Posted on 11/05/2005 9:58:39 AM PST by NewMediaFan
Philadelphia Eagles controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens has reportedly been suspended indefinitely due to conduct deemed detrimental to the team.
Owens has also been battling a severely sprained ankle, which put his availability for this week's game in jeopardy. However, after missing Wednesday's practice, Owens was upgraded from doubtful to questionable and it appeared he would be ready to go.
According to 610 WIP in Philadelphia, though, head coach Andy Reid decided to suspend the enigmatic wideout for numerous comments he has made about the organization this week.
The radio station, however, did not report how many games Owens would miss, but it is certain that he will not play in Sunday night's key divisional contest against Washington.
Earlier in the week, Owens made comments about how the organization "lacked class" after not recognizing the fact that he caught his 100th career touchdown pass in an October 23 game against San Diego. Owens also claimed that the team's comment of allegedly forgetting about the milestone touchdown was a "blatant lie" and it insulted the receiver.
Philadelphia does not typically honor individual achievements on the scoreboard or stop the game to celebrate an accomplishment.
Then, in the same interview, Owens addressed the team's quarterback situation and stated that the Eagles would have a better record and even perhaps be undefeated if All Pro Brett Favre was under center opposed to Donovan McNabb.
However, on Friday, Owens delivered a written apology for his remarks.
"I've had the opportunity to talk with the Eagles organization, and I have learned the team does not recognize individual achievements," Owens uttered. "It has been brought to my attention that I have offended the organization and my teammates. Therefore, I would like to apologize for any derogatory comments toward them."...
(Excerpt) Read more at nbc5.com ...
"Unfortunately, Mr. Owens' selfish conduct was not in the best interests of the team, and ultimately, displeasing to me personally. If at such time he realizes that he is, in effect, no more than an employee of my company who is expected to conform to a behavioral code of conduct, we may revisit the status of his employment. Until and unless this transpires, Andy, Joe, and myself are in agreement that this is the best avenue for our organization at this time."
BURN!!! Oh I LOVE the Eagles owner now! AWESOME!!! Talk about a spanking. owens is just an employee of his company and no better than any other!!! That is AWESOME!!! Many pro atheletes need to be taught that lesson. Just because they make a lot of money doesn't make them special. EXCELLENT COMMENT!!!
I can see the excitment of TO and Moss on the same team. Las Vegas would establish odds on how many offensive plays it would take before one of them left the sidelines to break up a pass play thrown to the other.
That's like the thread I just got done with where Bill said Hillary would be a better president than he was - not exactly aiming high.
As a Falcons Fan, I say..."Hello HomeField Adavantage." Not that the Eagles were a threat to us getting it anyways.
I've always liked/supported T.O. on many of his controversies. But even if he as a legit gripe, he often takes things just one step too far. I think this was one of those times.
Just Iggles being Iggles, eh?
Guess they want to be just as classy as their fans...
Looks like the Eagles will leave Landover 4-4, with Dallas coming into Philly the following Monday night.
I knew it! As soon as he pulled a "Rush" and said the Iggles would be better with Favre, he was outta dere!
I wouldn't say Keyshawn has kept his mouth shut. He got in a heated argument with Drew Bledsoe over a pass that Key caught, then caughed up for a TD vs. the Iggles. He tried to blame DB for not throwing it to another location. (Presumably one where he couldn't have caught it, then fumbled it).
Heard it in on the radio. It's way overdue.
Am I wrong to laugh at this?
Those juvenile endzone dances are something that football could do without.
Ricky was suspended for 4 games. Also it was either the Dolphins let him play to work off his signing bonus or they auction off his possessions which probably wouldn't have been a good piece of PR.
An employee that is responsible for 30% of his team's offensive production.
The Eagles owner shouldn't be applauded but ridiculed. This situation didn't just pop up last week - this has been brewing for months and could have been taken care of during the offseason with no damage to his team.
Making barbed remarks marks after the fact doesn't help his team. The owner wouldn't have needed to make any remarks if he had handled the situation appropriately during the offseason.
Brian Westbrook might be next. For some reason, the Eagles think that it is a good idea to play hardball with their players and then force them to stick around. It's ok to play hardball, but you don't keep the players around afterward - that is just poison.
The Eagles owner is guilty of a self inflicted wound - certainly nothing to be applauded for.
With the Packers current record, if the Eagles waive Owens Green Bay will have first shot at him. And with their depleted receiving corps, they could use TO.
TO is the ONLY player on the offense besides Westbrook that is earning his pay. Brian Westbrook is not very happy himself with the Eagles front office and wants out.
Only if you're laughing because you don't want to cry.
TO was mad because his 100 football touchdown was ignored by the team.
Westbrook has been offered two contracts. The first, equal to Dominick Davis' deal in Houston. The second, equal to Lamont Jordan's deal with Oakland, which included a 9.5 million dollar signing bonus and 4.5 million per season. Westbrook turned them both down.
As far as forcing players to stick around, they've never used a franchise tag on a player, and they won't start with Westbrook. Let him try to get 4.5 million per on the open market, with Shawn Alexander, Edgerrin James, Jamal Lewis, DeShawn Foster and Ahman Green also out there.
Westbrook's problem is, he's read his own press clippings. He thinks he's the second coming of Marshall Faulk. He's not. Westbrook is limited by his inability to run between the tackles. He's strictly an outside runner/receiver. Which is why the Eagles aren't even trying to get anything done on the ground. They know he can't.
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