While the Cowboys insist that the rift within the locker room is nothing more than a media creation, there's no denying there's a heap of controversy in Big D.

After talking with several members of the Cowboys organization, there appear be two distinct camps. Some are trying to paint the picture that things have been overblown, while others insist this team is more of a mess than it's been in years. However, not one of those sources would deny that there is a huge concern with the way the drama has grown behind closed doors.

The problem is not so much the fact that Terrell Owens and others held a meeting with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett this week to "complain" or "clear the air" (depending on which Cowboy you ask), but rather that a story was reported on the entire affair claiming Owens was jealous and accusing his teammates of a conspiracy.

As a result, there is now a locker room divided, with several players taking up for Owens and attacking Jason Witten behind his back. Others feel sorry for Witten and the fact that some of his teammates are labeling him a snitch and a rat.

"He's one of the most professional guys on our team and now he has to deal with this?' said one team source. "It's bad. It's gotten really bad and it's definitely bothering him. Not so much that T.O. is ticked or saying things about him, but the fact that other guys on offense look at him like he's a snitch. It's in his head."

Another player said that head coach Wade Phillips didn't make the situation better when he told the team in a meeting that the media was trying to make T.O. look like a monster and insinuated that he's just a victim. In essence, it empowered Owens.

Some believe Owens started the entire affair by recruiting others in the locker room to believe that Witten and Romo have these secret meetings where they draw up plays together. At the same time, some others believe Owens and feel Romo and Witten have put themselves on an island.

Unfortunately it has also affected the perception within the locker room. Several players said they are going to be extremely curious to see where Romo distributes the ball Sunday and see whether or not he favors one target over another.

"Soap operas are supposed to be five days a week," said one long-time Cowboy. "Ours is seven."

As for Romo, the sources say that Owens in the past has made it difficult for him in practice.

"If he doesn't get the ball enough you'll know about it," said another source. "If Tony doesn't throw a good ball sometimes T.O. will just run down the field to the end zone, kind of showing Tony up. But up until now, Tony just laughs it off, tries to keep it light."

Romo has almost flown completely under the radar with this situation, even within the Cowboys locker room. Obviously, he can't win by even appearing to take either side.

Unfortunately, the drama within the locker room does not stop there:

Reports surfaced that Witten and Owens nearly got into an altercation after Witten attempted to talk to Owens about a certain route. Sources insisted it never got close to fisticuffs, but admitted that Owens instructed Witten to never talk to him again. This is not a new proclamation for Owens. When he was in Philly he instructed then-offensive coordinator Brad Childress to do the same.

The drama that got overshadowed by all this were comments made early this week by owner Jerry Jones. Many within the organization were completely miffed regarding Jones' questioning the toughness of RB Marion Barber. Said one Cowboy: "He's the toughest guy on our team! No question. Heck, he may be the toughest guy in the league.

"We're not really sure why he would question THAT guy. Plus, he's already played through a bunch of injuries. It pretty much just shocked us."

The line within the Cowboys is that a win will cure all ills. Of all the players spoken to for this story, most were hopeful but not confident this would be the case. A couple, however, believes the friction lies deeper than being cured by a single victory.

Plus, even when Dallas is winning, controversy finds a way of settling over the team somehow, someway.

PALMER'S FUTURE: There were reports this year pointing to a serious elbow surgery by Bengals QB Carson Palmer and then recently there were indications that he could actually come back this season. Which is true?

Neither.

Palmer has been throwing and this week actually looked good in doing so but the team has decided to keep him sidelined for the year. Why wouldn't they? There's no reason to risk further injury at this point. However, they are ecstatic that Palmer has resumed throwing without inflammation and without pain.