The Godfathers Irvin And Sanders Have Their Hands Full With The Gotti-esque Owens

It took only one season with "The Player" for Bill Parcells to effectively end his reign as head boss of the Dallas Cowboys. It looked like just a simple waiting period for Terrell Owens.

Sure, Wade Phillips was hired as Bill Parcells replacement and is the new head coach in Dallas. But this is clearly Terrell Owens’ team from a locker room stand point.

"TO" was particular favorite of owner of the Dallas Cowboys Organization Jerry Jones. But as much as Jones liked Owens, former head coach Bill Parcells hated him, or more accurately feared him; which in the Mafia automatically breeds hatred.

From the shadows of their retirement; former Cowboys greats Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders have both outspokenly supported the controversial star player.

You can actually make the argument that Michael Irvin was very much instrumental in bringing "TO" to Dallas; due to his close-knit ties to the Jones Family.

One could also argue that Irvin might have served a similar roll in bringing Sanders to the "Big D" as well.

Strange enough, "Prime Time's" path to Dallas is a lot similar to Owens. Both players made Super Bowl appearances within two years prior to their arrival to the Lone Star State.

Sanders had perhaps his best season in 1994 before signing with Dallas. One in which he was voted the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and help led the San Francisco 49ers to a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.

Terrell Owens so far has had his best single season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005 before arriving in Dallas less then two years after his release from the team. Owens was receiving MVP considerations before a severe leg injury ended his chances of winning. However, it did not prevent him from displaying a heroic performance just six and a half weeks after ankle surgery, defying his doctor's advice.

But perhaps Irvin and Sanders see a lot of themselves in the young capo Owens. With Parcells now out of the way; like it or not, "TO" is now top dog for America's Team.

Irvin and Sanders are two made-men that are considered one of the best to ever play their position. Terrell Owens has every bit the opportunity of becoming one of the best wide receivers to ever play in the NFL.

There's no question; Deion Sanders is clearly the best cornerback in NFL history. If I, or anyone else for this matter, were going to create a NFL Defensive All-Time Greats List; “Prime Time" is on that list ---if he isn't the first defensive back chosen. Past or present, there is no question about it.

The L-O-C-K D-O-W-N cover corner description was created because of Deion Sanders. Even today, I've never seen a cornerback neutralize one side of the field the way "Prime Time" did.

But it's the flashy flamboyant image that fans will always remember about Irvin and Sanders.

Owens watched and learned from the two future Hall Of Famers, rather abundantly perhaps, but it provided Owens an avenue to promote himself like a movie star. Similar to "Broadway Joe" Namath if you will.

If Joe Namath is the first official super star to ever break a NFL huddle; then Irvin and Sanders are the league's first fashion icons. That's if you like recommending tangerine or hot pink to your tailor for color palettes on your suits.

Sanders signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1995 and showed up at the press conference in a blue and silver pen-striped suit. Five years later, he makes another Deion-esque appearance to sign a multi-million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins wearing a burgundy and gold suit.

Who can forget Michael Irvin’s multiple run-ins with the law and even showing up for court like Nino Brown wearing a full mink coat and dark shades.

Perhaps it’s Irvin that relates most of all with Terrell Owens. Quite frankly, you can argue that Irvin could easily have become a "TO" if it hadn't been for the addition of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith to the Dallas Cowboys Franchise.

All and all, the old dons definitely have their hands full with their attempts to contain "TO" in Dallas.

After a year and a half feud in Philadelphia which led to his mid-season release from the team over a contract dispute; Owens beat the rap by signing with Dallas for basically the same amount of money he was requesting from the Eagles.

But "TO" is no "Teflon Don" by no means. His days in Dallas and the National Football League could be still numbered.

There's no doubt about it, "TO's" wise guy antics definitely make him a marked man in the NFL.

Irvin and Sanders will have a much better opportunity to reach out to Owens now that the security gate created by the Parcells' Regime has been removed. Coach Parcells restricted past players from visiting and being hands-on during Cowboy practice sessions. However, new head coach Wade Phillips has welcomed the two former Cowboys with open arms.

So with year number two well under way for Owens and "The Boys"; let's hope the Godfathers can help "TO" keep a quiet discretion and not embarrass himself and the entire Cowboy Organization.