Terrell Owens. You know the name. You probably know the player. If that is true, you know his so-called, 'antics.' TO has been ripped apart during most of his career due to his vocal outbreaks that captivate the media. He speaks the truth, that's it. Has he ever missed a game due to his 'hot temper?' Has he ever stopped playing 100% in a game due to his 'poor team efforts?' Answer, no. He is NOT Randy Moss. He is TO. WHen he came to Philly last year, people said he was a 'cancer' that would ruin the team. As an Eagles fan, our management and coaches know how to control disgrunted players so it does not make it to the locker room. Take Duce Staley for example - he sat out most of training camp because he wanted the ball more than any other running back. That never sidetrakced the team.
When TO got injured his leg against Dallas last year, many thought he was done for the season, including myself. However, something happened. TO never stopped believing that he could come back and play. Finally, after Philly won the NFC Championship, TO said he would be ready for the Super Bowl. Remind you, he broke a bone in his leg.
The Eagles lost the game, but not because of TO. He had 9 catches for 122 yards. 40 more yards than any other receiver on the team. That resulted in high praise for TO.
Then, the 'cancer' struck and TO said he wanted a new deal. In the NFL, contracts are NOT guarenteed. You can sign a 3 year deal for $10M each year and be released whenever the team feels like it, and have no choice but to forfeit the remaining dollars on your contract. If TO has most of his dollars on the back end of his contract, why can he not ask for more money now? Why is the city and media ripping him apart when others are doing the same thing but have proved far less.
Anquan Boldin - 26 total NFL games. 9 career TD's. NFL player for 2 years. He wants a new deal. Hello Media?! This guy is complaining 2 years into his contract, CANCER!!!!
Javon Walker - great year last year, great year. 3 total years in the league, 22 TD's. Plays on a team which throws the ball deep, a lot. He wants a new deal. Ahem, media, where you at? Let's tear this guy to shreds. Scab.
There are 2 YOUNGER, much younger players in the NFL that want more money and do NOT deserve it as much as TO, in my mind. But my point is that TO has had the media after him for years, and they will always focus on him rather than others who are doing the same thing and are worth far less than him.
The common factor between all 3 players mentioned above, Drew Rosenhaus, their power agent. TO never did anything like this, but then again, Rosenhaus was hired this offseason. Could he be brainwashing his clients after one good year to go and ask for more money? Yes. Could the media be brainwashing the public to think that TO is more of a scumbag than he really is? Yes. Look at what's going on... Get Drew as your agent, have a good year, demand more money. Why? Because the NFLPA has agreed to have non-guarenteed conracts. Who is to blame? The players (TO, Boldin, Walker), the agents, the NFLPA or the team?
IF, a big if, the team can guarantee a player his full 7 year deal, for example, TO's long term contract, he would not hold out. BUT, since it is back end loaded, they will likely release him when he is owed $10M a year when he is older and skills have deminished. Ask for more money, do it, but don't sit out camp. TO will be back, he'll be in Eagle Green and play to his best ability. When has HE NOT DONE THAT?! I am tired of the media having front page headlines on TO when he has proven to show excellence on the field every game, and these other players don't even have close to the experience TO has (COMBINED!) and are doing the same thing. ESPN, Fox Sports - look into these other guys for a change.
