49ers may still let Owens go to Philly

[Sharpieman]

The brat might get what he wants...

[miami_fan]

Hmmm.....I seemed to be seeing a pattern developing here

Clarett whines, gets what he wants
Portis whines, gets what he wants
Owens whines, gets what he wants

[FBPro]

I'm SO shocked, isn't this the behavioral pattern we at times see in the grocery store or toy store as "parents" and children interact?

[Ksyrup]

Most everything I've read on this whole story seemed to suggest that Owens has no way of winning. However, I've never seen anyone argue the specifics, just that "he screwed up and should live with the consequences." It appears, though, that the issue is whether the deadline set forth in his contract is trumped by the deadline agreed upon by the league and union. I don't know what the interplay between player contracts and league/union agreements is, but it doesn't seem quite as clear-cut now as it did last week. And certainly, the teams seem to be concerned that it's not a slam-dunk for them, either.

This is an odd situation, because essentially, what you have is a contract between 2 parties that was modified by 2 other parties, each of whom could be considered the proxy of the original parties. I just don't know what authority/right the union has for unilaterally agreeing to change the terms of a player's contract, or the league has in agreeing to do the same on behalf of a team. In essence, the union seems to be arguing here against its own authority to bind a player to agreements it makes with the league.

[corbes]

If T.O. wanted to go anywhere besides Philly, I'd be first in line calling him a whiny baby brat.

Instead: Give the man what he wants! Go Eagles!

[fantastic flying froggies]

I say just let him sit out the whole season, without pay naturally, and see if he's a bit more amenable next year...

[Darkiller]

I agree with you FFF !
I think it's a shame that he whines, bullshits his teammates and the team for which he's played 8 years everyday...misses deadlines by his fault...and still wins ultimately.

[Maple Leafs]

If I'm the GM of the 49ers and I'm working on a trade with Philly, I have one rule: every time they mention James Thrash, I hang up the phone.

Reid: So I'm thinking a third-round pick and maybe a player.
Me: What player are we talking about?
Reid: Well, we have some receivers you may like. There's James Thrash...
Me: (click)

Reid: Hey we got cut off there.
Me: Yeah, sorry about that. Where were we?
Reid: I was talking about James Thra --
Me: (click)

etc...

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Most everything I've read on this whole story seemed to suggest that Owens has no way of winning. However, I've never seen anyone argue the specifics, just that "he screwed up and should live with the consequences." It appears, though, that the issue is whether the deadline set forth in his contract is trumped by the deadline agreed upon by the league and union. I don't know what the interplay between player contracts and league/union agreements is, but it doesn't seem quite as clear-cut now as it did last week. And certainly, the teams seem to be concerned that it's not a slam-dunk for them, either.

This is an odd situation, because essentially, what you have is a contract between 2 parties that was modified by 2 other parties, each of whom could be considered the proxy of the original parties. I just don't know what authority/right the union has for unilaterally agreeing to change the terms of a player's contract, or the league has in agreeing to do the same on behalf of a team. In essence, the union seems to be arguing here against its own authority to bind a player to agreements it makes with the league.

As much as I dislike him, I think he probably does have legitimate grounds. If it is spelled out in his contract what day he was to file, he will probably win depending on any contract he may have with the union that would allow them to alter specific terms in his contract.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

As much as I dislike him, I think he probably does have legitimate grounds. If it is spelled out in his contract what day he was to file, he will probably win depending on any contract he may have with the union that would allow them to alter specific terms in his contract.

Though wouldn't it be funny if it were ruled that he had until March 15th, and even with that his agent had still failed to properly void his contract.

[Alf]

LOL mckerney ;D

[mckerney]

I'd love to see this blow up for Owens, especially after his whole, "I'm not showing up for the physical," following the trade to Baltimore. Thinking he'd outsmarted everyone, until Billick came back with, "Fine. We think you're in good shape from what we've heard, we'll wave the physical."

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by mckerney

Though wouldn't it be funny if it were ruled that he had until March 15th, and even with that his agent had still failed to properly void his contract.

That would be sweet.

[cartman]

I was under the assumption that the Collective Bargaining Agreement set the baselines for contracts and in event of discrepancy, the CBA was the arbiter.

This definitely is the case in MLB, since even though A-Rod, the Rangers, and the Red Sox all agreed on a restructured contract, the player's union blocked it on grounds it violated the CBA.

Maybe the NFL is different, but I can't see how. If an individual contract overrides the CBA, then why even have one? I thought that's why the agreement is "Collective".

[cthomer5000]

i think the outcome here is going to set a really bad precedent.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

i think the outcome here is going to set a really bad precedent.

Why? This isn't just about his crying (though that seems to be the focus). It is really about the wording of his contract versus the CBA that came afterward. No bad precedent that I can see (ie. this doesn't mean every whiner will get his way).

[WSUCougar]

...or how about the trade to Philly gets approved, and then they immediately ship him to Baltimore for a draft pick and a case o' Sharpies?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

...or how about the trade to Philly gets approved, and then they immediately ship him to Baltimore for a draft pick and a case o' Sharpies?

That would be even sweeter.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Why? This isn't just about his crying (though that seems to be the focus). It is really about the wording of his contract versus the CBA that came afterward. No bad precedent that I can see (ie. this doesn't mean every whiner will get his way).

It appears some backroom deal is going to get cut, rather than the arbitrator simply evaluating the contract issue. To me, that sets a dangerous precedent. the only possible outcomes should be:

• The agent really did blow it: Terrell Owens is property of the Baltimore Ravens.
• Owens and the agent are right: trade voided, contract voided, Owens is a free agent.

But it looks as if the end result is somehow going to be win-win-win. The Eagles will end up with Owens, the 49ers will end up with some sort of draft pick, and the Ravens will end up with some sort of draft pick. It also appears that at least 1 draft pick will magically appear out of thin air from the NFL as "compensation." The result obviously hasn't been announced yet, but it appears rather than make it a black & white issue, a deal is gonna get brokered.

[Crapshoot]

I think the whiny brat stuff is ridiculously overdone, especially from a bunch of fans who don't seem to see any legitimacy to a man working where he wants to work. Im a niner fan, and I think that Owens was pretty damn good for 8 years, but I understand he needs to move on. Having said that, I think its pretty amusing that a guy is being forcibly moved to a location he doesn't want to go is a "horrible" whiner- I know I sure as hell would whine about it.

[Crapshoot]

Fundementally, in the NFL- you can be cut for underperforming your contract- shouldn't the corrolary hold true to some extent ?

[WSUCougar]

I think the "whiner" tag is applied because T.O. is trying to shape his situation outside the bounds of accepted NFL process and rules. His agent screwed up his free agency - which sucks but is no one else's fault - and thus his team has every right to trade him away. He was given the opportunity to work a trade with another team, but it is still the 49'ers who have to actually finalize that trade with the other team. They legitimately traded him to Baltimore in the interim.

IMO, he is sleeping in the bed that he made. I have no pity for him.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Aadik

I think the whiny brat stuff is ridiculously overdone, especially from a bunch of fans who don't seem to see any legitimacy to a man working where he wants to work. Im a niner fan, and I think that Owens was pretty damn good for 8 years, but I understand he needs to move on. Having said that, I think its pretty amusing that a guy is being forcibly moved to a location he doesn't want to go is a "horrible" whiner- I know I sure as hell would whine about it.

Ummm... it's called a contract? That contract gives his NFL employments rights to the 49ers. He seemed to be getting over the fact of missing out on free agency because he was negotiating with the Eagles. But guess what? The team that holds his employment rights was negotiating with the Ravens. Since he didn't have a no-trade clause in his legally binding contract, his NFL employment rights were transferred to the Ravens. He had no legal basis to confirm a trade on his own to the Eagles. No one forced him to sign a contract, but once you put pen to paper, you have to abide by the terms of the contract.

[cthomer5000]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7180353

Owens deal finally sealed; bound for Eagles

March 16, 2004 By Jay Glazer SportsLine.com Senior Writer Tell Jay your opinion!

Terrell Owens will be an Eagle after all as a settlement has been reached. SportsLine.com has learned that the T.O. fiasco has been settled with a deal that is essentially a brand new trade. In the new deal, Owens will be traded from the 49ers to the Eagles for a Philadelphia defensive starter (who is not yet being mentioned because the player has not yet been informed). The Ravens will get a draft pick from the Eagles, likely a fifth-rounder, for their trouble in the matter. The two sides were talking Monday about a variety of settlements that included the Niners receiving a third-round pick from any team that signed Owens and the Ravens receiving their No.2 plus another draft choice. The settlement is contingent upon Owens' approval, but sources close to the player said that he was aware of the deal, had agreed and was going to Eagles' complex in the next 24 to 48 hours to take a physical and sign off on the new deal.

[ageofquarrel]

I saw on espn news that TO is now an Eagle. I think the 49ers get a 5th round pick and DE Brandon Whiting. Im not sure what the ravens get though.

[Pyser]

id assume northcutt could become a f/a too then?

[Suicane75]

Ravens get a 5th round pick and the Niners get Whiting.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Pyser

id assume northcutt could become a f/a too then?

Not necessarily. This wasn't a ruling, but a settlement, and even if it was a ruling, I'm sure the league would argue that it is specific as to TO's facts. Did Northcutt even protest?

[Sharpieman]

Originally Posted by Aadik

I think the whiny brat stuff is ridiculously overdone, especially from a bunch of fans who don't seem to see any legitimacy to a man working where he wants to work. Im a niner fan, and I think that Owens was pretty damn good for 8 years, but I understand he needs to move on. Having said that, I think its pretty amusing that a guy is being forcibly moved to a location he doesn't want to go is a "horrible" whiner- I know I sure as hell would whine about it.

Wow, I'm sad that your a Niners fan...The 49ers, at that time, had the right to trade him for the highest value. Its not like he has the right to trade himself for lesser value. The Niners didn't want to trade him to the Eagles because they would get a sucky player and a low draft pick. So they traded him to the Ravens for a higher draft pick. And they have the right to do so. They did own his rights. This isn't some normal work situation. This is the NFL, where players rights are owned.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Not necessarily. This wasn't a ruling, but a settlement, and even if it was a ruling, I'm sure the league would argue that it is specific as to TO's facts. Did Northcutt even protest?

Northcutt has no idea what's going on. He's busy filling out brackets or something right now...

[JAG]

I feel bad for 49ers fans. First they think they're going to lose Owens in free agency...but they'd pick up maybe even a 3rd round pick as a compensatory selection next year. Then, they think they actually keep his rights so they can trade him for a 2nd round pick from the Ravens...what great luck for them! But wait...now not only do they lose the compensatory draft pick they would've had if he were a free agent, they end up with Brandon Whiting, a SPECTACULAR defensive end who nevertheless has only averaged 2.2 sacks a year over a 6 year career. "I like Brandon Whiting," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson told ESPN.com. "We needed a defensive end and we think he will help us."

Ok Dennis.

[Subby]

I guess Philly will be out of excuses when they lose the NFC title game again...

[Maple Leafs]

Well, I guess you have to give full credit to Owens. He dug his heels in, complained long and loud, and ended up getting exactly what he wanted all along. Good for him, I guess.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Well, I guess you have to give full credit to Owens. He dug his heels in, complained long and loud, and ended up getting exactly what he wanted all along. Good for him, I guess.

You can just cancel about a month of viewing the Best Damn Sports Show, Sportcenter, ect unless you want a face full of Owens giggling like a little school girl.

"I told ya'll the man can't keep TO down..."

[j51]

Terrell Owens, meet Roy Williams.

[WSUCougar]

Hey, all else aside, we're still talking about one of the top two or three impact WRs in the NFL. I think his addition to an already-strong Eagles team is a significant one. If I was Roy Williams I wouldn't celebrate too much.

[Maple Leafs]

As a 49ers fan, I'm actually somewhat happy for the guy. He gets a bad rap, and after all he did for San Fran I guess I should be OK with him getting a chance to go where he wants to go.

Still, I can't shake the thought that... well, he wasn't happy in San Fran because he felt like he had an over-rated QB who couldn't get him the ball and who got all the credit whenever the team won.

And so he goes to Philly.

Am I missing something here?

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

Wow, I'm sad that your a Niners fan...The 49ers, at that time, had the right to trade him for the highest value. Its not like he has the right to trade himself for lesser value. The Niners didn't want to trade him to the Eagles because they would get a sucky player and a low draft pick. So they traded him to the Ravens for a higher draft pick. And they have the right to do so. They did own his rights. This isn't some normal work situation. This is the NFL, where players rights are owned.

Im sad that more and more "fans" are like you, in that they imagine themselves as character judges with little or no basis, and that they ignore some of the ridiculousness of the labor law applied here. Owning player rights fundementally may well be a neccessity for sports teams, but its draconian by regular standards.