One day after the Cowboys released wide receiver Terrell Owens, coach Wade Phillips offered this statement, which was released by the team Friday:

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to coach Terrell Owens, and I appreciate his contributions to our team over the past two years. In our time together, I saw one of the more productive and explosive players in the NFL at the receiver position. I think that when his playing days come to an end, he will have compiled a career that is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

“We’re now ready to move on, and this decision will open the door for other younger players on our team to step up. That process will begin here in a few weeks with the start of the offseason program.”

Phillips came under criticism after the Cowboys’ 2008 season ended in a collapse that cost the team a playoff berth. Phillips fired his defensive coordinator, Brian Stewart, and took over the duties himself.

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