(My Sportsbook) - Terrell Owens didn't experience the type of reunion he undoubtedly intended in his return to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Owens departed town much the same way he left the Eagles a year ago -- with nothing except questions about his sketchy behavior and his relationship he has with the starting quarterback.
You can't blame Drew Bledsoe for everything. Maybe the offensive line should be the culprit for allowing pressure to the tune of seven sacks of the veteran signal-caller. No matter what Owens thought of the situation, he apparently lacked audacity to step in the face of a man larger than himself after Sunday's mistake-riddled 38-24 loss.
The only muscles Owens flexed in his ripped body were the ones around his jaw, as he was seen talking loudly in the direction of Dallas wide receivers coach Todd Haley. Owens reportedly even questioned why the Cowboys signed him in the offseason, as he left Lincoln Financial Field with just three catches for 45 yards.
"They were taking him out of the game, and so we didn't get him involved as much as we would have liked to," Dallas head coach Bill Parcells said. "When they want to put a couple of guys on you, you usually have to go somewhere else."
All week it was Owens this and T.O. that. But the receiver did not catch a pass in the first half, and only had a one reception for nine yards through three quarters.
Praise was due Philadelphia's secondary, which was focused in its effort to stop Owens and got a huge lift from cornerback Lito Sheppard, who had two interceptions, including a 102-yard return in the waning moments to seal the win.
Owens was thrown to 13 times and dropped two passes, one of which was fell to the turf in front of Eagles hard-hitting safety Michael Lewis during the third quarter. Bledsoe looked Owens' way a lot on Sunday, but Philly's front four provided so much pressure it was nearly impossible for him to get downfield. The wideout had his best chance of scoring midway through the fourth quarter but Bledsoe heaved an underthrown deep ball which was picked off by Sheppard in front of the end zone.
"They were fairly focused on taking him out of it," said Bledsoe, who finished 18-of-38 for 223 yards and three interceptions. "And that's wise by them. We did have some opportunities to make some plays with him and just didn't hook up enough times.
"It's frustrating. We know we had our chances. It just didn't happen. It's really disappointing."
Dallas' other wide receiver, Terry Glenn, was largely a non-factor but did induce Eagles safety Michael Lewis into a pass interference penalty late in the game. The Cowboys had the ball at Philadelphia's six-yard line after the infraction, but after Bledsoe fired a pass towards tight end Jason Witten on second down, Lito Sheppard stepped in front of the broken route and sprinted 102 yards to paydirt.
Owens was especially miffed for not being able to tear up the Eagles, with whom he spent two turbulent seasons. Wondering what life would be like if you were still an Eagle, Terrell?
"When I talk about opportunities...you guys saw the game," Owens said. "That was an opportunity. It was a missed opportunity."
BRING ON ROMO?
After Bledsoe's performance against Philadelphia, fans and pundits were wondering if Bill Parcells would make a switch to backup quarterback Tony Romo.
I'm sure T.O. wouldn't mind the switch, though he would still be likely to moan and groan no matter who threw him the football.
"I'm not switching the quarterback," Parcells said. "No, not right at this moment, no. I don't think that's the answer right this minute."
Bledsoe is tied with an NF-high seven interceptions. Of Dallas' 10 turnovers this season, eight have come in its two losses.
TIDBITS FROM THE PHILLY FIASCO
-Cowboys starting center Andre Gurode played the entire game on Sunday and had no problems with the multiple cuts on his forehead.
Gurode was kicked twice in the face by Titans DT Albert Haynesworth last week and needed 30 stitches to close a few gashes. Gurode decided not to press charges against Haynesworth, who received an unprecedented five-game suspension from the NFL.
"I prayed about it at night, prayed with my pastor, and just went out there and had fun," Gurode said of his Sunday performance.
-Dallas' defensive highlight of the game was when outside linebacker Demarcus Ware recovered a McNabb fumble and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown. Linebacker Bradie James had posted an interception return for a TD against the Titans the week before, giving the Cowboys defensive touchdowns in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2003.
-Kicking duties for Dallas were split for the second time in four games this season. Mike Vanderjagt handled extra points and nailed a 39-yard field goal which evened the score at 24 apiece in the third quarter.
Shaun Suisham kicked off five times, with Philadelphia's average starting field position at the 31-yard line.
UP NEXT: HOPING FOR NO PROBLEMS IN HOUSTON
The Cowboys will try to heal their wounds on Sunday against the 1-3 Houston Texans at Texas Stadium.
Dallas should have a better time running its offense against the Texans than it did in Philadelphia, though Houston has history on its side, winning the only matchup on September 8, 2002 by a 19-10 score in the first game in franchise history.
Then-rookie quarterback David Carr threw for 145 yards and two TDs, while Corey Bradford caught four passes for 99 yards and a score. Dallas was led by Quincy Carter's 131 passing yards, and running back Emmitt Smith ran for 67 yards on 17 carries. Joey Galloway hauled in six passes for 69 yards.
T.O. and the Boys should roll over the 1-3 Texans and get back in the NFC East hunt. Unless Bledsoe has another awful game, Bill Parcells and company figure to win by two touchdowns.
The task this weekend for the Cowboys is to get Owens the ball. Houston's defensive backfield is less than stellar, and Owens should be able to take advantage of that fact.
