Cowboys not really excited to avoid Owens

IRVING, Texas - When Dallas Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell heard that the Philadelphia Eagles were getting rid of Terrell Owens, he groaned.

"My first thought was, 'We're going into a hornet's nest,'" he said.

The Cowboys play the Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday night, which Campbell considers lousy timing. As if the Eagles wouldn't already be fired up to play their longtime rival in the national spotlight game, now they'll have the added motivation of showing they're better off without their loud but talented receiver.

"That's what scares me," Campbell said Tuesday. "They're probably going to pull closer together. They're going to prove we can do this with who we have on the team right now.... I'm looking for them to play the best they've played all year. We just got to be ready to go."

Although Owens apologized to practically everyone in and around the Eagles on Tuesday, the team doesn't appear likely to take him back after enduring months of his me-first antics.

He was suspended Saturday and is supposed to remain suspended without pay for three more games, then be deactivated for the rest of the season. The players' union has filed a grievance to overturn the suspension, but it won't be heard until after Dallas plays Philadelphia.

Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson was in a similar situation with Tampa Bay two years ago, but he wasn't interested in sharing his perspective Tuesday. He posted a sign on his locker that read, "NOT MY PROBLEM," and pointed to it when asked his thoughts about Owens and the Eagles.

While the timeliness of the T.O. saga spices up the Monday night game, it was going to be a good one anyway.

Dallas clobbered Philadelphia at Texas Stadium last month and now the Eagles will want revenge on their home turf. They need it, too, to keep from falling out of the race for a fifth straight NFC East title.

Philadelphia (4-4) is already in last place in the division, with a road trip to New York to play the East-leading Giants awaiting after the Dallas game. A loss to the Cowboys also would leave the Eagles with a losing record in November for the first time since 1999.

"We know if we can go up there and (win), then it pretty much knocks them out," Campbell said. "But if we don't, then we give them new life, they're still in this thing."

Philadelphia players know everyone from fans to fellow NFL players will be tuned in to see whether Donovan McNabb and his teammates can play as well without Owens this season as they did when he was injured late last year. Dallas players know it, too.

"It could be motivation for them, everyone is counting them out, nobody thinks they can do it," said Cowboys defensive tackle La'Roi Glover. "They're trying to prove people wrong. But that's not our problem. We're trying to get ourselves together. They'll take care of their house, we'll try to take care of ours."

The Cowboys (5-3) are trying to build on a successful first half that was highlighted by their all-around great game against the Eagles.

Coach Bill Parcells is concerned about this game started a run of three games in 11 days, but at least his club goes in well-rested. Dallas is coming off a bye and likely will have running back Julius Jones for the first time since the last game against Philadelphia, when he ran for 72 yards in the first half then was lost to an ankle injury.

Parcells was vague about the status of cornerback Anthony Henry. Even if he's out, it won't hurt as much if the secondary doesn't have to worry about Owens.

Parcells refused Tuesday to get too deep into the Owens subject, insisting "it doesn't change how we approach" the Eagles. As for the possible emotional lift Philadelphia might have, Parcells likened it to replacing an injured player.

"I expect to get a good effort from them. They've always given a good effort," he said. "It's Monday night. They're at home. Why wouldn't you expect that?"

Parcells has had his share of team-dividing players and incidents, but he refused to discuss them because he said every situation is different.

"When you're not on the inside of a place you don't really know what happened," Parcells said. "I kind of understand as a head coach that every once in a while you run into a situation that's difficult for everyone. I'm certain that's what has happened there."