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he has a legally binding contract....I say if he holds out, Philly should sue him for breach of that contract.
Stephen A. Smith | Owens states his case against Eagles
By Stephen A. Smith
Inquirer Columnist
He was outspoken and even more defiant than usual. Terrell Owens, the Eagle known for spreading his wings and flexing the chiseled muscles on his arms, chose yesterday to flex the muscles in his jaws instead.
Owens still wants to be an Eagle. He still wants to play with Donovan McNabb. He still wants to catch touchdown passes in Philadelphia and help lead this team to a Super Bowl championship.
But he is not about to let whatever leverage he believes he has slip away, "regardless of the leaks coming from inside our organization," he said, especially when he believes the Eagles adroitly exercised the leverage they had last season when they brought him to Philadelphia.
And so, the soap opera continues.
"This is not about me being greedy or selfish," Owens said yesterday after taping a TV show in New York. "People should know. I was called selfish for trying to come back and play in the Super Bowl. I just want people to think about what they're hearing from all these reports about me being greedy. Just take a moment and look at my stature in the game.
"I know I'm a top player in the game, and my current contract doesn't justify that. The fact that I signed this contract, that I'm under contract, doesn't factor into anything when it comes to the National Football League. [The Eagles] can cut me anytime they want to - even if I'm performing well, I'm healthy and I'm putting up numbers, just because they don't want to pay a player that money.
"If they can do what's best for their financial future, then why can't I?
"Everyone knows my former agent [David Joseph] settled for a low-ball number because of my situation last season when Baltimore traded for me. He told me he couldn't get a cent more, knowing I deserved more than they gave me. They used their leverage to strong-arm us because they knew I wanted to leave Baltimore for Philadelphia, and they capitalized on it. I can't go for that now. It's not in me to do that."
Considering the Eagles' immunity to such chatter, their tendency to make players regret taking such a stance on contractual matters, it would appear that Owens' days in Philadelphia are numbered. But then common sense kicks in. Consider the 1,200 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, and a valiant Super Bowl performance that only Owens can brag about, and things become quite tricky for the wanna-be champions presiding at the NovaCare Complex.
Owens did sign a seven-year deal for more than $46 million just last season. He did promise to be a model citizen for an organization whose owner once described it as the "gold standard." He did say that his spats with former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia were an aberration, that his relationships with McNabb and coach Andy Reid would be just fine, and that the Eagles would benefit greatly from that.
In Owens' mind, he has been the model citizen.
Because his desire to renegotiate his contract has caused such an uproar, because he believes that the Eagles have revved up their PR machine against him in the court of public opinion, and because Owens is convinced that Philadelphia fans don't know his position or cir stances, he has taken his finger off the mute button.
"Coach Reid - who I greatly respect, regardless of what people may think - even tried to come at me, saying, 'Terrell, you signed a contract... promising us you wouldn't cause problems.' I had to let him know that this isn't a problem. That's a misunderstanding, because this is all about business.
"Ask anyone. I'm one of the top players in the game. I want to be paid like one of the top players in the game. That's not being greedy. This goes so much deeper than what people are hearing.
"I have no problem with the money Donovan McNabb makes. I'm not trying to outdo or get paid more than Donovan or a QB. But I do want to be one of the top-10 players in the game. I am a unique player, a unique person. Everybody can't do what I do. That may sound wrong, but it's true."
As for hiring agent Drew Rosenhaus to negotiate a contract for him, Owens said: "This has nothing to do with Drew. This was going to happen with Drew, Joseph, or anyone I hired. This was going down no matter what."
Perhaps it shouldn't go down.
There is a seven-year deal in place, about $46 million on the table, and an $8.5 million signing bonus that Owens already pocketed. But when that was noted, the first words out of Owens' mouth were, "Tell me I didn't earn it."
That's when it's time to shut up.
He's right when he says if the Eagles don't have to honor the contract, he shouldn't have to, either. Hugh Douglas, Jeremiah Trotter, Brian Mitc and a few others have been allowed to leave by the Eagles at one time or another, and Owens did not hesitate to point that out last night.
The way he sounded, Owens fully expects the Eagles to keep him around this year and let him go the minute his salary-cap number becomes too much for them. He doesn't expect to walk away with cash near the $40 million range, so he is exercising whatever leverage he thinks he has.
It may be stupid, foolhardy or downright futile. But his words last night make it clear he's determined to take a stand, no matter how many headaches he causes.
Especially now, as he's feeling the heat from Philadelphia fans, whom he says, "I adore," who are being manipulated into believing others instead of Owens.
"I love the fans in Philadelphia, but the few who try to call me selfish because of my situation just don't understand," Owens said. "I can't look into their household and judge them on things I don't understand, so they shouldn't do that to me."
And what about his remark to ESPN.com that he was not the one who was "tired and out of shape in the Super Bowl"? He never made it clear to whom he was referring.
"I said what I said because, obviously, somebody in the organization is leaking stuff to make me look bad, to turn the city against me. Now, why do that now? Think about that. Think about where it's coming from."
So much for Owens' future in Philadelphia - at least if Eagles history repeats itself.
"I'll listen to my agent and let him handle that. But Drew did bring that possibility to my attention, and recognized it as a worst-case scenario.
"But I've already prepared myself to do whatever's best for my family. And I'm not about to shortchange my family because of people thinking I'm selfish."
he has a legally binding contract....I say if he holds out, Philly should sue him for breach of that contract.
I think this is funny
TO was mad that the media is misinterpreting what he said the other day.
The media was now bringing in about TO and Donovan's relationship...
Owens = Spreewell's brother! It will be interesting to see what side Brewski takes in this!
TO is arguably the best receiver in the league but he is not much of a team guy.
If he didn't mean McNabb, with his "tired" comment...then who? Be a man and tell us.
Fact of the matter is, he has a contract and is legally bound to uphold that. Its not fair to the team or their fans that TO act like a selfish asshole.
Eh as an Eagles fan it's hard to see T.O. pull all this in the off season on one hand I can't blame him since in the nfl a contract isn't guranteed and they just black load most of them anyways and cut the players before their last two years when they are suppose to make big bucks.
That said T.O. signed a contract I doubt he will hold out he is just trying to restructure so I don't think he want's more money just upfront, either way doesnt matter he signed a contract and the Eagles can void the next 5 years off of it so there really isnt a thing he can do, hopefully it just all gets taken care of because it could start a downfall for the eagles this year.
Skip Bayless calling out TO
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...s/050415&num=0
By Skip Bayless
Page 2
This is for the army of T.O. worshippers that have attacked my e-mail over the last few weeks.
This is also for Terrell Owens himself.
Sorry, Himself.
No, I am not "hiding" from Owens, as many e-mailers, with particularly vile and cowardly language, have accused me of doing. They claim that Owens Himself has fired back at me in responses to chat room questions on his Web site, saying I don't have the, uh, guts to face him on television. I hear that Owens likes to cyberchat like that with his idolaters, but I don't know for sure and I don't care exactly what he has or hasn't said about me.
And I refuse to visit his cybershrine.
But I now publicly offer Terrell Owens an open invitation to join me on ESPN2's "Cold Pizza" to discuss and debate any or all of my criticism of him. Any weekday between 8 and 10 a.m. Eastern. Just the two of us, one on one. Owens can have the first and last word on every issue.
Nothing will be off limits.
Yes, I've been tough on Owens. But no, I don't have a single second thought about a single word I've said or written about the guy.
In fact, astute Eagles fans are surely starting to agree with me. They're starting to see the real Owens -- the one I closely observed during his final three years with the San Francisco 49ers, the one who was despised by many of his teammates.
So to all of you -- and to him -- I say: Any weekday, any time.
I'll even telegraph my punches. I'll tell you -- and him -- exactly what I want to get into.
We can begin with our history. Through the first year I wrote about him, I was his lone supporter among Bay Area media members. I defended Owens in his clashes with then-coach Steve Mariucci and constantly reminded readers and talk-show listeners that Owens kept himself in bodybuilder shape, that he avoided off-field trouble and that, according to 49ers adviser and coaching legend Bill Walsh, Owens knew the offense as well as the quarterbacks did.
Those people surely are laughing now over the predictable problems Owens is causing in Philadelphia.
I defended Owens to the point that a member of his inner sanctum told me I might be T.O.'s choice to write his book.
But I fell out of favor quickly, after that turning-point Monday night in October 2002. That night in Seattle, Owens pulled the Sharpie from his sock to sign a touchdown-catch ball -- and his descent began in San Francisco.
From that night on, I wrote, Owens crossed the line between football player and celebrity -- from Owens to T.O. He further alienated teammates by ignoring their high fives after he scored touchdowns so he could focus on his celebration routines. "SportsCenter" viewers outside the Bay Area knew far more about Owens' choreography than about the many passes he dropped in 2003 as he crumbled under the pressure to enhance his upcoming free-agent appeal.
Remember, the 2003 49ers were considered a cinch playoff team. They finished 7-9. Yet Owens blamed quarterback Jeff Garcia -- to the point that, eventually, he publicly questioned Garcia's sexual preference.
That's when I concluded that T.O. is nothing but bad news. That's when I nicknamed him Terrible Owens.
Maybe you can discuss your dance moves on "Cold Pizza" T.O.?
That's what I want to talk about on TV, T.O.
Let's probe why your agent, David Joseph, blew the free-agent deadline.
Let's talk about how I believe the league feared you might turn the mess your agent made into a racial issue -- you once called the franchise tag "like slavery" -- and how the league let you out of a trade to Baltimore so you could play in Philadelphia.
And about how the Eagles were under no obligation to tear up your existing contract, but gave you a reported $10.3 million signing bonus and a back-loaded seven-year, $49 million deal.
And about how you had a terrific season -- though your new quarterback, Donovan McNabb, had a better one, which allowed you and your Eagles to front-run without pressure.
And about how your team won two pressure-cooker playoff games without you.
And about how I believe you hampered your team in the Super Bowl by playing with a lower-leg injury that took away your top-gear ability to run past New England defensive backs on deep routes or after catches.
Who caught the deep touchdown pass that got your team back in the game, T.O.? Speed demon Greg Lewis, who should have played much more.
So let's talk about how you've now shifted blame onto your "roommate and soul mate," McNabb, by saying you weren't the one who got tired in the Super Bowl. No, you didn't use McNabb's name, but I want you to try to convince me you were referring to someone else. Who? McNabb's mom?
Please, let's talk about how you gratefully signed your contract last year and about how you're now trying to use your many media mouthpieces to pressure Eagles management into giving you more money after one season of a seven-year deal.
I want you to explain how you initially said you did not hire agent Drew "The Renegotiator" Rosenhaus because you wanted to renegotiate -- and about how Rosenhaus said Thursday evening on "SportsCenter" that you "have the most leverage any player has ever had to renegotiate."
I want to see you cry the hypocritical tears you cried Thursday on CNBC about how traumatic it was to fire Joseph, the agent you've called "like a brother."
Please enlighten me about how you're "not being greedy" but just trying to provide for your family. Please convince me you deserve as much money as Randy Moss makes when you're not as fast or as athletic as Moss and you don't have his hands or hops. Please explain how and why "people inside the organization are leaking stuff" to make you look bad.
Were you late for a meeting during Super Bowl week -- or not? Are you really going to alienate your fans by holding out -- or is that just a negotiating threat?
Please, let's publicly discuss why your coach, Andy Reid, recently "came at" you and said, "I thought you weren't going to cause any problems." At least, that's what you told the Philadelphia Inquirer's Stephen A. Smith.
While we're at it, let's get into the message you sent by agreeing to do that "Monday Night Football" skit with an eventually naked Nicollette Sheridan -- heck with my teammates, I'd rather stay in the locker room with this hot babe. I'll divulge right here, up front, that I've spoken with several black coaches and officials who were angry that you fed the stereotype that white women have always been Kryptonite for black stars.
I'll give you plenty of TV time to set them straight.
As you've said about your renegotiation, my offer to debate you isn't personal, it's business. I have absolutely nothing against you personally. You never denied me an interview or chewed me out in the locker room.
I simply believe you've been swept away by all the misguided hero worship inspired by your touchdown routines and your outrageous comments and your "Monday Night" skit -- and that you've lost all perspective on yourself and on what it takes to win championships.
The Patriots don't have a T.O. and don't want one.
But convince me I'm wrong, T.O. On television, at your convenience.
I dare you.
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