Cowboys' Phillips dismisses rift among players

Dec 12, 2008 - 5:15 PM IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Amid reports that Terrell Owens is unhappy with the team's offense, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips sought to quell a burgeoning controversy at his daily media briefing Friday.

"There's no issue there," Phillips insisted. "We're talking about something that really isn't there."

The Star-Telegram reported Thursday that Owens and fellow 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.

But Phillips dismissed that notion Friday.

"I don't agree with that at all," Phillips said before taking a jab at the press corps. "Nothing surprises me that comes out from the media. There's always going to be something when you lose. That's part of football, part of the NFL.

"I am not worried about a divided locker room."

Owens was visibly upset followed last weekend's 20-13 loss in Pittsburgh, a game in which Romo threw three interceptions and lost a fumble.

On Romo's final interception, he threw a pass intended for Witten. Owens was upset and seen yelling at a coach on the sideline, acknowledging 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," Owens said.

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.

Phillips again downplayed that there is a rift on the team and said it would not affect the Cowboys' preparation for Sunday's showdown against the NFC East-leading New York Giants.

"You're going into something that I don't believe is true," he said. "Everything's set straight as far as I'm concerned.

"It's a non-issue, and a lot of players have said the same thing."

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 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.