IRVING – With two seasons remaining on his three-year contract, there is speculation that Terrell Owens will not return to the Cowboys in 2007.
And the discussions surrounding Owens involve coach Bill Parcells' status for 2007.
It's been speculated that if Parcells stays, Owens is gone. And if Parcells is gone, Owens stays.
"You guys brought that up," Owens said after Wednesday's practice. "Wherever you guys are getting your leaks or sources from ... it's nonexistent to me."
Owens is due to receive a $3 million roster bonus in June. Should the Cowboys release him before the bonus, it would cost them $3.2 million against the salary cap.
Owens has gone through a mixture of emotions – his accidental overdose, frustration over not getting involved in the offense sooner and dropped passes.
"It shouldn't be a situation where I should be talking about whether I want to come back," said Owens, who said he would get signed by another team if the Cowboys release him. "[The media] should be focusing on the playoffs. This is not anything dealing with whether I'll be back or not."
The Cowboys acquired Owens for his big-play ability, and he led the team in catches (85), yards (1,180) and touchdown receptions (13).
Parcells said he's pleased with Owens' output, but the receiver's NFL-leading 14 dropped passes raises concerns.
With the playoffs starting Saturday night in Seattle, Owens said it's time for him to play better.
In 12 career playoff games, Owens is averaging 14.1 yards per catch with four touchdowns. He has three 100-yard-plus games but only two TD receptions in his last five playoff appearances.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I've been in the playoffs before, I've played in the Super Bowl before. I wasn't 100 percent healthy, but you know, I held my own. I'm not a guy who will lose his focus. I'm not a guy who lacks confidence."
Bledsoe discusses future: Drew Bledsoe knows he must make a decision on his playing career when the season ends.
He would only say that "lots of things," will go into his decision. After 14 seasons, Bledsoe is in the top 10 all time in attempts, completions and yards. His 251 touchdown passes are 13th-best in NFL history.
Saturday's game will be a homecoming for Bledsoe, who grew up in Walla Walla, Wash., but not one he envisioned as a backup.
"It's hard," Bledsoe said. "I'm going to have a lot of people at the game. It'll be difficult for sure."
Team practices outside: Parcells said the temperature in Seattle is expected to be 44 degrees on Saturday. So at practice Wednesday, when the temperature reached 44 degrees, Parcells sent the team outside.
Rain is also expected in the forecast Saturday, so the team practiced with a wet football, and quarterback Tony Romo wore gloves on both hands.
Parcells is a cat man: During a conference call with Seattle-area reporters, Parcells was asked if he had a cat or dog.
"I have a cat," Parcells said. "My girlfriend has a cat. I have a cat. His name is Cody. He's a good size cat. He's about 16 or 17 pounds, very athletic. He can do stuff you wouldn't believe."
Briefly: All the players practiced Wednesday, and there isn't anyone on the injury report. ... Free safety Tony Parrish, who made his Cowboys debut against Detroit, might not play.
Staff Writer Todd Archer contributed to this report.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
