T.O. and Tuna Unite

WWW- Terrell Owens tore apart team chemistry in San Francisco, he did it in Philly and now it's up to Bill Parcells to make sure he doesn't do it in Dallas.

T.O. and Tuna became the Odd Couple yesterday when the Cowboys took a huge risk by signing Owens to a reported three-year, $25 million contract, including $10 million this season. Considering his past disruptive behavior, it's surprising the Cowboys did not devise an incentive-driven contract to make him produce on the field to earn his money.

Owens, just as he did when he joined the Eagles two years ago, said a lot of the right things. Living up to them has been the problem for the league's best wideout.

"I'm looking forward to the chance to get with Parcells, so we get to know each other better," Owens said. "My main focus this year is to win ballgames, as it always has been, and to win a championship. I know there are some learning experiences in life that I experienced last year both personally and professionally.

"I'm going to put those things behind me. Those things can only make a man be stronger, wiser. For me, that's what it has done and that is what it will continue to do. I'll be a better teammate, a better person, a better man in life. So, I'm just looking forward to this opportunity. I couldn't be more excited to be here."

Then, he added, "This is America's Team and I feel right at home. I'm a star among stars now."

Parcells, who has been in Florida, was not at the news conference at the Cowboys' offices in Irving, Tex. Owens said he spoke to him on the phone. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was adamant that Parcells was a big part of this decision and had endorsed the move.

"Bill is very much, and I can't emphasize this enough, on the same page here," Jones said. "This was not me selling Bill or Bill selling me. It was us taking a look at being able to take advantage of getting an outstanding player."

Jones, however, left no doubt he is leaning on Parcells' history of being able to control his locker room and not let disruptive players rip apart his team. "Bill has coached a lot of players that quote-unquote have the perception that they might not fit in with team chemistry," Jones said. "And he's got a good track record with the team being successful."

Owens made himself and everybody else with the Eagles miserable when he wanted to renegotiate his contract after just one year of a seven-year, $49 million deal. The Eagles refused and Owens went on the offensive. He was rude to coaches, verbally abused Donovan McNabb and isolated himself from the team. It led to Andy Reid suspending him for four games and then deactivating him for the final five.

Owens must prove that at the first sign of trouble he won't blow up again. "The things that happened in the past - you can't move forward if you keep bringing up the past," he said.

Addressing Jones, he said, "I know what's expected of me and I won't let you down."

Drew Rosenhaus, Owens' agent, said seven teams wanted to sign Owens. The Eagles cut Owens on Tuesday, one day before a $5 million roster bonus was due. The Cowboys created a starting spot by cutting Keyshawn Johnson the same day, before he was due a $1 million roster bonus.

Owens, according to ESPN.com, will make about $2 million more in Dallas in 2006 than had he remained in Philly. His Eagles' contract for 2006: $5 million roster bonus, $2.5 million option bonus, $770,000 base salary. Total: $8.27 million. The Cowboys are paying him a $5 million bonus and $5 million base salary. Total: $10 million. Next year he will get a $3 million roster bonus and $5 million base. In 2008, he will get a $3 million roster bonus and $4 million base. It comes to about $5 million more than he would have made with the Eagles over the next three years.

"This is no free lunch," Jones said. "We made a commitment to him."

Asked how discipline was addressed in the contract, Jones said, "We've got a pretty heads-up agreement. We could both disappoint each other in this agreement."

Now Owens must reward Jones for taking a chance. "I know who I am as a person," T.O. said. "I can't sit here and try to defend myself. I'm fighting a losing battle."

Six years ago, Owens infuriated the Cowboys when he ran to the star in the middle of Texas Stadium to celebrate touchdowns. "I will embrace the star," Owens said yesterday.