IRVING – Receiver Terrell Owens said he was surprised that kicker Mike Vanderjagt was cut.
"It's very tough to see a guy like that with his accuracy," Owens said after Wednesday's practice. "Obviously, he hadn't played well, but I honestly didn't think that warranted him being cut. Personally, I don't agree with it."
Vanderjagt went 13 of 18 for the season and missed two of his last three field goal attempts before he was released Monday. Vanderjagt remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 86.5 percent.
The Cowboys lost confidence in their kicker after coach Bill Parcells noticed Vanderjagt was struggling just to make point-after attempts.
"The thing for me is, as I look on it, is he didn't lose any games for us," Owens said. "And everybody makes mistakes. I don't see what he did wrong to warrant being cut. I think if I had to put myself in the mix, I feel like I've lost some games for us, and I'm still here. It's unfortunate."
Owens blamed himself for the Washington loss on Nov. 5 because he dropped a potential touchdown pass.
The Cowboys signed Martin Gramatica to replace Vanderjagt. Gramatica has made 76.7 percent of his career field goal attempts.
"I just hope it doesn't come back to haunt us," Owens said. "Whoever made that decision then, I'm pretty sure, you know, they're hoping the same thing."
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
