Owens Trying to Move On, Grudgingly

Terrell Owens is trying to smile these days.

I think it's a forced smile. He doesn't want to be in Buffalo. Nothing personal. Buffalo isn't Dallas. The Cowboys are where Owens wanted to be. The Cowboys are where Owens wanted to retire. But the Cowboys thought he was too much of a disruptive force to remain.

So, he was let go and now the Bills have to take his 1,052 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns from the 2008 season and hope he parlays that into more in the cold of Western New York. For that matter, Owens has to get it against New England where Shawn Springs, who has shut him down the last few years, is waiting for him.

Rex Ryan, now running things for the Jets, gets Owens twice a year.
Things will be different now for Owens. He has to compete in a tough AFC East where the Patriots and Dolphins know him well.

In order to achieve something positive, Owens must develop a chemistry with quarterback Trent Edwards. Owens always has good starts with quarterbacks, but eventually the relationship ends badly.

Following a Wednesday afternoon organized team activity, Owens sounded confident that building a strong relationship with Edwards wouldn't be a problem.

"Oh yeah, definitely, again, that's what the OTAs are about," Owens said. "Even with the rookies coming in, it's all about trying to see who plays well with what guys and the system. Everybody's just trying to get it down as quick and fast as they can because the season will be here before you know it."

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner warms up during the football mini-camp, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the team's training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt watches his team run drills during the football mini-camp, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the team's training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald watches his teammates during drills during the football mini-camp, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the team's training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner stretches during the football mini-camp, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the team's' training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals tackle Brandon Pierce, front, practices tackling drills as teammates Deuce Lutui (76), Reggie Wells (74) and assistant head coach Russ Grimm look on during the football mini-camp, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the team's training facility in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Gibson (19) makes a one-handed catch during practice inside the bubble at the NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (David Maialetti/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

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Philadelphia Eagles' Byron Parker runs during practice inside the bubble at the NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (David Maialetti/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

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DENVER - MAY 25: NFL player Julius Peppers and guest sits courtside in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on May 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Julius Peppers

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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez watches an interleague baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, May 23, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Minnesota Vikings number one pick Percy Harvin works out during mini-camp in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Thursday, May 21, 2009. (Jerry Holt/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)

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Owens built a nice relationship with Tony Romo in Dallas, but it died last year with the wide receiver griping about the type of throws he was getting and the direction of the offense. Owens was right about several things in the Cowboys' offense. Even Romo, following the regular-season loss to the Eagles, said that the team's offense got exposed.

There's no telling what Owens might say about Edwards, who isn't nearly as accomplished or talented as Romo.

"The last few years, the quarterbacks that I've had, I've communicated well with them," Owens said. "So, I'm open ears and open-minded. It's not a difficult task at all."

Romo was so tired of Owens that he wouldn't even say his name last week when asked about him.

"I could care less," Owens said. "I mean, he doesn't say my name, that's fine. What about it? Bill Parcells didn't call me by my name either, so what's the difference?"

It seems as if Owens hasn't gotten over the Cowboys cutting him a few months back. Owens Twittered that Jason Garrett and Romo were the reasons why he's no longer in Dallas.

Who cares? It's over with now. The Cowboys are still the third-best team in the NFC East with or without Owens. The Bills got better with him but still remain behind New England and Miami in the AFC East.

Owens is a lot of things. He does help an offense and sell jerseys but he wears out his welcome in about three years. Buffalo signed him for one year and if Owens is to get another contract with the Bills or anyplace else he has to leave the Dallas stuff alone.

Owens has to move on.

Romo has.

He's forgotten 81's name already.

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FILE - In this July 30, 2006 file photo, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis stands on the sidelines before football practice at the team's training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Ellis won't be back with the Dallas Cowboys next season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday, May 26, 2009, that Ellis would be traded or released. Jones said the decision came after a meeting with Ellis on Tuesday morning. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a news conference to unveil the world's largest 1080p HDTV video board at Cowboys Stadium, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The screens, weighing 600 tons, stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers questions after a news conference to unveil the world's largest 1080p HDTV video board at Cowboys Stadium, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The screens, weighing 600 tons, stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and head coach Wade Phillips (right) watch practice at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News/MCT)

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks onto the field at the team's temporary practice facility in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) has his helmet adjusted by running back Marion Barber during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws at the team's temporary practice facility in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, left, shares a laugh with head coach Wade Phillips during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis uses a bull horn to talk during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, center, talks to players during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)