Terrell Owens

Can someone explain to me what Terrell Owens is thinking? First he decided a contract that last year was great is this year insulting. (Who could possibly live on $49 million over seven years? What a slap across the face.) When that didn't work, he reports to training camp and then sulks like a spoiled child standing with the arms crossed and a stern look on their face as they stomp their feet and say, "No!" (And, like Eagle fans, the parents try not to laugh at the absurdity of the moment).

For a hold-out to work, the player has to have some sort of leverage over the team. What leverage does T.O. have? He's under contract to the Eagles for six more years. What, he's going to sit them all out if he doesn't get his way? The Eagles went to three straight NFC title games without T.O., and a fourth with T.O. out a decent chunk of the season and the playoffs, so T.O. feels himself an absolutely essential component to the Eagles winning?

I'm not entirely clear on how the salary cap works, but I believe the impact to the Eagles if T.O. sits out the season is they would be charged with the pro-rated portion of the signing bonus he got last year. If he plays, they would be hit with the pro-rated bonus plus his salary for the season. If they trade him, they still get hit with the pro-rated bonus. Cutting him, they would be hit with half the remainder of the bonus this year, and the other half next year. Therefore, there is no reason the Eagles can't just force T.O. to sit out season. There's no penalty, other than not having the guy on the field. There is a penalty to cutting him, in addition to the issue of letting Owens win, so that won't happen. Again, where is Owens' leverage over the Eagles? They hold all the cards, Terrell.

Now, from what I understand, he is owed another bonus next spring, so the Eagles realistically could not force Owens to sit for six years. That would just be stupid. So the Eagles could only sit him for one season, then release him.

But who would take Owens? What team would take on the disruptions he brings, even with all the talent? I expect Brian Billick and Ozzie Newsome from the Ravens are breathing a sigh of relief that they got shafted last year when they tried to trade for T.O. Certainly, there are teams out there desperate for a wide reciever, and let's face it, Owens is one of the best. But what could Owens expect? A one or two year contract with a fairly small salary. Something long enough for Owens to prove himself worthy of playing for the team with opportunity to negotiate an extension if things work out, but short and cheap enough that the team could dump his butt quickly if he didn't shape up. So, in holding out and demanding a pay raise, he could well be screwing himself out of a lot of money.

With this in mind, the only sensible thing for Owens to do is swallow his pride, serve out his banishment, crawl back to the Eagles' camp next week and apologize to Reid and the team for his behavior. Then get down to business. But what does he, and his agent who stands to get screwed too, do? They go on ESPN and mouth off even more! What are these guys thinking?