Post by EagleGene on May 12, 2005 6:54:25 GMT -5
McNabb: Owens to return to nest
By Ashley McGeachy Fox, Inquirer Staff Writer
A day after Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told The Inquirer that he would not renegotiate Terrell Owens' contract, quarterback Donovan McNabb said he expects Owens to be on the field with the Birds in September.
"From everything that's been said and everything that's been going on, now you're starting to see people react to it," McNabb said of the monthlong duel between the wide receiver and the Birds.
"I think it's time that people do that," he said yesterday. "Now you're seeing it and understanding it. When it comes down to it, everything works itself out and we'll be right back playing football again."
After spending several hours filming a soup commercial with his parents, Sam and Wilma, at Lincoln Financial Field, McNabb said that if nothing else, money would bring Owens back. Not more money. The threat of losing it.
"Are you saying you'll sit out and lose money in order to try to get more money, and if it doesn't happen, that you will get that new contract when you've already lost money?" McNabb said. "I don't think people can really sleep well with that. So I expect everyone to be there."
"Everyone" includes Owens, running back Brian Westbrook, and defensive tackles Hollis Thomas and Corey Simon.
Asked whether "a man" should honor his contract, McNabb smiled and replied, "Are you trying to get me?" before adding, "When you sign your name on the dotted line, that's your deal, and you know that's a decision you had to make."
Owens, who logged 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season before getting hurt on Dec. 19, switched agents in early April and subsequently asked the Eagles to renegotiate his contract, which has six years remaining.
Neither he nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, an NFL power broker, has said what type of deal Owens wants. On Tuesday, Lurie said he would not negotiate.
"It's a nonissue," Lurie said.
Apparently it's not much of an issue for McNabb, either. McNabb said yesterday that he talked with Owens shortly before last month's mandatory minicamp, which Owens skipped.
"It's nothing where I told him what he needs to do or whatever," McNabb said. "He's his own man. I'm a grown man."
McNabb said there is "no strain" between he and his favorite receiver last season, even though Owens recently questioned McNabb's stamina in the final minutes of Super Bowl XXIX, which the Eagles lost to New England, 24-21.
"I don't play games in the media," McNabb said. "It's not a war of words. We can handle it like men, and if there's a problem with something, let's continue on and do our jobs."
Still, Owens' contract dispute is the biggest of several issues that have hung over the Eagles throughout the off-season. Last week, the Birds dumped Freddie Mitchell, the loquacious receiver and former first-round draft pick who had been outspoken in his criticism of McNabb after the Super Bowl.
"Any time someone gets released, that's nothing you agree with or anything," McNabb said. "It's a business decision. When it happens, you have to be able to roll with it, I guess. I wish him nothing but the best."
Reminded that Mitchell said he felt a poor relationship with McNabb had affected his career, McNabb said: "Well, I'm not a guy who makes the decisions. I don't hire and fire people. I do my job out on the football field just like anyone else."
As for Owens, McNabb dismissed the notion that the receiver used him for leverage to leave San Francisco. After the 2003 season, Owens and McNabb were outspoken about wanting to play together, and helped to facilitate the receiver's arrival in Philadelphia.
"I think the way you look at it is, it was something that we all felt we could have benefited from, having a guy like T.O. over here, that he would do a great job for us," McNabb said. "And I would think he will continue on. The sky's the limit on how far we can really go with having a guy like T.O., not only for me, but for the team.
"It's exciting to know what we're capable of doing when we're out there on that field."
The big question is, will Owens be there? And if not, will the Birds be able to reach Super Bowl XL in Detroit?
"I believe in this team," McNabb said. "I'm going to be prepared at all times, and I feel like if he plays or not, we definitely have a chance of making it to the Super Bowl and winning it. That's nothing against T.O. That's nothing against anybody else.
"I just feel confident in the guys that we have. With T.O., I think we can do a lot of great things. I think without T.O., we still can do some good things."
Contact staff writer Ashley McGeachy Fox at 215-854-5064 or amcgeachy@phillynews.com.
Updated on Thursday, May 12, 2005 3:20 am EDT
By Ashley McGeachy Fox, Inquirer Staff Writer
A day after Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told The Inquirer that he would not renegotiate Terrell Owens' contract, quarterback Donovan McNabb said he expects Owens to be on the field with the Birds in September.
"From everything that's been said and everything that's been going on, now you're starting to see people react to it," McNabb said of the monthlong duel between the wide receiver and the Birds.
"I think it's time that people do that," he said yesterday. "Now you're seeing it and understanding it. When it comes down to it, everything works itself out and we'll be right back playing football again."
After spending several hours filming a soup commercial with his parents, Sam and Wilma, at Lincoln Financial Field, McNabb said that if nothing else, money would bring Owens back. Not more money. The threat of losing it.
"Are you saying you'll sit out and lose money in order to try to get more money, and if it doesn't happen, that you will get that new contract when you've already lost money?" McNabb said. "I don't think people can really sleep well with that. So I expect everyone to be there."
"Everyone" includes Owens, running back Brian Westbrook, and defensive tackles Hollis Thomas and Corey Simon.
Asked whether "a man" should honor his contract, McNabb smiled and replied, "Are you trying to get me?" before adding, "When you sign your name on the dotted line, that's your deal, and you know that's a decision you had to make."
Owens, who logged 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season before getting hurt on Dec. 19, switched agents in early April and subsequently asked the Eagles to renegotiate his contract, which has six years remaining.
Neither he nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, an NFL power broker, has said what type of deal Owens wants. On Tuesday, Lurie said he would not negotiate.
"It's a nonissue," Lurie said.
Apparently it's not much of an issue for McNabb, either. McNabb said yesterday that he talked with Owens shortly before last month's mandatory minicamp, which Owens skipped.
"It's nothing where I told him what he needs to do or whatever," McNabb said. "He's his own man. I'm a grown man."
McNabb said there is "no strain" between he and his favorite receiver last season, even though Owens recently questioned McNabb's stamina in the final minutes of Super Bowl XXIX, which the Eagles lost to New England, 24-21.
"I don't play games in the media," McNabb said. "It's not a war of words. We can handle it like men, and if there's a problem with something, let's continue on and do our jobs."
Still, Owens' contract dispute is the biggest of several issues that have hung over the Eagles throughout the off-season. Last week, the Birds dumped Freddie Mitchell, the loquacious receiver and former first-round draft pick who had been outspoken in his criticism of McNabb after the Super Bowl.
"Any time someone gets released, that's nothing you agree with or anything," McNabb said. "It's a business decision. When it happens, you have to be able to roll with it, I guess. I wish him nothing but the best."
Reminded that Mitchell said he felt a poor relationship with McNabb had affected his career, McNabb said: "Well, I'm not a guy who makes the decisions. I don't hire and fire people. I do my job out on the football field just like anyone else."
As for Owens, McNabb dismissed the notion that the receiver used him for leverage to leave San Francisco. After the 2003 season, Owens and McNabb were outspoken about wanting to play together, and helped to facilitate the receiver's arrival in Philadelphia.
"I think the way you look at it is, it was something that we all felt we could have benefited from, having a guy like T.O. over here, that he would do a great job for us," McNabb said. "And I would think he will continue on. The sky's the limit on how far we can really go with having a guy like T.O., not only for me, but for the team.
"It's exciting to know what we're capable of doing when we're out there on that field."
The big question is, will Owens be there? And if not, will the Birds be able to reach Super Bowl XL in Detroit?
"I believe in this team," McNabb said. "I'm going to be prepared at all times, and I feel like if he plays or not, we definitely have a chance of making it to the Super Bowl and winning it. That's nothing against T.O. That's nothing against anybody else.
"I just feel confident in the guys that we have. With T.O., I think we can do a lot of great things. I think without T.O., we still can do some good things."
Contact staff writer Ashley McGeachy Fox at 215-854-5064 or amcgeachy@phillynews.com.
Updated on Thursday, May 12, 2005 3:20 am EDT