Phillips Takes The High Road On T.O.

Allowed to speak by owner Jerry Jones after being under a gag order for the majority of the offseason, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was cautious and positive Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings when repeatedly bombarded with questions about controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens. Per Matt Mosley of ESPN.com, Phillips was diplomatic when queried about Owens, who was cut by Dallas after the season and signed with the Buffalo Bills. “He’s an outstanding player,” Phillips said of Owens. “Obviously, I think 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 football player. “I think they’re getting a really good football 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.” When asked if the locker room chemistry will be improved through Owens’ departure, Phillips declined to get into specifics. “I’m not even going to discuss that because that’s why I didn’t want to talk about it in the first place,” Phillips said. “So you begin to talk about last year and all these things -- ‘This did or didn’t happen. Somebody said this.’ All those things, I’m through with that. “What’s important is this year. The greatest stadium in the world, we’re opening. Our team is going to have a great attitude. I think they already do now as far as looking forward to this season.” Continuing a familiar theme, Phillips took a shot at the media, adding that too much is made of Owens’ reputation for divisiveness. “Terrell’s situation is like the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Phillips said. “Anything that’s said or done is going to be reported. And I’m not saying good or bad. “What he says and how he’s perceived is up to the fans and somewhat the media -- mostly the media reporting it to the fans and then present it themselves as to how they feel about him.”