Nearly two years later, Carbajal is worried the absence of the controversial wide receiver will keep those same visitors away when the team returns to San Antonio this summer.

The Cowboys released Owens on Thursday, prompting local fears the team's diminished star power will result in a mundane camp that won't be as well attended as previous affairs.

"I don't think it will be quite the same without T.O.," said Carbajal, general manager of Rio Rio Cantina and Zuni Grill restaurants. "Love him or hate him, he attracts people."

Restaurateurs aren't alone in worrying Owens' departure will hurt business this summer. Media outlets could always count on Owens' antics selling newspapers or boosting ratings.

"He made national headlines every day," said Greg Simmons, KSAT-TV's sports director. "I'll miss him. He was controversial, and that's what sells."

Owens was in his second season with the Cowboys when they trained here in 2007. After five days, attendance stood at a record 60,600, with weekend workouts alone drawing more than 33,600.

Attendance remained robust throughout camp, allowing Mayor Phil Hardberger to make good on his prediction the city would net $200,000.

In March 2006, Hardberger brokered a five-year contract with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that gave the team rent-free use of the dome. Jones agreed the city would collect revenue generated from concessions and parking.

A scheduling conflict forced the Cowboys to train in Oxnard, Calif., last year, but they will call the Alamodome their summer home the next four years.

Owens entertained fans at Oxnard last year with his daily battles with cornerback Adam Jones, another controversial figure who got his pink slip from the team recently.

With both gone, fans must settle for new No. 1 wideout Roy Williams vs. Terence Newman, a matchup not nearly as intriguing to the national media as "T.O." vs. "Pacman."

"(Media) were going to fly into San Antonio to cover this guy," Carbajal said. "The three-ring circus the Cowboys were with (Owens) was good for business. Not having him will hurt attendance."

Bill Lyons, co-owner of Casa Rio restaurant and Schilo's Delicatessen noted having national media in town is always good for the local economy. In addition to giving the city free publicity, reporters can be counted on to take advantage of their expense accounts.

"A lot of the time the people that go to training camp are locals who just event in and event out," Lyons said. "The real benefit comes from out of towners. (Reporters) stay and are involved. They are good for two or three meals a day."

The city's interim director of convention and sports facilities predicted attendance would remain high even without the unpredictable Owens.

"Fans come to see their Cowboys, no matter who is playing," Jim Mery said. "We will be fine. I truly believe that. And listen, we still have Mr. Jones and Tony Romo."

Free agent signs: The Cowboys have found a replacement for defensive end Chris Canty.

In a move that caps a week in which they lost Canty to the Giants and cut safety Roy Williams, the Cowboys bolstered their defense by signing end Igor Olshansky on Friday to a four-year, $18 million deal, with $8 million guaranteed.

The 6-foot-6, 309-pound Olshansky was a second-round pick for San Diego in 2004. In five seasons with the Chargers, the native of Ukraine started 70 of 75 regular-season games and recorded nine sacks.

The move reunites Olshansky, 26, with coach Wade Phillips, who coordinated San Diego's defense from 2004-06.