Eagles to Owens: Don't Come Back This Year

[ISiddiqui]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2216703


PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3664) won't return to the Philadelphia Eagles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi) this season, coach Andy Reid said Monday.

The outspoken star receiver was suspended for Sunday night's 17-10 loss at Washington, and will remain suspended for three more games. After that, the Eagles plan to deactivate Owens for the rest of the season.

"The league has been notified by the players' union that they will be grieving our right to take that action," Reid said, "therefore there is nothing more that I can say at this point."

Owens was suspended over the weekend following a tumultuous week in which he criticized the club, fought with a former teammate and took another verbal shot at quarterback Donovan McNabb (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4650).

"I do want it to be clear that this decision is a result of a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time," Reid said.

Owens "had been warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions," Reid said. "We gave Terrell every opportunity to avoid this outcome."

Owens was suspended Saturday, two days after he said the Eagles showed "a lack of class" for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch in a game on Oct. 23. In the same interview with ESPN.com on Thursday, Owens said the Eagles would be better off with Green Bay's Brett Favre (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1025) at quarterback.

Owens was involved in a fight last week with former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3194), who remains with the team as its "ambassador."

McNabb, who feuded with Owens throughout the summer and has been a constant target of his criticism, finally took a stand in the matter, saying the Eagles might be "better off" without Owens.

"Obviously it is tough losing a guy of his caliber, his ability, but I think we might be better off," McNabb said after throwing an interception that sealed the loss to Washington. "I think what we did tonight, we showed that we played well together. I think we also showed that when given the opportunity, guys can make plays for us. We're 4-4. We're not 1-7. I think that's the way to look at it. For the guys in the locker room, we win together and we lose together."

[DaddyTorgo]

this makes me sad. but ONLY because TO is on my fantasy team, and i was never figuring that it would get THIS bad

[ISiddiqui]

I have to imagine that even though the Niners are crappy, they have to be smiling now. Just for the simple fact they don't have to deal with TO.

[MikeVick7]

this makes me sad. but ONLY because TO is on my fantasy team, and i was never figuring that it would get THIS bad
I heard that.

[albionmoonlight]

Does he get paid for the games for which he is suspended?

[Ksyrup]

I believe I heard this morning on Mike & Mike that the 4 game suspension was without pay (Sal Pal reported). My guess is the remainder of the year will be with pay.

[Maple Leafs]

Does he get paid for the games for which he is suspended?
No pay for the four games they can suspend him for -- the rest of the year he will be paid but be inactive, aka "keyshawned".

[Raiders Army]

Does he get paid for the games for which he is suspended?
I don't think so. Wasn't each game worth like $202,000? For the games he's deactivated, he gets money.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

So is TO being released into the FA the next move?
I think that TO should just sign 1 yr contracts if released.
I don't think any teams would want him hanging around for more than 1 season.

[VPI97]

LOL


Goodbye Eagles postseason.

[Emiliano]

Finally. Good move by the Eagles. I think at this point he won't come back next year either...

[MizzouRah]

What an ass TO is. Good bye!

[st.cronin]

I think FOF should incorporate some sort of 'brain injury' into the game. Week 6, your star wr suffers a severe brain injury ... you can keep him on the team, but your chemistry and cohesion will be shot to hell, or you can keyshawn him.

Didn't something similiar happen to Terry Glenn a few years back, too? I sort of expect T.O. to end up a Cowboy in 2006.

[pennywisesb]

Good riddance. I wonder which teams will even want to pursue him at this point in his career. He's a punk.

[Schmidty]

More time for TO to hone his already stellar bowling skills. He's probably giggling with glee.

[Samdari]

So is TO being released into the FA the next move?


He is due a 7 million roster bonus in the spring. My guess is that they will try to trade him, but due to him wanting to test the FA waters, will refuse to sign a deal with any trading partner, and they'll out and out release him.

[stevew]

Since the Eagles are going to bench him after suspending him for 4 games, he should have the option to ask for and be granted a release. It's football, not figure skating.

[cthomer5000]

Since the Eagles are going to bench him after suspending him for 4 games, he should have the option to ask for and be granted a release. It's football, not figure skating.
Why? He's under contract and will be getting paid. It's the team's decision on whether or not he's on the active roster.

[stevew]

TO would be a great fit in Atlanta or Dallas. I'd take him in Pittsburgh....he can play, that pretty much trumps all.

[Galaxy]

TO would be a great fit in Atlanta or Dallas. I'd take him in Pittsburgh....he can play, that pretty much trumps all.


When he plays

[Hurst2112]

Since the Eagles are going to bench him after suspending him for 4 games, he should have the option to ask for and be granted a release. It's football, not figure skating.


Why? Why should they cater to his whiny ass? He signed a contract and broke the rules of the team. He has the rest of the year to think about his attitude.

I think Mort said something on ESPN last night. He was saying that TO will be a player who will never get that big contract. He will be a year to year player after all of this.

Good.

[VPI97]

Good riddance. I wonder which teams will even want to pursue him at this point in his career. He's a punk.I'd take him in a heartbeat. This whole thing just reeks of Andy Reid deflecting the problems that they have had with running the ball and with McNabb's injury onto Owens to use as a scapegoat. If you put T.O. with a coach who has thicker skin and knows how to handle players, both him (and that team) will flourish.

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd be pissed that they just decided to throw away the season like this.

[Young Drachma]

Teams will take a chance on him, you can bet on that. Big mouth and all.

[GrantDawg]

TO would be a great fit in Atlanta or Dallas. I'd take him in Pittsburgh....he can play, that pretty much trumps all.

You can have him. He'd destroy the Falcons. Much of their success comes from a "team" concept that he'd never understand.

[stevew]

I'd take him in a heartbeat. This whole thing just reeks of Andy Reid deflecting the problems that they have had with running the ball and with McNabb's injury onto Owens to use as a scapegoat. If you put T.O. with a coach who has thicker skin and knows how to handle players, both him (and that team) will flourish.

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd be pissed that they just decided to throw away the season like this.
Exactly. TO is an ass, but Reid is cutting off his nose to spite his face. It's not like his rhetoric got significantly worse after he came to the Eagles, they knew he was an ass going into the situation.

[TazFTW]

TO would be a great fit in Atlanta or Dallas. I'd take him in Pittsburgh....he can play, that pretty much trumps all.
Dallas wouldn't want him. He shat on the star and he just doesn't seem to be a Parcells kind of guy.

[GrantDawg]

Exactly. TO is an ass, but Reid is cutting off his nose to spite his face. It's not like his rhetoric got significantly worse after he came to the Eagles, they knew he was an ass going into the situation.

BS. How exactly did Reid force TO to start crying about a contract that was only one years old? This all started with TO wanting more money, and it continues because TO wants more money. I'll just be happy if this ends with TO getting significantly less money.

[digamma]

You can have him. He'd destroy the Falcons. Much of their success comes from a "team" concept that he'd never understand.
There is also apparently bad blood between Little Mora and T.O.

[Ksyrup]

So, how long until one of the ESPN.com writers posts an article about how this is a racist move?

[GrantDawg]

There is also apparently bad blood between Little Mora and T.O.
Thank goodness.

[st.cronin]

This has nothing (or little) to do with T.O. wanting more money. I think it has to do with him continually bitching out his QB.

[cartman]

The Eagles got to the NFC Championship game a few times before TO arrived, and they made it to the Super Bowl last year without him during the playoffs. The were only 4-3 with him before last night, so I don't think they are throwing away the season at all. They did just fine before without him, and probably will do better since they excised a cancer from the locker room.

[sachmo71]

Dallas wouldn't want him. He shat on the star...

Who cares?

...and he just doesn't seem to be a Parcells kind of guy.


Bingo.

[Greyroofoo]

Maybe Baltimore will finally get him. Then we can see him blowing up there.

[GrantDawg]

This has nothing (or little) to do with T.O. wanting more money. I think it has to do with him continually bitching out his QB.
Do you really think if the Eagles had signed him to a new contract at the begining of this year he'd still be acting like this? I don't for one second.

In TO's tiny little mind, money is the number one way of showing respect. TO feels the Eagles have shown respect to McNabb by paying him, but they have disrespected TO by not paying him enough. Pay him, and he is a minor annoyance. Don't pay him, then he melts down.

[VPI97]

You can have him. He'd destroy the Falcons.I disagree completely. Mora is exactly the type of coach that would work well with Owens.

T. O. is a prima donna, sure, but when he's happy, he's one of the best wideout in football...pairing him up with a guy like Andy Reid was a mistake to begin with. If you had put him on a team with a coach who has good people skills, this situation would never have happened.

[VPI97]

There is also apparently bad blood between Little Mora and T.O.Hmmm...I can distinctly remember Mora saying the opposite when he was on 790 a few months ago.

[Lathum]

I think he is ripe for Minnesotta

[st.cronin]

Do you really think if the Eagles had signed him to a new contract at the begining of this year he'd still be acting like this? I don't for one second.

In TO's tiny little mind, money is the number one way of showing respect. TO feels the Eagles have shown respect to McNabb by paying him, but they have disrespected TO by not paying him enough. Pay him, and he is a minor annoyance. Don't pay him, then he melts down.

I see your point, but if all he had done was hold out and cry about his poverty and being disrespected the Eagles wouldn't have cared. The line he crossed, as far as I can tell, was slamming his QB.

[Klinglerware]

TO finally gets paid at a per game rate higher than if he had not been deactivated. Some team will certainly take a chance on him next year. The Eagles should have paid him.

Winner, TO.

[GrantDawg]

I disagree completely. Mora is exactly the type of coach that would work well with Owens.

T. O. is a prima donna, sure, but when he's happy, he's one of the best wideout in football...pairing him up with a guy like Andy Reid was a mistake to begin with. If you had put him on a team with a coach who has good people skills, this situation would never have happened.

A) TO would not be happy in Atlanta because there is no way they could make him thehighest paid reciever in the league. That is the only way to make him happy.

B) It has already been stated that Mora has had issues with Owens already. Doesn't sound much like he'd be the perfect coach for him.

[GrantDawg]

BTW, wasn't it Rich McKay that went on record slamming TO at the begining of the year? You think he is suddenly going to open the check book for him now?

[MikeVic]

No, not Pittsburgh! I can't see Cowher putting up with his shit, can you? If he was guaranteed to not be a distraction, then OK... but that's impossible with Owens.

I can see Minnesota trying to get him. He'd be the Moss replacement, and they need someone for the fans to come and watch since Culpepper will be gone all next season I'd think?

[DaddyTorgo]

does he really seem like a minnesota kind of player? I mean with the new owner trying to put his stamp on the team, institute a code of conduct and all...i don't see T.O. fitting into his plans. Maybe he'll end up in an NFL-backwater like say Seattle or New Orleans... (not that those are actually "backwaters" just that they're pretty much not top-tier NFL-teams)

[digamma]

Hmmm...I can distinctly remember Mora saying the opposite when he was on 790 a few months ago.
You may be right. I had read what I posted on another board, so it may be a pure UIR.

[MikeVic]

does he really seem like a minnesota kind of player? I mean with the new owner trying to put his stamp on the team, institute a code of conduct and all...i don't see T.O. fitting into his plans. Maybe he'll end up in an NFL-backwater like say Seattle or New Orleans... (not that those are actually "backwaters" just that they're pretty much not top-tier NFL-teams)

Seattle with Owens would have a very scary offense.

[JimboJ]

I see your point, but if all he had done was hold out and cry about his poverty and being disrespected the Eagles wouldn't have cared. The line he crossed, as far as I can tell, was slamming his QB.

Exactly. At TO's position it didn't really matter how the rest of the team felt about him, as long as his QB still had confidence in him. Up until last week, Donovan was willing to put all the bad blood aside on game day and get the ball to TO. Donovan handled it all along with class. But even he has his limit. Last week TO crossed it, and at that point there was no other option for the Eagles.

[Subby]

Isn't Greg Knapp the Atlanta OC?

[GrantDawg]

I see your point, but if all he had done was hold out and cry about his poverty and being disrespected the Eagles wouldn't have cared. The line he crossed, as far as I can tell, was slamming his QB.

But he crossed that line because he didn't get his "respect." Isn't this pretty much what he said he'd do when he came into camp without holding out?

[GrantDawg]

Isn't Greg Knapp the Atlanta OC?
Yes.

[GrantDawg]

dola: That's right, it is Knapp and TO who have bad blood.

[WrongWay]

Will this make him elgible for Come-Back player of the year, next year?

[Eaglesfan27]

The Eagles got to the NFC Championship game a few times before TO arrived, and they made it to the Super Bowl last year without him during the playoffs. The were only 4-3 with him before last night, so I don't think they are throwing away the season at all. They did just fine before without him, and probably will do better since they excised a cancer from the locker room.

I completely agree. This year they might lose because of McNabb's injuries. However, once he is healthy, I think this team will rebound strongly. I loved when Owens came to the Eagles because of his tremendous talent, but he just isn't worth it anymore. I think the Eagles will still have a very good team that can make it to the Super Bowl in future years (particularly if Reggie Brown can develop which I think he will.)

[jamesUMD]

He needs to go to a team with players that can beat the crap out of him. He is just bad for football. I think Cowher quits before he brings an ass like that to Pittsburgh.

[Icy]

this makes me sad. but ONLY because TO is on my fantasy team, and i was never figuring that it would get THIS bad
I have him two in two teams and he was putting awesome numbers for me.

[panerd]

Since nobody seems willing to take up Owens cause, I will. Dispute these facts...

1. The Eagles knew exactly what they were getting when they brought this guy in.

2. He has given 100% on the field at all times.

3. His criticisms of McNabb aren't PC, but how off base are they? McNabb choked in the Super Bowl and is not playing well hurt. I will give you that it isn't acceptable to criticize co-workers (unless you are in Washington DC) but he hasn't said anything that somebody indifferent to the Eagles, like me, disagrees with.

4. It sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back was that he wouldn't apologize for his comments to McNabb. Good for him! If he doesn't believe it, why do it? Does anyone feel the Air Force coach feels any different after apologizing? Has there been a sincere sports apology in the past 10 years? What is wrong with our culture when somebody like Giambi is somehow above Palmeiro just because he says to the fans "Fuck you. I cheated and now I will play this game like I give a shit about any of you. Fuck you again." (This is just paraphrasing Giambi, of course)

[Raiders Army]

I posted this in the other thread:

On the bright side, this only proves the NFL is better than the NBA. Take this situation and Keyshawn's situation in Tampa and you can see that players don't run the teams. The Buccs took Gruden's side over Keyshawn and the Eagles are putting it to TO. If TO played for the Lakers, this situation would totally be the reverse.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

IWhen will we see TO on Dateline saying how hard a life he has lived. How he wrked 4 jobs when he was 5 years old to support 12 brothers and an alcoholic mother with sad music included.

[miami_fan]

IWhen will we see TO on Dateline saying how hard a life he has lived. How he wrked 4 jobs when he was 5 years old to support 12 brothers and an alcoholic mother with sad music included.

Wasn't he already on MSNBC?

[st.cronin]

Since nobody seems willing to take up Owens cause, I will. Dispute these facts...

1. The Eagles knew exactly what they were getting when they brought this guy in.

2. He has given 100% on the field at all times.

3. His criticisms of McNabb aren't PC, but how off base are they? McNabb choked in the Super Bowl and is not playing well hurt. I will give you that it isn't acceptable to criticize co-workers (unless you are in Washington DC) but he hasn't said anything that somebody indifferent to the Eagles, like me, disagrees with.

4. It sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back was that he wouldn't apologize for his comments to McNabb. Good for him! If he doesn't believe it, why do it? Does anyone feel the Air Force coach feels any different after apologizing? Has there been a sincere sports apology in the past 10 years? What is wrong with our culture when somebody like Giambi is somehow above Palmeiro just because he says to the fans "Fuck you. I cheated and now I will play this game like I give a shit about any of you. Fuck you again." (This is just paraphrasing Giambi, of course)


1. Irrelevant ... it's like saying your company KNEW you weren't a morning person when they hired you as an excuse to be late every day.

2. I don't think anybody disputes this, and it's why he will be paid a lot of money by an NFL team in 2006.

3. The problem isn't the ACCURACY of his criticisms of McNabb, it's that he criticizes him at all. Reid and the organization have decided that the Eagles are McNabb's team, and T.O. (and the other 50 players) need to back him up.

4. See #3. It's fine to be outspoken, but there are consequences to speaking your mind freely. Sometimes, in all professions, speaking too freely will get you fired. It got T.O. fired.

Plus he got in a fight with a (different) teammate. There are also intimations that there is more going on that we do not know about. His only argument as far as I can tell is what he brings to the team on Sunday.

[miami_fan]

Since nobody seems willing to take up Owens cause, I will. Dispute these facts...

1. The Eagles knew exactly what they were getting when they brought this guy in.

2. He has given 100% on the field at all times.

3. His criticisms of McNabb aren't PC, but how off base are they? McNabb choked in the Super Bowl and is not playing well hurt. I will give you that it isn't acceptable to criticize co-workers (unless you are in Washington DC) but he hasn't said anything that somebody indifferent to the Eagles, like me, disagrees with.

4. It sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back was that he wouldn't apologize for his comments to McNabb. Good for him! If he doesn't believe it, why do it? Does anyone feel the Air Force coach feels any different after apologizing? Has there been a sincere sports apology in the past 10 years? What is wrong with our culture when somebody like Giambi is somehow above Palmeiro just because he says to the fans "Fuck you. I cheated and now I will play this game like I give a shit about any of you. Fuck you again." (This is just paraphrasing Giambi, of course)

1) I'll give you part of that one. But remember TO said he wanted to be in Philly and he wanted to catch passes from McNabb. And he said that he was not the type of guy

2) He also declared himself out of an important division game and possibly a second

3) Yes McNabb is hurt. But what the hell does that have to do with understanding the QB position? Did McNabb suddenly become a worse QB than he was last year? Again, OWENS said he wanted to catch passes from McNabb. All of a sudden, in TO's mind, McNabb is garbage.

4) So let me get this straight? It is okay to ripped the team leader, get into a fight with a former player, and challenge the entire team because you are unhappy with his contract? Let me tell Westbrook that so he can get his contract re-done :rolleyes:

[Blade]

Thank God he is finally done...I am sorry, but if you are going to be a part of a football TEAM, then you need to act like you are a part of the TEAM and not above it...

I really don't think Owens could go anywhere and be happy for the rest of his career...

[miami_fan]

I love FOFC archive
http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=23062&highlight=owens

I must give credit where credit is due. Stand up and take a bow the man formerly known as BigJohn&TheLions

[Ryche]

Ah, come on. We all know he will end up with the Raiders next year.

No chance in hell he ends up in Minnesota. The new owner can't take that kind of a press hit when he's been making a very public stand about cleaning up the team.

[rkmsuf]

bottom line is the guy will not get the big dollars he was looking for. incentive laden or 1 year deal is about it.

[Solecismic]

I think this is a mistake. Need comes before image. As long as T.O. puts in the work, any locker room animosity would be short-lived. You don't have to like the guy to throw him a touchdown pass.

Under the circumstances, a one-game suspension would have been more appropriate - that's $200k worth of the only message T.O. understands. Then a long discussion with Rosenhaus during the off-season to let him know that there will be no renegotiations and that any further problems will result even more quickly in a suspension.

If they release T.O. during the off-season (which appears certain now), he will get a big contract. Not as big as he thinks he's worth, but certainly much more than a $1 million, one-year deal.

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd be livid with Reid right now.

[rkmsuf]

I think this is a mistake. Need comes before image. As long as T.O. puts in the work, any locker room animosity would be short-lived. You don't have to like the guy to throw him a touchdown pass.

Under the circumstances, a one-game suspension would have been more appropriate - that's $200k worth of the only message T.O. understands. Then a long discussion with Rosenhaus during the off-season to let him know that there will be no renegotiations and that any further problems will result even more quickly in a suspension.

If they release T.O. during the off-season (which appears certain now), he will get a big contract. Not as big as he thinks he's worth, but certainly much more than a $1 million, one-year deal.

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd be livid with Reid right now.

But when is it enough? Go through all of it and when do you just say no? You think the 49ers made a mistake? It was the same stuff out there.

I'll bet there is stuff we don't even know about; nevermind the fact that he basically wanted to have a fistfight with the whole team and talks more to ESPN than the sum of all he says to his entire team.

You let this guy run things and your team is doomed to failure.

[Solecismic]

But when is it enough? Go through all of it and when do you just say no? You think the 49ers made a mistake? It was the same stuff out there.

I'll bet there is stuff we don't even know about; nevermind the fact that he basically wanted to have a fistfight with the whole team and talks more to ESPN than the sum of all he says to his entire team.

You let this guy run things and your team is doomed to failure.

Who says you let him run things? The fistfight episode warranted the one-game suspension. That's a huge message in the NFL.

Personally, I think the players should have lined up to take him up on the fight. If he can lick the entire team, one after the next, then the Eagles aren't worth a damn anyway.

As for San Francisco, you don't need an expensive superstar when you're at the bottom of a long rebuilding process. Philadelphia is different - there are much higher expectations.

[Kodos]

I think this is the right thing. You can't let a guy just shoot off his mouth and attack his teammates. Whatever he brings on the field (which is considerable) is not worth the associated costs. He is a selfish jerk who only cares about himself and his money. If this sets an example for other jerks, I say bravo. Change him to a punter and cut his ass.

This an the Colts win yesterday made for one of the happiest sports days in years for me. :)

[Gary Gorski]

I posted this in the other thread:

On the bright side, this only proves the NFL is better than the NBA. Take this situation and Keyshawn's situation in Tampa and you can see that players don't run the teams. The Buccs took Gruden's side over Keyshawn and the Eagles are putting it to TO. If TO played for the Lakers, this situation would totally be the reverse.

Eh, not so fast. If this was the NBA then the Eagles would be on the hook for the rest of Owens contract unless they managed to trade him - which with his act would probably not go so well because then the team they trade him to would be stuck with the contract since NBA contracts are guaranteed and that team would have to be trading them a similar amount of salary back in most cases as well. And knowing that they need to get rid of TO no team is going to trade an equal valued player so under the NBA contract rules the Eagles would end up with a bunch of overpriced players that they are also stuck with.

I'm not that familiar with the NFL way of doing things but obviously NFL contracts are not guaranteed so while I know there's a short term hit for cutting a player it's certainly not the full amount. It's alot easier to just cut a guy like Owens or even trade him for a draft pick when you're not going to lose tens of millions of dollars for doing it. If the Eagles were going to owe him $50 million or whatever the rest of his contract is by cutting him I doubt they'd be in such a hurry to do so.

[Eaglesfan27]

Eh, not so fast. If this was the NBA then the Eagles would be on the hook for the rest of Owens contract unless they managed to trade him - which with his act would probably not go so well because then the team they trade him to would be stuck with the contract since NBA contracts are guaranteed and that team would have to be trading them a similar amount of salary back in most cases as well. And knowing that they need to get rid of TO no team is going to trade an equal valued player so under the NBA contract rules the Eagles would end up with a bunch of overpriced players that they are also stuck with.

I'm not that familiar with the NFL way of doing things but obviously NFL contracts are not guaranteed so while I know there's a short term hit for cutting a player it's certainly not the full amount. It's alot easier to just cut a guy like Owens or even trade him for a draft pick when you're not going to lose tens of millions of dollars for doing it. If the Eagles were going to owe him $50 million or whatever the rest of his contract is by cutting him I doubt they'd be in such a hurry to do so.
Gary, I don't think you'll find many people who find that scenario a good thing for the sport. If this was like the NBA, T.O could play half-hearted, could continue to be a locker room cancer, and the Eagles would be stuck paying him far more than he was worth for his on field production. Guys can admittedly play at less than their full abilities in the NBA and continue to get paid their full salary. Do that crap in the NFL and you are cut. I think most people on here would agree that the NFL system is much better than the NBA's system in this regard.

[Gary Gorski]

Gary, I don't think you'll find many people who find that scenario a good thing for the sport. If this was like the NBA, T.O could play half-hearted, could continue to be a locker room cancer, and the Eagles would be stuck paying him far more than he was worth for his on field production. Guys can admittedly play at less than their full abilities in the NBA and continue to get paid their full salary. Do that crap in the NFL and you are cut. I think most people on here would agree that the NFL system is much better than the NBA's system in this regard.

Oh, I'm not saying that the NBA's system is necessarily better - I was just explaining why in the NBA something like this basically can't happen. It's not that the ownership or coaches in the NBA don't have the balls to do this to a player - its just alot easier to do it in the NFL when it doesn't cost you 60 million or so to do. Personally, I'd like the NBA to get rid of the guaranteed contracts (although keep the soft cap and bird rules to allow players to remain with a franchise) but that's one concession the player's union will never ever make obviously.

[TroyF]

Since nobody seems willing to take up Owens cause, I will. Dispute these facts...

1. The Eagles knew exactly what they were getting when they brought this guy in.

2. He has given 100% on the field at all times.

3. His criticisms of McNabb aren't PC, but how off base are they? McNabb choked in the Super Bowl and is not playing well hurt. I will give you that it isn't acceptable to criticize co-workers (unless you are in Washington DC) but he hasn't said anything that somebody indifferent to the Eagles, like me, disagrees with.

4. It sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back was that he wouldn't apologize for his comments to McNabb. Good for him! If he doesn't believe it, why do it? Does anyone feel the Air Force coach feels any different after apologizing? Has there been a sincere sports apology in the past 10 years? What is wrong with our culture when somebody like Giambi is somehow above Palmeiro just because he says to the fans "Fuck you. I cheated and now I will play this game like I give a shit about any of you. Fuck you again." (This is just paraphrasing Giambi, of course)


1) Yes, and the team needs to take responsibility for that. This move is taking responsibility for that. They are admitting they made a mistake and it's going to cost them a million+ dollars for a guy who won't play a down for them the rest of the season.

2) Yep. Agreed.

3) Nothing to do with being PC, correct, accurate or anything else you want to call them. I've never worked at any job where it was acceptable to air the dirty laundry publicly. You don't throw your co-workers or your team under a bus. It isn't acceptable in any other subset of society, why should it be here? This isn't a PC issue, it's being a teammate issue. Has McNabb went public with instances where he's pissed that TO drops to many balls? It's accurate, right?

4) Why apologize? Well, because he was in the wrong, that's why. TO slammed his QB in a public forum. That was wrong, period. If I were to slam one of my co-workers job performence in a public setting, I wouldn't even be given the chance to aplogize. I would be looking for work. The Eagles gave TO a chance to apologize for making the statements, he refused, game over.

Lets not forget TO was given warnings on this. From his training camp suspension to now, he's had plenty of warning as to what is and isn't acceptable. He chose, for whatever reason, to test the organization like a five year old and see how it would go. The organization stood up and said: enough. Go to your room, you are grounded.

If TO feels his comments and his actions were worth that, good for him. He got what he wanted. And certainly the Eagles should be accountable in some respects for even bringing him into the fold. But lets not put this entirely on them either. TO made his own bed at the end of the day. His words and his choices caused this outcome.

[GrantDawg]

1) Yes, and the team needs to take responsibility for that. This move is taking responsibility for that. They are admitting they made a mistake and it's going to cost them a million+ dollars for a guy who won't play a down for them the rest of the season.

2) Yep. Agreed.

3) Nothing to do with being PC, correct, accurate or anything else you want to call them. I've never worked at any job where it was acceptable to air the dirty laundry publicly. You don't throw your co-workers or your team under a bus. It isn't acceptable in any other subset of society, why should it be here? This isn't a PC issue, it's being a teammate issue. Has McNabb went public with instances where he's pissed that TO drops to many balls? It's accurate, right?

4) Why apologize? Well, because he was in the wrong, that's why. TO slammed his QB in a public forum. That was wrong, period. If I were to slam one of my co-workers job performence in a public setting, I wouldn't even be given the chance to aplogize. I would be looking for work. The Eagles gave TO a chance to apologize for making the statements, he refused, game over.

Lets not forget TO was given warnings on this. From his training camp suspension to now, he's had plenty of warning as to what is and isn't acceptable. He chose, for whatever reason, to test the organization like a five year old and see how it would go. The organization stood up and said: enough. Go to your room, you are grounded.

If TO feels his comments and his actions were worth that, good for him. He got what he wanted. And certainly the Eagles should be accountable in some respects for even bringing him into the fold. But lets not put this entirely on them either. TO made his own bed at the end of the day. His words and his choices caused this outcome.

Great post. The thing you are missing, though, is the fact that some people believe that jocks are above the law, above rules, and even above common sense and decency. There are very, very few jobs where you could get away with the things TO has done and not get punished/fired. Yet, jocks always have people that will hold them to a way lower standard than they would one of their own employess because they can catch a ball. I'm not much on holding jocks to higher standards, but they should have to live up to at least the standard of the average worker.

[Chubby]

Who says you let him run things? The fistfight episode warranted the one-game suspension. That's a huge message in the NFL.

Personally, I think the players should have lined up to take him up on the fight. If he can lick the entire team, one after the next, then the Eagles aren't worth a damn anyway.

As for San Francisco, you don't need an expensive superstar when you're at the bottom of a long rebuilding process. Philadelphia is different - there are much higher expectations.
If only TO had been born in a different month, what could have been! Damn extreme conflicts...

[WSUCougar]

Suspension and other issues aside, I think the whole Eagles/Owens relationship has put Donovan McNabb in a rather poor light. I like the guy, and think he's a good (not great) NFL quarterback. But his team leadership throughout these soap-opera episodes always seems to be lacking. He's far too passive. Where's the fiery passion? If I were an Eagles player, given what I know (which certainly is much less than the actual teammates do), I'd be quietly questioning McNabb's leadership a bit myself.

If the Eagles truly are McNabb's team, maybe it would have been appropriate when Owens challenged the whole team for the team leader to stand up, get in his face, and say "I campaigned to bring you here to help this team win the Super Bowl. You need to shut your running mouth and be a member of this team. This B.S. ends here and now." Instead he does nothing. We keep seeing the same video clips every Sunday of Owens barking like a lunatic at McNabb on the sideline...and Donovan just ignores him. What, he's too busy doing Chunky Soup ads to get passionate about how freaking ridiculous Owens' behavior is?

I like that the Eagles as a team are taking hardline stances with Owens, both with his contract and his antics. But I think the opportunity was there for McNabb to really step up and make a case for team leadership. Dare I say it? Brett Favre would have.

[rkmsuf]

Suspension and other issues aside, I think the whole Eagles/Owens relationship has put Donovan McNabb in a rather poor light. I like the guy, and think he's a good (not great) NFL quarterback. But his team leadership throughout these soap-opera episodes always seems to be lacking. He's far too passive. Where's the fiery passion? If I were an Eagles player, given what I know (which certainly is much less than the actual teammates do), I'd be quietly questioning McNabb's leadership a bit myself.

If the Eagles truly are McNabb's team, maybe it would have been appropriate when Owens challenged the whole team for the team leader to stand up, get in his face, and say "I campaigned to bring you here to help this team win the Super Bowl. You need to shut your running mouth and be a member of this team. This B.S. ends here and now." Instead he does nothing. We keep seeing the same video clips every Sunday of Owens barking like a lunatic at McNabb on the sideline...and Donovan just ignores him. What, he's too busy doing Chunky Soup ads to get passionate about how freaking ridiculous Owens' behavior is?

I like that the Eagles as a team are taking hardline stances with Owens, both with his contract and his antics. But I think the opportunity was there for McNabb to really step up and make a case for team leadership. Dare I say it? Brett Favre would have.

That's a great point. I'm torn on McNabb. He's by all accounts a great guy and tough in the sense of playing in pain but I've always thought he was kind of a tulip presence and mentally wise. The Superbowl kind of reinforced that.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Wtching the press conference right now.

[stevew]

Rosenhaus is telling it the way it is.

[rkmsuf]

I'd love to stand up and say

"Drew, do you really think anyone gives a crap about you or Owens? And if so are you aware you both are regarded as fools?"

[stevew]

Man, Rosenhaus is jerry mcguire. Need TO to stand up and say "Show me the Money!"

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Seems they are justifying their actions because ''there are worse playersmorally'' than TO. Is it just me or are Rosenhaus and, TO living in their own fantasy world.

[rkmsuf]

Seems they are justifying their actions because ''there are worse playersmorally'' than TO. Is it just me or are Rosenhaus and, TO living in their own fantasy world.

It's funny that they don't realize the high comedy. Their seriousness makes it the funny.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Sheesh I bet Rosenhaus is enjoying himself right now. I cna't believe TO doesn't realize he's only a stepping stone for this guys career.

[stevew]

Question to Drew
"what have you done for him other than getting him kicked off the team"

LOL

[Lathum]

Maybe I am confused, but isn't the point of a press confrence to invite the media, make a statement, let them ask questions and then ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS!!!

[rkmsuf]

Maybe I am confused, but isn't the point of a press confrence to invite the media, make a statement, let them ask questions and then ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS!!!

no actually it's just to be on tv and keep your name in the news

[Maple Leafs]

"what have you done for him other than getting him kicked off the team"
NEXT QUESTION!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

So, where will they go from here?

[Northwood_DK]

T.Os press conferences are not always live on Norwegian television. Can someone tell me what happened (or a link?)

[Samdari]

And I thought Norway had left the Middle Ages.

[cthomer5000]

Question to Drew
"what have you done for him other than getting him kicked off the team"

LOLwow, did someone actually ask that? if so, rock on!

[Donnie Baker]

TO finally gets paid at a per game rate higher than if he had not been deactivated. Some team will certainly take a chance on him next year. The Eagles should have paid him.

Winner, TO.

How? No team will pay him what he would have made in Philly next year. He loses money by being suspended this year. His antics have cost him a ton of money that he could have made in endorsments after his Super Bowl performance. Where does he come out the winner?

[Donnie Baker]

Question to Drew
"what have you done for him other than getting him kicked off the team"

LOL

Who asked theat? They are my new hero. ;)

[Joe Canadian]

My favourite sports franchise in all the world is now the Eagles!

[Dutch]

www.philadelphiaeagles.com has the press conference and the question and "NEXT QUESTION!" session immediately following.

"Would Terrell's situation be any different right now if you never were his agent?"

"NEXT QUESTION!"

"Since everything Terrell said was taken out of context by the media, are you saying it's ESPN's fault for him being suspended?"

"NEXT QUESTION!"

Great stuff.

[Donnie Baker]

Since nobody seems willing to take up Owens cause, I will. Dispute these facts...

1. The Eagles knew exactly what they were getting when they brought this guy in.

2. He has given 100% on the field at all times.

3. His criticisms of McNabb aren't PC, but how off base are they? McNabb choked in the Super Bowl and is not playing well hurt. I will give you that it isn't acceptable to criticize co-workers (unless you are in Washington DC) but he hasn't said anything that somebody indifferent to the Eagles, like me, disagrees with.

4. It sounds like the straw that broke the camel's back was that he wouldn't apologize for his comments to McNabb. Good for him! If he doesn't believe it, why do it? Does anyone feel the Air Force coach feels any different after apologizing? Has there been a sincere sports apology in the past 10 years? What is wrong with our culture when somebody like Giambi is somehow above Palmeiro just because he says to the fans "Fuck you. I cheated and now I will play this game like I give a shit about any of you. Fuck you again." (This is just paraphrasing Giambi, of course)


1. It's all about ego. Reid thought that he would be able to control him long enough for it to pay off.

2. Not true this season. He took a lot of plays off this season just going through the motions when he knew his number wasn't being called. He also may have prevented at least one interception if he even made a slight effort to break it up.

3. His criticism of McNabb is over the top. He has better per game numbers with McNabb than with any quarterback he has played with. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Didn't the White Sox just win a world series by being a team and not calling each other out in public? Maybe TO could learn a little from something like that.

4. More of the same from number 3. Good for him? Yeah, great job of trying to destroy team chamistry. Good job TO. Do you honestly think like that?

[panerd]

4. More of the same from number 3. Good for him? Yeah, great job of trying to destroy team chamistry. Good job TO. Do you honestly think like that?

Yes, I honestly don't believe any of the apology shit that athletes, politicians, etc give out. And now TO has gone and ruined my 4th belief in him. The fact that one person would have a different view of TO after his apology did they did before just shows there are all sorts of suckers out there. If you felt TO should be suspended and still feel that way, great. If you felt he shouldn't and still feel that way, great. But if you felt he should be suspended and feel different because of a bullshit apology then you are a sucker. Period(not you Donnie, but any person who thinks like that). I just don't understand why people feel better when people give them unsincere "PR" apologies.

[TroyF]

Yes, I honestly don't believe any of the apology shit that athletes, politicians, etc give out. And now TO has gone and ruined my 4th belief in him. The fact that one person would have a different view of TO after his apology did they did before just shows there are all sorts of suckers out there. If you felt TO should be suspended and still feel that way, great. If you felt he shouldn't and still feel that way, great. But if you felt he should be suspended and feel different because of a bullshit apology then you are a sucker. Period(not you Donnie, but any person who thinks like that). I just don't understand why people feel better when people give them unsincere "PR" apologies.

Why? Most people give insincere apologies on occasion. Maybe it's a fight with the girlfriend. You don't want to keep fighting all night and there are more important battles to you apologize. Maybe your parent took something the wrong way and rather than get into a forty minute arguement about it, you just back off and apologize for hurting their feelings.

The apologies may sound sincere, but in your head you are screaming "this is bullshit, I just don't have the energy to fight it today"

If you're on the receiving end of the apology, you know it's a load of crap, but you also know that there is a time and a place to pick your battles. If it's someone you care about, you rib em a little and you continue on.

Nobody (or very few) people, including those in the Eagles organization, believe that the "apology" is sincere. On the other hand, them asking for the apology is a test. How important is this TO?

TO, rather than sucking up the pride and apologizing to McNabb chose to read half of a prepared speech. The symbolism is crystal clear. "I do not like Donovan McNabb. . . I'm not interested in mending fences with the starting QB and franchise player of this team."

The Eagles response was to call it a day. You are getting suckered up into the sincerity of the apology to much. This was never about an apology to the Eagles or TO. This was a power struggle. Who usually wins that power struggle, the guy getting the check or the guy writing the check? TO learned the hard way.

[Buccaneer]

One of the worse BS apology recently. No responsibility, making excuses for being an asshole and and playing the stupid "if I offended" card.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

www.philadelphiaeagles.com has the press conference and the question and "NEXT QUESTION!" session immediately following.

"Would Terrell's situation be any different right now if you never were his agent?"

"NEXT QUESTION!"

"Since everything Terrell said was taken out of context by the media, are you saying it's ESPN's fault for him being suspended?"

"NEXT QUESTION!"

Great stuff.
Weren't they trying to blame Dan Patrick earlier last -this week for the whole bruhaha? I thought I heard somethin' about this on DP show.

[miami_fan]

Weren't they trying to blame Dan Patrick earlier last -this week for the whole bruhaha? I thought I heard somethin' about this on DP show.

Because Michael Irvin said on Patrick's radio show if Favre was the QB of the Eagles, they(the Eagles) would be undefeated. The problem is they everyone knows that he got that nugget of info FROM Owens

[Arctus]

I think this is a mistake. Need comes before image. As long as T.O. puts in the work, any locker room animosity would be short-lived. You don't have to like the guy to throw him a touchdown pass.

Under the circumstances, a one-game suspension would have been more appropriate - that's $200k worth of the only message T.O. understands. Then a long discussion with Rosenhaus during the off-season to let him know that there will be no renegotiations and that any further problems will result even more quickly in a suspension.

If they release T.O. during the off-season (which appears certain now), he will get a big contract. Not as big as he thinks he's worth, but certainly much more than a $1 million, one-year deal.

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd be livid with Reid right now.

I'm an Eagles fan and I am absolutely thrilled with the way the Eagles handled this. I agree that need comes before image, but I don't think the on field production comes before proper conduct. I don't know of many organizations that would tolerate an employee bashing them in the national media.

T.O. said and did some things and was given an ultimatum. Publicly apologize to the organization, his teammates and McNabb. He chose not to do so. He's now dealing with the consequences.

I've yet to see today's press conference. My father caught it, he said that if TO read that statement last week, he probably wouldn't have been suspended against the Skins.

Regardless of the man's god given talents and past performance this season, I wouldn't consider someone who challenges the entire team to a fight and defies the organization's leadership as someone I want suiting up on game day. I'm pretty sure the Eagles passed short lived locker room animosity a long time ago.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Because Michael Irvin said on Patrick's radio show if Favre was the QB of the Eagles, they(the Eagles) would be undefeated. The problem is they everyone knows that he got that nugget of info FROM Owens
0k I remember now! It was on Thursday and Fridays shows. IIRC Michael and, Dan got into a little heated discussion about this and, Dan had to tone the interview down.

[Raiders Army]

I saw TO and Rosenhaus' interview on Total Access yesterday. I think they brought up a good angle: TO's a competitor. That's why he made the comments that he did. I also agree with them that the media blows his words out of proportion and takes them out of context. That being said, I think the whole thing was a good move on their part with one exception: they should've said that even though TO's a competitor, he's also immature and that's why he made those comments. Had that been said a week ago, he would've played.

In no way did either of them acknowledge TO's fault of being immature. If they had, then it would indicate that this wouldn't happen again since they have recognized the root cause for his actions and they would work on that fault so it won't happen again.

[Honolulu_Blue]

This whole saga has now reached an all time low. Well, either this saga, or Jesse Jackson and Ralph Nader. I mean, seriously, wtf? What the hell are Jesse Jacskon and Ralph Nader doing chiming in on this issue? It's fucking football for crissakes.

I was never clear where I stood on Jesse Jackson before (since I never really paid all that much attention to the guy), but things are clearing up...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/


Suspended disbelief

Rev. Jackson calls T.O. punishment 'much too severe'

Posted: Sunday November 13, 2005 1:26AM; Updated: Sunday November 13, 2005 1:59AM

<!--startclickprintexclude--><SCRIPT>cnnEAUrl="/football/nfl";</SCRIPT><SCRIPT>function cnnEmailAlerts() {document.location.href='/alerts'+cnnEAUrl;}</SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/ssi/js/2.0/clickability/button2356_1.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript> window.onerror=function(){clickURL=document.location.href;return true;} if(!self.clickURL) clickURL=parent.location.href; </SCRIPT>http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/email_alerts.gif (javascript:cnnEmailAlerts();)http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/email.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/#)http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/print.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/#)http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/save.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/#)http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/mostpopular.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/#)http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/story/clickability/2.0/rss.gif (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/services/rss/)
<!--endclickprintexclude--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=310 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/1.gif</TD><TD class=cnnImgAdPad width=300>http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/p1.jesse.jackson.ap.jpg
Jesse Jackson spoke to Terrell Owens and came away convinced that he was sincere.
AP


</TD></TR><TR><TD width=10>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/1.gif</TD><TD class=cnnImgAdPad>http://i.cnn.net/si/.element/img/1.0/misc/advertisement_down.gif
<!-- ad nfl/bottom_left.300x250 --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1>document.adtile = (document.adtile||0) + 1;document.random = document.random || Math.ceil(1+1E12*Math.random());document.write('<scr'+'ipt language=\"JavaScript1.1\" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/si.nfl.dart/;sz=300x250;ad=yes;tile='+document.adtile+';ord='+document.random+'?"></scr'+'ipt>');</SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/si.nfl.dart/;sz=300x250;ad=yes;tile=2;ord=577331499992?"></SCRIPT>http://view.atdmt.com/SF1/view/cnnssstu0030000114sf1/direct/01/ (http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v5|3330|0|0|%2a|s;15679861;0-0;0;8746441;4307-300|250;11507441|11525337|1;;~sscs=%3fhttp://clk.atdmt.com/SF1/go/cnnssstu0030000114sf1/direct/01/)<NOSCRIPT>http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/si.nfl.dart/;sz=300x250;ad=yes? (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/si.nfl.dart/;sz=300x250;ad=yes?)</NOSCRIPT>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=10>http://i.cnn.net/si/images/1.gif</TD><TD class=cnnStoryCLpad><TABLE class=cnnCL cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=80 background=http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/misc/cl/bar.gif>http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/misc/cl/advlinks1.gif</TD><TD align=right background=http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/misc/cl/bar.gif>http://i.a.cnn.net/si/.element/img/2.0/misc/cl/whatsthis.gif (javascript:CNN_openPopup('/services/overture/cl/frameset.exclude.html','620x430','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=620,height=430'))</TD></TR><TR><TD class=cnnCLbox colSpan=2><TABLE id=cnnContextualLinks cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Chicago White Sox Merchandise
Buy Chicago White Sox merchandise from WhiteSoxTeamStore.com. We carry authentic White... www.whitesoxteamstore.com

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/images/1.gif
Chicago White Sox World Series Shop
Celebrate the Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series Victory with officially licensed... www.chichamps.com

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/images/1.gif
American League Champions
Free shipping on orders over $99.00. Chicago White Sox American League Champions... www.cubworld.com

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/images/1.gif
Chicago White Sox MLB Merchandise
White Sox game tickets and team logo merchandise. Shirts, jerseys, hats, banners, and... www.stadiumspecialty.com

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<SCRIPT>if(cnnEnableCL){if(!(location.hostname.indexOf('cnn.com')>-1)) {cnnAddCSI('contextualLinks','/.element/ssi/misc/2.0/contextual/story.html','');}else{ cnnAddCSI('contextualLinks','http://cl.cnn.com/ctxtlink/jsp/si/cl/2.0/si-story.jsp','category=sinfl&url=http:/\/robots.cnnsi.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/index.html&desccharcnt=80&site=cnn_sinfl_dyn_ctxt&origin=si');}}</SCRIPT><IFRAME id=iframecontextualLinks style=\"VISIBILITY: hidden; POSITION: absolute\" name=iframecontextualLinks align=right src="http://cl.cnn.com/ctxtlink/jsp/si/cl/2.0/si-story.jsp?domId=contextualLinks&time=1131983238150&category=sinfl&url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/2005/football/nfl/11/13/owens.jackson.ap/index.html&desccharcnt=80&site=cnn_sinfl_dyn_ctxt&origin=si" width=0 height=0></IFRAME></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson called the Philadelphia Eagles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/eagles)' punishment of Terrell Owens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/3664) "much too severe."

Jackson said in a statement released Friday that Owens could have been more professional when he publicly complained about his contract, his team and the Eagles' organization.

But Jackson said Owens' suspension without pay for four games and deactivation for the rest of the season is "much too severe for the charge" and hurts the athlete's NFL career at its height.

The civil rights activist said the level of punishment could have been warranted if Owens had been caught shaving points, selling drugs, carrying a gun or fighting fans without sufficient restraint.

"This does not warrant a one-year ban from the game," Jackson said, adding that the Eagles should release Owens to the open market or free agency if they no longer want to associate with him.

Ralph Nader, a consumer activist and former presidential candidate, has already called for the suspension to be rescinded.

Owens was suspended last week after he said in an interview that the Eagles showed "a lack of class" for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch, and that the team would be better off with Green Bay's Brett Favre (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/1025) as quarterback. He has since apologized.

Complete statement

"Terrell Owens did an interview last week and engaged in some unsportsmanlike speech, deemed detrimental to the team, but nonetheless free speech. He expressed some dissatisfaction with his contract, his team and the Eagles' organization, which should have been expressed in a more professional manner. The Eagles have suspended T.O. for four games without pay and have decided to deactivate him for the rest of the year. His future in the National Football League is uncertain, thus potentially ending his career at its heights.

"This punishment is much too severe for the charge. If he had been caught shaving points, selling drugs, carrying a gun or fighting some fans, who provoked him, and he had not shown sufficient restraint, we could understand the severe suspension, because those are very serious and illegal acts. Unfortunately for T.O., who belatedly apologized three days after the infraction, the real question is do his comments warrant a penalty this severe?

"The answer is no. This does not warrant a one-year ban from the game. The NFL Players Association has taken a position that the punishment does not correspond with the infraction and the association wants the Eagles to cut T.O. if they are not going to reinstate him. I agree. T.O. has publicly apologized. His heart is contrite. If the Philadelphia Eagles' owners do not find his apology acceptable and no longer aim to maintain an association with him, they should release him to the open market or free agency, allowing him to test the free market for his services. I call for fairness in this dispute."

[Raiders Army]

I love it when people talk out of their ass and make a good living doing so.

[flere-imsaho]

This is a nice dovetail with the Robertson/O'Reilly thread. :) Let's see if anyone wants to be hypocrites.

As usual, Jackson is way off base here and is only doing this to keep his name in the press. Someone ought to point out to Rev. Jackson that if any one of us said similar things in public of our employers we'd just be out of a job. Even, gasp, if we were white!

[Ksyrup]

"His future in the National Football League is uncertain, thus potentially ending his career at its heights."


Fucking bullshit hyperbole. I'm so sick of listening to this, and not just from Unkle Jesse. He loses one year of playing on a team for being such an ass no one wants him on the team. When the time comes for the roster bonus he's due to kick in, he'll have been cut loose by Philly and free to sign with any team he wants - a chance he lost out on 2 years ago by the action (or inaction) of his own agent, btw. Until then, he can take his 5 weeks worth of pay or whatever he'll get after the 4 weeks is up, go home, and shut up.

Having said all of that, I have no doubt that the arbitrator is going to cut the suspension (meaning more unpaid leave for Owens) and order the Eagles to terminate their rights to him. I just hope it doesn't happen before the end of the season (i.e., immediately following the SB). I think this is going to come down to a more technical issue than the broad issues being discussed in the press. I heard that, for instance, the Eagles suspended him for the Redskins game and gave the complete reasoning they are now relying on at the time they gave that suspension, then went back and added the other 3 game suspension to the same set of reasons. I could see the arbitrator ruling that the suspension should only be for 1 game, if that's true.

[rkmsuf]

I don't see how they can force his release. Maybe they can unsuspend him in which case I'd guess he would just be inactive each week.

Unless Upshaw and the players start actually doing something I can't see much coming of any appeal.

[Kodos]

It's never good when Jesse has to weigh in on a matter.

You did the right thing, Eagles. Never back off.

[jeff061]

I don't think anyone on this planet except for Drew and Jesse support him, I think the players association would see him burn if they could get away with it.

[rkmsuf]

I don't think anyone on this planet except for Drew and Jesse support him, I think the players association would see him burn if they could get away with it.


you'll notice upshaw and the nflpa has been absent from any press conferences or media on owens behalf. instead they let drew yell and scream for to.

[stevew]

"His future in the National Football League is uncertain, thus potentially ending his career at its heights."


Fucking bullshit hyperbole. I'm so sick of listening to this, and not just from Unkle Jesse. He loses one year of playing on a team for being such an ass no one wants him on the team. When the time comes for the roster bonus he's due to kick in, he'll have been cut loose by Philly and free to sign with any team he wants - a chance he lost out on 2 years ago by the action (or inaction) of his own agent, btw. Until then, he can take his 5 weeks worth of pay or whatever he'll get after the 4 weeks is up, go home, and shut up.

Having said all of that, I have no doubt that the arbitrator is going to cut the suspension (meaning more unpaid leave for Owens) and order the Eagles to terminate their rights to him. I just hope it doesn't happen before the end of the season (i.e., immediately following the SB). I think this is going to come down to a more technical issue than the broad issues being discussed in the press. I heard that, for instance, the Eagles suspended him for the Redskins game and gave the complete reasoning they are now relying on at the time they gave that suspension, then went back and added the other 3 game suspension to the same set of reasons. I could see the arbitrator ruling that the suspension should only be for 1 game, if that's true.
One thing i have heard is the arbitrator can definately not order the Eagles to terminate their rights to him.

The suspension was a bit shady, only cause they changed it from 1 game to 4 games for the same reason. I bet that he is only not paid for the one game.

[Anthony]

Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton are what's wrong with America. the black cause will be further advanced once those two are out of the picture.

[Samdari]

One thing i have heard is the arbitrator can definately not order the Eagles to terminate their rights to him.

The suspension was a bit shady, only cause they changed it from 1 game to 4 games for the same reason. I bet that he is only not paid for the one game.

I'll agree with this. The arbitrator will throw the NFLPA a bone, and it will be the return of some pay (be it two games worth or three). It is certainly not within his rights to unilaterally release T.O. Somewhat nebulous is the arbitrator's ability to force the Eagles to let him practice/play. I don't think he can do that either, at least I feel he won't.

I just hope this leads to the end of Rosenhaus' reign as a 'superagent' known as someone who can strong arm any organization into a new contract for veteran players. Sacrificing 2/3 of a season worth of TO is worth it to me, if that takes place.

[Ksyrup]

One thing i have heard is the arbitrator can definately not order the Eagles to terminate their rights to him.
I'm not sure he has the legal grounds (or balls), but I definitely think he can. The faux-article Peter King wrote for today's MMQB is a great reason why I hope he doesn't, though.

[Anthony]

i'm curious as to how Rosenhaus thought this would play out and not have the end result being such a negative backlash from media and the league. TO is my favorite player but he should be blacklisted in the league, and no one should give him a contract. the abuse of his powers as a pro athlete/celeb are sickening, being allowed to get away with an insane amount of wrongdoings that a normal person would have been terminated over long ago.

[rkmsuf]

The ShowGirl: (11:35 AM ET ) Hey folks. Mort had to run as his phone was getting hot. As for all of you asking for the T.O. scoop, as of right now, Newsday is reporting that arbitrator Richard Bloch is expected to reduce Owens' four-game suspension from four games to one or two games later today.

The ShowGirl: (11:36 AM ET ) The report indicates that the Eagles, who planned to de-activate Owens for the remainder of the season, will release the receiver instead.

The ShowGirl: (11:37 AM ET ) Coach Andy Reid news conference is on the way. Keep it here for updates ... and it will be broadcast on ESPNews.

[stevew]

If he gets released, i wonder who claims?

[SirFozzie]

football doesn't have claims like baseball, he'd become a fa and sign with whoever he wants

[SegRat]

From KFFL:
Eagles | Owens update
Wed, 23 Nov 2005 07:47:28 -0800

Bob Glauber, of Newsday, reports an arbitrator is expected to rule Wednesday, Nov. 23, that Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens' suspension will be reduced to one or two games, and that he will immediately be reinstated. A league source familiar with the Eagles' situation said this morning that the team is prepared to release Owens if he decides to return to the team and create a distraction. If reinstated he can return to the team, however, the Eagles have stated they plan to de-activate him for the remainder of the season. If released he is subject to the league's waiver rules.

[rkmsuf]

football doesn't have claims like baseball, he'd become a fa and sign with whoever he wants


I don't believe that is true. The team that claims the player assumes his contract except for the bonus money. At least that's what happened with a guy like Dimetrius Underwood when he was cut from the Vikings and was awarded to Miami.

[Samdari]

football doesn't have claims like baseball, he'd become a fa and sign with whoever he wants

Uhh, yeah, they do.

[stevew]

football doesn't have claims like baseball, he'd become a fa and sign with whoever he wants
Waivers. At least according to the previous post.

[scooper]

I don't believe that is true. The team that claims the player assumes his contract except for the bonus money. At least that's what happened with a guy like Dimetrius Underwood when he was cut from the Vikings and was awarded to Miami.
I believe waivers only come into play for players under a certain amount of time in the league. Underwood obviously was a younger guy when he was released. It might be five years or so. So TO would immediately be a free agent.

[rkmsuf]

I believe waivers only come into play for players under a certain amount of time in the league. Underwood obviously was a younger guy when he was released. It might be five years or so. So TO would immediately be a free agent.


Who knows. I can find very little about this on the internets.

[vtbub]

He needs to clear waivers before his release. I've read that many times and from many different places.

[Surtt]

If a play is released after the trade deadline he is subject to wavers.

[Surtt]

Dola

And players with less then 4 years of service.

[CleBrownsfan]

This could help my fantasy team when I reach the playoffs!!

[stevew]

He needs to clear waivers before his release. I've read that many times and from many different places.
Unfortunately, the average fan knows more about shit like this than the reporters often due. I could see the no waivers thing on older players, i was just going on what had been reported.

[vtbub]

Unfortunately, the average fan knows more about shit like this than the reporters often due. I could see the no waivers thing on older players, i was just going on what had been reported.
I wasn't ragging on anything that was specifially said on hee, I think I read it five different times just yesterday.

The point is moot now any way, Owens lost his case in every aspect, meaning the Eagles are free to hide him on their roster and not play him this year.

[Samdari]

Sal Pal just came on and said that the Eagles won totally - the Four game suspension and deactiviating him for the year are both within the Eagles rights.

[Solecismic]

I suppose the sole purpose of hiding him on the roster the rest of the year is just to keep him away from a potential playoff opponent. The Eagles may just release him once they're out of playoff contention anyway. They would have zero luck trading him prior to next season because of the roster bonus.

And I don't really see them competing for a playoff spot without a healthy McNabb.

[Raiders Army]

I suppose the sole purpose of hiding him on the roster the rest of the year is just to keep him away from a potential playoff opponent. The Eagles may just release him once they're out of playoff contention anyway. They would have zero luck trading him prior to next season because of the roster bonus.

And I don't really see them competing for a playoff spot without a healthy McNabb.
So should we pick him up in our fantasy leagues? :)

[GrantDawg]

I suppose the sole purpose of hiding him on the roster the rest of the year is just to keep him away from a potential playoff opponent. The Eagles may just release him once they're out of playoff contention anyway. They would have zero luck trading him prior to next season because of the roster bonus.

And I don't really see them competing for a playoff spot without a healthy McNabb.
Woudn't there be a salary cap advantage next year by waiting until spring (Can't remember the cap dates)? Then his cap hit splits into two years instead of it mostly hiting next.

[SFL Cat]

It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[Crapshoot]

Woudn't there be a salary cap advantage next year by waiting until spring (Can't remember the cap dates)? Then his cap hit splits into two years instead of it mostly hiting next.

yeah - but given the Eagles have $7 million in cap room this year, they might as well use it eat Owens contract - as opposed to taking that hit next year.

[Crapshoot]

dola,
there are a lot of people who appear to have feeling of schadenfreude here - not surprising, but still dissappointing.

[Icy]

Umm i released him in the euro fofc fantasy and somebody picked him so fast, maybe i was to fast releasing him. If i were the Eagels i would keep him in the team, but would play him only as olinemen in blowouts to taste the strong guys.

Btw, i know it's stupid but i'm curious now, would that be possible? has the team the rights to play him where they want? can he refuse? what happends if he does?

[stevew]

Woudn't there be a salary cap advantage next year by waiting until spring (Can't remember the cap dates)? Then his cap hit splits into two years instead of it mostly hiting next.
Nah, they'd have to keep him on the roster at a large cap # and pay that roster bonus if they keep him till june 1st. If they just flat out release him at some point, his dead cap number for next year would be like 4-5 million. If they release him before the end of the this season, im not sure if it still counts against next years cap(06-07), or if it all gets washed away on this years. I know they have some cap room left, which Im sure they folded into someones contract as an incentive, so that they could save it for next year.

[Dutch]

Umm i released him in the euro fofc fantasy and somebody picked him so fast, maybe i was to fast releasing him. If i were the Eagels i would keep him in the team, but would play him only as olinemen in blowouts to taste the strong guys.

Btw, i know it's stupid but i'm curious now, would that be possible? has the team the rights to play him where they want? can he refuse? what happends if he does?

That reminds me actually of a play I saw on Sunday Night Football between the Vikings and the Packers. Cris Carter was in motion (yeah it was a while back) and when he got to the RT the ball was snapped. The RT blocked in on the DT and Cris Carter found himself matched up one on one on Reggie White. Moments after Cris Carter was sent flying through the air by a Reggie White arm-sweep, the Vikings QB was sacked. Morale of the story? Never use your Hall of Fame WR to block their Hall of Fame DE.