T.O. Takes a Forced "TO"

[MudCat]

I didn't see the interview he gave earlier in the week, but I did read the transcript.

Let me lead off with a couple of things:

-I dislike the Eagles immensely as a team. There are players on the team I like, but overall, I really don't like Philadelphia. I think it has to do with some of their fans. By no means, not all of them, but it's a personal thing.

-T.O.'s antics (Sharpies, situps, etc.) don't really bother me. I thought what he did in Dallas a couple of years ago was pretty classless, but most of them don't bother me.

That being said......

IMO, most of the things he said, while I disagree with him immensely, really aren't that bad. Mostly just whining.

However, this is now the what, third time he's thrown a teammate or teammates under the bus?For that, I applaud the Eagles for sitting him.

He's going to lose approximately $200K and change for every game he's suspended, and if I read correctly, they can only arbitrarily sit him for 4 games under the collective bargaining agreement, without jumping some additional hurdles, but it can be done, as Tampa Bay did with Keyshawn a couple of years ago.

I'm not a big "high horse" guy when it comes to athletes. I don't begrudge them the money they make, or the fame they have. If someone's willing to pay it, then go for it.

To me, this again comes down to his total disregard for his teammates.

Drew Rosenhaus, T.O.'s agent uses the argument that his players should always be able to renegotiate their contracts, since they're putting their livelihoods, and lives on the line each week.

Fine, Drew. Using that logic, tell your client to zip his big yap, 'cause there are 52 other guys on the teamdoing the same thing.

You never, ever, do what he did (repeatedly)to your teammates, IMO.

[BigBlue75]

I'm a Dallas fan and I could less if the Eagles ever win another game. That being said, the Philly management and players are not deserving of that kind of treatment by anyone, really, but certainly not a member of their own organization. I applaud Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb for the way they've conducted themselves and the Eagles are right in the way they've handled it.

I will be very surprised if Owens ever suits up and takes the field as a Philadelphia Eagle ever again. Further, if he keeps it up, he might just talk himself out of the league altogether.

[Coldstream]

I'd like to see TO out of the NFL altogether. I want to see players play the game and shuddup about whatever personal issues they may have. This isn't NASCAR with soap opera like events leaping from one race to the next.

[BrassowFan]

I agree, I've been a 49er fan for as long as I can remember and when his attitude first came out I tried to give him the benefit of doubt but he's crossed that line far too often for it to be "everybody else".

I agree with every word by Jdb1074, I have no problem with players making a lot of money, I really don't have a problem with their antics such as the Dallas or the sharpie incidents but IMO these guys need to be reminded that they play a TEAM sport and regardless of how good they are, they must support those who support them, that's the only way you can be successful.

[kybuc]

T.O. should have learned from the MeShawn debacle down in Tampa several years ago. Once player is not above any franchise.

With that said, I back Philly 100% with their decision.

That multi year deal he was looking for at the first of the season looks far fetched to me now. He has bascially delt himself a yearly contract in the future cause teams dont want or need his personal baggage.

[TRexSmarts]

I never did like TO. Yeah, he is a great WR but his attitude is something else. I'm happy he isn't playing. Maybe now he will change his stupid attitude.

TRexSmarts

[boomdaddy]

TRexSmarts wrote: I never did like TO. Yeah, he is a great WR but his attitude is something else. I'm happy he isn't playing. Maybe now he will change his stupid attitude.

TRexSmarts



I've never liked the Eagles. I've always been a Dallas and a Cincy fan. Philly let their in house squabbles cost them a game. Thier team is being run by idiots. Yes, they snubbed TO, when he reached a players milestone. All they had todo was make it right, to shut the man up. Didn't TO play with a broken leg in the super bowl and make a few outstanding plays? He was then banned from training camp, for asking for more money. Yeah, let the coaches keep him out for the season and watch their wins dry up. Who's being childish now? It's not like college, where you can find the next great superstar, in every draft.

[MudCat]

Just announced on ESPN.com that they're shutting T.O. down for the rest of the year.

Of course, he'll file a grievance, but I applaud the Eagles (never thought I'd say that....as a matter of fact, I think I just upchucked in my mouth a little.....) for doing what they're doing, to the betterment of the team.

Of course, now, we'll have to hear him on ESPN and/or FOX every week.

On second thought, reinstate him.......

[Coldstream]

Great news, IMO. Not only did they sit him down for remainder of season but he is suspended for next 3 games which means under rules, he will not be paid for the last game plus the next 3 ($200k per game). For the rest of the season he will be deactivated.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2216703


PS: the player's union is already in motion to file a grievance on TO's behalf. I hope the owners and the NFL front office stand together on this and turn a deaf hear on their pleas. TO had it coming.

[Caveman Catfan]

boomdaddy wrote: Thier team is being run by idiots.



Idiots that have lead them to a conference championship and a super bowl appearance. They have been one of the best teams in the league for the past 5 or so years, even though they have lost players thought to be indispensable.

They agreed to a 7 year contract with T.O. just one year ago and after one year, he wants a new deal.

What idiots they are!!

BTW, in addition to giving T.O. what he wanted a year ago, the Eagles re-negotiated the contracts of David Akers and B. Westbrook, two good eggs that are team players.

[matt57]

i LOVE it, if i were in the Eagles organization i would do the same thing the Redskins did to arrington. i would activate him and make him sit and watch. i think it's hilarious, TO is a great receiver. however, you just don't do what he did. i hope he's done for the year and the eagles refuse to trade him for a year. that would be great....

[BrassowFan]

boomdaddy wrote: TRexSmarts wrote: I never did like TO. Yeah, he is a great WR but his attitude is something else. I'm happy he isn't playing. Maybe now he will change his stupid attitude.

TRexSmarts



I've never liked the Eagles. I've always been a Dallas and a Cincy fan. Philly let their in house squabbles cost them a game. Thier team is being run by idiots. Yes, they snubbed TO, when he reached a players milestone. All they had todo was make it right, to shut the man up. Didn't TO play with a broken leg in the super bowl and make a few outstanding plays? He was then banned from training camp, for asking for more money. Yeah, let the coaches keep him out for the season and watch their wins dry up. Who's being childish now? It's not like college, where you can find the next great superstar, in every draft.

Spoken like a true Cowboys fan... the team whose only behind the Raiders in accepting poor behavior if it can result in W's. Last time I looked it's still a TEAM sport and I applaud Philly for demonstrating where their values remain.

[Doug Hardin]

What is it about the wide receiver position? Why are a disproportionately high number of them arrogant prima donnas? You've got Owens, Moss, Chad Johnson, Keyshawn, Joe Horn . . . most of the great ones besides Marvin Harrison fall into this category today. I can't think of another position in all of sports that's like this.

[boomdaddy]

Doug Hardin wrote: What is it about the wide receiver position? Why are a disproportionately high number of them arrogant prima donnas? You've got Owens, Moss, Chad Johnson, Keyshawn, Joe Horn . . . most of the great ones besides Marvin Harrison fall into this category today. I can't think of another position in all of sports that's like this.


Ughhhhh, let me take a stab at it. Of all the positions in football, who else hurls his body in mid air and lets any jack leg take a running head start at a career ending collision. Cut Mr. Owens from the team and see how many so called respectable teams will get in line to gobble him up. I don't like the fact that OJ was found innocent, but if I were charged with murder, I would hire Jonny Cochran, in a split second, if he were still alive and kicking. I hate liars and thieves as much as the next guy. But, if I were caught red handed, I would want Carl Rove to spin my story to the media. And, if I faced third and long and was an NFL QB, I would want TO to be my designated receiver on my hot route! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!

[rsjones1983]

I think Chad Johnson is an exception here, he backs up the things he says for the most part. My take on TO, I think he's an unstable man with a complete lack of caring for anyone but himself. No one in their right mind would do or say the things he has, and he's definitely hurting his future in the NFL with the antics he has pulled while in Philadelphia. Let's see how he likes sitting out the rest of the season.

[BrassowFan]

Doug Hardin wrote: What is it about the wide receiver position? Why are a disproportionately high number of them arrogant prima donnas? You've got Owens, Moss, Chad Johnson, Keyshawn, Joe Horn . . . most of the great ones besides Marvin Harrison fall into this category today. I can't think of another position in all of sports that's like this.
I think it's because in todays game it's about offense so the celebrities are the QB's, RB's and WR's. Since the passing game is more enjoyable to some, that takes out the RB's.... QB's are generally more mature - which makes them good leaders and WR's are generally cocky which makes them excellent at taking chances with their bodies to score some amazing TD's.

Of course... I could be wrong....

[kauffman21]

i think the questions were a setup, they knew he had a loud mouth so they asked racey questions....same could happen to chad johnson, IMO. i dont like T.O. but thats like putting a steak into a lions cage, then shooting the lion for eating the steak!! all things aside, he was telling the truth...if he had bret farve as a quarterback instead of mcnabb....they would be a better team! anyone agree with that? i sure do!

[Coldstream]

Uuhhmm... NO!

kauffman21 wrote: ......... all things aside, he was telling the truth...if he had bret farve as a quarterback instead of mcnabb....they would be a better team! anyone agree with that? i sure do!

[HOMEYCAT]

Some people in sports never learn the pure joy of being a member of a team. They perhaps don't mature to the point where the epiphany happens. To the mature brain, it dawns......."We are a TEAM!" The satisfaction is pure!

An analogy can be drawn to the theatre. In theatre, "team" translates to "ensemble." In an ensemble play there are no stars........the story is the star.

It is sad that this phenomonen ( the inability to be a team player)is a reflection of our society.

[BrassowFan]

HOMEYCAT wrote: Some people in sports never learn the pure joy of being a member of a team. They perhaps don't mature to the point where the epiphany happens. To the mature brain, it dawns......."We are a TEAM!" The satisfaction is pure!

An analogy can be drawn to the theatre. In theatre, "team" translates to "ensemble." In an ensemble play there are no stars........the story is the star.

It is sad that this phenomonen ( the inability to be a team player)is a reflection of our society.

Not to get off of the topic but I agree which is what makes shows like Seinfeld, Friends and Cheers to be so amazing! I guess it could be argued that each of these had a "star" however the cast acted as a perfect ensemble and made the product worth watching.

[ukfanman]

While Owens may be a "cancer" to a team, he does have talent. And I have to believe there are alwaysa couple of teams that areone player away from the Super Bowl (Seattle, Denver) that would always take a chance on him.

Just a real shame he is that way, who knows what he could have done.

[boomdaddy]

Andy Hussein Reid and the rest of the Eagle organization should cut T.O. from the team, if they dislike him so much. Mcnabb is hurt. The team is mired in a losing streak. They don't need a talented receiver on that team, they might just win a game. I fthe guy is so detrimental to the team, tear up his contract and release him. Wait a minute, T.O. is such a great player, the Eagles are afraid the Big Tuna will pick him up and Dallas will have an easier time winning.

[MudCat]

boomdaddy wrote: Andy Hussein Reid and the rest of the Eagle organization should cut T.O. from the team, if they dislike him so much. Mcnabb is hurt. The team is mired in a losing streak. They don't need a talented receiver on that team, they might just win a game. I fthe guy is so detrimental to the team, tear up his contract and release him. Wait a minute, T.O. is such a great player, the Eagles are afraid the Big Tuna will pick him up and Dallas will have an easier time winning.
This is really more than just about T.O., and the Eagles.

This is about the entire NFL, from the coaches, to the owners, to league management,making a statement.

If the Eagles just released him, anytime ANY player wanted to get out of their contract, they would just act the fool, and the NFL could never function.

Read Peter King's article on CNNSI he posted in his "Monday Morning Quarterback" earlier in the week.

He uses Chad Johnson as an example to what would happen if the NFL stood for this.

One of the reasons the NFL and NASCAR have become so popular is the fact that they have totally autocratic management, and absolutely maintain things be done their way for the betterment overall of their sport.

In some ways, they're hypocrites. (The NFL, I mean.) They come down on individuals (Chad Johnson and T.O. to name a couple) for drawing attention to themselves, yet won't let teams celebrate as groups.

They fine players anywhere from $5,000-$20,000 for uniform violations (socks too high, sockstoo low, towels too long, etc.), but only suspend players for 4 games for substance abuse.

On the other hand, they know, collectively, they all have to achieve some sort of success ("parity") in order for the league as a whole to thrive.

Allowing players to dictate (outside of their contracts) where/when/and for whom they play would be the worst thing the NFL could do, so they're going to the wall with this, and I don't blame them.

I would also say this: Yes, he's talented. One of the best receivers in the game now.

So what?

If he's not playing for Philly, he's not hurting them, so for them, it's a wash. The quarterback will ALWAYS be the most important part of a football team. He and McNabb worked well together. How often do you think Mike McMahon threw to T.O. in practice, other than warming him up?

And, more importantly, in the end, it's a business, and to bring back the NASCAR analogy, the NFL (not the Eagles) are sending a message to ALL the players that they need the NFL a lot more than the NFL needs them.

[cumberlandredskin]

boomdaddy wrote: Andy Hussein Reid and the rest of the Eagle organization should cut T.O. from the team, if they dislike him so much. Mcnabb is hurt. The team is mired in a losing streak. They don't need a talented receiver on that team, they might just win a game. I fthe guy is so detrimental to the team, tear up his contract and release him. Wait a minute, T.O. is such a great player, the Eagles are afraid the Big Tuna will pick him up and Dallas will have an easier time winning.I did hear a rumor the other day on radio that Dallas may sign him after the season. I'm a Cowboys fan and Ihope they don't. TO is one the worst teammates anyone could have. It's all about TO and be darned about the team. How many Super Bowl winners has he been a part of? He's a great player,no doubt, but his not a winner and never will be.

[boomdaddy]

I'm a Bengals fan first and a Cowboys fan second. I hope Dallas picks him up, because he would make them a contender with 2 of the top 6 recievers in the league.

As far as everyone else jumping on the side of the team, the head coach should take the blame. It is his fault, that this situation has escalated to what it is now. Parcells would never have let it get out of hand, like it has. And as for banning T.O. from playing, the man never said that he would not perform to the best of his abilities. He is the best player they have. The rest of the team is not stepping up to his level of play. He played hurt in the super bowl, and played well. T.O. is kicked to the sideline and the Eagles are losing? Fire the coach or trade the player. Losing is unacceptable. Coach Andy is the one who needs to look in the mirror and ask himself: How in the hell did I let this issue get blown up like this? On second thought, losing is what the Eagles deserve. Go Bengals! Go Cowboys!

[TRexSmarts]

I honestly don't know if Bill Parcells can handle both Keyshawn Johnson and TO. I'm a Cowboys fan and I wasn't a fan of Deion Sanders when he came to Dallas but I learn to live with it. But Deion settle down when he came to Dallas. TO is talented, don't get me wrong but that attitude can be detrimental to the team. So far, Keyshawn hasn't been. If you bring in TO, you could start a chain reaction. If TO can calm down, then I'm all for it. But if he is going to do the things he is doing, forget it. I don't want him.

TRexSmarts

[MudCat]

TRexSmarts wrote: I honestly don't know if Bill Parcells can handle both Keyshawn Johnson and TO. I'm a Cowboys fan and I wasn't a fan of Deion Sanders when he came to Dallas but I learn to live with it. But Deion settle down when he came to Dallas. TO is talented, don't get me wrong but that attitude can be detrimental to the team. So far, Keyshawn hasn't been. If you bring in TO, you could start a chain reaction. If TO can calm down, then I'm all for it. But if he is going to do the things he is doing, forget it. I don't want him.

TRexSmarts

Keyshawn respects Parcells. I'm not going to say "I don't know why", but he does respect him, and has said he's like a father-figure to him.

If anything, that, coupled with Keyshawn's maturity (which he has now, and lacked when he was younger) wouldn't so much make it a problem, but at the same time, I comes back to the same 'ol thing of, is it worth it?

A team like Dallas, with a coach like Parcells could probably handle T.O.

What I find most amusing is T.O. showing up in Atlanta, and watching Falcons' games, along with his earlier talking about wanting to go there.

While Mike Vick (Ron Mexico) is a great athlete, he's not a great passing QB yet, and that would cause more trouble with T.O. than McNabb.

(Okay, basically, I just wanted to work in the "Ron Mexico" reference....)