Wednesday, December 17, 2008

In Defense of Terrell Owens

We're back!

I'm not a Terrell Owens fan. Never have been. As a Redskins fan, I couldn't stand him as an Ealge and I sure as hell can't stand him as a Cowboy. I thought the way he went after McNabb, who is a fantastic player and athelete, was disgusting, and I laughed my head off when he openly wept on national tv after losing to the Giants last year. But for once, I find myself in a strange position. I am standing up for Terrell Owens.

Recently, ESPN's Ed Werder reported that Owens has recently been unhappy with the way the offense is being run, and that he feels Tony Romo is targeting Jason Witten over other recievers, most notably, yours truly. ESPN ate this story up, as they do with anything involving the Cowboys, and then proceded to blow it way out of proportion. And for once, I think Owens has been wrongfully accused of tearing the team apart.

Let's look at the facts. Romo targets Witten all the time. He currently leads the team in receptions with 69 (NFL.com), just above Owen's 58 (NFL.com). When Romo is in those tricky 3rd/4th and short situations, Witten is the guy he goes to. Romo and Witten are also very close, you may recall they vacationed last year with Jessica Simpson right before blowing the playoffs. I don't know what kind of idiot spends a bye week before a crucial playoff game on vacation, but that's another story.

The point is, Romo looks to Witten first-the numbers back it up. And on a team with talented recievers like Owens and now Roy Williams (no, Patrick Crayton, you blow), you have to find a way to get the ball to these guys in those situations.


That's my quarterback! And you stole my rubber duckie!

Now apparently, there was a closed door meeting between Owens, Williams, and Crayton (who invited 'ole lead hands??), in which they discussed ways to improve the offense through them with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. How DARE they.

How is this a problem? Instead of doing what he usually does, blab to the media and complain publicly, Owens gathered other members of the team who shared his opinion, and had a private meeting to try and HELP THE TEAM win. Think about it. The boys, at the time, were 8-5, and on the cusp of missing the playoffs. They were going into a game against the Giants, who were shredding the division. It's must win game, and TO wants to be a part of it. So rather than watch his quarterback throw dump offs to his best buddy tight end all game, he said something. Not to a TV camera, not to Stephen A. Smith, but to his offensive coordinator, with his teammates backing him up. For once, Owens made a move to help his team, not himself. And it seems like it paid off on Sunday night.

2 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

second attempt:

BOOO!!! BOOO!!! BOO!!

mer

- seth

halfpastfrance.wordpress.com (it's the newer more attractive one)