Sorry, Phillips isn't available to speak to the media. Come to think of it, neither is offensive coordinator Jason Garrett or receivers coach Ray Sherman. It's enough to make you gag.

Guess we'll have to figure this out on our own.

It doesn't matter if you fall into the "thank goodness" or "they'll be sorry" camps on this departure. All must acknowledge a dramatic shift in the Cowboys receiving corps has taken place.

Owens caught 10 of the team's 29 touchdown passes last season. He was one of only seven receivers in the NFL to have at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Where do the Cowboys turn? They must continue to develop the young receivers on the roster and supplement that group through free agency and the draft. They must determine if it's wise to have the same reliance on the pass or place a greater emphasis on the run.

Roy Williams now becomes the lead receiver. Patrick Crayton isn't the classic No. 2 receiver, but he doesn't need to be. Tight end Jason Witten fills that role.

Remember in 2007 when Terry Glenn went down and the supposition was the Cowboys offense would lose its vertical stretch due to a lack of speed? It was not a fatal flaw. Witten and Crayton enjoyed their most productive professional seasons and the offense hummed.

Miles Austin and, to a lesser extent, Sam Hurd, will play larger roles in this new equation.

Austin is the most intriguing prospect. He's the fastest receiver on the roster and has good hands. He showed in last season's win over Green Bay that he's developed a nice rapport with quarterback Tony Romo.

Hurd has good hands and runs solid routes. The Cowboys can tinker with running back Felix Jones at wide receiver and put him outside on occasion as they did last season.

Is this enough to feel comfortable about the position going into training camp? Probably not.

The Cowboys have about $10 million to play with over the next few months to sign their rookies, extend linebacker DeMarcus Ware and pursue free agents.

There are no elite receivers left in the market. But there are veterans that make some sense and don't carry a high price tag. Brandon Lloyd, Reggie Williams, Mike Furrey and Ronald Curry could all hold intrigue as the Cowboys look to build depth at the position.

If the team chooses to use its second round pick on a receiver, Florida's Louis Murphy and Penn State's Derrick Williams could be there at No. 51. The Cowboys could move up a few spots in the round to grab North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks or Rutgers' Kenny Britt.

If Jerry Jones remains conflicted over the release of Owens, Britt would be the logical transition pick. Scouts say he is similar to Owens in terms of physique, temperament and dropped passes.

Owens constantly pointed to double-coverage to explain his sub-par performances last season. After Owens was held to four receptions for 36 yards in a loss to Arizona, safety Adrian Wilson was asked about that coverage.

"Yeah, we doubled him," an incredulous Wilson responded. "I mean, that's a part of Football. Guys have got to make plays."

There will be plenty of plays to go around with Owens gone.

It remains to be seen who will make them.

Next in line?

Pro Football writer Rick Gosselin's top wide receivers available on the first day (first two rounds) of the 2009 NFL Draft:

Player School

Michael Crabtree Texas Tech

Jeremy Maclin Missouri

Percy Harvin Florida

Darrius Heyward-Bey Maryland

Kenny Britt Rutgers

Hakeem Nicks North Carolina

Louis Murphy Florida

Brian Robiskie Ohio State

Derrick Williams Penn State

Juaquin Iglesias Oklahoma