The Eagles, taking swift and bold action, have finally filed for separation from their diva wide receiver, Terrell Owens.
Owens, who has authored a rap sheet filled with selfish maneuvers since he was acquired by the Eagles and before that in San Francisco, finally got his due yesterday when the Eagles told their end-zone-dancing dirty bird to fly the coop.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid announced yesterday that the team, which suspended Owens without pay for Sunday night’s game against the Redskins, would continue the suspension without pay for the next three weeks and then would be suspended for the rest of the year with pay.
Reid said yesterday that the suspension of Owens is “a result of a large number of situations that accumulated over a long period of time.”
Those “situations” most recently included Owens, in an interview with ESPN, saying the Eagles organization had a “lack of class” because it didn’t acknowledge his 100th career touchdown catch, and ripping Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, saying the team would have a better record with another quarterback such as Brett Favre. He was also reportedly involved in a fight with former Eagles and Jets DE Hugh Douglas, who now works for the Eagles’ front office.
Reid indicated that he told Owens an apology to the team and to McNabb would keep him on the team, but Owens refused.
So Reid initially suspended him for the Redskins game before deciding yesterday he’d had enough.
Reid said Owens “had been warned repeatedly about the consequences of his actions.”
“We gave Terrell every opportunity to avoid this outcome,” said Reid, who added that the league has been notified by the players’ union that it will be “grieving” the Eagles’ right to take the action they did.
Owens, who’s under a contract that was due to pay him $3.25 million this season, is losing out on about $200,000 for each game he’s suspended without pay.
The Eagles will then end up having to pay him about $1 million to stay away for the final five games. Two years ago, the Buccaneers did a similar thing with their disgruntled receiver, Keyshawn Johnson, suspending him for the final six games of the season with pay. They eventually worked out a trade with Dallas, who sent receiver Joey Galloway to Tampa Bay.
Owens has surely written his ticket out of Philadelphia for good with his own Sharpie. He’ll either be traded or released after the season. He’s due a $5 million roster bonus in March, so the Eagles will make a move before then.
The question, of course, is what team in the league wants to deal with such a tempestuous player.
Owens, who had 47 catches for 763 yards and six TDs this season, made more than $9 million last season, when he helped lead Philadelphia to the Super Bowl. He was set to earn base salaries of $770,000 in 2006, $5.5 million in 2007, $6.5 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009, and $8.5 million in 2010.
The Eagles are 17-5 with Owens, including a 24-21 loss to New England in the Super Bowl last February. They’re 2-1 without him in games that matter, winning twice in the NFC playoffs. The Eagles are 4-4 this season and struggling.
McNabb, who has feuded with Owens throughout the summer and has been a constant target of his criticism, said the team might be “better off” without Owens.
“Obviously it is tough losing a guy of his caliber, his ability, but I think we might be better off,” McNabb said after the game Sunday night.
Rookie Reggie Brown filled in for Owens against Washington and caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 56-yard TD reception.
“We’re 4-4; we’re not 1-7,” McNabb said. “For the guys in the locker room, we win together and we lose together.”
Yesterday, Owens lost alone.
Make a deal
9If a player is on the opening day roster, he’s entitled to his full-year salary. The maximum games he can be suspended is four; otherwise, he must be deactivated and paid in full the amount owed him.
Owens is scheduled to earn $3.25 million, meaning the four-game suspension would cost him almost $800,000. The Eagles will have to pay Owens nearly $1 million to stay home the final five games.
Owens will either be traded or released after the season. He is due to receive a $5 million bonus in March, so the Eagles will decide his fate before then.
Terrible Terrell
A look at some of the many lowlights of Terrell Owens’ NFL career:
2000
Owens celebrated a touchdown by running to midfield of Texas Stadium and posed on the star logo of the Cowboys. When he repeated his actions after another score, he was blindsided by the Cowboys’ George Teague.
2002
On Monday Night Football in Seattle, Owens pulled a Sharpie marker out of his sock after scoring. He then proceeded to autograph the ball and hand it to his financial adviser sitting in an end zone luxury suite.
2002
After scoring a touchdown against the Packers, Owens celebrated with a pair of pom-poms borrowed from a 49ers cheerleader
2004
Owens was traded to the Ravens, but Owens refused to report. He expressed his desire to play in Philadelphia, and filed a grievance, claiming he should be granted free agency. After a series of negotiations, a deal was worked out between the three teams which sent Owens to Philadelphia where he signed a seven-year, $49 million deal.
2004
In an interview with Playboy magazine, Owens hinted that former 49ers teammate Jeff Garcia was gay.
2004
Prior to a Monday Night game against Dallas, Owens appeared in a controversial “Desperate Housewives” skit that resulted in an FCC investigation.
2005
Owens hired agent Drew Rosenhaus in April and announced he is not happy with his contract. He said he needed a new deal to “feed his family.”
2005
After hinting that he might hold out of training camp, Owens shows up, but refuses to acknowledge the media or his teammates. He was suspended for one week.
Wednesday
Owens was involved in a locker-room fight with former teammate Hugh Douglas. Douglas said no punches were landed.
Thursday
Owens, while interviewing with ESPN, blasts the team for not recognizing his 100th career touchdown, and criticizes quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Friday
Owens issues a short apology for his comments.
Saturday
The Eagles indefinitely suspend Owens.
Yesterday
Coach Andy Reid said Owens won’t return this season.