Adding by Subtracting

Today the Dallas Cowboys did something really smart. They cut Terrell Owens. Owens has been one of the NFL’s most prolific receivers and has been jettisoned by the San Francisco 49'ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and now the Dallas Cowboys despite the fact that he plays well in games.

In the weeks up to their amazing Super Bowl run people were amazed how much better Eli Manning had gotten. What happened was this. His tight end, Jeremy Shockey was injured and off the field. Every time Manning went to the huddle Shockey would glare at him and say, “I was open.” Tony Romo had the same problem in Dallas. Whenever he’d drop back to pass he almost had to look for T.O. first or he was going to hear about it in the huddle and on the bench.

Today Sports Illustrated has a poll on their website. “Do you want Terrell Owens on your favorite team?” An amazing 86% of respondents have said a resounding, “NO.”

All of this despite the fact that Owens has been one of the most prolific and dangerous receivers in the NFL. The dilemma with him is simple. Owens is a guy who is about Owens first. If his team loses the game 35-28 but Owens caught 4 touchdown passes, he’s happy.

The Cowboys did something smart. They learned that they were adding by subtracting a person who is a major problem to them. The bad news (for a Giants’ fan) is that they will be a lot better this year without him.