On Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jones; Stephen Jones, the club's executive vice president; Owens; and Owens' agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, held a much more private and somber get together.

Already in Florida for an NFL meeting, Jones wanted to tell Owens face to face the Cowboys would be moving on without him in 2009.

In a matter of minutes, the meeting was over, handshakes exchanged, and Owens sent a text message to some teammates explaining he was no longer a Cowboy.

Jones was not available to the local media but issued a statement Thursday:

"Terrell Owens was a very productive player who performed at a very high level for all three of his years here in Dallas. But we have made a decision to move forward without him.

"In the aftermath of the season, we talked about change. Some of what is changing involves the process and some of it involves people. This is a decision that was made based upon consideration for an entire team.

"We will move on now with a new team - a new attitude - and into a new stadium."

Late Thursday afternoon, Owens, 35, released a statement on his Web site:

"I want to thank Jerry Jones, Coach Phillips and the Dallas Cowboys for the opportunity to be a member of the team for the past three years. A big thanks to the fans - you've been awesome! I look forward to the upcoming season and continuing to play in the NFL."

Along with the locker-room disharmony, other factors played into Owens being cut, including his drop in production and the heavy investment the Cowboys made in receiver Roy Williams.

The Cowboys traded first-, third- and sixth-round draft picks to the Detroit Lions last October for Williams, whom the Cowboys signed to a five-year, $45 million extension that included $27 million guaranteed.

Williams had 19 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown in 10 games last season, but the Cowboys believe he can fill a role Owens had secured just eight months ago.

In three seasons with the Cowboys, Owens had 235 receptions for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns, but his numbers declined last season, when he had 69 receptions for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns.

DMN

QUOTES

"Get your popcorn ready. It's going to be a show."

Owens after signing with the Cowboys on March 14, 2006

"There was no suicide attempt."

Owens after an accidental overdose of pain medication, Sept. 27, 2006

"Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite in this locker room or in Texas Stadium."

Owens after Tony Romo's girlfriend watched the Cowboys lose to Philadelphia in 2007

"Terrell Owens - I did say his name, Terrell Owens. He's part of the Dallas Cowboys family, so he's part of my family."

Newly hired Cowboys coach Wade Phillips on Feb. 8, 2007, alluding Parcells' habit of referring to Owens as "the player"