Nobody loves T.O. like T.O. loves T.O.

[DrewKaree]

Pretty good story!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ link shortened

[tommy]

Maybe if the Eagles would have paid him the money he's worth and not tried to get a great player for free they would have had a great happy player for a long time to come.

[DrewKaree]

Maybe if the Eagles would have paid him the money he's worth and not tried to get a great player for free they would have had a great happy player for a long time to come.

Are you serious?  Do you not know ANY of the background to this whole ass hat situation?

He (meaning TERRELL OWENS, in case you're confused) agreed to a contract less than THIRTEEN MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS, that IN HIS MIND PAID HIM WHAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS WORTH!  Open your eyes and look at the situation.  Drew Rosen-holdout became his agent, and since Rosen-holdout WOULD NOT GET ONE THIN DIME OF THAT CONTRACT, fed Owens' overblown ego in order to convince him to try to get a new contract, which would THEN pay Rosen-holdout.  This is strictly Rosen-holdout's doing - meaning using Owens' ego in order to gain money for himself.

If his "worth" was so high, why was he willing to "settle" THIRTEEN MONTHS ago?  You're flat nuts if you think this is the Eagles' fault.  The ONLY thing that the Eagles are to blame for is not accepting that cancerous tumor's apology and allowing the situation to fester for as long as it did. 

And don't give me that B.S. that "he put his career on the line" in playing in the Super Bowl.  Tell it to Joe Sixpack slinging a tar mop on a roof that he might fall of of EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  Owens has MILLIONS to fall back on.  He didn't do anything that Workaday Joe's don't do EVERY DAMN DAY for a pittance in comparison to a guy who PLAYS-A-GAME.

Owens is the ringleader in the ass hat circus this has become, and FAR FAR FAR DOWN THE LINE is the Eagles organization.  You're a fool if you'd want that cancer on your team for longer than a single football season, because that's about as long as he can hold his mouth and NOT become a problem.  He's demonstrated it in the past, and his pleading with the American public about how it's a CRIME that he was only offered SEVEN EFFING MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR to PLAY A GAME somehow resonates with you? 

I'm sure he's a swell person in real life. I only hope to never meet him in order to find out.  Reading your assessment of the situation, I feel the need to make it clear, since I'm certain you won't pick up on this:  I don't like the guy.

The writer put it best in the story.  He's PROFICIENT at his job.  That's the extent of his credentials.  Harrison - who's NOT a first-class jag - is a better reciever.  Chad Johnson - who's a third-class jag - is AS GOOD a receiver.  Jerry Rice - who has been said to be class personified - was the receiver Owens will always be TRYING to be, not only is as good a reciever, but he's not a disruption to....now try to stay with us.....the TEAM.  You know, the COLLECTION OF GUYS THAT JACKASS NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL?!?!?

Stick with what you know.  You can comment on the Jets too, since they're somewhat in your wheelhouse.  Other than that, you'll have to do a lot more reading and listening to news before you can be believed.  Telling us Owens being paid MILLIONS per year to play a game means "the Eagles tried to get him for FREE" leads me to believe you're PUI....Posting Under the Influence.

[duffjr]

if to has affected his team's performance, it's management's fault for not settling with him.  if your best player is a baby, you have to give him everything he wants.  if his loss doesn't affect the team, management acted correctly.

[mccoy178]

Hey Drew, how do you reeeaaallllyyy feel?   Seriously, don't hold back.

[DrewKaree]

Hey Drew, how do you reeeaaallllyyy feel?   Seriously, don't hold back.

And it's debateable if T.O. has affected the team's performance.  Having McNabb injured certainly hasn't helped the team this year either, and I doubt having the backup QB on the field with T.O. would equate to a better record.  If you believe that you have to give your best player whatever he wants, then explain why Patriots players succeed when they realize that football is a TEAM game, and have FAR LESS success when treated as if they are to be coddled and "given what they want".  That theory might hold up if there weren't hundreds upon hundreds of examples of the exact opposite treatment not only working, but bringing the ultimate in success.

[duffjr]

players play better when their contracts are expiring.  if they are getting seriously undercut and are going to whine about it to the public, that can't be good.

[missioncontrol]

Who the  ---fudgesicle--- is T.O.


DRTFA

[Grasshopper]

And don't give me that B.S. that "he put his career on the line" in playing in the Super Bowl.  Tell it to Joe Sixpack slinging a tar mop on a roof that he might fall of of EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.  Owens has MILLIONS to fall back on.  He didn't do anything that Workaday Joe's don't do EVERY DAMN DAY for a pittance in comparison to a guy who PLAYS-A-GAME.

Owens is the ringleader in the ass hat circus this has become, and FAR FAR FAR DOWN THE LINE is the Eagles organization.  You're a fool if you'd want that cancer on your team for longer than a single football season, because that's about as long as he can hold his mouth and NOT become a problem.  He's demonstrated it in the past, and his pleading with the American public about how it's a CRIME that he was only offered SEVEN EFFING MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR to PLAY A GAME somehow resonates with you? 

What an outrage. It's enough to make you a communist.

[DrewKaree]

What an outrage. It's enough to make you a communist.

Does that mean I have to turn in my fascist card?

[tommy]

I don't agree with all the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- talking about  the Eagles and Mcnabb T.O  has done but he is worth the new contract. T.O could have said what he wanted about the Eagles organization and still have gotten the new contract, if he was smart he would have gotten Mcnabb on his side and would have his new contract reguardless of all else that was said.

So what, he agreed to the contract at the start, he's well within his rights to ask for more money and right or wrong, the Eagles knew it wouldn't be pretty to basically tell him to take a hike by not giving it to him.

[DrewKaree]

I don't agree with all the ---Cleveland steamer--- talking about  the Eagles and Mcnabb T.O  has done but he is worth the new contract.

Pre-T.O.:
  Eagles go deep into the playoffs, almost making it to the Super Bowl
 
Post-T.O.:
   Eagles have essentially the same cast of characters and hope that adding T.O. will get them to the Super Bowl.  T.O. breaks his ass and isn't available.  Team still makes it into the playoffs, which would have happened even if T.O. wasn't an Eagle.

Assessment so far:  T.O. was a nice addition, another weapon for McNabb.

Eagles do not have T.O. for the playoffs.  Eagles win, win, win, win....Eagles make it to the Super Bowl.

WITHOUT T.O.

Follow so far?  They made it to the Super Bowl WITH OUT the person they thought would improve their team enough to get that far. 

Assessment so far:  T.O. didn't do JACK to help them through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl. 

Super Bowl:  T.O. plays.  T.O. has a monster day.  Somehow, T.O. DOES NOT figure out how to pass to HIMSELF, making the person passing to him AS VALUABLE as T.O.  Result?  I think we all saw it.

So did T.O. accomplish the results he was signed for?  You're SILLY if you believe he did. 

Assessment so far:  No appreciable improvement based on his proficiency.

It's IDIOCY to think that the man DID NOT get paid well for what he DIDN'T do for the Eagles.  Your story is starting to change with more information.  The Eagles, considering WHY they brought T.O. onboard, were smart NOT to give that ass hat more money based on the results with him.  They were NOT smart to dismiss his apology, and to allow this to go on for as long as it did.  The first time he popped off after his holdout should have been when he was suspended.  That's the ONLY mistake the Eagles made. 

Funny that the Eagles aren't doing as well at the same time McNabb continues to play through injuries and "putting his career at risk".  Funny that T.O. (does that stand for T.O.mmy too?) can't get his head around the fact that AS A TEAM the Eagles took that next step WITHOUT T.O. and demonstrated his worth to be exactly what he agreed to sign for.

Being "within his rights" to ask for more money isn't the same as demonstrating WHY he deserves more money and backing up your argument that the EAGLES are at fault, and NOT T.O.  You see how the Eagles are "within their rights" to not pay the man, and I've demonstrated why they're RIGHT for choosing not to do so. 

If you're gonna debate, at least do better than "well, because he can".  Telling us how T.O. should have gone at this situation to strengthen his position AGREES with T.O. being the one who's wrong, just for different reasons. 

[ChadTower]

So what, he agreed to the contract at the start, he's well within his rights to ask for more money and right or wrong, the Eagles knew it wouldn't be pretty to basically tell him to take a hike by not giving it to him.

He can ask, but what he cannot do is fake injuries, disrupt the entire organization, and undermine the team itself when he is told to honor a contract he willingly and gladly signed.

Remember, he screwed over the 49ers to get away from them and then the Ravens AND the 49ers so that he could get to the Eagles. 

What you're saying is basically that he is within his rights to be unprofessional, yes?

[MameJunkie]

players play better when their contracts are expiring.

[ChadTower]

If you look at it the other way, from the viewpoint of someone like Shaun Alexander or Javon Walker, the player has a point that they should be paid more flexibly in regard to performance.

The young NFL player is told that until they have been in the league a while and performed at a high level, they do not deserve a bigtime contract.

The veteran NFL player is told that players are paid for potential performance, not past performance, and that they are too old for a bigtime contract.

Where is the fair middle ground?  The owners have it both ways and the players have very little recourse other than to intentionally shorten their already short careers in an effort to get paid what they think they are worth.

Shaun Alexander had it right, to hold out for what he is worth, but when time ran out, he signed the one year tender with a clause that he not be held with Franchise rights at the end of the one year contract.  Brilliant move, one would think.  He gets to play another free agent year, have another MVP year, and hit the BIG bucks without risk of being held back by the Franchise tag.  Alexander is doing exactly that so far.

Javon Walker was in the same situation and came to camp for the good of the team.  He did not get his major contract, even though he truly deserves it.  He was going to negotiate an extension through the beginning of the season.  He blew out his knee in week 1 and now the team won't even return his phone calls.  Where is his bigtime pay for the last 2-3 years of all pro production?

[MameJunkie]

I say give'em all minimum wage and fix amount for pure performance.

2.5k / yard rush.
50k Touchdown.
25k Sack.

-10k Interception.

[ChadTower]

so, OL doesn't get paid at all?

A blocking fullback, who has a very short and unselfish career, barely gets paid?

You just designed the destruction of the team concept.

[RayB]

Hey, stop insulting Toronto!

[hypernova]

so, OL doesn't get paid at all?

A blocking fullback, who has a very short and unselfish career, barely gets paid?

You just designed the destruction of the team concept.

did you REALLY expect him to list the entire 53 man roster (including the bench warmers?)

[mmmPeanutButter]

Hey, stop insulting Toronto!

It is true though, nobody loves toronto like toronto loves toronto.

[DrewKaree]

Where is the fair middle ground?  The owners have it both ways and the players have very little recourse other than to intentionally shorten their already short careers in an effort to get paid what they think they are worth.

The players' union is supposed to deal with these issues for the players.  I can see the problems with owners being able to terminate a player's contract at the drop of a hat, and I also see the problem with players demanding a re-negotiation every year if they have a banner year.  The thing no player EVER takes into account is the fact that they DON'T have to pay BACK any money for underperforming during any year of the contract they agreed to.

As for Walker, I have no doubt in my mind that Green Bay will treat him fairly when contract time comes around, with the caveat that Rosen-holdout doesn't pull the ass hat moves he's infamous for.  Without a doubt, Walker DID have a year last year that deserves consideration come contract time, since it DOES demonstrate steady improvement throughout the length of the contract he signed. 

Owens has demonstrated himself to be a cancer to a successful team, perhaps (IMO, DEFINTELY) more than his value as a WR, which reduces his worth, no matter the stats he posts.  In a game that REQUIRES 22 players working together to produce success, there is no room for distractions from an ass hat who doesn't realize HIS success depends on at least ONE other person...the guy throwing him the ball in the first place.  Oh, and the guy who snaps the ball to that one other person....and the other four who help that guy who snaps the ball to block for that one other person so he.....and the list/example/idiocy is further demonstrated

If money was paid out based on worth, an OL would be paid more than T.O. since that OL could just act as a turnstile for defensive players, leaving no chance for T.O. to run his mouth.  We all know that if an OL did that though, that he'd be benched and probably cut for acting like that.  Wait....isn't that what the Eagles said they're doing with T.O.?

[ChadTower]

As for Walker, I have no doubt in my mind that Green Bay will treat him fairly when contract time comes around, with the caveat that Rosen-holdout doesn't pull the ass hat moves he's infamous for.

[thebrownshow]

Tell you what, as someone who lives in Philly, we would have elected T.O. mayor of Philadelphia last year after his efforts to get back and play in the Super Bowl on that ankle, but after all his childish tantrums and inexuseable behavior this season, I absolutely CHEERED the Eagles' decision to sit him the rest of the year.

Unfortunately, this whole thing has nothing to do with his abilities on the field or how much he's worth - I don't think I've spoken to anyone that thinks he isn't worth good money - the problem is how he went about it.  The guy's clearly out of his mind.

[tommy]

What you're saying is basically that he is within his rights to be unprofessional, yes?

Yes.

They should have known telling him no would have made him act this way.

All i'm saying is he WOULD not been i disruption if they gave him the new contract, and he is worth it based on skill.

[ChadTower]

I bet he still would have been a disruption.  He wants attention more than money.  He only really wants the money because of the notoriety that comes with it.

[Havok]

In the end, who gives a crap? I don't know T.O. and he doesn't know me. I say let him do what he wants. Sit back and enjoy the show. Don't bother getting upset...

[DrewKaree]

In the end, who gives a crap? I don't know T.O. and he doesn't know me. I say let him do what he wants. Sit back and enjoy the show. Don't bother getting upset...

When others see that his behavior does or doesn't work, it affects everyone else in the league who isn't as "out there" as T.O.  That's why it DOES matter what he does, and why it'll matter if the fans think his behavior is abhorrent.

I take it as a slap in the face that I go out daily and bust ---my bottom--- for a tenth of what he makes, and he views his pay as an insult.  He'll never realize how crass he sounds to the people who ultimately pay his salary, the fans, and I find his behavior insulting.

What I find ALMOST as insulting, and really, more along the lines of "you reap what you sow" is the attitude shared by millions of tommy's who say that T.O. WAS within his rights to act unprofessionally.  To think that coddling someone and giving them what they want because "they know telling him no would make him act this way" is the way to deal with this type of problem is being willfully ignorant and ensures the problem will continue.

Unless, tommy, you are going to tell us that at some point, you CAN'T give a player what he wants simply because he wants it.  I don't see you even agreeing with, or GETTING, that point, so I won't hold my breath that you follow that argument.

[MameJunkie]

In the end, who gives a crap? I don't know T.O. and he doesn't know me. I say let him do what he wants. Sit back and enjoy the show. Don't bother getting upset...

When others see that his behavior does or doesn't work, it affects everyone else in the league who isn't as "out there" as T.O.

[ChadTower]

What I find ALMOST as insulting, and really, more along the lines of "you reap what you sow" is the attitude shared by millions of tommy's who say that T.O. WAS within his rights to act unprofessionally.

[DrewKaree]

What I find ALMOST as insulting, and really, more along the lines of "you reap what you sow" is the attitude shared by millions of tommy's who say that T.O. WAS within his rights to act unprofessionally. 

Actually, TO is well within his rights to act that way.

The Eagles, of course, are also within their rights to suspend his ass in return.

Actions have consequences.

Yeah, misspoke.  I shoulda said "they believe he was right to act unproffessionally".  He's demonstrated he CAN act professionally, but not for long.  Ass hat comes more naturally, and seems to bubble to the top.

[ChadTower]

He is just an extreme example of your average attention needy ---smurfette---.

[tommy]

Anyway Drew, like i said, he is worth the money and is a great WR.

The way he acted is not right, but i thought it should have been expected from his days in SF. Those days in SF and knowing how he is and what the Eagles were getting in T.O, you had to give him the new contract or face what a jackass will say about your team from challenging him.

I never said he was right, all i said was he's a good player and on a skill factor only he is worth it.

They had to know if they didn't keep the baby happy he would talk ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

[thebrownshow]

Problem is, he might be good on paper, but if you can't trust him off the field, how can you trust him on it?  It's not like other sports where you can just plug someone with skills into a lineup and your team is just suddenly better.

Last season, T.O. helped us because of all the time in the offseason that T.O. and McNabb put in building their relationship.  Now that relationship is shot to hell, and there's no way they could be productive.  I don't care what anyone says, it's a team sport, and if you've got a guy like that dividing the team, well you're better off without him.

I don't remember Rice bitching about Montana to the press... or Marvin Harrison complaining about Peyton Manning earlier this season... have some class and deal with your problems like an adult.  TO can take his junior highschool crap and cram it for all I care.

[DrewKaree]

Problem is, he might be good on paper, but if you can't trust him off the field, how can you trust him on it?  It's not like other sports where you can just plug someone with skills into a lineup and your team is just suddenly better.

Last season, T.O. helped us because of all the time in the offseason that T.O. and McNabb put in building their relationship.  Now that relationship is shot to hell, and there's no way they could be productive.  I don't care what anyone says, it's a team sport, and if you've got a guy like that dividing the team, well you're better off without him.

I don't remember Rice bitching about Montana to the press... or Marvin Harrison complaining about Peyton Manning earlier this season... have some class and deal with your problems like an adult.  TO can take his junior highschool crap and cram it for all I care.

The only thing better would have been if you added this to the end of your post, ala Forest Gump:

"And that's about all I have to say about that!"

[ChadTower]

He destroyed his on field credibility when he faked an injury to get off of the field.

Hugh Douglas didn't go and punch him for nothing.