We've discussed Terrell Owens before, and Cleet asserts he's a punk, but here I come riding on white alabaster steed to once again defend the monster that HYPE created. When TO was released, people were beboppin and scattin all over the place. The nation declared they didn't want him on their team, but rest assured everyone was also hoping he wouldn't go their rival. He's being made out as a QB Killer, but let's take a look back.
Jeff Garcia was a backup in the CFL just a few years before signing a 6-year $36 million dollar contract following a breakout year in which Owens was his primary receiver. Garcia completed more than 62% of his passes and threw for over 3300 yards during his three full seasons as quarterback in San Fran. Garcia has never surpassed the 3000 yard mark, and didn't complete 62% of his passes again until 2007, the same year he went back to the Pro Bowl after three trips with the 49ers (and Owens as his primary target). When Garcia was cut by the Niners due to salary cap issues, he turned around and signed a 4-year $25 million contract with the Browns. after disagreements with management, Garcia was released and signed a 1-year $2 million contract with the Lions. From there he would go to the Eagles on another 1-year deal, before signing with the Buccaneers for 2-years and $7 million.
When TO arrived in Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb had already signed a monstrous contract, but was still hounded by critics, who pointed out he had yet to complete 60% of his passes for a season. In 2004, the year both TO and McNabb were healthy, he completed 64% of his passes and threw 31 touchdowns, both career highs. Had the Eagles not made the Super Bowl that season and given McNabb's injuries the following years it's not unreasonable to think that he and his elite contract would have been jettisoned.
In October of 2007, Tony Romo signed a 6-year, $67.4 million dollar contract after having moderate success (6-4), but with Terrell Owens as his primary target. Now, just two full seasons later, there are considerable questions about Romo's ability to perform in clutch situations.
What does all of this mean? Terrell Owens, "the quarterback killer" has helped two quarterbacks get monster contracts, and helped another preserve one. Jeff Garcia signed $61 million worth of contracts while and immediately after having TO as a primary target, but hasn't been paid 1/3 of that in subsequent contracts. Perhaps TO could come kill my quarterbacking career.
This is not to excuse all of the things that have gone on with TO. Terrell and bizarre press conferences go together like NASCAR and cheap domestic beer, but people need to recognize that the media has launched a one-man equivalent of the Red Scare. What's worse: TO being too candid about rumors of Jeff Garcia's sexuality or Jeff Garcia driving while having a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit? For the record, Steve Young faced a lot of the same rumors as Garcia, but he still managed to get the monkey off his back, without driving drunk. What's worse TO feuding with management in Philadelphia or Jeff Garcia feuding with management in Cleveland or Donovan McNabb saying he won't re-sign unless the team's improved? What's worse: TO calling out Donovan McNabb or Donovan McNabb calling out his receivers and management on his blog? Everything TO has done has been done (or worse) by someone else in the league, but HYPE focuses on TO because he's such a galvanizing force.
Owens's release by the Cowboys was a salary cap move and nothing more. It would be irresponsible to keep two high priced wide receivers while neglecting to fill other team needs. Jerry Jones had committed several draft picks to the younger Roy Williams, so releasing Owens made sense. Twisting this to be anything more is just the newest contortion of the truth by people in the media and fans alike.
Now, why does bringing Terrell to Buffalo make sense for the Bills? This is a struggling team in a struggling market. For the first time in a long time they have national relevance, and with very little risk attached. If TO is the malcontent that many will have you believe, he can be cut with no longterm cap implications. With the recent economic downturn having a star attraction (and a new one at that) cannot be overstated for a team and a city like Buffalo. He'll make selling advertising, merchandise, and tickets all easier. TO needs to do well in Buffalo, but Buffalo needs him to do well even more.
From certain individuals, we love candor. From others we despise it. TO falls into the second category for most fans, but his "transgressions" that have earned him this reputation pale in comparison to many of his fellow professional athletes. For some reason, a thoughtless phrase is more damning than a thoughtless act in today's society. Nothing Terrell has ever done approaches the level of despicableness of Jason Richardson's recent arrest, but every move TO makes is scrutinized at a level that virtually no other professional athlete can comprehend (and that's saying something in this day and age).
Monday, March 9
T.O. Signing Makes Sense For the Bills
Friday, March 6
Sometimes You Forget: When T.O. Wasn't a Punk
In the aftermath of Terrell Owens being cut from the Dallas Cowboys, we revist the moment when he became a superstar wide receiver. Watching this video really sends you into another era of the NFL. One were a young T.O. was trying to simply make a name for himself in the league, Steve Young was still slinging passes for the Niners, instant replay was not around to fix (some) blown calls, Brett Farve had not hampered his reputation, and San Francisco was a hosting a playoff game.
Some things of note in this one. Pat Summerall and John Madden had the call for FOX; this was before Summerall was ushered out and Madden became completely hurtful to the ears. When he was with Pat, I never really minded hearing John engulf his words in his own gullet. Also, enjoy small FOX on-screen This was the ending of Mike Holmgren reign in Green Bay, they had won the Super Bowl two years ago and barely lost the previous one to the Broncos. Holmgren bolted for Seattle after the next season. Brett Farve would continue to make the playoffs in Green Bay but fail to make the Super Bowl like he did with Holmgren. This season was truly the beginning of the end for Jerry Rice as he tore his ACL early even though he did play in this game and made a crucial fumble a few plays before this one in which he was ruled down but replay showed he clearly fumbled. Instant replay was not around back then, and this play was a catalyst for instituting it back into the league. Rice moved onto Oakland in 2000 after Owens shoved himself into the forefront as the alpha dog in San Fran. Rice was productive in Oakland for a few years because of the John Gruden offense and because he is Jerry Rice. Owens eventually blew up that entire team: Steve Mariucci was fired, Jeff Garcia was eventually run out of town after he took over for Young, and Rice skedaddled across the bay. I love how Mooch and the coaching staff are so adamant about the team going for 1. Coaches in general love thrusting that single finger up after a big score, I guess it is their way of calming themselves down. "I'm excited as hell, but look I'm still coaching!"
Not only did the Packers blow this playoff game but also remember the 4th and 26 in 2003 in Philadelphia.
Also of note was that Owens had several key drops in this game before he was able to hold onto the game-winner and then proceeded to cry like someone just insulted Tony Romo.
Friday, October 3
Point-Counterpoint: The Latest Installment of Terrell Owens
Following the Dallas Cowboys' 26-24 loss last Sunday to the Washington Redskins, Wide Receiver Terrell Owens displayed his apparent discontent at the direction of the offense in terms of getting him the ball. Catfish and I discussed this issue and found we have diverging views. While I contend that this is just another selfish act by a player notorious for this kind of behavior, Catfish says T.O. is actually putting team first and protecting his quarterback and his team following a tough loss. Once again we sqaure off our opposing views in Point-Counterpoint.
Cleet
Point: Business as usual for Owens
I have 25 million reasons to make this argument. Should anybody really be surprised that only a week after Terrell put on the good teammate show following the win in Green Bay he would turn 180 after the Cowboys lost? Owens said he had no problem with how much he was involved as long as Dallas was winning, but now after a 2 point loss to a solid team he is crying about getting the ball. The person who should be throwing a fit if anyone is Marion Barber. Barber only carried the balls 8 times in the game, only 7 more than Owens. Terrell was thrown to on a third of Dallas' offensive plays, ending with 7 catches for 71 yards and a TD. Romo put the ball up 47 times, way too much for the Cowboys. This is what got them into trouble last year when they lost, they lose their balance and begin dropping Romo back over and over again. Jason Campbell, the winning QB, only threw the ball 31 times as the Redskins controlled the ball and kept their defense fresh.
Owens' demand for more balls thrown his way is just another reaction after a loss by a man who has the physical prowess of superman, but the mental faculties of a 9 year-old. Haven't we seen this act before? The 49ers, T.O. isolates himself from Mariucchi and Jeff Garcia and takes off to Philly. The Eagles have success even with T.O. blasting his offensive coordinators on the sidelines and drawing all the attention to himself, but after losing the Super Bowl, Owens throws Donavan McNabb under the bus after McNabb was the backbone of the NFC Champion team. Granted, Owens and Romo have a better relationship(for now) than Owens had with Garcia or McNabb, but how long will it last? If the Cowboys stumble more this season, T.O. could again become the focus of all the media in Dallas; Ed Werder will again take up residence in Valley Ranch and Pedro Gomez might even be flown in. I think Terrell has found he can push on Wade Phillips, Tony Romo, and Jason Garrett, but if he continues to whine after every loss, he might get the boss involved, and I think Jimmy Johnson will tell you that when you get into it with Jerry Jones, Jerry has no qualms about establishing his dominance by getting rid of you.
It is not completely that Owens is just so selfish he values his catch total more than winning a game, it's that he truly believes he is the most important person on the field at any given time. His actions would never be tolerated were not for his talent and that is a big part of the problem. No matter how ridiculous T.O. has acted, there has been a team that has paid for his services. Remember this Cowboy fans?
At that point you probably blustered that T.O. would never be welcome in Big D. What a horrible teammate right? Who would want a guy that cares more about his own glory than the team he is paying for? But yet, when he became available and the Cowboys signed him, it was popcorn time in Dallas. That is the problem, teams and fans keep enabling this sort of behavior from Owens, so why would he ever think it was not ok? He and his entourage have made money doing it so why be surprised when he talks and acts like this when things do not go his way.
Catfish may argue that Owens is finally in a good situation and has turned the corner and wants to be a team player and help his quarterback. But I see the same sad play unfolding; like T.O. once said, "if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck...".
Catfish
Counterpoint: I am the Target
Exhibit B: In 2006, TO was fined $35,000 for spitting in the face of then Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Wait, Catfish, did you forget what side of the argument you're on? Nay nay, my friends. The only reason he was fined was because he admitted it. The officials had not seen it and it had not been caught on tape, like previous spitting incidents. TO was forthright about the situation even though it risked a fine and a suspension.
Exhibit C: Also in 2006, TO vented following a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, unleashing a tirade and asking why the Cowboys even signed him. Despite the outburst occurring behind closed doors (gotta love rats), again TO acknowledged it.
But Catfish, what about that disingenuous apology to the Eagles and Donovan McNabb?
Exhibit D: In his autobiography Owens admitted that he was strongly urged to make the statement, but that it was nto sincere.
So members of the jury, I ask you: Why should we not believe TO when he says he didn't demand a meeting with his QB about his role in the offense, as the Four Letter reported? Why should we not accept his explanation that he was frustrated by the loss and venting? Why should we believe that he's trying to tear down his QB, when he never said "he" or "Tony Romo?" The lazy sports media thirst for every TO soundbyte and perceived outburst. On ESPN his game film was being broken down and he was being criticized by Keyshawn Johnson. The same Keyshawn Johnson that TO was brought in to replace in Dallas. Is it a leap in logic at all to see that Keyshawn may have an axe to grind? No, it isn't. TO is not perfect, but he states his opinions clearly and owns up to his mistakes, so why would he suddenly start vaguely ripping Tony Romo if that was his objective? Quite simply, because it was not his motivation. TO has put himself between the media and his team once again, but this time it was to shield a young quarterback from controversy. Terrell Owens is on the field to be a target, and he protected his quarterback and his team by once again making himself the target. Jurors I beg of you, do not fall for the trap that ESPN and others have set for you. See past it, to the truth. TO wants to be a Cowboy and he wants to win with Tony Romo as his quarterback. I beg of you, don't be asses, TO enjoys catching Romo TD passes.
The defense rests.
