Owens reportedly unhappy with Romo

Dec 11, 2008 - 11:02 PM FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) -- Here's a surprise: Terrell Owens is unhappy.

The Star-Telegram reported Thursday that Owens and fellow Dallas Cowboys receivers Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton called a meeting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to discuss the distribution of the football and what was termed a "buddy system."

According to the report, at issue is the perception that Romo relies too heavily on tight end and good friend Jason Witten, and doesn't always throw to the open man.

ESPN reported that Owens in particular has expressed resentment toward Romo, and is jealous of the quarterback's relationship with Witten.

Owens feels that Romo and Witten hold private meetings in which they create plays the two will use in upcoming games without including Owens in the conversation, according to the ESPN report.

"I don't know anything about that," commented coach Wade Phillips when asked about the situation Thursday.

Owens declined to talk about the situation following Thursday's practice.

The breaking point apparently came Sunday when Romo threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in a 20-13 setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On Romo's final interception, he threw a pass intended for Witten. Owens, who was visibly upset and seen yelling at a coach on the sideline, acknowledged he was open on the play.

In his press conference after the game, Owens said Romo's decision to make the pass to Witten was the wrong one.

"It's his job to out there and assess what the defense is, and he made that decision."

Linebacker Bradie James told ESPN that his status as one of the team's captains has caused him to play a peacemaker role at times between Owens and Romo.

"Whenever the fire gets blazing, I know," James said. "Sometimes, I don't want to step on anybody's toes, but we all talk.

"It just is what it is ... It's just two different guys, two different personalities and they know what's at stake. They know that everybody needs them. And there's no dislike. It's just sometimes, not everybody is going to see eye to eye. That's what makes a football team."

A rift between Owens and his quarterback is nothing new. The brash Owens wore out his welcome in both San Francisco and Philadelphia following disputes with Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb.

Another Cowboys player told ESPN that Owens' behavior is nothing new.

"He's insecure about it," the player said of Owens. "The thing that bothers me more than anything about this problem is that it's always something with him - San Fran, Philly and here; always something. And he brings other people into it. You know, he talks to Sam Hurd and Roy Williams, who just got here and doesn't really know these guys. TO talks to him and so now he probably thinks Witten politics with Tony for the ball.

"That's so far from the truth. You think Tony is throwing to him because that's his buddy? His best buddy is Bobby Carpenter, and that's not helping him too much. It's crazy to think that, and I hate that he acts that way."

Witten has 64 receptions this season, nine more than Owens, who has a team-best 848 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Since 2006, Romo and Owens and have combined for 33 TDs, the most of any quarterback-receiver tandem.

A preseason Super Bowl favorite, the Cowboys (8-5) are fighting to just make the playoffs.