owens. The Jets are an interesting study. My guess would be they're not interested but it could be a fit, except for the Jets glaring hole at QB. The Jets will need to sell seats in their new stadium and Coles just hit the road. The Broncos would represent the most interesting option. Josh McDaniels saw Randy Moss reform why not T.O.? He could work opposite Brandon Marshall or replace Marshall for a period of time if Marshall is suspended. Is it going to happen? I doubt it. But remember, Brian Dawkins was a T.O. supporter and he's now one of the leaders in that Denver locker room.

Personally I've felt Owens has been a bit overrated and not worth the trouble for about the last 5 years. I hope that he goes to the Raiders and it fails spectacularly. Those press conferences alone will be worth the cost of admission. If Owens was properly motivated could he help a team? Absolutely. But it's always been about T.O. and that's the problem. He and Al Davis really deserve each other, just like Owens and Jerry Jones. I've said ever since Owens left Philly that no team with him on the roster would ever win a meaningful game. I stand by that.

What does this do for fantasy football values? Let's just look at the Cowboys real quick. I'm expecting Felix Jones to start, (playing the Julius Jones role) with Barber going back to his short yardage/redzone/4th quarter role. Without Owens both of those backs should be a bit more involved. I think this won't hurt Romo's value at all. Romo will no longer have to worry about forcing balls to Owens and Roy Williams is a better downfield threat than Owens at this point of his career. Williams could easily become a top-10 WR this year in fantasy. This solidifies Witten as the #1 fantasy TE in my mind. He should see increased redzone looks and this should offset any touches he might have lost to their other TE, Bennett. I don't think the Cowboys will make a big move at WR, maybe they bring in a veteran Bobby Ingram-type but that's about it. They'll draft a WR in the 3rd or 4th round and move on. If I had to rate the other Cowboys WR's right now it would be 1) Williams 2) Miles Austin 3) Patrick Crayton 4) Sam Hurd.

I know more than a few people in Philadelphia have suggested that Owens could return. McNabb would love him again and it would be all good. Not going to happen. You or I have a better chance of playing WR for the Eagles next year. Not even if he offered to pay the team a salary and offered to kiss Andy Reid's bare ass on Sportscenter. Not going to happen.