Owens plays for first time
IRVING, Texas (AP) – Ten months and a day after his last NFL reception, Terrell Owens had to wait through two series before making his debut with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. Most importantly to fans of T.O. and the Cowboys, he made it onto the field.
Owens received a standing ovation when he trotted in for Dallas’ first drive of the second quarter of their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, with many folks remaining on their feet in anticipation of his first catch. He didn’t get it right away as the series ended with Drew Bledsoe throwing an interception on the seventh play.
Let the record show his first reception for the Cowboys was a 6-yard gain on a quick out to the right sideline at the start of the next drive. It was thrown by backup Tony Romo, who before the game received a contract extension through next season. Romo later threw wide of Owens on second-and-goal from the 4.
The drive ended with a field goal, and the Cowboys trailed the Vikings 7-3 at halftime. Owens came out for the second half, but likely was done for the night. He was on the sideline wearing a baseball cap when the Cowboys got the ball in the third quarter, his night likely done.
Owens ran hard on several long routes during his two first-half series. He was supposed to get a deep pass from Bledsoe on a first down from the Minnesota 42 – he appeared open, too – but linebacker Napoleon Harris flushed Bledsoe out of the pocket.
The mere fact Owens got into the game ends a tumultuous start to his Dallas career.
With a long history of me-first antics preceding his arrival, Owens drew plenty of scrutiny for missing the first three weeks and about 20 practices with a sore hamstring. He certainly didn’t help his image by getting fined $9,500 for being late to work last Friday, a mistake he blamed on oversleeping.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took the gamble of signing Owens to a $25 million, three-year deal that included a $5 million bonus and a $5 million salary this season. As eager as he was to finally see his big investment on the field, Jones was more interested in keeping Owens healthy so he can play the opener in Jacksonville a week from Sunday.
“I have no questions about him as a player and the impact he can have on this team, but he’s got to be able to play,” Jones said before the game. “