Terrell Owens is a lot of things, but one of his best traits can be his matter-of-fact honesty. Like at the end of Friday afternoon's Cowboys practice, a radio reporter asked him if he was a better athlete than Jerry.

Owens paused for a couple seconds, thinking the guy was asking about Jerry Rice. But, no, the man was asking about Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys.

He grinned. "I don't think Jerry would mind if I said I was a better athlete than he is," Owens said. Everyone in the media huddle laughed.

T.O. was the only Cowboys' player wearing a white helmet with the old Dallas star on his helmet. He stood out until the Cowboys' Rich Dalrymple told me that

Owens missed the practices when his teammates were trying on the throwback helmets that will be used in a couple games this season. "You could see that the chin strap was a little too snug on me," Owens said.

 

Basically, Owens is in catch-up mode these days after missing almost two weeks of practice. He has been on the field, though, for three consecutive days now. He was also the only player on the field in black tights.

Owens, who stayed after practice to take some extra throws from Drew Bledsoe, said he still wasn't sure if he would be playing on Monday against the New Orleans Saints in Shreveport, La.

"I'm still day-to-day," he said. "The hamstring is OK, but I'm still a little sore. My legs still need to get a little stronger. I'm still not in football shape."

There is no reason to rush Owens into the preseason lineup because the Cowboys have a long season ahead and they really need him when the real games begin. He said that he and Bledsoe are getting a little more comfortable with each other, but they still aren't in total sync yet.

"Hey, he's used to throwing to Key (Keyshawn Johnson)," Owens said, "and I'm a little more explosive in and out of my breaks than he is. (Bledsoe) still has to get used to that, what I can do."

is no doubt that some veterans were wondering earlier in the week when Owens was going to join them in practices, especially after he was seen running very hard on Monday and Tuesday.

 

However, I don't believe that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells told team trainer Jim Maurer to tell Owens he better return to practice or else. I do believe that if Parcells wanted Owens back on the practice field he would simply tell him himself. Parcells is no shrinking violet.

 

Based on one practice, Parcells and Owens seem to be getting along. Parcells could be heard offering advice to Owens on how not to turn his shoulders on a specific fade route and the player seemed to acknowledge the advice.