Eagles suspend Owens indefinitely for team criticism

[95-GT]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Terrell Owens can host an open house, exercise on his front lawn or practice a new touchdown celebration Sunday.

He won't be playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Owens was suspended indefinitely by the Eagles on Saturday, two days after he criticized the organization for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch two weeks ago.

The All-Pro wide receiver apologized Friday in a statement and later on his weekly radio show, but the damage already was done.

The Eagles issued a statement that said Owens was suspended "for conduct detrimental to the team." The team added that it will have no further comment.

Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, refused to comment.

It's unlikely Owens will be paid for sitting out this game, though neither the team nor Rosenhaus would discuss the situation. Owens is scheduled to make $3.5 million in base salary this season, so the suspension would cost him more than $200,000 per game if it's without pay.

The collective bargaining agreement states that a player can be suspended for up to four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. However, the Eagles could decide to pay Owens to stay home the rest of the season.

In 2003, Tampa Bay declared wideout Keyshawn Johnson inactive for the final six games and sent him home because of differences with coach Jon Gruden. Johnson was paid his full salary.

No matter, it's clear Owens won't be back in Philadelphia next year. He already put his house in Moorestown, N.J., up for sale. The price? A measly $4.4 million.

Owens has been angry with the Eagles since management refused to redo his contract just one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed when he came to Philadelphia in March 2004.

Without Owens, the struggling Eagles (4-3) will line up with unproven rookie Reggie Brown at one of the wideout spots for an important game at Washington (4-3) on Sunday night.

This is the second time Owens has been suspended during his controversial 10-year career. In 2000, he was suspended one game by San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci following his infamous touchdown celebrations on the Dallas Cowboys' famed star logo at the center of Texas Stadium.

Owens clashed with management this summer and earned a one-week exile from training camp after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid, which led to a bizarre workout on his lawn in front of neighbors and reporters.

Owens got in trouble this time after taking shots at the team and quarterback Donovan McNabb in an interview with ESPN.com on Thursday.

Owens was upset there was no in-stadium acknowledgment of his 100th career TD reception in a victory over San Diego on Oct. 23. An announcement was made in the press box.

"That right there just shows you the type of class and integrity that they claim not to be," said Owens, who became the sixth receiver in NFL history to reach the milestone. "They claim to be first class and the best organization. It's an embarrassment. It just shows a lack of class they have. My publicist talked to the head PR guy, and they made an excuse they didn't recognize that was coming up. But that was a blatant lie. Had it been somebody else, they probably would have popped fireworks around the stadium."

Owens also said the Eagles would be undefeated with Green Bay's Brett Favre at quarterback.

"A number of commentators will say he's a warrior, he's played with injuries," Owens said, referring to Favre. "I feel like him being knowledgeable about the quarterback position, I feel like we'd probably be in a better situation."

Owens said on his radio show he merely was agreeing with the opinion of Michael Irvin, the former Dallas wideout and current ESPN broadcaster.

"This is one I really regret," Owens said of the interview, adding that some clips were taken out of context. "I said earlier in the interview that we would have a better record if Donovan wasn't injured."

Owens previously said on his radio show that he'd prefer to play with Indianapolis' Peyton Manning over McNabb or any quarterback. Last year, Owens couldn't stop praising McNabb after joining the Eagles following eight seasons in San Francisco.

But their relationship soured after Owens took a verbal swipe at McNabb's performance in Philadelphia's loss to New England in the Super Bowl. McNabb responded harshly and the two feuded throughout the summer, not speaking to each other for a prolonged period.

McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl quarterback who has led the Eagles to four consecutive NFC championship games, has played through several injuries this season, including a sports hernia that will require surgery. He has thrown for 2,034 yards, 15 TDs and seven interceptions while going through some tough stretches.

Owens has 47 catches for 763 yards and six TDs this season.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

[MSJHWT]

Loose Loose for the Eagles, can't have him smack talking all day, but they coulda used him their next 2 games.

[02andahalfgt]

It's about damn time, they should have just cut him in the preseason when he was crying about his contract. He's worthless, and won't get much in a trade. But I love this, they won't even make the playoffs this year with how good the Giants and Skins are this year. And they don't deserve to either.

[iceman]

[99GApunk]

should have never signed him in the first place, everyone knows the mouth comes with him

but he does have a point, mcnabb couldnt hit the broad side of a barn lately
that pesky sports hernia

[AMRAAM4]

Focking BS....If I were him I'd go off to my vacation home and disappear. The Eagles front office is not some damn bunch of choir boys either. They don't pay their players MARKET VALUE and now as you can see they are starting to see that in them. TO sees it, Simon saw it, Westbrook sees it, etc. It isn't like they don't have the money either. For those who don't know, the Eagles found a loop hole in the salary cap where they put performance bonuses into scrub's contracts and then when they obviously don't reach that performance stat they get a credit of that money the following year on tha cap. That's how they got Kearse and TO in the same year. The Front oFfice needs to stop it with their attitude of "you should feel priviliged to play for the Eagles"

Anyway...TO was 100 percent right. It was p1ss poor they didn't recognize his 100th catch, he's only the 6th to ever do that. Also, it's his opinion what he thinks about Favre and he was asked a personal question. I respect he didn't sugar coat it with some God damn politically correct BS answer just to make people he doesn't care about happy. Plus, it's no shocker to anyone in football that McNabb couldn't hold Brett Favre's 14+ season year old jock strap if someone placed it in his mouth. Rush Limbaugh was correct in his comments theory last year, he just should have put it a little more eloquent so the PC fags didn't get all bent out of shape.

TO could go about this all a bit better, but when your fed up you have to stick up to the big bullies (in this case the $$$ owners). All I see from Eagles fans on TO is sour grapes...

[AMRAAM4]

Alrighty then...my views just changed. CBS Pregame just had new info from Shannon Sharpe. Shannon just got off the phone with Hugh Douglas about 30 minutes ago (yeah, the Hugh Douglas with the big mouth, who busted when he left Philly, then came back for a year and road the bench and was cut this year). Anyway, Hugh has been a proponent for TO last year, and this year when he was askign for more money. He use to give TO advise and try to support his views on a new contract.

Well, Thursday Hugh came into the training room and went over to TO and TO said to him 'I don't want to be around no haters"..and left to get in the whirlpool. TO did the whirlpool and when he got out he put on his shoes and sought out Hugh. I guess Hugh made a comment about faking injuries and then a brawl broke out with TO throwing the first punch. Punches were thrown and connected by both and they had to be separated. In leaving then TO yelled out a challenge to anyone on the team that wanted to go with him, especially McNabb. (I am going to imagine with that comment and TO's training in boxing, that he beat Douglas's ass if you were scoring the fight).

..after hearing that I think this whole suspension thing is being miscommunicated. I dont' think it has anything to do with his comments, nor his apology. Yes that leads up to it, but I think it comes down to this fight and comments at headquarters that really broke the camel's back. I'll agree, you just can't be pulling that sh1t in the workplace, even one as lenient as the NFL. He can talk all he wants, it's his right as an American, but you can't just be going off starting fist fights.

I'll say TO doesn't play again for Philly.

[Pontiac Ninja]

TO will never play with Philly again! After that fight the coach gave him 3 things to do if he wanted to stay on the team and that was to apologize to the team (publicly and privately) and to D. McNabb. He only aplogized publicly, and then in the subsequent team meeting he said "either you all are with me or against me!" That was just it for him right there!

He also said in an interview that if he had been with Brett Farve the team would basically be undefeated, for what thats worth.

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by Pontiac Ninja

TO will never play with Philly again! After that fight the coach gave him 3 things to do if he wanted to stay on the team and that was to apologize to the team (publicly and privately) and to D. McNabb. He only aplogized publicly, and then in the subsequent team meeting he said "either you all are with me or against me!" That was just it for him right there!

He also said in an interview that if he had been with Brett Farve the team would basically be undefeated, for what thats worth.

That was Donovan that said "you are either with me or against me"

...which right there shows that McNabb isn't Mr. Focking Innocent like they are playing him as. But then again I know this, because I grew up and played sports in the Rochester divisions and they have had a few people who went to Syracuse during my age bracket (coughRobKonradcough)

[AMRAAM4]

UPDATE

Acording to ESPN Radio...T.O. is NOT suspended for the game. Andy Reid said he wants to "keep his options open". Don't know if that means he is playing or not. But it seems that maybe Philly is realizing they need the third best receiver statistically in the league right now if they want to make the playoffs.

[oldblueyes]

they just need to sit his punk ass down and try to win without him. it's obvious TO doesn't give a rats ass about his teammates or the organization by pulling all the crap that he has now and in the past. yeah he's a great player and all, but no matter how well you perform eventually the detrimental things you say will come back to bite you in the ass, and i'm glad the eagles have KINDA takin a stand on it. and besides, with them playing my boys i would rather have him either sitting on the sidelines or on the stretcher after a hit by arrington..

[eric99gt]

Eagles will be better off. TO is a cancer. Amraam I pose a question. If TO is actually the victim in all this then why does every player that played with him pretty much hate him? I guess it's all their fault?

[AMRAAM4]

And where do you get this info that every teammate hates him? There is no way you know that info. And as a guess, I would say they don't. In fact, I know you are wrong. They don't like some of his antics, but they don't hate him as a teammate. My evidence is Michael Irvin on TV....and Jacquez Green on another board that I visit (yes, Jacquez Green posts on there and has some interesting info about this incident from a friend).

[Warthog]

.

[eric99gt]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

And where do you get this info that every teammate hates him? There is no way you know that info. And as a guess, I would say they don't. In fact, I know you are wrong. They don't like some of his antics, but they don't hate him as a teammate. My evidence is Michael Irvin on TV....and Jacquez Green on another board that I visit (yes, Jacquez Green posts on there and has some interesting info about this incident from a friend).

I can name about 20 people from both the Eagles and Niners that hate him. It was even said in the inquirer that the main reason they decided to suspend him is because of his teamates opinions.

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by eric99gt

I can name about 20 people from both the Eagles and Niners that hate him. It was even said in the inquirer that the main reason they decided to suspend him is because of his teamates opinions.

But you said "every teammate". It's at least split, and I heard that right from a former NFL player who is still buddy buddy with a lot of players. (Jacquez Green was at Florida with Kearse and they are good friends, they won the national title together in 1996)

[TJ95GAGT]

we all knew TO wouldnt be in Philly after this season. He's got money coming to him for roster bonus after this season or next that they wont pay him. Just this season is maybe ending a few games early for TO and he'll still get paid for most of them. Atleast they signed Westbrook to a 5yr ext. Are thier any #1 receiver free agents after this season ?

[99GApunk]

wasting more money by signing westbrook if you ask me

[Pontiac Ninja]

Well TO will NEVER be back with the Eagles. He didn't apologize to the oganization, the team, and DM after these latest antics. That was the last straw along with the brawls!

And other teams will simply "try him out" on a year to year basis until he (if ever) proves himself to be an awsome player and not a clown at the same time. Can we say Dennis Rodman! Oh wait, he actually won some championships!!!!!

[Pontiac Ninja]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

But you said "every teammate". It's at least split, and I heard that right from a former NFL player who is still buddy buddy with a lot of players. (Jacquez Green was at Florida with Kearse and they are good friends, they won the national title together in 1996)

oh, and Wilbond from PTI just said he was in the locker room and it was about 45 people who are glad hes gone to 10 who aren't so happy. As a whole they are much happier to lose as a team (as they did to the Redskins), then to win (or lose) as a one-man side (almost freak) show.

Sorry, I'm done know.