Commentary

Faceoff

SHOULD THE EAGLES TRADE T.O.?:

By Times staff writers
Published August 14, 2005

OWENS DESERVES A NEW DEAL

The Philadelphia Eagles' final biography notes of 2004 call Terrell Owens "arguably the best receiver in the game today." Why not pay him accordingly?

Owens arrived at training camp wearing camouflage after ownership refused to give him a new deal. The Pro Bowl receiver clearly deserved a new contract despite signing a seven-year, $49-million deal last year.

Owens caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. T.O.'s most meaningful gesture was to risk further injury to his right leg in Super Bowl XXXIX after a severe ankle sprain and fractured fibula. T.O. ignored doctors and caught nine passes for 122 yards in a 24-21 loss to New England.

No one would have criticized Owens for sitting.

Consider the revenue Owens would help generate with a Super Bowl victory. Think of the T-shirts, the commemorative DVDs, the hats, the flags. The Eagles probably made a killing from T.O. jerseys last season.

Some argue renegotiating with Owens would force the Eagles to restructure other deals. Do you know another Eagle comparable to T.O.?

Philadelphia will not win a Super Bowl without Owens. Pay the man.

- IZZY GOULD

It isn't going to work in Philadelphia, despite Terrell Owens' considerable talent.

He's not talking to his quarterback. He's talking back to his coach.

He's not happy with his contract, and he's willing to drag down the organization until he gets the money he wants.

Let's not forget the Eagles had a heck of a team before Owens arrived last season. They had been to the NFC Championship Game the previous three seasons and reached Super Bowl XXXIX while he was sidelined with an ankle injury.

They're positioned for a return to the title game this season and don't need the distraction Owens has created since he arrived at training camp two weeks ago.

Let's be real: The only reason he showed up was to avoid being fined. He missed nearly a week with a groin injury and flapped his gums until coach Andy Reid had heard enough.

This is how Owens rewards the team that rescued him from a trade to Baltimore with a reported seven-year, $49-million contract last season?

T.O., it's time to go.

- FRANK PASTOR

[Last modified August 14, 2005, 00:54:16]