With Terrell Owens, the Cowboys went 31-17 in the last three seasons, but were 0-2 in the playoffs.With Terrell Owens, the Cowboys went 31-17 in the last three seasons, but were 0-2 in the playoffs. (Mel Evans/Associated Press)

The Dallas Cowboys on Thursday were set to release wide receiver Terrell Owens and long-time safety Roy Williams.

Owens, 35, has been one of football's top receivers, but controversy follows wherever he has played. Owens eventually wore out his welcome and clashed with quarterbacks in both San Francisco and Philadelphia.

Owens recorded 69 catches for 1,052 yards in 2008, his lowest totals in a full season of play since 1999. He caught 81 and 85 passes in his first two seasons with the Cowboys.

The safety Williams has recorded 19 interceptions and 512 tackles in his career with Dallas but was limited to just three games in 2008 due to injuries.

"In the aftermath of the season, we talked about change," Dallas owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Some of what is changing involves the process and some of it involves people.

"This is a decision that was made based upon consideration for an entire team. We will move on now with a new team, a new attitude and into a new stadium. The evaluation process and the prospect for change will continue at every level of the organization."

Dallas let Owens go even though he will still count for about $9 million US against the team's salary cap next season. Owens signed a new contract last summer, a four-year, $34-million deal that included a $12-million bonus.

The Cowboys went 31-17 during his tenure, but were 0-2 in the playoffs and embarrassed 44-6 by Philadelphia in the last regular-season game of 2008 with a postseason spot on the line.

While Owens never publicly turned on Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, there was an uneasy co-existence in the offence last season with tight end Jason Witten and the newer Roy Williams, the receiver acquired in a midseason trade with Detroit.

Owens is tied with LaDainian Tomlinson among active players with 141 touchdowns. He is fifth in career yards receiving (14,122) and sixth in career receptions (951).

With files from the Associated Press