IRVING – Terrell Owens is hoping for a drama-free season.
With all that happened in 2006, guest appearances to discuss his feelings on Oprah or The View wouldn't have been too far-fetched. Among the distractions and setbacks: an accidental drug overdose; 17 dropped passes; arguments with former receivers coach Todd Haley; getting fined for sleeping in meetings; a broken hand; a ruptured tendon in a finger; spitting in DeAngelo Hall's face; and of course, the much-hyped return to Philadelphia to play his former team.
But Owens says some of the drama could have been avoided.
"A few of the things that happened last year, I think they were just basically blown out of proportion," Owens said Monday, the last day of minicamp. "I think about some of the things that happened last year, some of the things that should have been kept in-house got leaked to the media."
The Cowboys have a new feel this spring now that Bill Parcells is gone. Owens is one of several players to talk about a more relaxed atmosphere at Valley Ranch.
"I don't think I just have to really spell it out for you," he said. "But I think it's very evident."
The Cowboys have made a point this off-season to reach out to Owens in an attempt to build a better relationship.
Receivers coach Ray Sherman has text messaged and phoned Owens. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett met with Owens in Miami, and offered praise this week regarding the Cowboys' leading receiver in 2006.
Owens has reciprocated. He called new coach Wade Phillips less than a week after his hiringto try to forge a bond.
"I think everybody knows he's a laid-back coach, obviously, a little different than Bill," Owens said. "But, you know, we're going to go accordingly. I don't think you have to be a disciplinarian to get your point across."
Yet, there is still some old business regarding Parcells.
When asked if he had learned anything under Parcells, Owens said, "nothing, really."
Parcells was quoted in the New York Daily News saying he didn't want the Cowboys to sign Owens last season.
"[It] was not my decision," Parcells said. "I had to do the best I could with him, which is what I tried to do."
Owens said he never had a relationship with Parcells, and voiced displeasure with the coach for not trying to reach out to him when he had his overdose.
"It's funny, people can say a lot of things when they're gone," Owens said of Parcells. "At this point, it's really not important. It's irrelevant to me."
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones didn't say whose decision it was to sign Owens.
"Our relationship far exceeds any expectations that I ever had and it was a great working relationship," Jones said of Parcells. "We didn't always agree on things, but because it was as good as it was, I'm not going to get into the specifics of when we agreed or when we disagreed."
The only drama surrounding Owens going into the season is the torn tendon in his right ring finger.
Owens said the finger is healthy enough to practice and he doesn't plan on wearing any special protection.
He caught passes from former NFL quarterback Mike McMahon during workouts in Miami last week. Owens expects the finger will hold up for the season, and that the drama will be limited, if there's any at all.
"I think the way a lot of people perceive me is by a lot of media portrayal of me as a person," Owens said. "Do I think it's unfair? Yeah, but prior to knowing me and being around me, obviously you're going to have some preconceived notions about me and [have] some judgments about me."
