Breaking News: Eagles not interested in T.O.!!!
That's right, people.
The Philadelphia Eagles, whose locker room was obliterated by Terrell Owens after their 2004 Super Bowl season, have indicated they have no interest in re-signing the 35-year-old wide receiver.
Stunning!
Again, it boggles the mind to see all these teams coming forward so quickly to tell reporters that there is absolutely, positively no way in heck that they'd consider the man who has singlehandedly ruined all three NFL locker rooms of which he's been a part.
It also amazes me to see all the ways that Owens has sabotaged his reputation throughout the league, and not just with the three teams he's been a part of - San Francisco, Philly and Dallas.
Consider:
* In Dallas, he never got along with Bill Parcells, who now calls all the personnel shots with the Dolphins. Parcells has surely filled in Tom Coughlin, Sean Payton, and Bill Belichick about T.O. destructiveness. Thus, the Giants are out, as are the Saints, and it appears the Patriots are too, although we'll leave some wiggle room with Belichick on that one, since he has done wonders with another temperamental wideout, Randy Moss. (The Eagles traded for Iggles wideout Greg Lewis, though, so maybe there isn't any room for T.O.)
* Also in Dallas, he feuded with his position coach, Todd Haley, who is now head coach of the Chiefs. Scratch Kansas City.
* In Philly, he once told offensive coordinator Brad Childress to ... uh ... perform a physical impossibility during a training camp altercation. Childress is now the Vikings head coach.
* When Owens was in Philly, the Iggles' special teams coach was John Harbaugh, who is now head coach of the Ravens. In addition, Owens accused Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome of making a racist comment during trade discussions. Scratch Bal'more.
* Owens repeatedly turned off the 49ers' organization with his antics during his years in the Bay Area. The Niners pass.
* During T.O.'s time in Philly, the Iggles' linebackers coach was Steve Spagnuolo. He's now head coach of the Rams.
... and on and on and on.
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (6)
Mr. G, I had this conversation with a friend of mine earlier, and I'll use it to play devil's advocate here. Don't you think that first-year coaches (Haley, Spags) — heck, even a coach like Childress who always seems to be on shaky ground — would have to defer to a GM/owner who really wanted T.O. on their team?
Parcells is the big cheese, so he could squash a deal real fast. But would Todd Haley really be able to call off signing T.O. if he wanted to?
Now I'm not sure if Pioli would even go after Owens. But it's got to be somewhat tantalizing to think about T.O., Dwyane Bowe and Gonzo catching passes from new franchise QB Matt Cassel. Just sayin...
And as we saw not even a couple of months ago, Haley's run-ins with T.O. weren't his last with a receiver (see Boldin, Anquan), and they seemed to patch things up (or at least put on a happy face for the media before the Super Bowl).
And when Spags was the linebackers coach in Philly, did he really pay much attention to T.O. anyway? I'm sure he saw what was going on, but I doubt that was concern No. 1 for him. That being said, I think he's a bad fit for a Rams team that should be rebuilding and focusing on a youth movement. But they may kick the tires on it at least.
Personally, I think the most logical choices are Chicago or Jacksonville. The more I think about it, the more I believe T.O. can bring these teams deep into the playoffs. And if he starts agitating in two years, so be it, because he'll probably be done as a player by then anyway.
I'm not as plugged into the front offices as you are though, Mr. G. Could you handicap the race for us? Or is it too early?
I think the eagles should take T.O. back he is the best all around players Philly has ever seen.
Mad Dog:
I understand your point, and you make an interesting observation about Haley and T.O./Boldin.
But there's one difference here. Boldin is not a certifiable locker room malcontent the way Owens has been throughout his career. The Boldin/Haley dustups were purely heat-of-the-moment during games.
As for Spags, there's no way he could not have noticed the divisive behavior of Owens during the 2005 season. It tore the entire team apart. Believe me, he took notes, and there's no way he'd want Owens on a rebuilding team.
Yes, a general manager can sway his coach into taking a player. But if you take Childress as an example: Suppose GM Rick Spielman tells Childress he really wants to make a run at T.O. Childress tells him he's out of his mind, and if he does so, he'll have a very unhappy coach on his hands.
Very seldom do you shove a player down a coach's throat. If there isn't some mutually agreeable solution, the teams back off. That's why you're seeing nearly the entire league say Just Say No.
As for handicapping the race, I think it's the Raiders first, second and third.
Jacksonville has either drafted or signed a bunch of stiff receivers (Jerry Porter most recently) and they're not going down that road. If T.O. couldn't take the Cowboys deep into the playoffs, can't see how he'd do that for J'ville, which doesn't have nearly the talent of Dallas.
Lovie Smith is in a make-or-break year, but I guarantee you he wouldn't want to pin his fortunes on T.O., even though receiver is a position of need.
Funny, the official Eagles team website had a poll, was running +75% to bring back TO until they took it down.
Here's to the Niners re thinking their position. The HC of the SF49ers is just the man to deliver the beating this headcase WR has been begging for all his life.
The Raiders are the obvious choice, but I wonder if they do not surprise this one time.
craig makes an excellent point. Singletary would kick TO's butt if he started up... but would SF be willing?
I still say the Colts and the Pats are the 2 teams that could handle TO and interest him. No better opportunities for him to finally win a championship. Should be willing to pass up on largest possible paycheck to become a part of a SB winner and put on a good last chapter to his story.
Hi all. You create your opportunities by asking for them. Help me! It has to find sites on the: jobs in lowell ma. I found only this - prudential real estate california. Kotak mahindra old mutual life the kotak mahindra group flagship company, kotak mahindra finance ltd which was. Online campaign finance filings help south carolina receive most improved ranking for disclosure - release date - sunday, october contact. With respect :-(, Dewitt from Finland.