The Jones boys flew to Florida for an NFL owners meeting. While there they decided to make the move with Owens and in person, calling the player and his agent for a meeting.

Jerry Jones admittedly agonized over the move because of his fondness for Owens and their relationship.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Stephen Jones said his father used a table cloth and a pen to help illustrate his decision to Owens.

Jones wrote his and Owens' name on the table cloth and drew a line between them.

Jones told Owens he had given him 100 percent and he felt Owens did the same. Owens agreed. Jones wrote the Dallas Cowboys on top of both names to drive home his point.

"Unfortunately we have this bigger thing up here," Jones said. "Unfortunately I've got to make the decision for what's right for something a lot bigger than you, a lot bigger than me, and a lot bigger than our relationship. It's time for us to part ways business wise."

Although agent Drew Rosenhaus tried to jump in to come up with a different solution he was rebuffed by Jones.

"I've agonized for two months over this decision," Jones said. "I've made up my mind. Let's shake hands and move forward."

And suddenly Owens was gone. His three controversial but highly productive years in Dallas were over.

According to Stephen Jones, there were a number of reasons the Cowboys had to move, including the locker-room chemistry issues based on Owens' poor relationships with quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. But also included were his age (35) and declining production.

"You can't point to one reason," Stephen Jones said. "You take the whole picture and make the decision. It's (salary) cap. It's health. It's age. His production. It's everything."

--S Roy Williams, who was released by the Cowboys, has yet to sign with another team. But he is supposedly being courted by several teams. His agent, Jordan Woy, said Williams has even turned down a contract offer from another team. Williams is looking for a team that plays the 4-3 scheme. He was uncomfortable in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense.

--LB Kevin Burnett wanted to return to the Cowboys. But he signed with the Chargers because they will give him an opportunity to start, and he felt jilted by the Cowboys when they decided not to pursue him immediately. The Cowboys called him hoping to get back into the negotiations, but Burnett said they had an opportunity to sign him weeks ago and didn't even offer him a contract.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was the fall guy for some of the things that happened during that season. But those guys in that locker room, they know that whatever is being reported out there right now is very, very inaccurate. I have no problem with how people perceive me. I know myself. I know my heart, and I know what I am." -- Terrell Owens on his release from the Cowboys.