There is a lot of talk right now about Terrell Owens (read the Seeking New Contract, Owens Skips Eagles' Minicamp story). He claims that the Eagles gave him a low ball contract because they knew how bad he wanted to play for them. And now he's holding out for a new contract. Well Owens, don't hold your breath. Just ask Jeremiah Trotter.

In 2002 Trotter refused to accept the Eagles' designation as franchise player, guaranteeing him $5.515 million. Talks broke down and things got nasty. Trotter demanded to be traded. The Eagles didn't want to bother with the headache so they cut him instead. The moral of the story? Nobody is bigger than the team.

 

Here's something to think about...

 

There is a story about the Boston Celtics of the 1980's where after Larry Bird's initial contract there were negotiations between the parties for a new contract. After much debate, Red Auerbach asked Bird if he was satisfied and whether there were any other open issues that needed to be addressed. He asked Bird's agent the same thing. When they all said that they were satisfied, Auerbach said good because he will never ever renegotiate any contract no matter how much the fans wanted it or how much the owners wanted. He told Bird and his agent that he'll lose his job before he ever renegotiates a deal, even if he was the only one in Boston opposing it. He asked Bird and his agent if he made himself perfectly clear. They responded yes. They never had any contract squabbles for the rest of Bird's career because he made his position known.

A person's character is more important than their physical gifts. That's the difference between the Patriots (I still hate them) and most of the other teams. That's why guys like Freddy Mitchell, Terrell Ownes, and Randy Moss to name a few, would never, ever, play for the Pats. That's why Corey Dillon, (with some alleged baggage from the Bengals) had to meet 6 hours with Bill Belichick before they signed him. Even then, he took a cut in pay. I'm not bashing Owens for all his touch down celabrations. I love those. They make me laugh. And I don't think they hurt the team at all. Its his selfish "the world owes me" attitude that I don't like.

Guys like Freddie Mitchell and Terrell Owens are "me" guys. Even if they come back to the fold, there has to be some lingering resentment some where. If management buckles and renegotiates with Owens, you'll have 52 other guys pretty pissed off and wanting a new contract as well. At least Brian Westbrook (who is holding out as well) honored his contract and just wants a reasonable long term deal instead of the one year $1.43 million he was offered. And I believe Westbrook even said he would sign the one year deal if he had to. So at least he is being somewhat reasonable.

If the Eagles don't give into T.O. demands and he comes back, he might return with a pissed off attitude, feeling the team and the city collectively are against him. The Eagles don't redo contracts...PERIOD. Owens can try as hard as he wants to win this staredown with Eagles management, but I guarantee the Eagles front office wont blink.

To take shots at Donovan McNabb (read the Eagles' Owens Reportedly Takes Verbal Shot at McNabb story) is just down right stupid. Doing this is not going to make management say, "Well I guess T.O. is right. We better show him the money." McNabb is one of the more classy and mature guys in the NFL, in addition to being the second best QB in the league (in my opinion Peyton Manning is the best right now). Whatever happened during the Super Bowl on the last couple Eagle drives (and there are many conflicting views as to what happened) should remain between team members. Almost as stupid was Mitchell acting like he was a future Hall of Famer last season. Mitchell not only made a fool of himself during the Super Bowl, but Rodney Harrison had more catches from McNabb than he did. Its funny/sad, but people don't ever remember the classy hard working players in the organization, but they do associate the arrogant, classless and loquacious players with the organization. Oh and by the way, don't expect to see Freddie Mitchell playing in Philadelphia next season.

I think Owens is the best WR in the game right now. But he is making a mistake. My hope is that the Eagles do the right thing and don't give an inch. He's under contract for a lot of years. If he wants, he can sit his ass out until the duration of his contract expires. There's no way he'll walk away from millions of dollars.

That's all I have to say.