Terrell Owens is as happy as he has been in a couple of years, when it comes to playing football.
It shows in his performance.
That's bad news for the rest of the NFL because a happy T.O. is usually a productive T.O.
Last season, T.O. put up gaudy numbers but didn't dominate games. This year, he's being the difference-maker Jerry Jones thought he could be when he signed him to a three-year, $25 million contract before last season.
Give Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, Ray Sherman and Tony Romo equal credit.
We all know T.O. can be temperamental and petulant, so there's no need to bait him the way Bill Parcells did by refusing to call him by his name. T.O. operates much better when he thinks the people in authority like and respect him.
Phillips has given him the respect he craves all season, and T.O. has responded with terrific performances each of the first three games.
Garrett has told T.O. that he's important to the offense and that he's going to get him the ball on the move as much as possible. T.O. appreciates the fact that Garrett is trying to get him the ball with regularity and putting him in position to succeed, so when he doesn't get the ball he's not complaining.
T.O. understands, it's only a matter of time – not a conspiracy to make him look bad.
That's also why Sherman, the receivers coach, is important. He has coached some of the game's best, from Randy Moss to Cris Carter to Jerry Rice.
T.O. respects his knowledge, and his approach. Sherman is an old-school coach who doesn't mince words. He is direct, and T.O. appreciates that because there is no miscommunication.
Then there's Romo, who says he's interested only in throwing the ball to whoever is open. Fortunately for Romo, that's usually T.O.
More important, T.O. knows Romo wants to get him the ball just as Drew Bledsoe wanted Terry Glenn to get the ball last season. T.O. trusts Romo and respects his ability.
That's why their relationship works.
Q. What do you think the chances are of Terry Glenn returning this season? Do you think his career is over?
Kelvin Payne, Arkansas
TAYLOR: I don't think Terry will return this season. He will try as hard as he can, but he had a serious injury. I think he'll return next year, but if he has to have microfracture surgery in the off-season, then there's a good chance he has played his last game.
• • •
Q. "Winning takes precedence over everything else." That is exactly what is wrong with professional sports. Poor behavior has no precedence in professional sports.
John V. Vallala, Dallas
TAYLOR: In an ideal society, you're exactly right. But we live in the real world – not the world we would like it to be. Let's not act as if this is only the case in football. No matter what your business, top producers get more chances than average producers.
• • •
Q. It looks to me like the Cowboys have enough weapons to win every game after Chicago and before New England. How come we didn't save Newman until New England, because there are only two people on the team with a chance to slow Moss down, Newman and Williams? And since Williams would have to break at least one of Moss' legs, I propose we make sure Newman is healthy. Your thoughts?
TAYLOR: I like your sense of humor, but it's too hard to win games in the NFL to hold people out once they're healthy. Besides, you wouldn't want Newman's first game to be against Moss and Tom Brady. Dallas is doing a smart job by working him in slowly, having him play only in nickel situations.
• • •
Q. Roy Williams has preformed relatively well thus far, but where are the big licks? Any chance he's not 100 percent, or has he just not had the right opportunity yet?
Thad Bartholow, Dallas
TAYLOR: He's as healthy as any player can be after three games. He hasn't had an opportunity to deliver any big-time blows. I, however, would be more concerned about Roy having a bigger ratio between good plays and poor plays. The missed tackle that led to a huge gain and Chicago's only touchdown was bad, but he also contributed a fumble recovery and an interception.
• • •
Q. If Flozell Adams doesn't learn to count or get his head out of his behind, he's going to cost them a game or games before the year is over. What do you think?
MikeTanco
TAYLOR: No doubt, it's maddening. Sometimes, though, you have to accept it as part of the overall package. For example, Charles Haley used to get one or two false starts seemingly every game because he tried to get such a good jump off the snap. Flozell doesn't have the quickest feet, so he occasionally tries to get an edge by getting off the ball first. Three penalties, though, is obviously unacceptable. Flozell was good against Miami's Jason Taylor but obviously struggled against the Bears.
• • •
Q. If the Cowboys' offense continues to click the way it has during the first three games, how hard will it be for Jerry Jones to keep potential suitors with head coaching vacancies away from Jason Garrett?
Charles Bankhead
TAYLOR: It will be extremely difficult, but that's the price for having quality assistant coaches. It's no different from the early '90s when Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis all became head coaches. We're still pretty early in the season; a lot can happen.
• • •
Q. The "statement" win over the Bears was nice, but I'm more worried about the Rams game this week. The Cowboys will be going against a team that is better than its 0-3 record, has more offensive talent than anyone they have faced yet and is desperate. Coming off a big, emotional win and playing a good team that has its back to the wall is a dangerous combination. Beating Chicago shows that Dallas now "belongs" in the NFC; beating the Rams will show that they are a serious contender for a title. What do you think?
Dib Oglesby, Goochland, Va.
TAYLOR: You make a good point. The Cowboys are good whether they lose to the Rams or not. What that game will do is tell you about the Cowboys' maturity. A mature team will take care of business and beat a depleted St. Louis club. This team has a lot of veterans and has not had a lot of success over the last few years. The Cowboys will be ready to play. They're still hungry. They haven't won enough to take success for granted.
• • •
Q. Do you consider Bobby Carpenter a bust? Yes, he is a contributor. Yes, he has had to learn multiple positions. But yes, he was chosen in the first round.
James Williams
TAYLOR: I can't argue with any of your points. I wouldn't say he's a bust just yet, but he's walking down that street. I look for whether guys are difference-makers in whatever role they have. Thus far, he has not been a difference-maker.
• • •
Q. Roy Williams is the biggest weakness on the defense. Some players flame out quickly, and I think Roy is one of them.
F.B. Rhea III, King of Prussia, Pa.
TAYLOR: I think you're being harsh. Obviously, he struggles in coverage. That's no secret, but let's not act as if he doesn't do some things well. As I mentioned earlier, he makes some plays; he just needs to give up fewer of them. But he's not going anywhere, so it's up to the Cowboys to figure out how to get the most from his talent while limiting his flaws.
• • •
Q. I realize it was only one game, but I am already tired of the schemes talk by the coaches and players. It all comes down to if you can beat the man in front of you. The Boys only have two players defensively that can do that: Ware and Newman.
John T. Gold, Salt Lake City
TAYLOR: I understand your frustration, but it's simply not true. The scheme does matter. Great players can play in any scheme. But there are only a handful of great players. The rest of the players play best in a scheme that enhances their talents. Now, if you can't play, then the scheme doesn't matter.
• • •
Q. Do you see Jacques Reeves successfully filling in for Newman for any length of time?
Peter Pratt, Pittsford, N.Y.
TAYLOR: Yes. What you have to realize is that Reeves is not nearly as good as Newman, so we can't possibly hold him to the same standard. Here's how I judge Reeves: Is he the reason the defense struggled? If not, then he played OK. Teams are going to attack him and complete some passes on him, but as long as he isn't the reason the defense is getting torched on a particular Sunday, then he's doing his job.
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