"I appreciate as a coach all the great things he did," Phillips said of Owens, who led the team last season in receiving yards (1,052) and touchdowns (10). "But we made the decision, we're going forward. We know we've got some young players we think can come in and play for us at wide receiver. And we're going to give them that opportunity."

In his first extensive public comments since the day after the Cowboys' 44-6 season-ending loss to Philadelphia, Phillips went out of his way to heap praise on Owens while maintaining life without him will be just fine.

The Cowboys cut Owens, 35, on March 5. He signed with Buffalo two days later.

"He's an outstanding player," Phillips told reporters Wednesday at the NFL owners' meetings in Dana Point, Calif. "His numbers are going to be the second-best ever. He's going to be in great shape. He's a hard worker. All the things you want in a player. One thing you've got to look at with players is production. He's been probably the most productive receiver in the last several years anyway."

So why cut him loose?

"Because we feel like we can go forward with the guys we have," said Phillips, repeating the company line that chemistry wasn't a factor in the decision to let Owens go. "We think we have some emerging players that are going to make a difference."

That group would include receivers Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and Brackenridge graduate Sam Hurd. The Cowboys also are eager to see what they have in Isaiah Stanback and Travis Wilson, who spent last season on the practice squad.

In a rare display of independent thinking, Phillips shot down owner Jerry Jones' theory that the absence of Owens will give Tony Romo a better chance to "play at the optimum."

While he believes Romo will be better next season, Phillips doesn't think the improvement will be because Owens is gone.

"I think Tony makes Tony a better quarterback whether Terrell is here or ... whoever is here," said Phillips, who then reiterated his belief that Romo's success hinges on his ability to protect the ball and make better decisions.

Phillips declined to talk to reporters at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, saying to do so would be "against the rules." That comment, coupled with a recent declaration by Jones that he's the team's one true voice, gave the impression Phillips was under a gag order.

But Phillips said that wasn't true and that he's just being more selective with his comments. The NFL requires that coaches talk to the media during the owners' meetings.

"I've got to be more mindful now," Phillips said in a reference to his belief that the media blew stories about the team's locker room strife last season out of proportion.