T.O. or Not T.O. THAT is the Question
Written by B-Dub, Friday March 06 2009
That is what Billy Shakespeare said right? Well he would have if he was around today. With Jerry Jones finally deciding that he's seen enough of the "T.O. Show", the question around the NFL right now is definitely "T.O. or Not T.O".
The Cowboys cut Terrell Owens on Thursday after three seasons with the team. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement, "In the aftermath of the season, we talked about change. Some of what is changing involves the process and some of it involves people. This is a decision that was made based upon consideration for the entire team. We will move on with a new team - a new attitude - and into a new stadium". This was in stark contrast to the message Jones has been sending since the season ended with the Cowboys missing the playoffs.
The owner seemed to be the only member of the organization that had any interest in keeping the Diva-like WR, until now. Either the rest of the organization finally convinced him it was time to move on, or he had another round of bad plastic surgery and his eyes are even more wide open now. "Are you shocked Jerry? No? Your face always looks like that now? Oh. Sorry."
There were problems from the moment T.O. signed with the Cowboys in 2006 and uttered his famous "Getcha popcorn ready" line. His first season included an accidental overdose that police initially called a possible suicide attempt. Who can forget his publicist, Kim Ethridge, who was the one who originally called the police saying that he had tried to commit suicide, chomping on her gum and saying, "He has 25 million reason to not kill himself". His relationship with Bill Parcells was considered strained at best, before Parcells decided to "retire". One time he cried after a playoff loss in support of his QB, Tony Romo, "It's not fair. That's my quarterback man. We lost as a team". Then the very next year he was complaining that the very same Romo and TE Jason Whitten were designing secret plays behind his back. He complained about everything from game plans to pass distribution. Hell, there were problems with T.O. and the Cowboys long before he
ever signed with the team. Or have you forgotten the incident where he stood on the star after scoring a TD while a member of the San Francisco 49ers?
But something tells me that if the Cowboys were successful, all the fuss that T.O. stirred up would have been ignored. Well, maybe not ignored, but certainly tolerated. The Cowboys were 0-2 in the playoffs the first two years Owens was with the team, then missed the playoffs entirely in 2008. This not winning in the playoffs thing is nothing new to the Cowboys. They haven't won a playoff game since 1996, when Troy, Emmitt and Michael were still on the Switzer-led team. You think maybe Jerry Jones should rethink the whole "Owner / General Manager" title? I don't, but that's because I'm an Eagles fan who revels in the Cowboys failures. Yeah, I'm not that nice a person. Really.
What makes this even worse for the Cowboys, and better for us Eagles fans, is that Jerry Jones stupidly gave T.O. a huge new $34 million contract after the 2007 season. The reason Jones did that was because, in spite of the headaches that T.O. was causing off the field, he was producing on the field. T.O. caught more TD passes than any other player in the NFL over the last three years. And in 2007 he set a club record with 15 TD catches and Dallas tied the best record in franchise history with 13 wins. The man could always play.
T.O. is among the NFL's career leaders in receptions, yards and TDs. He set an NFL record with 20 catches in a single game, while he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers in 2000. He had 9 receptions for 122 yards in the Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2004. He also did not throw up on the field during that Super Bowl. And he did that while playing on a broken ankle held together with a metal plate. Ironically that injury was caused by the Cowboy's Roy Williams who was also cut by the Cowboys on Thursday. Those two moves cost the team $14 million against the salary cap. Oh no, is that a frown line on your face Jerry? Time for some more bad plastic surgery.
So if T.O. is so damn good on the field why have about 75% of the teams in the NFL publicly stated that they will not sign him? Sure he's created so many problems that three teams now have sent him packing, but lots of WRs are problem children. Remember when Randy Moss walked off the field during a game while a member of the Minnesota Vikings? He had some troubles after that with the Oakland Raiders, but he's been a model citizen with the New England Patriots hasn't he? Can T.O. have that kind of turnaround? At 35 years old I doubt it, but some team will try.
The obvious choices are the Washington Redskins with Daniel "If he's a big name I'll sign him to a ridiculous contract" Snyder and Al Davis in Oakland. Both need a stud WR and one of them will most likely be the landing spot for T.O.
The thing is, I think there is another perfect spot for T.O. to sign. And that place is with the Philadelphia Eagles. You had to know that was coming.
Think about it. T.O. already knows the offense and has excelled in it. In one full year with Donovan McNabb and T.O. together, the Eagles made the Super Bowl. McNabb has demanded "weapons". And the team needs something, anything, to take the fans attention away from Brian Dawkins leaving the team. Those of you who are not in Philadelphia have no idea how much grief the team is receiving from the fanbase for letting Dawkins go. They are rightfully being skewered for being arrogant, cheap liars.
Most people will tell me I'm crazy to think the Eagles would sign T.O. and they're probably right. They won't, but they should. They've already proven that leadership and team chemistry are not important to this franchise. If they valued those things then they would have done whatever it took to keep Dawkins. If McNabb is serious about wanting "weapons" on offense, then it doesn't get any better on the free agent market than T.O. If Andy Reid wants to be considered a "great" coach, like Bill Belichick, then he needs to prove he can control his players like Belichick has done with Moss. If the Eagles want to win, then they need to stop with all the other bull and prove it.
The way to prove to their fans and the rest of the NFL that they are willing to do what it takes to win is to sign T.O. and make it work. Will they? Not a chance. They don't have the stones or the character to do it. That's why I've always said that this Philadelphia Eagles franchise, owned by Jeff Lurie and run by Joe Banner and Andy Reid and quarterbacked by Donovan McNabb will never win a Championship. They just don't have what it takes to make it happen.
B-Shakes (kinda) asked the question; "T.O. or Not T.O.". It's too bad for Eagles fans that the answer to that question is the same answer to the question about whether or not they'll ever win a Championship.
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10 comments
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Hey B-Dub! I feel your pain. I proudly wear my Eagles support even though I am in Tampa. Derrick Brooks and Brian Dawkins all in one week! It's too much for this fan to handle. Keep up the great work!
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First of all Stosh, that is a stupid nickname. I mean, who's lame enough to use a dumbass nickname anyway? As to your point about drinking, why do you think I have to do it before each and every game? The Eagles DRIVE you to drink. And maybe you should go back and review the 2004 season. Sign T.O., go to Super Bowl. Forget that Staples button thing. THIS is easy!
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I hope you were drinking when you wrote this.
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Eagles707, you do realize that it's 2009 and not 1999 right? Marvin Harrison is DONE. I'd rather have Kevin Curtis at WR than a shot Harrison. Oh, no pun intended there with the "shot" comment. It's time to tear it down and rebuild for real, now that TO is in Buffalo. That means #5 must go. The majority of the team is young anyway. Rebuild and take a REAL shot in a year or two.
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Hahahahaha B-Dub? Did I sense some admittance to the fact that McNabb has had NO help his entire time in Philly except for T.O. I respect T.O. and his play on the field but I never really liked the diva ever since the Niner days. I just feel like you cannot have players that blow up (on a coach) like that on your sideline. I remember the 'Frisco days and his BS in Philly but I also remember the threat that he was with the Eagles. Unless, T.O. wants to eat some crow and check his ego at the MF'n door this is a terrible decision! It might be a terrible decision all around but coupled with two other moves this might work. Even if he does come back to Philly it will be for 1 season and the team would be a mess again the next year Win or Lose the Superbowl. I might go along with the whole T.O. thing if and only if the Eagles also picked up Marvin Harrison. These two with Jackson as the 3 and Celek as the TE would be all of the weapons that McNabb would need. We have some questions to address on the defensive side of the ball now that B-Dawk is gone, but this squad would be nice to start off the new season.
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Either the Eagles are serious about winning now and they sign T.O. or they are complete lying bastards who are in total rebuilding mode. This halfway crap we've been doing for years hasn't led to a Lombardi trophy yet has it? The one exception was when they signed.....T.O. How's the halfway thing with no Championships working for the rest of you? I think it sucks. Either go for it ALL or punt and rebuild.
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It would be sweet to see the Eagles pick up Owens... it would certainly provide a complete and total McNabb meltdown.
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the honeymoon is over. our first disagreement.
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I would sign him ONLY if they go all out in the other areas; go get Tony Gonzalez, re-sign Tra Thomas, get a playmaker on defense, and draft a playmaking running back in the first round. Let's either go all in or fold for two years, id like to take one last run this year then rebuild.
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Bob I agree the Eagles need a #1 reciever but not T.O so many others to choice from with less package.