What to do with TO
OK, it's very obvious now (like it should have been 6 mos ago when he started ripping on McNabb) that the TO experiment is over. As good as he is, he's not going to be an asset for us with his antics. So, what do you guys think we should do with him? My first suggestion would be a trade, but most people are saying that no team can afford him at this point. But is there a way around that? We're poised to make a SB run NOW, so wouldn't waiting til the season is over be counter-productive? Even if we got a #1 or #2 guy who isn't nearly as good as TO, seems that we'd still be in good shape, and we'd unload this rotting banana now before it ruins the whole bunch. Making a SB run with G-Lew and Reggie as our main receivers ain't gonna fly. Let me know what you think.
John Clayton's suggestion (on ESPN.com): "Something has to be done to patch this relationship. A suggestion would be telling Owens what is probably ahead for him after the season. While the Eagles can't let Owens win by having his way in getting a new contract or his release, the two sides need to part ways after the season. He has a $7.5 million roster bonus that was purposely negotiated as a way to either firm up the relationship or simply say two years was enough.
Telling Owens this will be his final year in Philadelphia could be the settlement of the differences. First, Owens would get what he wants free agency and a chance at a bigger contract. Second, this wouldn't be a contract renegotiation. It's just making a decision. For the Eagles, Owens creates too many distractions for the relationship to go beyond two years."
John Clayton's suggestion (on ESPN.com): "Something has to be done to patch this relationship. A suggestion would be telling Owens what is probably ahead for him after the season. While the Eagles can't let Owens win by having his way in getting a new contract or his release, the two sides need to part ways after the season. He has a $7.5 million roster bonus that was purposely negotiated as a way to either firm up the relationship or simply say two years was enough.
Telling Owens this will be his final year in Philadelphia could be the settlement of the differences. First, Owens would get what he wants free agency and a chance at a bigger contract. Second, this wouldn't be a contract renegotiation. It's just making a decision. For the Eagles, Owens creates too many distractions for the relationship to go beyond two years."
posted by Paulomon Grundy at 9:25 AM
6 Comments:
I agree with you in part. But, by that logic (making a SB run now) we should just pay him and make him happy. Now, I am not suggesting that the Eagles do that, but it could solve the problems and help them to that SB. It could also back fire. Who knows? The Eagles have to do what is best for the team in the long run, not just this year IMO. There are some organizations out there that would find room, take TO in a second AND pay him what he wants. The NFL is all about winning, and if TO is the answer, then they would find a way to make it happen.
I do agree with you that a lot of damage is already done no matter what happens. Not sure where to go from here.
As you'se guys know, former Flyer Keith Jones is on WIP in the morning, and he had a lot of perspective on this situation, since he was around during the Lindros debacle (which the Flyers let simmer for WAY too long). Jonesy said that the Birds need to get rid of T.O. ASAP, because it can only just get worse. The Lindros thing apparently had some damaging effects on the team then, and only began to heal after Lindros was gone. So the team is certainly less talented without T.O. (as the Flyers were without Lindros), but they would still be worse off with him.
I am starting to agree with that. Even Jerry Rice said that he doesn't condone T.O.'s actions, and no one player is larger than the team.
If T.O. actually did tell Childress "Don't talk to me unless I talk to you" then for that alone he should suffer some consequences. How the front office deals with his behavior sends a message to the rest of the team, and you betta believe they know that. Since they deal with everything internally and not through the media, I suspect they're going to make sure the players know where they stand.
At this point, I assume that, barring a miracle WR acquisition, we will not make a serious SB run this season. Knowing how destructive T.O. can be, I think that's a better option than trying to keep him and risking a breakdown of the entire team. For what it's worth, Reid and his crew have shown an excellent ability to keep a team together. He's straight with the players, always consistent, and really seems to have their respect. I am very hopeful that he has a plan on how to deal with this, in a way focused on keeping the team together...
So all that said (or babbled), I think we need to get rid of him, period. Disrespecting the coach alone is enough of a reason.
And just one more observation -- isn't it just simply absurd that this is all about T.O. asking for (well, demanding) something that he has no right to have? How does he even have the nerve to get mad about it?
I mean, with a contract dispute, both sides have their arguments, and both sides have strengths and weaknesses in their positions. Here, T.O. has no real basis for his claim. He's demanding something he has no right to, and then getting mad and acting like a brat when he doesn't get it. Unbelievable.
And the fact that after he left camp, he held a shirtless workout session on his front lawn for reporters is even more surreal. Sure seems like the guy needs meds.
Yeh, the guy is crazy. and I mean that literally. He needs to go, but it would be nice to get something for him...and Keith, even though the Birds don't operate this way, I think they should have considered moving some money from the back end of his contract to this year. It may not be what's best in the long run, but the next collective bargaining agreement is going to be a lot more player friendly than it is now anyway (players are starting to rise up in large numbers which they can't ignore foerever). I'm sick of the Birds doing what's best for the long term at the detriment of the short term goal of actually winning a SB. I guess what I'm saying is that there were various ways to skin this cat, none of which they did.
A lot of peeps think that's something the Birds' might have actually done for T.O. (guaranteeing some of his 3rd year money or moving it up) but when he and Rodenthaus went public about it, that basically killed any possibility of it.
I agree. But I will say one more thing.......I dont think the Eagles are going to necessarily win WITH TO anyway. They are still one of the best teams in the East, but are they good enough to beat the best teams of the AFC?? I am not sure. I think getting some other talent for TO (If possible) is the right way to go. MAybe not look to far into the future, but enough to find a way to be one of the best teams in both leagues
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