Where's Terrell Owens Going? Nowhere

Getcha Popcorn Ready, Cowboys Fans. Terrell Owens isn't going anywhere.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday that he will pay Owens a $3 million bonus due in March, essentially guaranteeing the wide receiver a spot on the team's 2008 roster.


"Yes, we're going to have Terrell back," Jones said after a morning Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Owens' status with the Cowboys wasn't as certain at this point in 2007. Owens had a tumultuous first season in Dallas and suffered a finger injury that required two off-season surgeries.

But the Cowboys stuck with Owens and the move paid dividends. Building a close working relationship with quarterback Tony Romo, Owens had a banner 2007 season with 81 receptions for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also generated far less off-field controversy and fit better into the team framework under a new head coach (Wade Phillips) and position coach (Ray Sherman).

Owens, who turned 34 last month, will be entering the final year of a contract set to pay him a 2008 base salary of $4 million. Jones said he has yet to weigh whether the Cowboys will seek to re-sign Owens to an extension.

"Down the line, we're just looking at those decisions about who's going to be back and who we may have to look to replace," Jones said. "I don't want to sound evasive about extending him. That's not the case."

Agent Drew Rosenhaus didn't immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

Jones may have to replace another veteran wide receiver in Terry Glenn, who appeared in only two games last season because of knee problems. Retirement or micro-fracture surgery on his knee are two possibilities for the 33-year-old Glenn, who is set to earn $1.9 million in 2008.

"Over the days ahead, we'll talk to him about that," said Jones, who has two emerging young receivers in Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin on his roster. "He really pushed to get back for these playoff games ... Terry's one of the guys I raise my glass to. He wanted to be a part of a Super Bowl team."

The Cowboys fell short of that goal when upset by the visiting New York Giants, 21-17, in the second round of the playoffs. Dallas (13-4) became the first No. 1 NFC seed since 1990 to lose a second-round game.

Jones said he still hasn't moved on from that disappointment but already is looking forward to the 2008 campaign.

"I can't block it out and I shouldn't," Jones said. "But what I can tell you is that from the standpoint of being proud of our year, I have blocked it out. I can do that. I am going to enjoy this year more than I could have said after the (Giants) game.

"You would almost have to look away to not see that this year has increased our expectations and helped form a foundation for future success ... We're thinking we're going to be better as we look into the future. We've got to live up to that."

Having Owens back in the fold should help.