According to a report by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Terrell Owens and tight end Jason Witten had to be separated after getting into a heated debate during a team meeting on Friday.
“It’s a dead issue,” receiver Patrick Crayton said.
It might be, but it didn’t come without a near altercation Friday between Owens and tight end Jason Witten in the Cowboys’ locker room. According to two sources, the two exchanged words before being separated. Both players acted as if everything was fine when the media was allowed in the locker room. But Owens was still clearly miffed.
Which is why it’s not a dead issue and won’t be unless the Cowboys can pull together and not only beat the Giants but make a playoff run.
Despite the best efforts of all those involved to dismiss, deny or downplay any and everything, it’s become apparent the loose semblance of control has unbuckled at Valley Ranch, and the fragility of a team of which so much is expected continues to crack. A season that should be about what happens on the field continues to be more about everything but.
No. 1: Owens denied an ESPN report that he is envious of the relationship between Witten and Tony Romo.
“What do I have to be jealous of?” Owens said. “Look at me, I’m … Anything that goes on, I am going to be the scapegoat. I’m handsome as hell. trying to figure out how I make the headlines and I don’t even say anything.”
Asked if he was cool with Witten and Romo, Owens said: “I’m cool with everybody. We addressed everything. Coach addressed everything. Everything is everything.”
Said Witten of having priority with Romo: “I don’t want people thinking that. Obviously I have a lot of respect for Terrell and I think it’s the same way. He’s a hell of a player.”
No. 2: The meeting Crayton, Owens and Roy Williams had with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett about trying to get the ball more, and the alleged tunnel vision Romo has for Witten.
The official line Friday was that meetings take place all the time; it’s no big deal.The unofficial line is those players were irritated at not being thrown the ball late in the Cowboys’ 20-13 loss Sunday in Pittsburgh. They want the ball. Period.
No. 3: Cornerback Terence Newman’s phone interview with ESPNFirst Take on Friday morning, when he said there is not enough accountability by players, as well as the coaching staff.
One of two things usually happens when internal bickering starts to take over a team: 1) Players will band together and rise above it or 2) The team will implode on the field and frustrations will boil over. Considering the Cowboys have a brutal three-game stretch ahead of them, it’ll be interesting to see if the players unite or tear each other apart at the seems. Either way, it’s been an interesting week at Valley Ranch.
