Terrell Owens is, amazingly, garnering more attention than he deserves.
Upon his departure from the San Francisco 49ers before the 2004-05 NFL campaign, everyone knew that current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens had the reputation for being phenomenally talented and exceptionally headstrong. Some thought his image might be on the mend last year, when he not only put up phenomenal yardage and touchdown totals, but also played in the Super Bowl after doctors told him he was too injured to consider it.
But T.O.'s partnership with sports überagent Drew Rosenhaus has become a volatile situation. I'll admit, Rosenhaus has a point when he cries foul on the NFL financial system, in which teams may terminate contracts with little or no compensation, while players are not entitled to pay raises when their current contract does not reflect their high quality of play. It is quite likely that Owens is receiving below market value for his play. At the same time, it's easy to see why fellow agents despise Rosenhaus' arrogance, and now it has been noted that some players are wary of his domineering attitude. On ESPN's Around the Horn, writer Jay Mariotti noted how pervasive the coverage of Owens' current contract holdout has become. The feuds with quarterback Donovan McNabb and head coach Andy Reid has only added to the team's worries.
Indeed, with very few viable options at the WR position, the Eagles seem to be backed into a corner, as a Skip Bayless column has pointed out. But I can't help but wonder if the media could be focusing on one of a hundred other compelling stories as NFL exhibition games get underway. Will San Diego tight end Antonio Gates duplicate last year's fabulous 13 touchdowns? Is NY Jets quarterback Chad Pennington at full strength after a nice playoff run and subsequent off-season shoulder surgery? Do the Patriots have any shot at yet another championship? Who will be the next late-round pick to make GM's kick themselves for not drafting him? I have to believe that there is more to life in the NFL than one disgruntled superstar.
football
Upon his departure from the San Francisco 49ers before the 2004-05 NFL campaign, everyone knew that current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens had the reputation for being phenomenally talented and exceptionally headstrong. Some thought his image might be on the mend last year, when he not only put up phenomenal yardage and touchdown totals, but also played in the Super Bowl after doctors told him he was too injured to consider it.
But T.O.'s partnership with sports überagent Drew Rosenhaus has become a volatile situation. I'll admit, Rosenhaus has a point when he cries foul on the NFL financial system, in which teams may terminate contracts with little or no compensation, while players are not entitled to pay raises when their current contract does not reflect their high quality of play. It is quite likely that Owens is receiving below market value for his play. At the same time, it's easy to see why fellow agents despise Rosenhaus' arrogance, and now it has been noted that some players are wary of his domineering attitude. On ESPN's Around the Horn, writer Jay Mariotti noted how pervasive the coverage of Owens' current contract holdout has become. The feuds with quarterback Donovan McNabb and head coach Andy Reid has only added to the team's worries.
Indeed, with very few viable options at the WR position, the Eagles seem to be backed into a corner, as a Skip Bayless column has pointed out. But I can't help but wonder if the media could be focusing on one of a hundred other compelling stories as NFL exhibition games get underway. Will San Diego tight end Antonio Gates duplicate last year's fabulous 13 touchdowns? Is NY Jets quarterback Chad Pennington at full strength after a nice playoff run and subsequent off-season shoulder surgery? Do the Patriots have any shot at yet another championship? Who will be the next late-round pick to make GM's kick themselves for not drafting him? I have to believe that there is more to life in the NFL than one disgruntled superstar.
football
posted by Alex at 3:17 PM
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