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Eagles say too late to T.O.
By Jeremy Harness November 8, 2005 |
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MOORESTOWN--The Philadelphia Eagles Public Relations department has told Sportstalk Radio that they are standing steadfast regardless of Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens apology and the team has no plans to take Owens back. The Eagles representative referred all questions to Andy Reid's statement, which he made at a press conference, which said that Owens is suspended for four games, and will remain "deactivated" for the last four games of the 2005 season. After which, the Eagles plan to sever ties and end the seven year deal with Owens, who is currently in his second year of the seven year contract. At the press conference, on Tuesday, Owens apologized to Jeffery Lurie team owner, Joe Banner Team President; quarterback Donavon McNabb, the rest of the team and the Eagles fans. Owens said, "that in my heart I could help the team by being a dominate player and that football is my passion, I have always given it my all and will continue to do so." The Owens story has been on both Philadelphia newspaper's front pages, the lead story on all news radio stations and television stations. Owens, who has been in controversy previously in San Francisco, and now Philadelphia, is fighting an uphill battle to try to return to Eagles by apologizing , in order to get back in the good graces of the team. “To my coach Andy Reid, I apologize I know we disagreed but I respect you as a man and as a coach, to Donavon McNabb I apologize to you for some of the things that I have said." said Owens. Among some of the other issues that Owens has been in the Eagles doghouse for, trying to re-negotiate his contract before the second year of his seven-year deal even kicked in and threatening to sit out he was suspended during training camp for a week. Owens’ verbal attacks against the Eagles, have included yelling at Coach Reid in front of everyone on the practice field, his constant criticism of quarterback Donavon McNabb including calling McNabb a "hypocrite", criticizing the team on a Miami Radio station. Owens went on to say on that station the Philadelphia Eagles, "showed no class" after Owens scored his 100th career touchdown saying, "if it was someone else they would have fireworks popped off all over the stadium", and the final straw the fight with Hugh Douglas the Eagles former defensive back after practice last week. "It really hurts me not being a part of the football team anymore, I came to help the Eagles get to the Super Bowl." said Owens. Owens agent Drew Rosenhaus took up most of the questioning after Owens finished reading his statement. Sportstalk's Ken Gimblin who did an analysis after the press conference said, "T.O. needed to stand up for himself right there and explain his reason for doing what he did, and take some of the heat of the press, he didn't and having his agent do that hurt him even more." Gimblin added, "If he would have just fielded the questions rather than dodge them he would have been better off." Some say that Owens wouldn't answer questions because he might have said the wrong thing again and the situation would continue. Rosenhaus blamed the media for Owens demise saying, "I blame you guys in the media for all of this, you have created a negative publicity campaign against Terrell. You guys have criticized me and have said that Terrell and I have a deal all worked out, let me tell you guys one thing I love this guy and I'm standing behind him all the way and Terrell Owens will be back in football this season again with the Eagles." Right now the only way that Owens returns to the Eagles, is to serve the four game suspension and the Players Union gets an arbitrator to over turn the de-active part for the last four games. The way it looks the suspension of four games will stick and the arbitration hearing will be held within the next seven days. Jeremy Harness is covering Monday Night Football on November 14th when the Cowboys and the Eagles match up in Philadelphia. J-Dogg has been covering the Owens press conferences on Monday and Tuesday. |
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