Signing T.O. fits in well with Jerry Jones' philosophy

	Terrell Owens had a lot of success against the Cowboys, as both an Eagle and a 49er. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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If Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones really is going after Terrell Owens -- and there's little reason to think he isn't -- he couldn't have lucked into better timing. It's a move that surely carries plenty of risk, but Jones has never backed away from a gamble that can pay huge dividends. That's exactly what he's looking at with Owens now, the chance to land a big-time playmaker who can likely be had for a bargain basement price.

Jones indicated he's ready to make such a move when he released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson shortly after the Eagles released Owens on Tuesday afternoon. Keyshawn was a favorite of head coach Bill Parcells, and the wideout was never shy about saying how much Parcells meant to him. That the Cowboys whacked Keyshawn so quickly after he asked for more money is telling. The fact that they did it with Owens becoming available is impossible to discount.

Jones simply sees what everybody else knows: that beyond Owens' antics, the controversial wideout can still play the game as well as any other receiver in the league. Jones also knows firsthand what Owens can do, because two of Owens' most controversial games came in Texas Stadium. He had a two-touchdown day in September 2000, when he twice celebrated on the Cowboys' trademark star at midfield. He added a three-touchdown effort in November 2004, when that Monday-night performance was overshadowed by the stir Owens caused with his pregame skit with Desperate Housewives co-star Nicollette Sheridan. Jones surely remembers Owens' numbers more than the drama.

What the owner also realizes is that there may be little competition for Owens. The Kansas City Chiefs are willing to offer only a one-year deal with no guarantees and a ton of incentives. Denver has said its interest in Owens is "overblown," even though it's the only team that has met with him. The Miami Dolphins have been surprisingly quiet about the subject lately, although that doesn't mean much. Since Owens recently purchased a home in South Florida, it wouldn't be hard for him to drive over to the facility for a meeting. Plus, the Dolphins also know how valuable a go-to receiver would be now that they've traded for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.