You Are The GM of Your Favorite NFL Team. Would You Sign Terrell Owens?

[Yavin4]

For argument's sake, forget the salary cap. Would you sign T.O. in the off-season?

I'm a Redskins fan, and I would sign T.O. The 'Skins are now a playoff team, and they have to find ways to get to the SB. Having T.O. opposite Santana Moss would give the 'Skins the most potent offense in the NFC. Sure, T.O. brings problems but he puts us over the top.

[KitchenWitch]

1. No - The Vikings have had enough trouble with thugs and headcases

x(

[Feenicks]

44. Not to mention Randy Moss! n/t

[northzax]

2. sure, to a two year contract

league minimum for a veteran. No signing bonus, but I'll give him a roster bonus June 1 next year, if he's still on the team. I will include heavy bonuses, and strict penalties for behaviour.

[PDittie]

3. Also no.

Hard to understand this guy. Like Ron Artest, T.O.'s considerable physical talent -- both men, a description used loosely, among the best players in each league -- cannnot overcome his pyschological issues. He doesn't just have issues, in fact; he's got a lifetime subscription.

The Texans have decent receivers anyway. Pass catchers are about the only thing they don't need.

[Robeson]

4. I could see him on some teams. Just not mine....

...and those teams better have a ton of personal conduct clauses in any contract they signed with him.

[WilliamPitt]

5. In a heartbeat (with one proviso)

with 347 conduct clauses in the contract that directly relate to his salary; he fucks up, he don't get paid.

That having been said, I wouldn't want him on the patriots. We don't need him. Many teams do, however, and should sign him with the aforementioned clauses.

[hasbro]

6. No

The Broncos have had too many problems with head-cases, leave him for the Raiders.

[MrSlayer]

7. My team is the Eagles and I think they should have paid the man.

All the talk of "He signed a 7 year deal, he should honor it" flew out the window when owner Jeff Lurie said "It was a two year experiment, essentially a two year deal". If it was only a two year deal then T.O. had the right to ask for a renegotiation in his contract year, that happens all the time. The Birds once again won the salary cap bowl by finishing the season 6.7 million under the cap. If they would have just given the guy what he deserved, he would have been fine.

I would say yes, sign him if you can. He's the best receiver in the league, is a friggin beast and gives 100% on the field every game. If he's happy with his money, he causes no problems. If he's not happy though, look out.

[friesianrider]

9. I agree...

I never bought into the "get rid of him, he's a cancer" bullshit. First of all, it's offensive to people who have cancer or have family members with cancer, and second of all it's untrue and ridiculous.

He's the best receiver in the league, and was not being paid an outrageous sum of money compared to others and compared to his considerable talent advantage over other players. He's the best at what he does, hands down. The Eagles are cheap, and should not be consistently $5-10 Million under the cap. There are too many players on that team who deserve the money, not the least of which was Terrell Owens.

I would take him back in a heartbeat. All the whiney fans who say "I wouldn't want him on MY team, we don't NEED him" are only kidding themselves. Many in Philly were the same way until we saw him play in an Eagles uniform. When he's making huge plays for your team when you need them, that attitude changes real quick.

[Goblinmonger]

21. But hasn't he proven that the deal will never be enough

He signs for a contract, and within months, he is bitching about wanting more money, wanting more passes, wanting more press. It is never enough with this guy. I think the Vikings signing him would put some serious pressure on my 30+ years of loyalty (OK, I'd still be a fan, but I'd be PISSED). He's not worth the crap he brings with him. And NOBODY is going to change him; it happens everywhere.

[northzax]

24. no, you see

he didn't sign that contract with the Eagles, it was his agent's fault.

Ironically, the Ravens would have paid him huge sums of money. he knew he was taking less money to go to Philly (if he didn't, he should have known) Guess what? the Eagles don't pay well. If you don't like that, don't sign with the Eagles. seems fairly elementary to me.

Still, my comment in #2 stands.

[friesianrider]

8. He's the best receiver in the league, hands down.

Hell yes I would sign him (back). The Eagles were god damned morons to get rid of him at all. Granted, 99% of our problem this year was due to injuries to just about every starter on the team, but to get rid of the best receiver in the league, and one of the best *ever*? Foolish. The only man on Earth who could possibly catch Mike McMahon's passes is Terrell Owens ;)

It doesn't take a genius to figure him out and realize what he needs. Give him a short contract with bonuses for good behavior and severe penalties for bad behavior. State it clearly, specifically, and up front, and he will fall into line. He never thought the Eagles would suspend him, let alone deactivate him for an entire season - methinks he has learned his lesson, but will still need to have strict and *clear* boundaries laid out on any potential contract.

I know this is not a popularly held belief, but frankly I would not be surprised at all if, even after all this, he plays for us next season. That's just my gut feeling. Whatever team gets him will be extremely lucky; he's fucking incredible.

[trotsky]

10. I don't know that I would call him the best.

One of the current top 10, maybe top 5, but not the best.

Certainly not one of the best ever. No way.

[friesianrider]

14. What WR is better than he is at the present time?

Nobody. At WORST, he is #2, and whomever you would consider to be better than him is beyond me. Possibly Randy Moss, but I consider Terrell Owens' talents to be far superior.

Some stats: He holds the NFL record for most catches in a single game (20) and is the only receiver besides Jerry Rice to have 5 or more seasons with 13 or more receiving TD's in a regular season. He averages one touchdown per game from 2001-2004, has had 103 total touchdowns, has had six 1,000 yard seasons, including five consecutive (2000-2004), reached 100 catches in only 14 games in 2002, is tied for second all time in receiving touchdowns on Monday Night Football with seven, and led the league in receiving touchdowns for two consecutive seasons.

But I'm sure there's at least four other WRs better than him out there.

Terrell Owens is the best wide receiver in the league, period, hands down, and one of the best wide receivers ever. Many objective coaches, players, broadcasters, and announcers would agree with that statement, and have said as much on many occasions (and not just the ones inside Philly).

[trotsky]

16. It's ultimately an opinion.

Unless you pick one stat, or group of stats, and declare "best" based on that. But even then you run into problems, because I don't think Owens is going to lead in ANY of those - certainly not this year.

Owens has caused friction, acrimony, and chaos wherever he's been. To him, every one of his problems is someone else's fault. For attitude alone, I don't think he should ever be considered among the league's best - and guess what? Many objective coaches, players, broadcasters, and announcers would agree with THAT statement too.

[friesianrider]

Once again, who is "better" than him, according to you?

I can only imagine.

Here's some stats for you:

He holds the NFL record for most catches in a single game (20) and is the only receiver besides Jerry Rice to have 5 or more seasons with 13 or more receiving TD's in a regular season. He averages one touchdown per game from 2001-2004, has had 103 total touchdowns, has had six 1,000 yard seasons, including five consecutive (2000-2004), reached 100 catches in only 14 games in 2002, is tied for second all time in receiving touchdowns on Monday Night Football with seven, and led the league in receiving touchdowns for two consecutive seasons. He only played in 4 games for the Eagles and still is the team's top receiver with 47 receptions, 763 total yards, averaged 109 yards a game, and had 6 touchdowns, and he has OVER 350 more yards than the league average...and all that was only in FOUR games.

You say that he is "maybe" in the top 5 receivers in the league and probably only the top 10. I'm not talking his personality, or whatever your beef with him is about. I'm talking about based on talent, his ability to make plays, and his stats in the league. No one is better than him at WR, period. You may dislike him personally, as may others, but at least most everyone else can recognize that he is pretty much considered the top WR in the league. I don't know anyone who would say he isn't the best because of whatever his personal shortcomings may be. They may claim they do not want him to play for their team, but in terms of talent, it has nothing to do with it.

[trotsky]

18. Well, why doesn't he hold records for...

Most receptions in a season?
Most TDs in a season?
Most yardage in a season?

I could cut & paste from Wikipedia for just about any receiver for similar records and declare that receiver "the best." But I don't see any point in doing so, because as I said, it's ultimately just an opinion. You're simply cherry-picking the stat or two that you want, and declaring Owens "the best" based on that. You think he's the best? Fine. Knock yourself out. Plenty of people disagree. And I have this strange feeling that if you weren't wearing green-and-white glasses, you might be one of them too.

[friesianrider]

19. LOL...

Why are you so testy? So he doesn't hold 3 of ALL the MANY possible records. Wow! You're right. I'm the one cherry-picking. He sucks. Who would want a slacker like that? ;)

And for the record, I didn't cherry-pick any stats - I copied all the stats I could find doing a quick google, and if you have a problem with them, you can take it up with the NFL. I can get you their comment form if you'd like. I've asked you twice now who you think is so much better than him, and you can't answer. You claimed he is one of the top 5 at best, so let's hear the four who are better than him. Or, since you think he is really only in the top 10, who are the 9 who are better?

Or is it just that you don't you have the balls to say it wiwwy hurts your feewings to hear this positive talk about Terrell Owens being the best in the league, because you worship your Deion Branch poster at night? Plenty of people agree with me, not you, that he is the best receiver in the league. Terrell doesn't even play for the Eagles anymore, so I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. But he's still the best in the league, and far better than "maybe in the top 5." If you didn't ride the Patsie's man-goods so hard, YOU might see that.

But whatever, dude, it's just a matter of opinion right? There's really no need to go crying and huffing and stomping your feet about it, now is there? :hi:

[trotsky]

25. Uhh, one of us might be said to be crying and huffing...

and stomping our feet. But I don't think it's me. Sorry.

I'm just trying to tell you, deciding on "the best" receiver is always going to be a judgment call. Pick the stats you want to sort by, and declare your #1. But even the most stellar receiver is going to suck without a decent offensive line, a good QB, and other targets that take some of the focus off of him. This issue has gotten rather emotional for you, and I'm sorry to have angered you.

For the record, my all-star #1 and #2 receivers would be Jerry Rice and Cris Carter.

[friesianrider]

30. Ok...

You stated Terrell Owens was in the top ten in the league. Just so I refresh your memory, you said:

"One of the current top 10, maybe top 5, but not the best."

I then asked not once, not twice, not three times, but now FOUR times who you think the nine "better" CURRENT wide receivers are. Not who is better than him of all time (and even then you only came up with two)...who is better than him NOW? There should be at least 4-9 names. So...?

After asking you this many times, I have to believe you don't have an answer, just blowing a bunch of hot, pissy air, so I'll take that at face value. And I'm not stomping, doll. I don't get upset about people on an internet message board. :)

:hi:

[trotsky]

33. Oh good grief.

What a whiny little Iggles homer you are.

You want to know four better current receivers? Fine.

Marvin Harrison
Randy Moss
Steve Smith
Santana Moss

Want to know nine better?

Those four, plus:
Torry Holt
Larry Fitzgerald
Chad Johnson
Rod Smith
Isaac Bruce

Are we done yet?

[friesianrider]

34. Hahahaha!

Why are you so mad? Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed or something or are you just not getting laid or what? YOU were the one who said it, hun. If you would have just said that from the get go...

You answers are even more hilarious though...Steve Smith? Isaac Bruce? Fitzgerald? They're all better than Terrell Owens? :thumbsdown:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Come on! Even YOU have to know that's total bullshit. You're just trying to save your ass now.

But I'm really glad I asked! I needed a good laugh, so thanks for (finally) posting this :)

[trotsky]

35. Excellent rebuttal!

I am truly ashamed. LOL

[friesianrider]

36. LOL, you should be!

Don't worry, no one will actually think you're serious with those answers :) It's ok - I won't make fun of you anymore, I promise :hug:

[trotsky]

37. Your attempt at humor aside,

I guarantee you there are GMs in this league who, if given the choice of my top 9 plus Owens, if allowed to sign any one of them, would take them over T.O.

Look, my whole point in arguing this with you was to show that defining someone "the best" is always based on an arbitrary stat or judgment. You could not dispute this, but instead chose to sidetrack the discussion into my decision not to play your "name who's better" game, which is ironic, because it precisely illustrates my point. I could come up with a handful of reasons why each one of those receivers is "the best." Do you understand yet?

[friesianrider]

39. I've understood you perfectly from your first post....

You dislike T.O., so many, many receivers are so much, much better than him, he has a bad attitude, blah, blah, blah...and you have nothing to back it up with aside from a bunch of non-sensical, grumpy bitching. That's how you feel, so...cool. :) After all, you know what they say about opinions, don't you? ;)

My question is, why do you take this all so seriously and get so worked up? You need to lighten up a little, don't you think? I'm just enjoying ribbing you because it's hilarious to push your buttons and see you get all lathered up over Terrell Owens.

:hi:

[northzax]

38. what do these nine players have in common

that TO doesn't? they all got paid last week. and in the darwinian nature of the NFL, such is the ultimate artibrator.

[friesianrider]

40. Oh boo friggety hoo!

Do you provide cheese for all of us with that whine?

Chances are, the interest alone that he makes on his money in the bank is more than yours and my paycheck combined, so I'm fairly certain he's not sitting on his couch crying about not "getting a paycheck" last week. He will be picked up for next season, and be laughing his selfish, ego-maniacial, cancerous ass all the way to the bank.

[northzax]

41. that wasn't a whine, it was a statement of fact

in the NFL you are only as good as your last game. In a world without guaranteed contracts, the only sign of success is still playing. I don't see how someone who got fired can lay claim to being any better than someone who still has a job? would you rather have the best receiver in history wearing a really nice suit, or a mediocre receiver in uniform? which is more valuable to a franchise?

certainly his bank account is bigger than mine, makes his complaining about it even more pitiful.

[friesianrider]

42. Oh come now...sure it was

How exactly does your whining about his behavior disprove his considerable talents? The best receiver in the league in a suit or a mediocre receiver in uniform? First of all, he didn't get banned from the league forever and ever for heaven's sake. He was deactivated for part of one season - big deal. He deserved it and I'm sure he never thought any team would deactivate him, so he's likely learned his lesson. He will play later this year for some team, probably remain in the league for several more years, and continue to break records, make history, and be one of the main reasons his team wins games.

For some reason I seriously doubt he's wringing his hands worrying his career is over forever.

[northzax]

43. hold it...did you just admit...

that TO deserved it?

Look, as I stated above, I would sign him to a two year deal, with an option for a third. I'd escalate his base salary every year, have good roster bonuses and a excellent incentive program. no money up front, earn it all as you go.

[friesianrider]

47. Yep :)

Do you really think though that he'd be alright for two years? I think he's learned his lesson, but wouldn't be surprised if he reverts back to his same old behavior. Either way, I would lay out strict penalties for poor behavior, so any negative action he takes will have a predictable outcome.

[northzax]

49. yeah, that's why I put all the financial incentives in year two

he makes good money in year one, but BIG money near the end of the second, if he's still behaving and producing.

[Goblinmonger]

22. I would argue Randy Moss on sheer talent

I think both Moss and Owens are thugs, but Owens, when he puts the jersey on, puts it all out on the field. As the Vikings found out, Moss is a punk even when he puts the uniform on. But sheer talent and ability? Nobody is better than Moss.

[friesianrider]

32. The thing with Moss is...

Like you said, he doesn't give 100% on the field like Terrell does. But, if there is a current WR better than Terrell, it would be Moss for sure.

[rinsd]

29. I see it differently....

"It doesn't take a genius to figure him out and realize what he needs."

Money, recognition and constant attention. Sometime easily given, other times not so easy.

"Give him a short contract with bonuses for good behavior and severe penalties for bad behavior. State it clearly, specifically, and up front, and he will fall into line. "

Considering that the Eagles bent over backwards in terms of written notices, coaches meetings, owners meetings etc etc. I think the good behavior will last about 1 year before TO decides he doesn;t need to follow the rules by virtue of being TO.

I respect the guy for playing in the Super Bowl acoming off injury. However I think he is incredibly immature that the whole saga between him and McNabb started because when he was injured, McNabb stood up for his team. The fact that he is in 30's and has pulled this crap with two teams now leads me to believe he just would not be a good fit on any team for longer that 1 year.

He's an absolutely incredible talent but I just don;t think its possible for him to work with a team for more than 1 year.

[friesianrider]

31. You may well be right...

I definitely think just giving him more money wouldn't have satisfied him. Perhaps temporarily, but not for any length of time.

It's unfortunate because he is such an amazing talent, but he does truly have some issues he needs to sort out. When your own teammates say you need professional help, I think there may be a serious problem. I personally feel sorry for him - he's a very conflicted soul.

[kick-ass-bob]

11. No.

He may put you over the top for one year, but then you will be the Eagles all over again.

[jakefrep]

12. Absolutely YES

The Eagles are being petty, cheap and stupid. I hope they enjoy the ride on the high road to mediocrity.

[friesianrider]

15. Well said.

[davidinalameda]

13. not only no

but hell fucking no

ask Philly about those problems and how they hurt them

[democracyindanger]

17. Raiders or Cowboys

I'm neither an OAK or DAL fan, but these are the only two conceivable places I could imagine handling Owens. DAL because of Parcells, and OAK because of Davis and a long history of managing misfits and miscreants. But having said that, OAK won't do it because Moss has already suggested that there's no way he and TO could play on the same team.

In answer to your question, no way. If TO whined about McNabb and Garcia (in his prime), I could only imagine the stink he'd make about Grossman or Orton.

[tiptoe]

20. Absolutely -- if even for only 1/2 a season before benching him :)

:)

[Midnight Rambler]

23. Oh, hell no

And I wouldn't sign Ron Artest either.

[Penndems]

26. No way

The Skins already have their own T.O., in the person of Sean "I'm a Spitting Fool" Taylor.

Did you read Wilbon's column this morning, by any chance?

WaPo/Michael Wilbon: "Getting Away With It"

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/09/AR2006010902001.html

[Hobarticus]

27. I'd roll the dice....

Look at Randy Moss...once he realized that he wasn't the morning sun by getting dumped off to Oakland, he's chilled out. Hell, watch an interview, or look at his Raiders head shot....he's actually smiling. His Vikings head shot looked like a mug shot.

TO just needs a gut-check this off-season, and only he can do that. He'd definitely be worth the gamble, if it paid off.

[sabbat hunter]

28. no

he is a cancer in the locker room. he is nothing but a coach killer who never accepts blame but instead always says its the QBs fault that they didnt win.

[Renew Deal]

45. On Madden, yes.

In real life, probably not. It depends on if he's the missing piece to get me to the Super Bowl. I bet that he will have a great year next year. I'm just not sure if I would want him on the team. Remember, he punched a coworker.

[nickgutierrez]

46. For a one or two year deal, hell yeah.

My Dolphins need a playmaker on offense. TO would bring the same nasty attitude on offense that they already have on defense, and if they can add a QB and a decent corner, they could be a contender.

[Dulcinea]

48. No thanks.

Too high maintenance. I have no use for prima donnas, no matter how talented they are.

Pittsburgh is one place T.O. will NEVER end up. We have good WRs & don't need him, plus the Rooneys would never put up with his crap.

[Jawja]

50. Hell no.

Let me repeat so I will be clearly understand:

HELL NO.