Rather than pursue Owens, the Raiders renegotiated the controversial contract of Javon Walker, who at present is the lone true veteran presence on the Raiders receiving corps.

Owens, though he may be slipping, caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys. Higgins (22 receptions, 366 yards, four touchdowns), Schilens (15 receptions, 226 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Walker (15 receptions, 196 yards, 1 touchdown) combined for 52 catches, 788 yards and seven scores.

Owens signed a one-year contract with Buffalo while the Raiders, as they have for much of free agency, stayed on the sideline.

Upon his release, there was immediate speculation Owens would be a target of the Raiders.

Davis is not a believer in locker room chemistry, thinking it is a byproduct of wins and/or losses. In a press conference announcing the retirement of Rich Gannon, he laughed off Owens' problems by saying he had dealt with players such as Art Powell, a noted 1960s talent with a mind of his own.

Raiders coach Tom Cable, on the other hand, has talked of changing the locker room culture and wants players who buy into the program.

But while Cable is concerned with chemistry, Davis more likely wanted to avoid bringing in a player who is on the downside of his career. In 2001, Jerry Rice was able to contribute to a veteran Raiders team which was coming off a division title.

Owens, by contrast, has consistently positioned himself with contenders and the current Raiders are mired in a six-year slide with 11 or more losses each year.

It's also worth nothing Owens had just two games of over 100 yards receiving last year _ a career low _ and his stats were fairly pedestrian minus those two games.

Walker, due a $5 million roster bonus and $4 million in salary, agreed to accept $2 million in salary this year and $2.6 million in salary next year, guaranteed.

Higgins and Schilens finished the season as the starting receivers and are expected to be key targets for JaMarcus Russell in 2009.