Tell me this guy doesn't look, just plain flippin NUTS.
Posted on 11/23/2005 1:03:34 PM PST by Roberts
PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens' season is effectively over after an arbitrator ruled Wednesday that the Philadelphia Eagles were justified in suspending him for four games.
Theismann on T.O. ruling
Theismann I agree with the arbitrator's decision in this case. I don't believe the union should have the ability to make the Eagles play Terrell Owens at all. This was the right decision by the arbitrator, and it follows the Eagles' correct decision to suspend T.O. That said, we now should start looking at his future. Obviously he won't be with the Eagles next season. He walked across that bridge with jet fuel and a lighter, and now there's no turning back.
It's interesting that this ruling would come down the day before two teams that I think he'd be perfect with play each other. The Dallas Cowboys or the Denver Broncos would be a perfect match for Owens.
To read Joe Theismann's full column on the T.O. ruling, click here.
Joe Theismann, a Super Bowl-winning QB and former NFL MVP, is a regular contributor to Insider.
Arbitrator Richard Bloch wrote that the Eagles clearly proved that the suspension was justified, and were within their right to pay their All-Pro receiver but not allow him to return "due to the nature of his conduct and its destructive and continuing threat to the team."
"We couldn't have written it any better ourselves," an Eagles official told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.
Bloch heard more than 13 hours of testimony last week. Owens' side argued the penalty is excessive and the Eagles' decision to deactivate him is too severe. Owens wanted to be reinstated to the Eagles or released so he can sign with another team.
"We are pleased that the arbitrator has upheld the right of a club to suspend a player for conduct detrimental to the club," said Harold Henderson, the NFL's head of labor relations.
The players union said in a statement that it was disappointed with the decision, which it believes ignores the contract's limits on team discipline. "We are confident that we put in a winning case at the hearing last Friday," the statement said, "and we still believe Terrell Owens had a right to a legitimate reinstatement."
Owens was suspended Nov. 5 after he again criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb, called the organization "classless" and fought with former teammate Hugh Douglas, who serves as team "ambassador."
Two days later, the Eagles extended the suspension to four games and told Owens not to return. The reigning conference champions are 0-3 without Owens and 4-6 overall, last in the NFC East.
Owens has five years remaining on a seven-year, $48.97 million contract that he signed when he came to Philadelphia in March 2004. His problems started when he demanded a new contract after an outstanding season in which he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl.
With Owens, the Eagles are 17-5 over two seasons. Without him, they're 2-5, including two meaningless losses and two playoff wins.
Beautiful.
YO T.O.
...there's always Canada
Doogle
One more thing to give thanks for tomorrow......one less Turkey to worry about.......
~~ how about NFL Europe. >:-}
Theismann has spoken. Onto the next thread. /sarcasm off.
in that picture..caption..."let's see..I had close to 50 million...nows I got 8...hmmmm...thatda means I gotta play till I'm 73 to make up the diff"
Doogle
yeah France could use a "flyer"..
Doogle
He would fit right in, there. >:-}
Personally if it were me, T.O would sit on the bench for the next 4 years, then I would cut him.
,,think about it, would he "sit" or would he become the side show on the bench?
Doogle
better yet.....put him on special teams or make him the "long snapper" so he could get his head bashed in....
LOL...yeah
Doogle
"Say what?!?!"
What TO was doing was trying to "talk" his way out of a contract. So that would mean every guy in the NFL that wanted to renegotiate would just "act up" and get out of his deal...
Basically there should be one year contracts and if the players had any thought would make them pay out the a@# for signing bonuses without incentive clauses.
For the "franchise" guys there should be a multi-year "no cut" contract that spread the money out over a couple of years but wouldn't let teams screw vets by releasing them unconditionally and basically dealing in bad faith on the first part of the contract...
Either way, the NFL was never going to side with T.O. on this matter.... it had way to much to lose as a precedent for the other players.
F.T.O.!!!
I sure wouldn't want him on my team, but you can't fault him for trying. LOL.
I wonder if he's thanked his wonderful agent yet. it will take more years than he has left to play to make up what he has lost.
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