Yes, Owens is frustrated with role with Cowboys
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I'm luvin' it! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Yes, Owens is frustrated with role with Cowboys
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
October 11, 2006
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Terrell Owens screamed it on the sideline against Philadelphia, in the locker room after a loss and repeated it again Wednesday: "Why am I here?"
The volatile receiver admits he's frustrated with his role on the Dallas Cowboys, but not simply because he's off to his worst start in years. According to T.O., he'd be fine if Dallas was winning and he had mediocre statistics.
It's the Cowboys' being 2-2 combined with the reduced numbers that he can't tolerate.
"I do have a problem when I don't feel like I'm involved enough," he said. "I know I can make a difference. That's not me being arrogant. I just know what I bring to the table. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. ... I want to win. I came here to help this team win."
Owens spoke the entire 45 minutes the locker room was open to reporters, passionately describing his feelings on many subjects. He even revealed that the ongoing issues he's faced the last few months, from a hamstring injury in training camp to an accidental overdose, have driven him to "sit in my house in the dark" instead of having much of a social life.
He never directly criticized quarterback Drew Bledsoe or coach Bill Parcells, the playbook or the play calling.
In fact, T.O. had few specific complaints -- just the general one about not getting the ball enough.
"I haven't really gotten started yet," he said.
Owens has 17 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown. It's his fewest catches after four games since 1999 and his fewest yards at this point since 2002. His three-game streak without reaching the end zone is his longest drought since 2000.
In a loss Sunday against the Eagles, his former team, Owens caught only three passes for 45 yards. However, there were 13 passes thrown his way -- five more than to any other Dallas receiver, Parcells noted Wednesday. Owens dropped one and two were intercepted, including one that likely would've been a touchdown.
"The opportunities are there," he said. "We're just not connecting."
Owens knew when he signed with Dallas in March he was joining an offense that wasn't designed to showcase a specific receiver. However, he acknowledged for the first time Wednesday he expected that to change for him -- like it did in Philadelphia.
"Dude, I am playmaker," he said. "These guys know that. It's simple. ... Get the ball in the playmaker's hands."
Owens was mostly supportive of Bledsoe, especially compared to how he's talked about his previous quarterbacks. He even added he is working on his route-running "to give the quarterback better looks, things of that nature."
"I think we all need to play better," Owens said. "That was one of the things he came up to me and said. Even after the game, he sent me a text that said, `Stay with me,' he'll play better for me. You can only respect that. He's trying his best to get the ball to me in certain situations. It's hard when he has a lot of pressure on him."
Bledsoe reiterated Wednesday that T.O. is a quality receiver who wants the ball and the quarterback is happy to try getting it to him.
"I've never had a receiver, at least not one who is worth anything, that was happy with the number of times they touch the ball," Bledsoe said. "I told him when he got here, `Listen, I don't expect you to be happy all the time. If you don't get to touch the ball enough, I don't expect you to like that. At the same time, you have to keep playing hard for me and give me good information when you come back.' And he's been very good about that."
Owens thinks he's been good about it, too, adding he's not trying "to come in and stir things up ... to create more controversy and distraction around here."
"I wouldn't say I'm unhappy," said Owens, who is making $10 million this season as part of a $25 million, three-year deal. "I'm not happy about the losing. I just feel like there's really an opportunity for something really special to happen here in Dallas with the team that we have. Once we get the nucleus of guys in the right positions to play and play as a unit, then we're going to be OK."
But is T.O. going to be OK?
"I don't go nowhere," he said. "I don't do nothing. It's frustrating. It's frustrating just to go (through) what I have been going through since training camp. I've had the hamstring. Then I break my hand. Then I go to the hospital. Then personal stuff.
"My way of venting is going out there on Sunday, trying to win ballgames. Now it's added frustration, especially when I know we have a good team. And the team we lost to, they know they should have lost. We made too many mistakes to win. We are stopping ourselves."
Owens watched the game film of the Eagles game with teammates Monday ("It was sickening," he said), then saw a replay of the Fox broadcast Tuesday night on the NFL Network.
He was still peeved Wednesday about some of the things discussed about him, especially the repeated shots of him barking at his teammates.
"The guys in the booth are saying, `There he goes again, he's up to his old stuff again,"' he said. "It's very unfair. ... It makes me hesitant to try to do what I need to do."
Besides, if he wanted to really do something shocking and get across his message, he could always borrow from the repertoire of his Dallas predecessor, Keyshawn Johnson.
"I need to get a shirt -- `Give me the damn ball!"' Owens said, smiling wide and laughing. "I am just kidding. I am just kidding."
Yes, Owens is frustrated with role with Cowboys
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
October 11, 2006
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Terrell Owens screamed it on the sideline against Philadelphia, in the locker room after a loss and repeated it again Wednesday: "Why am I here?"
The volatile receiver admits he's frustrated with his role on the Dallas Cowboys, but not simply because he's off to his worst start in years. According to T.O., he'd be fine if Dallas was winning and he had mediocre statistics.
It's the Cowboys' being 2-2 combined with the reduced numbers that he can't tolerate.
"I do have a problem when I don't feel like I'm involved enough," he said. "I know I can make a difference. That's not me being arrogant. I just know what I bring to the table. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. ... I want to win. I came here to help this team win."
Owens spoke the entire 45 minutes the locker room was open to reporters, passionately describing his feelings on many subjects. He even revealed that the ongoing issues he's faced the last few months, from a hamstring injury in training camp to an accidental overdose, have driven him to "sit in my house in the dark" instead of having much of a social life.
He never directly criticized quarterback Drew Bledsoe or coach Bill Parcells, the playbook or the play calling.
In fact, T.O. had few specific complaints -- just the general one about not getting the ball enough.
"I haven't really gotten started yet," he said.
Owens has 17 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown. It's his fewest catches after four games since 1999 and his fewest yards at this point since 2002. His three-game streak without reaching the end zone is his longest drought since 2000.
In a loss Sunday against the Eagles, his former team, Owens caught only three passes for 45 yards. However, there were 13 passes thrown his way -- five more than to any other Dallas receiver, Parcells noted Wednesday. Owens dropped one and two were intercepted, including one that likely would've been a touchdown.
"The opportunities are there," he said. "We're just not connecting."
Owens knew when he signed with Dallas in March he was joining an offense that wasn't designed to showcase a specific receiver. However, he acknowledged for the first time Wednesday he expected that to change for him -- like it did in Philadelphia.
"Dude, I am playmaker," he said. "These guys know that. It's simple. ... Get the ball in the playmaker's hands."
Owens was mostly supportive of Bledsoe, especially compared to how he's talked about his previous quarterbacks. He even added he is working on his route-running "to give the quarterback better looks, things of that nature."
"I think we all need to play better," Owens said. "That was one of the things he came up to me and said. Even after the game, he sent me a text that said, `Stay with me,' he'll play better for me. You can only respect that. He's trying his best to get the ball to me in certain situations. It's hard when he has a lot of pressure on him."
Bledsoe reiterated Wednesday that T.O. is a quality receiver who wants the ball and the quarterback is happy to try getting it to him.
"I've never had a receiver, at least not one who is worth anything, that was happy with the number of times they touch the ball," Bledsoe said. "I told him when he got here, `Listen, I don't expect you to be happy all the time. If you don't get to touch the ball enough, I don't expect you to like that. At the same time, you have to keep playing hard for me and give me good information when you come back.' And he's been very good about that."
Owens thinks he's been good about it, too, adding he's not trying "to come in and stir things up ... to create more controversy and distraction around here."
"I wouldn't say I'm unhappy," said Owens, who is making $10 million this season as part of a $25 million, three-year deal. "I'm not happy about the losing. I just feel like there's really an opportunity for something really special to happen here in Dallas with the team that we have. Once we get the nucleus of guys in the right positions to play and play as a unit, then we're going to be OK."
But is T.O. going to be OK?
"I don't go nowhere," he said. "I don't do nothing. It's frustrating. It's frustrating just to go (through) what I have been going through since training camp. I've had the hamstring. Then I break my hand. Then I go to the hospital. Then personal stuff.
"My way of venting is going out there on Sunday, trying to win ballgames. Now it's added frustration, especially when I know we have a good team. And the team we lost to, they know they should have lost. We made too many mistakes to win. We are stopping ourselves."
Owens watched the game film of the Eagles game with teammates Monday ("It was sickening," he said), then saw a replay of the Fox broadcast Tuesday night on the NFL Network.
He was still peeved Wednesday about some of the things discussed about him, especially the repeated shots of him barking at his teammates.
"The guys in the booth are saying, `There he goes again, he's up to his old stuff again,"' he said. "It's very unfair. ... It makes me hesitant to try to do what I need to do."
Besides, if he wanted to really do something shocking and get across his message, he could always borrow from the repertoire of his Dallas predecessor, Keyshawn Johnson.
"I need to get a shirt -- `Give me the damn ball!"' Owens said, smiling wide and laughing. "I am just kidding. I am just kidding."
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Comments
couldnt get mcnabb pic to work.. so i'll guess this is ok?
<< <i>god i pray they give him his walking papers. he has done nothing this year anyway. send him back to philly
couldnt get mcnabb pic to work.. so i'll guess this is ok? >>
That pic is fine - you are always good on your word!
And you were one of the few Cowboys fans who didn't really want Owens to begin with - you understand football and how it is the ultimate team game.
Owens first loves the money, and I don't knock him for that - most if not all professional athletes are in it for the money first. And I believe Owens when he says he wants his team to win. However he only wants that so he could delight more in tearing it down. In his own perverse way, he for sure enjoys being a menace more so than seeing his team win. Owens is a sick pup - no doubt about it.
Didn't I see threads on Sunday asking 'where was TO?'
Seems as if he wants the ball he's a problem, but when he's not getting it he's getting rapped for being invisible.
Just like Arod, the guy can't get a break.
<< <i>Please Axtell. They threw to Owens more than any other receiver during that game. I think it was 13 passes. That's plenty of attempts for any one receiver. >>
You are correct.
T. Schmoe had five more passes thrown his way than any other Cowgirls receiver. Posted this in another thread.
He backed off of at least one and neglected to defend the ball on one INT. Typical play. He's lost a step and now we can call him Terrell Slowens.
Let him talk about not getting catchable balls.
He's full of squat.
The implosion continues.
The world laughs.
Why would you care about a player who you supposedly dismissed without a second thought?
And to call his wanting more involvement in the offense an 'implosion' is quite the jump to anyone who actually read the article.
<< <i>First of all, I am not an Eagles fan, but I would never characterize that group as petty. >>
Booing Santa Claus? Yes, petty defines them perfectly.
<< <i>Secondly, no one "cares" about T.O. They just wish him...well...not the best lets say because he displays so many of the worst characteristics of professional athletes amplified to the 10th power. If you can't see what the world is seeing, you're just blind. >>
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. Showing anyone any sort of emotion (love, hate, whatever) indicates caring what happens to said individual.
<< <i>Lastly, it was the trademark T.O. implosion because quite frankly, there was absolutely no need for it (considering how many times they tried to pass to him). He did it because he is a wanker, wants ALL the attention drawn to himself, and makes Kobe look like the ultimate team player by comparison (well...maybe not that last part). >>
But you're failing to address the problem here - the media blowing it out of proportion as usual. If the cameras don't pan over there and fixate on it, are we even talking about it?
The pattern is there. The same thing that he did with the Eagles and Niners.
1) Feign a team player attitude.
2) Catch some balls, score some TDs.
3)Have a few bad days.
4) Blame it on the QB, coach, etc. Anyone but himself.
5) Blow out with teammates, in locker room, etc.
6) Feign innocence and ask "why me, I just want to play?"
7) Rinse and repeat
That is the implosion.
There is one difference this year. He has no record to back up his complaints. Everyone is tired of his antics.
Some would call his behavior pathological. It does not change.
He is a head case.
Ok, Cowboys let him go after this year, who signs him? Al Davis licking his chops?
<< <i>
4) Blame it on the QB, coach, etc. Anyone but himself.
>>
Can you please re-read the part where he takes the blame on himself?
He never directly criticized quarterback Drew Bledsoe or coach Bill Parcells, the playbook or the play calling.
In fact, T.O. had few specific complaints -- just the general one about not getting the ball enough.
Owens was mostly supportive of Bledsoe, especially compared to how he's talked about his previous quarterbacks. He even added he is working on his route-running "to give the quarterback better looks, things of that nature."
<< <i>That is the implosion.
There is one difference this year. He has no record to back up his complaints. Everyone is tired of his antics.
>>
You philly fans want to blow this out of proportion (as does the media wanting to sell a story): there's no implosion happening.
he totally had it coming ...
As a devoted Dallas Cowboys hater, I'm luvin' it!
<< <i>And once again Sir Axtell is wrong. Everybody sees the Cowboys implosion happening, except Axtell.
At least you got the 'Sir' part right.
What implosion? You're talking about rumors and reports.
players on dallas could care less if TO was cut.
I hope JJ wakes up after this weekend circus thats gonna happen. and he sends TO packing!
cowboys can really make the playoffs without him. he has 1 td grab and it was a meaningless grab.
Interesting.
A Dallas reporter called WIP last week and stated that an "inside source" informed him that one more TO tirade will lead Parcells to hand "the keys" (his words) over to Jones, as Jones refuses to let him go. The same source said Jones will not because of two things:
his signing bonus (5 M?)
he will be ridiculed if he does
<< <i>well whatever happens this year in dallas i can live with it. as my mets might make this one of the best years of my life! >>
Hey, good luck with the Mets. Have to go with the NL East team in this one when the Phils are not in it.
Nice sig. Stumbled across that one last week surfing some sites.
Posted Oct 13th 2006 7:55PM by mjd
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East
ESPN's Ed Werder is reporting that Terrell Owens was involved in a heated argument with his position coach Todd Haley during a meeting on Wednesday. Reports say that Owens and coach were yelling, "Don't disrespect me like that" at each other as the meeting ended.
And that giant Terrell Owens snowball of destruction continues barrelling down the mountain and picking up steam. Unless Todd Haley was making overdose jokes, or questioning Terrell's mother's promiscuity, there is no good excuse to scream at your position coach. None. And the thing that amazes me is that the Cowboys and Bill Parcells have yet to do anything about it. Werder even reports that the Cowboys still plan on making Owens a big part of their offense for Sunday's game against the Texans.
If it's the Cowboys strategy to go out against the Texans, get Owens his catches, get him his yards, and get him his touchdowns in the hopes that it will shut him up for a little while, that's a bad, bad policy. In fact, it would be the worst idea that the Cowboys have had since ... well, since signing Terrell Owens. Given his comments from earlier in the week, it's clear that Owens has no qualms about disrupting the team, and just giving in and giving him what he wants isn't dealing with the problem, it's avoiding it.
I keep waiting and waiting for Bill Parcells or someone else to come down hard on Owens, but it's just not happening. Wasn't Parcells supposed to be the guy who wouldn't put up with this? What happened to that? So far, he appears to be just standing idly by with his hands in his pockets, leaving Owens to do whatever he wants without consequences.
The longer this problem goes unchecked, the worse it's going to eventually be. Stay tuned. It feels like the worst is yet to come.
Parcells is a shell of a once-great coach living off his laurels for the last 15 years now. I can't think of a more overrated coach than he and his playcalling and personnel evaluation skills are piss-poor for a veteran coach. Dallas will miss the playoffs once again this year and maybe then, finally, The Big Bloated Tuna will finally swim upstream for the final time.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>
Parcells is a shell of a once-great coach living off his laurels for the last 15 years now. I can't think of a more overrated coach than he and his playcalling and personnel evaluation skills are piss-poor for a veteran coach. Dallas will miss the playoffs once again this year and maybe then, finally, The Big Bloated Tuna will finally swim upstream for the final time. >>
You couldn't be more wrong.
Perhaps you'd like to look at his record, 9 ten win seasons, and resting on his laurels for the last 15 years? Perhaps you didn't see the 10-6 record he put up with dallas in 03, after 3 straight 5-11 seasons?
Then look at his coaching tree, and see the successes there.
man o man, would that be the dagger or what?
<< <i>I think most of us (certainly me) thought that Owens was going to be a huge problem, but I didn't think all of this would happen so soon. I think it will get much worse from here. He will probably not be back with the Cowboys next year and the saddest part is some team will probably be waiting to give him more millions. >>
I have to agree that I didn't think he'd "blowup" this soon, especially since he got everything he wanted with pay. Just goes to show everybody that his basic "problems" really weren't about the money with the Eagles last season, and the Eagles were correct as I firmly stated while it was happening, that Owens should honor his signed contract.
Owens is simply a psychological nut case, and football wise...really if you look at the film, he's not as good as in past seasons. I think "everybody" thought he might be another Jerry Rice with "the body" and being able to play at a high pace for more years. But Jerry Rice is an exception.
No question that Owens has lost a step from two seasons ago with the Eagles. Plus he is dropping balls as well. He can still be dangerous at times, but he is not consistently dangerous like he used to be. Bottom line - Just football wise alone...he is not worth nearly the money the Cowboys signed him for. Nobody is ever again going to throw "big money" at Owens even if he finishes with a decent season, and there's no guarantee that he will finish with a decent season.
Yes, nobody will pay him big bucks again and Owens in his warped mind might consider that an insult, and after the Cowboys release him, he'll probably start blaming the NFL with collusion that no team will pay him big money. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Owens retires after this season. He has a lot of psychological problems but it doesn't seem like he blows his money, so he's probably got a lot of money in the bank and wouldn't necessarily need to continue playing football.
-
Perhaps you'd like to look at his record, 9 ten win seasons, and resting on his laurels for the last 15 years? Perhaps you didn't see the 10-6 record he put up with dallas in 03, after 3 straight 5-11 seasons?
Then look at his coaching tree, and see the successes there.
I did see the 10-6 season in '03 which was followed up by two worse seasons subsequent to that. With the talent Dallas has, Rich Kotitie should be able to get this team to the playoffs. Tuna is entertaining, but his days as an elite head coach are long gone, and he hasn't won a Super Bowl in 16 years despite having some very talented teams.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Bledsoe reaks. He is horrible. He is over.
TO is a perfect complement for Jerry Jones. I will always hate the cowboys, but I used to respect them for what they were. Jones should have spent the money on redoing his facelift - friggin clown.