Posted on 03/19/2006 7:59:55 PM PST by Herford Turley
IRVING, Texas - Six years ago, he became the villain.
And he played that role to the fullest. In fact, two years ago, the most-hated player among Cowboys fans joined forces with one of the team's most-hated rivals.
But now Terrell Owens is no longer on the other side. In fact, he's hoping to become a new Cowboys hero.
While that will not happen overnight, what did occur with rather swiftly was the Cowboys finalizing a deal with the free-agent wide receiver and introducing him to the media Saturday afternoon here at the teams' Valley Ranch headquarters.
Yes, it's official.
Terrell Owens is now a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
While this signing might make some Cowboys fans quiver, it was an exciting day for both team owner and general manager Jerry Jones, as well as Owens, who received a three-year deal worth $25 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.
"I couldn't be more excited about getting here and being apart of this franchise," said Owens, who sat alongside Jones and his agent Drew Rosenhaus during the press conference. "I'm not really interested in looking back to the past. I've made some mistakes. I know that. But it starts today. You can't ever move forward if you keep bringing up the past."
Owens is scheduled to pocket $10 million this season, combining his $5 million signing bonus with his $5 million base salary, which equates to a $6.66 million salary cap charge in 2006.
He has a pair of $3 million roster bonuses due over the next two years, and is scheduled to receive a $5 million base salary in 2007 and a $4 million in base in 2008.
Jones fielded several questions concerning the risk-level of signing a player who has had as many off-the-field issues as Owens, but refused to single out his new wide receiver as being any different those regards.
"I think you have risk in every player that you sign," Jones said. "I wouldn't call this a high-risk move. Not at all."
In fact, Owens might have given Jones and the Cowboys even more assurance when he interrupted a question during the press conference, turning to his new owner and saying, "Jerry, I know what is expected of me and I won't let you down."
And Owens also knows he isn't exactly a favorite among Cowboys fans, and his touchdown-celebrations on the midfield star back in 2000 are the biggest reasons why.
Few Cowboys fans have forgotten Owens' 50-yard line jaunts, the second of which was met by former safety George Teague, who blasted the receiver trying to pose again on the star, nearly starting a brawl between the two teams.
But his touchdown antics definitely started an all new hatred for Owens among Cowboys fans.
Owens said he and Jones have already talked about that.
"This is America's Team and I feel right at home . . . I am a star among stars now," said Owens, who also gave a quick message to his newest fans. "Hey, just get your popcorn ready. Because it's going to be a show."
Cowboys fans can only hope "the show" remains on the field and not a repeat of off-the-field problems that ultimately led to Owens being fired by the Eagles in mid-season last year.
The fiery wide receiver didn't refer much to the past on Saturday, only saying he plans on learning from his mistakes.
"I think we all learn from the past," Owens said. "My main focus is to win a championship, as it has always been. I know there are some learning experiences that I experienced last year, both personally and professionally. But I'm going to put those things behind me.
"Those things can only make a man stronger, wiser. For me, that's what it has done. I'll be a better teammate, a better person, a better man in life. I'm just looking forward to this opportunity. I couldn't be more excited to be here."
And Jones echoed Owens' excitement. He might have even exceeded it.
Not only does signing Owens fill a team need, especially after the Cowboys released Keyshawn Johnson on Tuesday to avoid a $1 million roster bonus and eventual contract dispute, but Jones went as far as saying adding Owens makes them better, instantly.
"I really know we're better as a team than we were a few months ago," said Jones, who admitted the Cowboys made quite a few background checks on Owens before finalizing the deal. "We've done our homework in a lot of ways. We appreciate the good things that we've heard from people that have worked closely with Terrell and what he is as a person. Those things are going to make us all be at the level that this transaction should certainly be.
"But I know right now, that he makes a better team. I have no doubt about that."
And Jones' trust in Owens is evident not only by his words, but in the contract he gave to the five-time Pro Bowl receiver.
"The Cowboys just stepped up the plate and made it happen," said Rosenhaus, who took over as Owens' agent last summer. "We had some other offers. We had seven teams that were interested in signing Terrell. I don't want to name the teams and embarrass them for coming up short. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys beat them out. They're a great organization and this is a super fit."
And as far as Rosenhaus is concerned, it's a super contract for Owens, or any player for that matter.
"In my opinion, it's the best contract ever for a wide receiver," said Rosenhaus, who added Owens' new deal over three years is more than Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison both received in their recent contracts. "Terrell is a superstar and he's getting paid that way."
Now one key component to the mix who was missing Saturday was head coach Bill Parcells. And while many in the media have wondered out loud in the last few days just how much Parcells is on board with the move, Jones did speak for his head coach on this matter, in an attempt to set the record straight.
"We came to this decision the same way we've done every decision since he's been here," Jones said of Parcells. "Bill is very much on the same page here. This was not me selling Bill here. This was us taking advantage of the opportunity to get an outstanding player.
"We're doing everything we can do in free agency that can put us where we want to be this year, next year and the future. Bill is very much involved and very much apart of this. He became convinced that Terrell has the potential to be a very positive part of the team concept."
And that certainly goes against most opinions of Owens, who has labeled a selfish player more concerned about himself than his team.
Those views have obviously been formed after several disruptive events occurred in the last few years, most notably in his two seasons with the Eagles.
Owens and quarterback Donovan McNabb had an ongoing feud, ignited mostly by Owens' public comments, first calling out the quarterback for being "too tired" in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. He later agreed with a comment initially made by Michael Irvin that the Eagles would be better off with Packers quarterback Brett Favre than McNabb running the offense.
The Eagles sent Owens home from training camp during the summer for being volatile in practice and team meetings. They eventually suspended him for the remainder of the season after his locker-room fight with former player Hugh Douglas in early November.
"I'm not going to worry about the past," Owens said. "Everybody knows when I was suspended, I've had a whole lot of time to think about a lot of things.
"It doesn't matter what anyone says about me critically. I know who I am as a person. I can't sit here in front of all you guys and defend myself. I'm fighting a losing battle. All I can do now is just get out there and show what I can do and try to help this team win a championship."
And ultimately, that's what this move was all about.
The Cowboys want to be the best team in the league. On Saturday, they signed a player who they believe is the best player available.
Regardless if he was used to be a villain or not.
It'll be a help. Terry Glenn isn't mincemeat. Patrick Clayton can catch the ball and then there's Jason Witten, who's proven he can make plays. You throw T.O. into the mix and it becomes harder for a defense. Add a decent running game and it makes it really tough.
You can't just double Terrell Owens and not get eaten up by others. In the end, he'll have helped one way or another.
yea, it just remains to be seen how well they can protect Drew.
We will see.
What I wanna know, Turley, is... Are you a white faced Herford, or a red faced Herford???
Neither, SW. I'm an American Herford.
:-)
(I was gonna come back with... "That's a lot of Bull!" But I thought I shouldn't denigrate an "American Bull!")
Yup. Having TO on the market is the Chinese definition of "crisis": "danger and opportunity.""I couldn't be more excited about getting here and being apart of this franchise," said Owens,
Freudian typo?
T.O. says Bret Farve is a good one - and he just might not be playing for the Packers any more . . . LOL.
Pfft! Sure, rub it in why don't you. :)
I saw the press conference live on NFL Network, and you could tell T.O. was more interested in getting back on the field and making $25 million dollars making a complete fool of himself. That's the kind of stuff Hollyweird is made of.
BTTT
Considering that I am a St. Louis Rams fan, believe me, I have nothing to rub in! LOL
Oh! I believe ya! Mmm-hmm. :P
LOL!!
TO will be just fine his first season here. But afterwards, who knows?
My hunch is that he'll be fine in Dallas, because of Parcells. Who else could have put up with LT or Keyshawn? Parcells is pretty good at working with head cases and keeping them in line. Also, TO knows this is his last shot to work, and he'll never have it better than he has it in Dallas.
I've given up on most athletes as role models and citizens. There are very few David Robinson's in this world.
All it comes down to anymore is:
#1 Are you a baller or not?
#2 Can you play with the team?
#1 Has been answered by T.O. over and over between the stripes, he can play.
#2 Doesn't look so good, but this one is in Parcell's hands, and he's shown the ability to 'convert' troubled souls in the past.
As a Cowboy fan I hate to quote Al Davis, but it's appropriate here - 'Just win baby'.
Not really a sports fan and not really sure why I was pinged but thats ok. If you're a Cowboys fan then my condolences for picking up the leopard. (A leopard never sheds its spots after it pockets the cash)
I'm a gray faced Herford. I see things in shades of gray, unlike you apparently.
:-)
Otherwise, it's a lot of bull.
We'll see what happens.
I see the world from both sides now, La La La La, Hey!!!
Git outta the greyscaley whirld, bud!!! There's nuthin in there but(t) fog!!! Ha Ha Ha!!!
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