Dallas Cowboys Season

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have released receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

The move avoids a $1 million bonus for Johnson -- and possibly creates room on the Cowboys' roster for Terrell Owens who was released from the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson is a favorite of coach Bill Parcells and was only scheduled to make $1.5 million this season. However, he was seeking an extension and a raise, and the Cowboys apparently wanted to keep their options open -- perhaps especially because T.O. is available.

"Keyshawn is one of a handful of the top competitors that have ever played for the Dallas Cowboys," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "The more he was a part of our team, the more we appreciated him as a player."

The tempestuous but talented Owens was released Tuesday by Philadelphia, making him a free agent. Jones has never shied from big-name players regardless of the cost or risk, and the Eagles have long been wary about their division rivals trying to land him.

The question for Dallas is whether his pass-catching skills are worth whatever other trouble he may cause, especially since the Cowboys are coming off a 9-7 season and likely need more than a big-time receiver to reach the Super Bowl.

Owens and Johnson couldn't share enough catches in the same lineup, and almost certainly would clash in one locker room. If Dallas doesn't get Owens, they'd still need someone like him, a big, sure-handed receiver who can catch passes over the middle. Terry Glenn is the only other accomplished receiver on the Cowboys' roster and he's more of the small, speedy type.

Last season, Johnson scored six touchdowns for the Cowboys on 71 receptions for a total of 839 yards. The 33-year-old receiver has spent 10 seasons in the NFL.

Johnson had been with the club since the 2004 season. He has also spent time with the Jets and Buccaneers.

Eagles Release Owens

The veteran wide receiver was due a $5 million roster bonus Wednesday. Philadelphia had to cut him or trade him before then to avoid paying him the money. The move was a formality because Owens was kicked off the team in November following a series of incidents and infractions, including repeated criticism of quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles gave Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, permission to talk with other teams in January. The former All-Pro met with the Denver Broncos. Miami and Dallas reportedly have interest in Owens, and Kansas City president Carl Peterson has said he'd consider giving Owens a one-year, incentive-laden deal.

Owens helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in his first season in Philadelphia, but his problems started when he demanded a new contract just one year into a seven-year, $48.97 million deal.

Irving, TX -- Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells received a new contract Friday that will keep him with the team through 2007.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Parcells just completed his third year of the original four-year deal with the Cowboys, which was worth approximately $17 million.

"This is about continuity and building upon the pieces we have in place as an organization and as a football team," said Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. "We aren't where we want to be at this point, but we're definitely moving in the right direction and feel very good about the future."

Parcells came to Dallas in 2003 and immediately guided a slumping franchise to its first wining season since 1998 and a postseason berth. In the process, he became the first coach in NFL history to take four different teams to the playoffs.

The Cowboys went just 6-10 in '04, however, and narrowly missed the postseason this year after finishing 9-7.

"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue what we have started here," said Parcells. "The Cowboys organization has been the fairest of fair to me, and hopefully I can repay them with an improved performance."

The Englewood, New Jersey native won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants ('86 and '90) and also took the New England Patriots to the title game in 1997. Parcells, who has also coached for the New York Jets, has a career record of 174-130-1 including an 11-7 mark in the playoffs over 18 seasons.

"As I have said for the past three years, I am encouraged by Bill's enthusiasm and determination, and that hasn't changed in any way," added Jones. "From a personal perspective I have enjoyed every aspect of our working relationship, and I am optimistic about the organization's future."

The Dallas Cowboys released their 2006 schedule on Thursday.

The Cowboys will play Philadelphia on Christmas, but the game will be played at Texas Stadium, not Lincoln Financial Field as had been reported, two sources said. The NFL is expected to release all regular-season schedules Thursday.

Terrell Owens will make his return to Philadelphia on Oct. 8, which will mark the Cowboys' third road game in their first four contests.

The Cowboys open at Jacksonville on Sept. 10, followed by a visit from Washington on Sept. 17.
The Cowboys have their bye weekend on Sept. 24 and will play at Tennessee on Oct. 1 and travel to play the Eagles the following week.

Houston makes its first regular-season appearance at Texas Stadium on Oct 15, and the Cowboys will host the New York Giants on ESPN's Monday Night Football on Oct. 23.

The Cowboys will see Keyshawn Johnson and Carolina in Charlotte on Oct. 29. That begins a stretch of three straight road games: at Washington on Nov. 5 and at Arizona on Nov. 12.

Peyton Manning will make his Texas Stadium debut on Nov. 19 when Indianapolis comes to town, which is followed four days later by Tampa Bay on Thanksgiving.

On Dec. 10, Sean Payton, former Cowboys assistant head coach, brings New Orleans to Dallas, and the Cowboys will travel to Atlanta for a Saturday game on Dec. 16.

Date Opponent
Sun., Sept. 10 at Jacksonville
Sun., Sept. 17 vs. Washington
Sun., Sept. 24 Bye week
Sun., Oct. 1 at Tennessee
Sun., Oct. 8 at Philadelphia
Sun., Oct. 15 vs. Houston
Mon., Oct. 23 vs. NY Giants
Sun., Oct. 29 at Carolina
Sun., Nov. 5 at Washington
Sun., Nov. 12 at Arizona
Sun., Nov. 19 vs. Indianapolis
Thu., Nov. 23 vs. Tampa Bay
Sun., Dec. 3 at NY Giants
Sun., Dec. 10 vs. New Orleans
Sat., Dec. 16 at Atlanta
Mon.,Dec. 25 vs. Philadelphia
Sun., Dec. 31 vs. Detroit