“Nobody
ever had the balls to step out and grab T.O. by the throat and
say, ‘You're paid to be a receiver and catch the ball… You're
not paid to berate the coaches on the sideline. You're not paid
to sign autographs in the middle of the game. You're not paid
to try and call the plays and coach the quarterbacks.’ Nobody
ever said, ‘God-dammit, play football. That's what you're paid
to do.’”
-Bob Garcia, father of quarterback Jeff Garcia, speaking with
Don Banks of Sports Illustrated about Terrell Owens
“So
that there is no misunderstanding, regardless of what happens
with the grievance, under the present circumstances I do not see
myself playing for the Ravens. I can assure everyone that I will
continue to keep fighting for my right to play for the team of
my choice even after the grievance. At the end of this process,
I simply want to be able to exercise my right to play for a team
of my choosing under a deal that is fair to me and my family.”
-Terrell Owens as noted in an ESPN story, also attributed to the
Associated Press
“If
it comes down to the point where I can't win, I'll be a Raven.”
-Terrell Owens as attributed by CBS Sportsline to an interview
with WCAU-TV
~ ~
~ ~ ~
Is
the itty-bitty baby upset?
That’s
what this situation has come down to, and it’s sickening. Owens,
a crying, pampered, spoiled brat with no common sense, is acting
like a wailing baby. And hopefully, if there is any justice, he
won’t get away with this disgusting and immature stance.
Let’s
take a look at the situation…
Owens
was signed to a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. That deal
had three years remaining, with a total value of $17.7 million.
Not an outrageous amount for a player of his acknowledged ability,
so that amount was as close to guaranteed as it comes in the NFL.
But there was also an option that allowed Owens to void the contract
and become a free agent. And in NFL contracts, the real dollars
are found in the signing bonus.
As
soon as the season ended, the quote machine was turned on. He
specifically attacked Jeff Garcia, but made no secret that he
was packing his bags and planned to leave. I don’t believe there
is any doubt he intended to leave, and I will admit that up front.
But something funny happened…
As
Owens was walking out on the organization, he basically did so
by walking backwards toward the door while giving the figurative
finger to the San Francisco 49ers. He didn’t like the organization,
the coaches, or the teammates. Heck, it seemed like he didn’t
like anything about the city if it didn’t involve a paycheck for
him from endorsement money. And when he hit the exit door… he
literally smashed right into it. Turned out he was so involved
with hand gestures and television interviews bad mouthing the
49ers, he hadn’t noticed that no one… not even his agent… had
opened it for him to leave.
For
while no one disputes the fact the Owens had an option in his
contract to void the deal… and while no one doubts that he intended
to leave… neither Owens nor his agent filed the paperwork necessary
to notify the league officially of his intentions.
To
some that’s a technicality. Not to me. We’re talking about millions
of dollars here. We’re talking about a man that had taken cheap
shots at every member of the organization that he could aim at.
This is a child that has accused everyone else of being to blame
when things go wrong and never accepts responsibility for anything.
And here he is, in a situation where only he and his agent have
clear responsibilities, and apparently it is still everyone else’s
fault that the paperwork didn’t get filed.
All
he had to do was open the door for himself, declare his free agency
by filing paperwork, and he didn’t. So when he walked into the
door and fell on his ass, it isn’t the fault of the 49ers, the
Ravens, the NFL or some second gunman on a grassy knoll. Terrell
screwed up. And the 49ers got a huge laugh and tremendous bonus
out of it.
So
that this is crystal clear… Terrell had the opportunity to be
a free agent. He had the opportunity to select where he played.
He had the chance to select where he played, for how much, and
everything else he says this is all about. And he gave up that
opportunity when his agent didn’t file the paperwork. The blame
seems pretty clear here to me.
And
understand that no one has to give Owens anything at this point.
He’s got a contract that is still valid. Why? Because he didn’t
void it.
Now
San Francisco knows they can’t bring him back. They don’t want
him. Bad attitude, bad team player. But by an amazing stroke of
luck, they have a chance to get something by trading him when
they originally were going to get nothing.
Owens
and his agent asked for permission to try and work out a trade
for his services. The 49ers said alright, but they were going
to work on a trade too. Owens worked out a new contract with Philadelphia.
The Eagles offered a fifth round draft choice and a player that
the 49ers had no interest in. Baltimore offered a second round
draft pick. So the offer is basically a fifth round pick or a
second round pick. Exactly why is Owens stunned that the 49ers
traded him for the second round draft pick? How is that unfair?
Gee,
do you think Terrell wants to go to Philadelphia so badly because
(1) he gets to play with Donovan McNabb, or (2) Philadelphia offered
him a new contract (which remember, no team was required to do
since his other deal still runs for three more years) and Baltimore
did not? I’m going with number 2.
Terrell
Owens doesn’t deserve to play for a winner. He doesn’t deserve
any of the benefits afforded a talented professional athlete.
He was notorious for a bad attitude, and if… hopefully… he is
told to go to Baltimore he is going to have a ton of fences and
bridges to mend because of this childish screaming and crying.
Do you think any players on the Baltimore roster are thrilled
by the antics on display? All he has done is show why the 49ers
are happy he’s gone, and given validity to the comments of Bob
Garcia as noted above.
Terrell,
you’re a receiver. One that makes some splendid plays but
drops an amazing amount of easy catches as well. Right now, you
are not worth this trouble. This is the National Football League,
not the “hey everybody look at me league.” Wake up. You had your
chance, and you… not anyone else… you blew it. You have no freedom
of choice, because you didn’t ask for it. You have no free agent
rights, because you didn’t ask for it. You have no “right to play
for the team of your choice,” because even with the contractual
right to ask for it, you didn’t ask for it. You are the idiot.
You are the one that messed up. You are the classless idiot… the
crybaby. Take your $17.7 million and smile. Or, play your butt
off and hope someone shows you some mercy, does something they
don’t have to do, and offers to renegotiate your contract.
It
does make one wonder though… since San Francisco was prepared
to get nothing from his departure and currently stand to get a
second round draft pick… Do you think they’ll be happy just being
able to laugh at Terrell the baby and how he is acting if they
end up not getting the pick?
And
a final note to the NFL and the players’ association. If Terrell’s
rights wind up any place except Baltimore, then shame on you.
Seems like everything is pretty clear to me.