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Terrell Owens’ tumultuous tenure with the Dallas Cowboys appears to be over.

ESPN reported late Wednesday night that the Cowboys have decided to cut ties with their talented lightning rod of a wide receiver. Other news outlets have since confirmed the move.

The news comes after a heated 2008 campaign in which Owens was caught up in several controversies and the Cowboys - thought to be Super Bowl contenders - missed the playoffs.

There had been speculation all offseason that Owens’ status in Dallas was in limbo, with several outlets reporting an internal battle in the Cowboys’ front office between those who wanted to keep him and those who wanted him out. Team owner Jerry Jones, who has seemingly been in his star wideout’s corner all along, publicly declared following the season that changes were in order.

Those changes did not include the head coach, as Wade Phillips was retained despite an underachieving performance this past season. But they did include the release of troubled cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, thought to be a clear signal that the Cowboys were paying increased attention to the character issues that had sabotaged the team in recent months.

Late in the season, Owens reportedly had a minor falling-out with Tony Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, apparently complaining about the quarterback’s propensity to focus on tight end Jason Witten rather than Owens himself.

While each of the three players brushed off any suggestion of an internal conflict, T.O.’s reputation as a clubhouse killer was maintained - particularly when he publicly criticized Garrett’s play-calling.

Jerry Jones has not denied this offseason that the Cowboys had explored the possibility of releasing Owens - whom he signed in 2006 following Owens’ unceremonious departure from the Philadelphia Eagles - talk of such a move had diminished in recent weeks as attention turned to the upcoming draft, free agency and, in the Cowboys’ case, the recent gag order that Jones placed on his coaching staff.

In three seasons in Dallas, Owens caught 245 passes for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdown receptions. He has put up Hall of Fame numbers in 13 seasons with the Cowboys, Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, compiling 951 catches (sixth all-time) for 14,122 yards (fifth) and 139 scores (second), but he has brought controversy wherever he’s gone.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

studcrackers wrote:http://www.cowboyspride.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60719