Owens leaves after verbal spat with Reid

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 10, 2005, 5:00 PM ET
Owens leaves after verbal spat with Reid
ESPN.com news services

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2130735

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens argued with head coach Andy Reid at a team meeting Wednesday and left camp, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio has confirmed.

It was not immediately known if Owens was told to leave or left on his own accord. Owens then got his belongings and cleared out of Eagles training camp at Lehigh University, according to two television reports. He was expected to return to his home in New Jersey, Paolantonio has learned.

Paolantonio said the team meeting was about "player obligations" during training camp, including a fan autograph session. Owens had bypassed the autograph session, which had caused hard feelings among his teammates who did attend the session, and felt the wide receiver was being given special treatment.

Earlier Wednesday, he had missed practice for the fifth time in six days because of a left groin injury.

Owens worked out with the team's assistant trainer for about 20 minutes on a separate playing field from his teammates, catching balls from a machine and doing some light running. He did not speak to reporters or acknowledge the fans who chanted his name.

The All-Pro receiver sat out practices last Friday and Saturday. He returned Sunday for both the morning and afternoon sessions, but hasn't practiced since.

Owens is unhappy the Eagles have refused to redo his contract as he enters the second season of a seven-year, $48.97 million deal.

Last season, Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 touchdowns receptions before severely injuring his ankle late in the season. He missed the final two regular-season games and the first two playoff games before returning for the Super Bowl, in which he had nine receptions for 122 yards.

When asked about Owens leaving camp, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said it was a matter between Owens and Reid. Rosenhaus declined to talk about it further.

[kris]

I for some reason find myself more and more interested in the Terrell Owens siutation. So here's my take even though nobody asked me:

I don't think Terrell Owens is in a position to hold out even though I think other NFL players are righteous in holding out (ie Antonio Gates). Owens signed his ~$50 million deal last year after the Eagles tore up his old contract from the 49ers which they did not have to do. Owens was flat out asked if the contract was suitable for him by the Eagles to make sure he would be happy before he signed - he agreed it was fine. That was just last year. Now, because he has Drew Rosenhaus, he wants a new deal.

I think he may be slightly underpaid according to market value for a receiver of his abilities, but he is not grossly underpaid like Gates is. Also, if you look at the effects of the holdout, it's a lose-lose situation which he has instigated. The Eagles are obviously not budging and he is developing a horrible repoire. Even if the Eagles did trade him, his market value has taken a huge dent because of his actions. He has also turned off some fans with how he has handled them at Eagles camp.

The best recourse for Terrell Owens is to be statisfied with whatever guaranteed money he received and try to continue to earn his ~7m a year. He may not believe it inside, but he needs to admit for his involvement with his teammates and Eagles administration, coaching, and fans that he is sorry for the trouble he has caused. It won't help his ego, but it will sure make things a lot easier on him.

[j-6]

I don't understand this guy.

TO has a seven year contract worth $48.9M. Last year he made $9.16M ($660,000 base, $2,300,000 signing bonus, and $6,200,700 in playing incentives.) off of Philly after making $4.7M in '03 and $4.25M in '02 with the Niners. Also, San Francisco could have gotten more from Baltimore for him than Philly last offseason, but Owens got the trade nullified.

Now, I know he's set to earn only $3.5M this year, which he knew when he signed the contract, but do the rest of the math. 48.9 minus 12.7 is 36.2. 36.2 over the next five seasons (especially since he'll turn 33 this season) is a uva deal. That's an average of $7.25M a season until he's 38!

I'd trade his ungrateful ass off for Santana Moss and a pick or two, and let Dan Snyder figure this a-hole out.

[ALVAREZ6]

TO is a .

[TheDude]

that guy man, I'm not suprised one bit that this happened. Dumb thinks hes bigger than the whole nfl because so many people got on their knees after his superbowl performance.

[Trainwreck2100]

What a little , has someone checked to see if he has a vagina?

[spurschick]

What a little , has someone checked to see if he has a vagina?

I know what you're getting at here, however, just because you have a vagina doesn't mean you would walk out on your team.

[midgetonadonkey]

I think he may be slightly underpaid according to market value for a receiver of his abilities, but he is not grossly underpaid like Gates is.

Antonio Gates had one good season. I can name a dozen NFL players that had one good season and don't deserve . Gates has on reason to hold-out.

[N.Y. Johnny]

I think this is going to end soon with a trade or an outright release...philadelphia will not work out a deal with Rosenhaus and thats obvious.

[ALVAREZ6]

I just read that T.O. is suspended for 1 week. He will be back Wednesday.

[ducks]

I LOVE THE FACT THE EAGLES WERE SO ING STUPID TO GET T.O and now THEY PAY!

[Horry For 3!]

Did you see the interview with T.O. at his house when he was exercising outside?

[Horry For 3!]

I just read that T.O. is suspended for 1 week. He will be back Wednesday.

Sucks for you. The Eagles are going down the drain.

[nickbroken]

I LOVE THE FACT THE EAGLES WERE SO ING STUPID TO GET T.O and now THEY PAY!

Please because as a cowpies fan"I assume you are a cowboys fan" you wouldn't have jumped to have him as a wide out ...oh oh I forgot you got a person who is just a big of piece of garbage if not bigger, with half the talent...Meshawn...

But you are right we are paying.

[Sense]

TO is a .

Eagles fans are s..


No loyalty at all... seriously weren't you on his balls before this?

[PeterBurns]

TO is a f-ing coward.

But also keep in mind. What would you rather contracts like the NFL where things can change, or contracts like the NBA, where you make a dip move and your team is screwed for 5+ years?

[ALVAREZ6]

Eagles fans are s..


No loyalty at all... seriously weren't you on his balls before this?

No loyalty at all? I'm still with the Eagles, but not with TO, I say trade his ass.

I want whats best for the team.

[ALVAREZ6]

Sucks for you. The Eagles are going down the drain.

Because of 1 player?

The Eagles made it to the NFC championship game 3 times in a row WITHOUT TO!



I don't think so.

On offense, as long as we still have McNabb and Westbrook, then you will find us in the Super Bowl.

[Sense]

Because of 1 player?

The Eagles made it to the NFC championship game 3 times in a row WITHOUT TO!



I don't think so.

On offense, as long as we still have McNabb and Westbrook, then you will find us in the Super Bowl.

You got no legit wide reciever...and I noticed you never had made the superbowl when TO wasn't on the team.. you have no offense without TO, atleast no winning offense.

You should really hope he stays... I feel sorry for that team.

[nickbroken]

You got no legit wide reciever...and I noticed you never had made the superbowl when TO wasn't on the team.. you have no offense without TO, atleast no winning offense.

You should really hope he stays... I feel sorry for that team.

Nah we got a pretty decent offense without TO, we still have McNabb, Westbrook and Lj Smith, Greg Lewis is looking really good, so we are thin at WR, chances are we will sign a vet wr or something,but our defense is what will keep us going.

[Sense]

Nah we got a pretty decent offense without TO, we still have McNabb, Westbrook and Lj Smith, Greg Lewis is looking really good, so we are thin at WR, chances are we will sign a vet wr or something,but our defense is what will keep us going.

We will see..

[nickbroken]

Nevermind TO is done as an Eagles if not done with football all together, he shot himself in the foot.

[ALVAREZ6]

We will see..

I guarantee the Eagles will crush your Cowboys. We will see that happen.

[Spurminator]

I really can't imagine caring less about this soap opera.

[Guru of Nothing]

Antonio Gates had one good season. I can name a dozen NFL players that had one good season and don't deserve . Gates has on reason to hold-out.

A season and a half.


Pay attention!