The showdown is definitely coming. The only thing we don’t know is exactly when high noon will arrive.

It could be closer than you think.

Like a couple of volatile 1800s Texas gunslingers working their way toward a Main Street shootout, Cowboys’ coach Bill Parcells and malingering wide receiver Terrell Owens indirectly tossed a couple of more verbal barbs towards each other Wednesday, using the media as a middle-man to send their respective messages.

It’s only a matter of time until this boils over into a full-fledged, face-to-face confrontation and the question is whether the ensuing conflagration will bring down the Cowboys this season as it did the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005.

At issue, as it has been for weeks now, is when, if ever, Owens will quit using his hamstring tweak as an excuse not to practice. He has ruled himself out for Saturday night’s preseason game with San Francisco at Texas Stadium, the third Cowboys’ preseason game he’s skipped, and hinted strongly that he might not make another appearance in a Dallas uniform before the season opener in Jacksonville Sept. 10.

That news prompted a quick response from Parcells when he addressed the media Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t put a player out there if I haven’t seen him practice,” Big Bill deadpanned.

Call it a warning a shot across Owens’ nose, if you will.

THE T.O.-TUNA SHOW IN DALLAS   DISCUSS: What's Your take on T.O.? Owens 'ready to go,' likely will play Opinion: Cowboys should just cut him Ventre: T.O. meltdown coming fast Opinion: Tuna-T.O. showdown imminent Timeline: Owens' troubling track record

But in this test of two very strong wills, t.o. (I refuse to even capitalize his initials) isn’t flinching.

“If he wants to see something,” Owens said of Parcells, “he has 10 years of film he can go back and look on.”

Did I mention that t.o. remains one of sports’ biggest jerks?

FREE VIDEO 'You guys don't know anything about me' Aug. 23: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens says he's got his hamstring situation under control. NBC Sports

Sure, Parcells has 10 years of film on Owens he can look at. He has 10 years of highlights on Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, too, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to step back onto the field and play either.

But in Owens’ small-minded little world, this is only about him and what he wants. And what he doesn’t want is to practice, or even play in exhibition games if he can help it.

And Parcells said Thursday he’s beginning to have strong doubts about Owens getting back onto the field before the season opener in Jacksonville, much less for the team’s final preseason game against Minnesota at home next Thursday.

Which, of course, suits t.o. just fine.

NFL 2007 Team-by-team reports, predictions

“I know what I’m capable of and what I can do when I get my hands on the ball,” Owens said.

What he’s forgetting is that he has to actually be on the field for that to happen.

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