Terrell Owens might offend some people with his behavior on the field, but he was sounding mighty defensive Wednesday, and the way he went about sticking up for himself might end up offending even more people.
Asked about the mock Ray Lewis dance he did after scoring during Philadelphia's 15-10 win over Baltimore on Sunday, and about the criticism that followed, the receiver explained his consternation at being considered a bad guy, alluding to the Ravens linebacker's murder trial as he marshaled his arguments.
Speaking at his weekly news conference, Owens said: "You have a guy like Ray Lewis, who, I mean, I thought pretty much he was my friend. I mean, this is a guy, you know, double-murder case, he could have been in jail.
"Seems like the league embraces a guy like that. But I'm going out scoring touchdowns, having fun, but I'm the bad guy," he said.
Hey, if we learned nothing else on Sunday it's that there's nothing TO won't do to get a little attention. Is it in bad taste? Perhaps. But at least it's clever. I would rather watch TO pull out another Sharpie than watch Johnnie Morton do the worm after scoring a touchdown. As long as it's something new, let Owens do his thing. If opponents have a problem with it, keep him out of the end zone.
I do find it interesting, though, that TO is catching flak for mimicking Ray Lewis' dance...in other words, a dance that Lewis has done often enough to show up his own opponents that Owens was able to watch it and learn it and have people recognize it when he brought it out. You never hear any big outcry about Ray Lewis showing anybody up, so what's the big deal if somebody else gives it right back to him?
I don't think Ray Lewis is showing anybody up when he dances, because it's his PRE-game thing, getting the crowd fired up. If he ever did it after a sack or an interception, THAT would be showing someone up.
Too bad that probably the only way that TO and Ray Lewis will be on the same field for the next four years is in preseason or a Super Bowl. Has anyone ever gotten lit up at the Pro Bowl? TO might not want to run any crossing routes in Honolulu.
(edited by JayJayDean on 4.11.04 0512) “To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
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Originally posted by KawshenTerrell, Terrell, Terrell. Once again his mouth writes a check his ass can't cash.
Eh? Eight catches, 101 yards and a TD. Oh and as an aside he was on the winning side.
The cheques been cashed and probably long since spent.
"Tell TO to keep my name out of his mouth"
"Tell TO he better not come across the middle"
Both threats from young Raymond. And both threats he singularly failed to do a thing about.
Originally posted by JayJayDeanI don't think Ray Lewis is showing anybody up when he dances, because it's his PRE-game thing, getting the crowd fired up. If he ever did it after a sack or an interception, THAT would be showing someone up.
Ah c'mon. Ray's tried to make himself the self styled baddest man in the NFL since he got there. Having someone not only reject that but more or less openly laugh in his face about it is just him getting his comeuppance as far as I'm concerned.
You think Ray doesn't KNOW fine well he's miked up (and showing someone up) when he's telling an opponent not to lay his hands on him. When he's telling Marshall Faulk he'll never leave him? Put yourself up there by all means, but don't come crying if you get shot down.
And before anyone asks, equally if Owens drops a pass into the waiting hands of a DB I'd have no problem with them mocking him right back.
Originally posted by BigVitoMarkIf opponents have a problem with it, keep him out of the end zone.
I totally agree with you on that. Look fact is they are two huge trash talking egomaniacs who love the spotlight. TO is right now the best WR in football and Lewis the best MLB in the game so I think with the success you can talk all the trash you want. I don't like the fact that Owens brought up the murder as I think that crossed the line. This should be a non issue now and Owens should focus on the big game Sunday. Too bad these two guys most likely won't play again for four years because we all know the Ravens have no shot at the bowl. Go Birds and I can't wait to see what dance TO does this week.
Originally posted by SI.comLewis declined comment on Owens. The Ravens issued the following statement: "Like the rest of the NFL community, we would expect nothing less from Terrell Owens."
TO really needs to get a clue. Real classy, bringing up a charge that a man was found innocent of. I think Ray remains more marketable (and likeable) because: (a) he has been the best at his position since he emerged on the scene, (b) he comes across with a modicum of humility off the field, if not on it and (c) he also comes across as a faithful guy. TO just comes across as an asshole. Pain and simple--and I am a diehard 49er fan first--so I have been dealing with his nonsense for a long time and am not biased by the off-season trade nonsense.
If TO really wants the acceptance Ray has (and the marketing contracts), he should really speak a little less and be a little more humble. I mean, he hasn't DONE anything yet. For all his cathes and touchdowns, ff the Eagles don't win the SuperBowl this year, his acquisition wil be seen as a failure. We'll see how much he dances then. Ray has a ring already.
Finally, he has also joined a team this could possibly be in the downswing of its NFC East dominance. Probability says that this Eagles's team has more lost chances behind it than posible chances in front of it. If that happens, its only a matter of time before he reverts to being the selfish, coach-cursing jerk he has shown us he is for years now.
Originally posted by BigVitoMark If opponents have a problem with it, keep him out of the end zone.
Normally, I'd agree, but then we would have to hear TO bitch and moan like a little girl about McNabb not making good throws or deep enough throws like he did with Garcia in SF.
I have no problem with what TO does on the field. It's entertaining and, if the refs have no problem with it, go ahead. But shut up already off the field.
Unfortunately, it seems that in the sports world - once a punk, always a punk more often than not (See: Sprewell, Latrell). Let's see how happy the Eagles are with TO's antics when things go bad.
Originally posted by Reverend J Shaft Let's see how happy the Eagles are with TO's antics when things go bad.
(edited by Reverend J Shaft on 4.11.04 1108)
I dare say the management are more than happy to actively encourage the sort of mind set that T.O.'s showing signs of right now.
His rejection of people's attitudes is basically him saying "nobody likes me, I don't care". Nobody, that is except the Eagles fans who adore him. Encourage THAT attitude and you'll have TO believing the only people that care about him are his team mates and fans.
Get him thinking like that and you've got one hell of a dedicated guy playing for you.
Its a mind set many a manager has tried to foster in teams across several sports in the past and its often pretty successful.
Originally posted by DrOpTO really needs to get a clue. Real classy, bringing up a charge that a man was found innocent of.
Some would say 'plead guilty to a lesser charge' is a far cry from 'found innocent'.
Personally I'd rather TO had kept his yap shut in this instance given that he won the battle that mattered on Sunday, but I don't particularly disagree with what he's saying. Take away the shit hot team of defence lawyers and I don't think its stretching things to suggest it would at the very least have been much harder for Ray to score the deal he did.
Owens' worst crime is engaging his mouth before his brain kicks in sometimes. Its a messed up set of ideals that sees him demonised over Ray. Plea bargain over a murder charge, good. Trash talk opponents, bad. Hmmm.
Having said that, while I obviously get different coverage from you guys for the most part (at least in terms of analysis) I had seen several articles defending Lewis over at ESPN.com and none against him, so I don't know what made him think he was being portrayed as the bad guy.
TO bitchslapped Ray and Ray didnt like it. All Ray is, is a talented linebacker who runs his mouth on the sidelines all day long. I would get tired if I played on the defense, of hearing him trying to "get people fired up". Jesus Christ, if playing in the NFL and getting paid hundreds of thousands, if not million of dollars to do so, isnt enough to get you fired up, get the hell out of the league. I dont even watch CBS coverage anymore, since they feel the need to show him, standing in the middle of the circle of players, yelling and screaming all day long and doing his stupid fucking dance.
The league loves him, and I dont see why. When you are involved in something like he was, and granted he was not convicted of anything, but to be mixed up in it to begin with, and have the league promote you, while people slam another guy who is productive, but opinionated, doesnt make sense to me.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeAll Ray is, is a talented linebacker who runs his mouth on the sidelines all day long.
No, all he is is the best Middle Linebacker playing today. Period. And he has been for years now. Not Zach Thomas, Not Brian Urlacher. Ray Lewis.
How can you not see the difference between TO and Ray Lewis?
TO is an asshole, man. Admit that much at least. And like I said, I loved what he brought to the 49ers as a player. Asses like him don't get to be in the NFL spotlight. It just doesn't happen. Terrific talent, not well liked or respected--wos fault is that really? If he would just shut up--I'm not saying not celebrate--I'm saying just be quiet and let his talent speak for itself--he *might* be able to improve his image and rapport with the NFL media.
I'm not saying Ray is a pristine angel--but he was not convicted of murder and the courts say that he should be treated like an innocent person from here on out (in regards to that charge). Plea barginshappen all the time in the justic system. To keep villifying Lewis as a defense for TO's immature rants is incredulous. Nobody loves me, waaaaahh" C'mon man. How is anyone expected to like or put up with that?
The whole "I wasn't charged with a crime so you need to cut me some slack even though I act like a total ass all the time" argument is just crazy. And childish. IMHO.
The Difference is, TO plays ball, kicks peoples asses, and says what he feels. He questioned Jeff Garcia's sexualtiy. NEWS FLASH! He wasnt the first one to do that!
Ray Lewis plays MLB better than anybody in the league, but talks just as much shit. He doesnt call people fags, so its okay to talk shit? And, he WAS involved, either directly or indirectly with two people losing thier lives, and even if he didnt have anything to do with the actual murders, he did try to help those who did.
I dont LIKE Owens, but I have to respect his abilities, and as a Giants Fan, wonder why they didnt try to sign him. Either way, even if he is an asshole, I dont care, he's not been an asshole to me. He's an asshole to Jeff Garcia? BIG FRIEKING DEAL! He mocks Ray Lewis looking like a goof before games after he scores? BIG DEAL! He didnt do it after a first down, he did it when he score on them, and I didt see Ray Lewis cracking his ass, like he promised he would.
You're missing my point--I like TO and respect his talent. I still think he's an ass. Because he is an ass, people don't like him and don't sign him to market their products. Assholes aren't marketable unless your name is Charles Barkley or Chris Collinsworth. He seems to not understand why this happens and whines about it constantly, all the while not choosing to take any respnsibility for why he is disliked. That, to me, seems childish and immature. The hardest part of therapy is seeing the part that you, yourself, play in perpetuating all your own problems.
I never said Ray Lewis doesn't talk shit. Of course he does. All NFL players talk trash. Hines Ward is supposedly oneof the best trash talkers around. Does he talk more than most? Yup. Is he a talented SOB. Yup. Is he an asshole? Doesn't *appear* that way. Do people like him? Yes. I simply don't get what TO doesn't get in the comparison. To does play ball--he also dropped a lot of balss last season, had alligator arms all too often and acted like a spoiled kid a lot. That's not marketable these days.
And are you saying that TO questioning Garcia's sexuality was okay just because someone else did it first?
Well, TO doesnt get commercial deals and whines about it. I could care less, its not like he's making minimum wage playing in the NFL.
And, questioning somebody's sexuality is stupid to do. Not because it is demeaning to them or not PC, but because in the end, if Jeff Garcea is a big huge homosexual, I could care less as long as he can run an offense and read a defense and help my team win (If I am a Browns fan, that is).
In the end, Jeff comes out looking a billion times classier, simply by not addressing it. TO looks like an idiot. But, it's America right? Let him speak his mind, and if he comes off like a moron, so be it.
Both guys are morons. We will see how much dancing there is in Pittsburgh this week. TO is about to find out what the Eagle fans think of him when they lose. As for Ray, he should shut up. The Ravens have been talking trash since 2000 and have not looked back. Even when they get their heads handed to them, they act like bad ass about it. The Steelers have been on the recieving end of this fued this year, but they are going to get torn up when they come to Heinz field. I can't wait to see Ray Lewis pep talk come in when they are down 35-7.
"All faith reguires is giving into the possibility of hope."
Originally posted by StaggerLeeWell, TO doesnt get commercial deals and whines about it.
If by "no commercials" you mean "except for the ones he did for Nike, ESPN NFL 2K5 and Sharpie", that would be correct.
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Ack! Don't guarantee victory in such important games, I beg of you. Winning the Eagle game would be a blessing and I am FIRED UP, but let's not go crazy with the promises. I'm more confident about Baltimore since Uncle Ben is the greatest ever and we're in a position to do the same thing we did in 2001 (lose the first game in the process of setting up the big momentum & revenge), but they're still only 2 games back with the win in hand.
Haven't checked the schedule, but do the Eagles play the Dolphins soon? I need to see TO score a TD then mock Junior Seau's annoying "swing my fist and shake the turd down my pants" dance.
I'm not sure why I feel this way, but I don't mind anybody celebrating after a TD. Either offensive or defensive TD. TD's are mini-culminations of the team's efforts. I can understand it. However, celebrating a FIRST DOWN or a SACK is plain ridiculous. (I'm a big Donkey fan, but think Mario Fatafehi should have his nuts snipped for his stupid 'wavey' sack dance). When I was coaching, I'd use the old "that's only ONE play" line to shut my guys up. Big reason why I hate Seau...his team would be getting hammered, but he'd make a sack and do his little dance.
Thread ahead: NCAA I-A Week 11 BCS Bowl predections Next thread: Week 9 playoff seedings (Post-MNF and two huge corrections) Previous thread: Big 10 tiebreaker
*laughs* My father, the Giants fan, has been walking around for weeks cockily predicting that Tiki was going to win, even though I kept telling him that the voters focus more on touchdowns than yardage in picking this stuff.