Terrell Owens Cowboy Future Still Uncertain

Terrell Owens has already spent three season with the Cowboys. Whether or not he makes it to a fourth has yet to be determined.

Technically, the Cowboys have until June to make their decision. That's when Owens is due a $3.1 million roster bonus. While it may seem like Jerry Jones has plenty of time to think it over, in reality a decision needs to be made much sooner.

The Owens decision is the biggest and toughest one of the offseason. The planning of the 2009 roster could change entirely depending on his presence, and the offseason is almost past the planning stage. NFL free agency begins on Feb. 27. The NFL Draft occurs in late April. With those two events on the horizon, Owens fate needs to be decided far sooner than required.

Unfortunately, the Owens conundrum is as complex as it is crucial. His off the field issues and subsequent drama are well documented, and even in his short time in Dallas Dan Reeves realized how mixed the opinions on T.O.'s value are.

"As I told Jerry when we talked about it, I'm an outsider, and certainly from an outsider's standpoint you feel like it's a distraction that you don't need," Reeves said. "I did find out while I was down there that there are a lot of mixed feelings about T.O. within the organization. They've got to sit down and make a decision."

Of course, it's never as simple as just tossing out a bad apple. This one would come at a cost. In fact, the Cowboys would actually save $680,000 by keeping Owens rather than cutting him. That's not to mention the hole that would be left in the receiving corps.

Roy Williams was acquired from Detroit at a high price midseason, and while he was seen as an eventual replacement for Owens, his 19 catches in 10 games can't leave management confident in his ability to take over as the new No. 1 option.

There are arguments to be made on both sides, and soon the Cowboys will have to choose theirs.

Wes Cox is a Dallas based blogger whose thoughts on the Mavs can be read daily at www.mavsmoneyball.com.