Shanahan Not Commenting on Owens Speculation

[PatsWin2002]

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http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5260

Mum's The Word
Shanahan Not Commenting on Owens Speculation

By J. Michael Moore
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan is a stickler for rules, his own and those imposed by the NFL.

That's why he was careful in choosing his words when questions concerning Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens came up at his year-end press conference Tuesday afternoon.
<img align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" src="http://web1.denverbroncos.com/resources/custom/Images/Top%20Stories/2006/shanahan_mike_060124.jpg">
Shanahan is prohibited from commenting on Owens because he is under contract with the Eagles. However, the receiver was benched and de-activated for the final nine games of the regular season and is expected to be traded or released by Philadelphia in the coming months.

The five-time Pro Bowler made national news last preseason during a contract dispute and was sent home from training camp by Eagles head coach Andy Reid. He was dismissed by the team later in the season after controversial comments deemed detrimental to the team.

With the Broncos' season officially ending with a 34-17 loss in the AFC Championship, questions have surfaced about adding the receiver as a big-play threat to Shanahan's offense.

No comment from the coach, however, who was asked if he'd take any calls from Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

"If he did (call me) he’d be in trouble because he’s under contract," Shanahan said to more than two dozen reporters. "Are you trying to get me in trouble? I’ve gotten enough fines this year."

Shanahan then laughed and diverted any questions to March when Ownens could officially become a free agent.

Even if the Eagles officially gave Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade, Shanahan couldn't comment. The coach did say he has never had a problem with Rosenhaus, who also represents former Broncos running back Clinton Portis.

The coach did talk about players "like Owens" who faced controversy and his history with the receiver.

"What I stated before was when T.O. came out of San Francisco was they called me," Shanahan said. "I told them at that time it wasn’t something I’d be interested in because I didn’t like the way he handled himself. I’ve talked to a lot of guys. We’ve had a lot of guys come in here and I’ve talked to them about the way we run our organization and, if they’d like to be part of it, this is the way we do things."

Players in the Broncos' locker room shared their thoughts Monday morning.

Most based their opinion on Owens' numbers. The receiver still managed 47 catches for 763 yards and six touchdowns in just seven games, including a 91-yard score against the Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High Oct. 30.

The Broncos prided themselves on team spirit in 2005, which was led in part by Pro Bowl wide receiver Rod Smith.

Center Tom Nalen said Owens would be an asset because of his skills and could be a good addition to a group already stacked with leadership.

"He's a great player," Nalen said. "Any team would be happy to have him. I think this team, he'd do well here. In this locker room, he'd conform to our standards and I think he'd fit in well here. He's a great player ... I'm not the coach, but I wouldn't mind having him on our team. I think Rod would be great for him. Rod's a great leader and he'd do wonders for T.O."

Linebacker Keith Burns, one of the team's five captains, said Owens would have a "clean slate" if he was brought to Denver.

"His name is going to surface pretty much everywhere," Burns said. "If he's here, you welcome him with open arms. He's never done anything against the Denver Broncos, so I guess (adding him) would be a plus.

"It's all about what he could bring to the team. It's not all about production. It's all about attitude and character, too. So that speaks volumes, and that's the type of guys we have in this locker room. Is he willing to conform to that, to what we do in this locker room? I don't know, it remains to be seen. But, if he comes, he'll be welcomed with open arms."

[Bronco_Beerslug]

"Whoever that guy might be ... there's always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way, they could come into this organization," Shanahan said. "But they're going to have to live by the standards we practice."

Welcome aboard TO!!!!!

[Vegas_Bronco]

You can tell Nalen just gives some half azzed answer and then throws it on Rod's shoulders. Won't be a surprise to see Rod Smith be the WR coach for the Broncos once he's done, if interested. Also, I think he should be HOF candidate just for having done what no other undrafted player has ever done AND if he were to make Owens a confoming success (that alone deserves HOF consideration).

[-Slap-]

Welcome aboard TO!!!!!

"What I stated before was when T.O. came out of San Francisco was they called me," Shanahan said. "I told them at that time it wasn’t something I’d be interested in because I didn’t like the way he handled himself.

[OrangeShadow]

how about pryce for TO? :yayaya:

[TheChamp247]

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.

[OrangeShadow]

i want him to fire drew first and foremost

[WABronco]

how about pryce for TO? :yayaya:

That would be sweet, but TO'd need a little contract restructuring...

[FantomForce]

"What I stated before was when T.O. came out of San Francisco was they called me," Shanahan said. "I told them at that time it wasn’t something I’d be interested in because I didn’t like the way he handled himself.
SWEET

[DarkHorse]

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.


No deal - no way no how.

Great talent - too much ego - too much "hardass" in him. Too old to change his ways in this game - he is exactly what he portrays himself to be and he's never going to change that.

[DBroncos4life]

god I have this huge fear this may happen.

[jonny1]

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.

No way in h3ll you give up ANYTHING for this guy, if you would even consider bringing him in. He goes postal, and you're out draft picks? No way anyone in their right mind would do that.

I don't think a team in the league would trade for him, when they know he's going to be released.

I for one don't want him anywhere near the Broncos.

[DBroncos4life]

We really need to trade for him, I mean Eagles have all the advantage here. :thumbs:

[Regency]

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.

Shanny is literally fried if he trades for him because he can get him as a free agent if he really wants him. If he does trade for him isn't TO owed a $7M roster bonus?

[Dr. Broncenstein]

**** this ****

[Vegas_Bronco]

It's day 1 and I can't wait until this all gets resolved - Lets see, how many days until March???

WE DON'T NEED T.O., he's like another Gardener (dumbazz), Kennison (better known as Quietterson), Griese (dumb drunk or dog humper), Dale Carter (drugger), MESS. Shanny has grown to know a problem when it's a problem.

[Vegas_Bronco]

**** this ****

voted best post for 30% of the threads on the OM!

[DBroncos4life]

It's day 1 and I can't wait until this all gets resolved - Lets see, how many days until March???

WE DON'T NEED T.O., he's like another Gardener (dumbazz), Kennison (better known as Quietterson), Griese (dumb drunk or dog humper), Dale Carter (drugger), MESS. Shanny has grown to know a problem when it's a problem.
Day one and there is 4 threads. It will be a long offseason.

[Vegas_Bronco]

Day one and there is 4 threads. It will be a long offseason.

Now that loss to Pitt is really starting to stink this place up. Instead of the SB, we have to discuss this BS.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.

I hope this is a joke. TO has 0 trade value. No one is going to take on his contract and give up assets for a guy who could pull the same **** he pulled in Philly with his new team.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Can't believe this was an official article from the team website. Yeah, Shanny's going to comment about any interest in TO because he feels the Broncos have too much of an advantage over the rest of the league currently. He wants to try to make things a little more even by being found guilty of tampering and having the Broncos penalized draft choices.

Headline should have been, "Shanny not stupid, not going to talk about player under contract with another team."

[Hogan11]

Someone please officially put this TO garbage to bed already.

It's a bigger joke than Bill O'Rielly and equally as crass.

[24champ]

Terrell Owens vs. Randy Moss.....sparks will fly in Raider week!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

"What I stated before was when T.O. came out of San Francisco was they called me," Shanahan said. "I told them at that time it wasn’t something I’d be interested in because I didn’t like the way he handled himself.

And FF to the present.......

"Whoever that guy might be ... there's always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way, they could come into this organization," Shanahan said. "But they're going to have to live by the standards we practice."

======================================

IF the eagles decide to really milk this I could see 1 first rounder, a 3rd or mabye 4th (depending on where our compasatorys are) and d-watts for him, good trade I think but before ANY of this happens I want to see if T.O. really has matured like he says in his new commercial.

No one is trading for him.

[Hulamau]

What happends To Lelie if TO comes in? Poor guy is a trooper and loyal team mate for 4 years waiting for his chance to be #1 and if TO comes in scratch that. If I was Ash Id demand a trade as soon as TO signs and find some team that throws the damn ball.

With Plummers mid to long ball accuracy, or lack there of, its only a matter of a very short time before Owens throws Jake under the bus midseason and has one of his late night chats with the media about why he only has 50 catches instead of 80 at the mid way point cause Plummer cant throw it past 30 yrds.

Then we may have lost Ash and have a soured locker room. The only silver lining is the guy can play, but if we lose Ash over it just when he has gotten so steady its not a win-win deal at all.

Next year is ASh's contract year and if Shanny parks him as a #3 WR behind Owens and Rod that would be criminal and Ash should walk.


Youd think he would be #2 at least, but as long as Rod is here I suspect Shanny will call him the #1.

Hopefully it wont come to that.

There will have to be all kinds of assurances,, legally backed up with large dollars on the line if he even so much as looks funny at anyone on the team or starts dissing anyone in the organization to the media.

[epicSocialism4tw]

What happends To Lelie if TO comes in? Poor guy is a trooper and loyal team mate for 4 years waiting for his chance to be #1 and if TO comes in scratch that. If I was Ash Id demand a trade as soon as TO signs and find some team that throws the damn ball.

With Plummers mid to long ball accuracy, or lack there of, its only a matter of a very short time before Owens throws Jake under the bus midseason and has one of his late night chats with the media about why he only has 50 catches instead of 80 at the mid way point cause Plummer cant throw it past 30 yrds.

Then we may have lost Ash and have a soured locker room. The only silver lining is the guy can play, but if we lose Ash over it just when he has gotten so steady its not a win-win deal at all.

Next year is ASh's contract year and if Shanny parks him as a #3 WR behind Owens and Rod that would be criminal and Ash should walk.


Youd think he would be #2 at least, but as long as Rod is here I suspect Shanny will call him the #1.

Hopefully it wont come to that.

There will have to be all kinds of assurances,, legally backed up with large dollars on the line if he even so much as looks funny at anyone on the team or starts dissing anyone in the organization to the media.

Lelie needs to be more consistent and hold on to the ball when it comes to him if he wants to get considerations as the #1. He hasnt proven anything yet to warrant the type of reaction that you have illustrated.

[GreatWhiteBronco]

Lelie needs to be more consistent and hold on to the ball when it comes to him if he wants to get considerations as the #1. He hasnt proven anything yet to warrant the type of reaction that you have illustrated.


very true... i think Lelie knows he can be a lot better still. besides, if he were to play behind Rod and TO, it couldn't possibly considerred a slap in the face.

i really liked how Shanny handled that interview though... i liked his main point of emphasis, being you might have a great player, but he might not help you win games. if TO is interested in playing for Denver, he will have to understand that real quick and act accordingly. still, even though i like the idea of what TO could bring to the team on the field, this is such a huge risk, my head is still spinning. it's only 2 days after a conference championship loss, so i can't tell if i'm feeling panic or if this is a legit way to go.

[DarkHorse]

Lelie isn't a #1 yet - made strides towards that goal but needs another year taking the same route he took this past year to get to #1.

[broncofan]

Of course he didn't comment, that would be tampering...TO is still an Eagle.

Shanahan needs to not close any doors this early in the offseason; however, I would much prefer that TO/Rosenhous are left alone. Pure desparation would be the only thing that could justify signing that lunatic now, and we're not at that point. Based on track records, for anybody to believe for a minute that Owens would get along with Jake and not make waves is out of their mind. He could potentially destroy something special that we have brewing right now.

Unless he has grown up considerably, I don't support a move to bring him in.

[Popps]

What happends To Lelie if TO comes in? Poor guy is a trooper

Who cares about Lelie? He's making gobs of money and playing on a winning team. If he was a top notch talent, we wouldn't even be talking about signing Owens. He needs to worry about running routes, going up for the ball in traffic and becoming a guy defenses have to account for. (And spare me the lecture about how much he's improved this year... I have eyes.)

He's a trooper? Hilarious!

Good lord, are you related to this guy?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Parcells in Dallas has also been hit with the same questions about TO...with predictable answers just like Shanny's giving. I don't see the relevance to any of this. I think he's a little smarter than this, but then again...there's some history to suggest otherwise. TO's the last thing we need.

[Ratboy]

Terrell Owens.. Ricky Williams..

Score!

I guess i would take Owens, If he came cheap. I still rather have Reggie Wayne.

[Popps]

Players open arms and minds to Terrell Owens
Team’s leaders can keep him behaved, Tom Nalen says

By Pat Graham
The Daily Times-Call

ENGLEWOOD — Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan rolled the dice with the four Cleveland defensive linemen this season, and it worked out better than expected.

Why not take the same gamble with troubled receiver Terrell Owens?

Denver center Tom Nalen would be in favor of bringing Owens aboard. He thinks Owens would be a good addition for the Broncos.

“He’d do well here,” Nalen said. “In this locker room, he’d conform to our standards and I think he’d fit in.”

That’s saying something since Owens hasn’t fit in anywhere. He was unhappy in San Francisco, and fought with teammates in Philadelphia.

However, Owens has never had a mentor like receiver Rod Smith to guide him. Smith could possibly make him toe the line.

“I think Rod would be great for him,” Nalen said. “Rod’s a great leader and he’d be a good influence on him.”

The move isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility. The Broncos wouldn’t mind having a playmaker like Owens on the roster. Owens could be the deep threat, Smith the possession receiver and Ashley Lelie the third option.

Shanahan has shown he’s not afraid to take risks. While he was questioned for it, Shanahan brought in Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers, Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown from the Browns. All four had baggage from the past, but all four turned into nice additions for Denver.

“It was a great season for us,” Myers said. “You want to win the Super Bowl, but I think it was a good step in trying to get back to the Super Bowl.”

Owens could definitely help in that department. Owens helped get Philly to the big dance last season.

There’s no denying Owens’ talent. He averages 14.7 yards a catch and has 40 grabs in his career longer than 40 yards. Owens also has 101 touchdown catches.

However, this year was an unmitigated disaster. Owens squabbled over a new contract in training camp, alienated his Philly teammates with juvenile behavior, fought with quarterback Donovan McNabb and was suspended from the team.

That would be water under the bridge if Denver signed him.

“I’d like anybody that comes and helps us win,” Myers said.

Not everyone shares that thought. Sometimes the baggage isn’t worth the reward.

“He didn’t have a great year,” Denver linebacker Keith Burns said. “His name is going to surface pretty much everywhere, though.”

Burns thinks the locker room can handle Owens’ presence.

“He’s never done anything against the Broncos, so I guess it would be a plus,” Burns said. “It’s all about what he could bring to the team. It’s not all about production. It’s all about attitude and character, too.”

Having covered Owens earlier in the season, Denver rookie cornerback Darrent Williams would love to see Owens join forces with the Broncos.

“That way I don’t have go to against him,” Williams said . “He’s a great receiver, and a good addition to any team. He’ll make any team better.”

Rest the best cure: Williams won’t require offseason groin surgery. He said he’s going to nix an operation in favor of rehabilitation.

“I could’ve had surgery, but it would’ve healed up the same if I let it heal up on its own,” said Williams, who was hampered by the groin pull ever since the injury occurred making a tackle against Baltimore on Dec. 11.

Goat horns: On SI.com, football writer Peter King named Denver rookie cornerback Domonique Foxworth his Goat of the Week.

“Next to the phrase ’Burnt Toast’ in the Webster’s Dictionary is a head shot of Foxworth,” King said.

The Steelers picked on Foxworth all afternoon.

[Vegas_Bronco]

Foxy was picked on while Steve Smith was shut down using double and triple teams - gee, why in the hell can't we help the poor bastard out. Coyer is tough, but that might be his weakness - stubborness. We could have easily shut their running game down if only our pass defense was better.

[Popps]

Foxworth was 10 yards from the nearest receiver at any given point in the game. I'm guessing he was coached to play that way. Otherwise, we wouldn't have seen Cedric Wilson looking like Jerry Rice.

Pittsburgh took what we gave them. It's a smart way to approach a game. We, on the other hand... decided that we'd force the passing game instead of staying with the the run, which was working quite well early on.

I wouldn't trade Shanahan for any coach in the league, but I do believe that he forces things, sometimes. Sunday was an ugly example of that.

[fontaine]

Who cares about Lelie? He's making gobs of money and playing on a winning team. If he was a top notch talent, we wouldn't even be talking about signing Owens. He needs to worry about running routes, going up for the ball in traffic and becoming a guy defenses have to account for. (And spare me the lecture about how much he's improved this year... I have eyes.)

He's a trooper? Hilarious!

Good lord, are you related to this guy?

Word. Did anyone notice that in our last two playoff games both NE and Pitt started off the game sending double coverage to Rod and not Lelie? That was the prime opportunity for Lelie to showcase his improvement. He had a good 1st half then fizzled out. Against Pitt it was the same old story of a couple of catches for big yardage.

Even with Rod taking most of the heat this guy couldn't make plays on a consistent basis. If that doesn't tell you he's not ready to be the primary WR any time soon (let alone a good #2 WR) then you need to rethink exactly what you expect from this guy.

[kent156]

If shanahan wants to bring along Owens i'm with him hey i thought Rice was finally going to be the third WR that the broncos needed. I also thought clarett was the second coming of Davis, but i thought the brownies were a bad pickup. As for Leile i don't know about him maybe trade bait for someone?

[Old Dude]

So just a question here.

Let's say, hypothetically, that Denver is interested in Owens and would be willing to give up minor compensation if that's what it took to get him. Again, just hypothetically, let's call it a 5th round pick.

And let's assume Philly says, what the heck, a 5th round pick is better than nothing, so let's talk.

My question is this. Could Denver condition the trade on Owens being willing to restructure or execute a new contract? Or would that violate some player's union rule? And would the earlier contract (the one that Owens would have to be set aside before the deal was concluded) have any impact on the salary cap rules?

[OrangeShadow]

we do have one thing that no other team who had TO had. Rod Smith,i think hed do wonders with his leadership skills

[Rascal]

I'm finding it very humorous that Nalen and some people on the board think that TO will honestly listen or care what Rod Smith says.

[Elway 4 Life]

"What I stated before was when T.O. came out of San Francisco was they called me," Shanahan said. "I told them at that time it wasn’t something I’d be interested in because I didn’t like the way he handled himself.
When was this statement made?

[Rascal]

In the middle of the first post

[Elway 4 Life]

In the middle of the first post
I guess I'm frickin blind. Thanks Rascal.

[Hotrod]

**** this ****

Hotrods thoughts exactly!

[Hotrod]

Lelie needs to be more consistent and hold on to the ball when it comes to him if he wants to get considerations as the #1. He hasnt proven anything yet to warrant the type of reaction that you have illustrated.

Agreed and would add Lelie is not now and never will be a viable #1 wr in the NFL.

[bronco_diesel]

i am torn on the idea of TO. looking at his history, the dude is a cancer and i wonder how he would fit in. denver talks about how strong the locker room is, but they have also had to get rid of locker room problems over the past couple of years...is this locker room really strong enough to take on a troubled child?

yes, denver does have a solid group of leaders in smith, lynch, baily, wilson...but has TO proven to listen to anyone but himself? but has he ever been on a team with such leadership? i don't think he has, and i don't believe rice was that either....if anything, i believe he learned to be selfish more than anything.

as someone said, denver has taken in some questionable characters - i look mainly at romo. dude was a dick...but he played within his role. sharpe was a mouth, but also played within his role...maybe, just maybe owens needs a little acceptance - someone who will just give him some respect and let him be a bit of an idiot that doesn't really hurt anyone...you could argue sharpe was an idiot in a lot of ways....

as for plummer - i am not sure i see the problem that everyone else does. i think plummer and TO would be awesome together. plummer has gotten better at distributing the ball, but you can see at times he does lock onto Rod. if he locks on to TO - is that going to be such a bad thing. TO would be able to catch a lot of his balls - and would always be the first option. Plummer may try to force a few, but TO has the ability to adjust and make a play. i think TO would have a career year in denver with the running game and jake throwing to him.

the passing game would pretty much be unstoppable, and as a result the running game would be too.

[azbroncfan]

I'm on the TO sign up board, if he becomes a problem shanny will ship him out, He didn't wait too long to ship IHOP out they just need to make his contract one they can get out of.

[Rock Chalk]

To is certainly the answer to stop all those 3rd and long conversions by opposition offenses.

[Beantown Bronco]

The one thing that would make me happy about seeing TO in a Bronco uniform would be that Rod Smith would be consistently matched up against the other team's #2 corner instead of the #1. Imagine the possibilities there.

[Alkazar]

I am on board with Dr. Broncenstein and HotRod......****TO and his boatload of ****! Don't want him within 100 miles of our lockerroom!

[ND Bronco Fan]

Don't want him within 100 miles of our lockerroom!


He was within the last six months though...........Eagles played at Denver

[defenseman]

Well, I'm guessing if the price if right, and TO passes some sort of "quality control" inspection/dissection by shanny and the boys, with boat loads of personal behavior clauses, shanny bites on this guy. It will be interesting to watch it play out.....dman

[Mile High Shack]

Well, I'm guessing if the price if right, and TO passes some sort of "quality control" inspection/dissection by shanny and the boys, with boat loads of personal behavior clauses, shanny bites on this guy. It will be interesting to watch it play out.....dman

I for one don't want him

the only way would be a veteran minimum contract with incentives...and the possibility to void the deal if he criticizes Jake or the team

[Sassy]

No!

[Daddy T]

it would mean that Jake would be throwing more and that would be great for the rest of the division.

[TheDave]

wow did you think of that all on your own...

[DBroncos4life]

When another team says, "damn we need to get Jake handing off the ball more to beat the Broncos!" I will agree with you.

[Old Dude]

Just a little timeline, to help with the discussion (drawn from AP and yahoo sources):

1996 - Owens’ 10 starts for the San Francisco 49ers were the most for a rookie receiver since Gene Washington played in 14 in 1969.

1996 - In his first start, a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Owens caught four passes for 94 yards, including 45-yard touchdown to tie the game late in fourth quarter.

1997 - Emerging as the team’s No. 1 receiver, Owens nearly doubled his rookie numbers with 60 receptions for 936 yards and eight touchdowns.

1998 - Recording more than 1,000 yards receiving, Owens once again raised his reception total (67), and exploded for 14 touchdown receptions.

2000 - During a contest in Dallas, Owens celebrated scoring a touchdown by running to midfield of Texas Stadium and posing on the star logo of the Cowboys. When he repeated his actions after a TD later in the game, he was blindsided by the Cowboys' George Teague, which resulted in a skirmish between the teams.

2000 – : In October, Owens accuses his 49ers teammates of quitting following a 34-16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. "I think the whole team just gave up, man,'' Owens said. He apologizes to his teammates the next day.

2000 - On December 17, Owens set an NFL record with 20 catches for 283 yards against the Chicago Bears, surpassing a 50-year-old mark held by Tom Fears.

2000 - Rebounding from a down 1999 season, Owens set a career high with 97 receptions and 1,451 yards. He also scored 13 touchdowns, and earned a trip to Hawaii for his first Pro Bowl.

2001 - After blowing a 19-point lead in Chicago and losing in overtime after Owens mishandled a pass that Bears free safety Mike Brown intercepted and returned for the game-winning score, the disgruntled receiver accused head coach Steve Mariucci of protecting good friend Dick Jauron, head coach of the Bears.

2001 - Owens earned All Pro honors for the first time and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the second time after recording 93 receptions for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns.

2002 -: Owens complains about his role in the offense following a 25-15 playoff loss to the Packers. "I want to be the go-to guy on this team,'' Owens says. "But the play calling doesn't always involve me. I get lost in the offense.''

2002 - : In May, Owens rankles team officials for risking injury when he plays his first game for the Adirondack Wildcats of the U.S. Basketball League.


2002: - In September, Owens criticizes Mariucci for having quarterback Jeff Garcia kneel down at the Washington 16 at the end of a 20-10 win over the Redskins rather than trying to score again. "We have no killer instinct, period,'' Owens says.

2002 - In an October contest on Monday Night Football in Seattle, Owens pulled a 'Sharpie' marker out of his sock after catching a TD pass. He then proceeded to autograph the ball and hand it to his financial adviser sitting in an end zone luxury suite rented by Shawn Springs, the cornerback he had just beaten on the scoring play.

2002 - After scoring a touchdown in a December contest with the Green Bay Packers, Owens celebrated with a pair of Pom-Poms borrowed from a 49ers cheerleader.

2002 - Establishing a career-high with 100 receptions, Owens racked up another 1,300 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns.

2003 -: Just before halftime of a 31-6 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Owens screams at the 49ers' sideline and slaps his head in disbelief when Mariucci elects to run out the clock rather than try to cut into a 28-6 halftime deficit.

2003: -In September, Owens throws a sideline tantrum directed at offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and is critical of new coach Dennis Erickson following a 13-12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. "It's my job to run routes and catch the ball,'' Owens says. "It's their job to know the personnel on the field. It's their job to know who the playmakers are and to design the plays.''

2003 – Later the same month, Owens storms off the field when Kevan Barlow was stuffed for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-1 during a 35-7 loss to Minnesota. Owens throws his helmet on the sideline and after the game hints that quarterback Jeff Garcia should to be benched.

2003 - His numbers were down somewhat from the previous year, but very solid at 80 receptions for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns, and enough to earn him his fourth-straight Pro Bowl appearance.

2003 - Following a season that included several sideline tirades by Owens, he and the 49ers decided to part ways.

2004 - Owens’ agent failed to meet a free agency deadline in March, making him ineligible to become a free agent. Because they retained his rights, the 49ers then traded him to the Baltimore Ravens, but Owens refused to report to his new team. He expressed his desire to play in Philadelphia, and filed a grievance, claiming he should be granted free agency. After a series of negotiations, a deal was worked out between the three teams which sent Owens to Philadelphia where he signed a seven-year, $49 million deal against the advice of the players’ union.

2004 - In an interview with Playboy magazine, Owens hinted that ex-teammate Jeff Garcia was gay, a claim he later recanted.

2004 - Breathing life into an anemic receiving corps, Owens helped spark the Eagles’ offense with 14 touchdown receptions and 1,200 yards receiving before his regular season ended due to injury with two games left to play. Meanwhile, there were three additional incidents. In a November contest with the Baltimore Ravens, after scoring a touchdown, Owens openly mocked Ray Lewis by performing the middle linebacker’s “trademark” celebration dance. A week later, cameras follow Owens as he yells at McNabb on the sideline during a 27-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And a week after that, in a Monday Night contest, Owens appeared in a controversial skit to kick off the network’s presentation of the game which resulted in an FCC investigation.

2005 - Owens made a miraculous return from a broken leg suffered earlier in the season to record nine catches for 122 yards in Super Bowl XXXIX.

2005 - Owens hires agent Drew Rosenhaus in April and announces he is not happy with his contract and wants to renegotiate with the Eagles. He also tells CNBC that, despite making $7.5 million in 2004, he needs a new contract to “feed his family.”

2005 - In an interview with ESPN.com, Owens says he "wasn't the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl,'' a comment believed by many to be about McNabb's struggles during the end of the game.

2005 - After hinting that he might hold out of training camp, Owens shows up with a bad attitude, refusing to acknowledge the media or speak to his teammates. After a confrontation with head coach Andy Reid, he was suspended for one week. A media circus ensues in front of his house as he works out in his driveway, doing crunches and lifting weights for TV cameras and reporters.

2005 - Owens recorded his 100th touchdown reception in a contest against the San Diego Chargers on October 23rd. During an interview with ESPN's Graham Bensinger on November 3, Owens took shots at the Eagles franchise for not publicly recognizing his 100th touchdown catch. During the interview he stated the Eagles showed a "lack of class". He also suggested the Eagles would be better off with Packers QB Brett Favre instead of Donovan McNabb.

2005 - On November 4, Owens issued a half-hearted apology through the media, but failed to deliver comments regarding Donovan McNabb, which head coach Andy Reid insisted he include.

2005 - Owens was suspended November 5 by the Eagles for the club's contest against the Washington Redskins on November 6.

2005 - On November 7, Owens' suspension was stretched to four games, and head coach Andy Reid added that Owens would not play for the remainder of the season.

[Clockwork Orange]

it would mean that Jake would be throwing more and that would be great for the rest of the division.

Just as we all hope that you were born sterile so that you can't contaminate the rest of the world.

[Arkie]

Interceptions

Last year
Plummer - 7
Green - 10
Collins - 12
Brees - 15

Last three years
Plummer - 34
Brees - 37
Green - 39
Collins - 48

But don't let the facts get in the way.

[Old Dude]

I find it a little disturbing that T.O. is already splitting the fan base in Denver, and he's not even on the team.

[OrangeShadow]

i dont^
fans are bound to disagree on personell decisions. See Todd. S.,Ian Gold etc. just because fans think he will destroy the clubhouse doenst mean he will just like if fans think he wont destroy the clubhouse it doesnt mean he wont, its all just wait and see

[bpc]

I'm going to go on record and say there is no chance in hell that TO will be in Denver.

No Chance. There is more of a chance that Elway comes out of retirement before TO is here. We are going to be fine at WR... hell we have Rod, Ash, Watts, Terrell, Devoe and Adams... we are plenty deep, something Kubiak even reiterated in his interview with the Post. How do we bring in TO and expect these guys to improve? We need to focus on getting a franchise back and a TE who can play all three downs... not just on 1st down... and 3rd. The blueprint for our championship is right in front of our eyes... TO is not the way.

[ND Bronco Fan]

I keep wondering...............

"We've had a lot of guys come in here, and I've talked to them about the way we run our organization and if they'd like to be part of it, this is the way we do things," Shanahan said. "Whoever that guy might be in free agency, there's always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way they could come into this organization.

"But they're going to have to live by the standards we practice."

Sure the question he responded to was a question about a TO but who says he was not hypothetically speaking about another troubled player? Ricky maybe?

[anthonypacino]

Ok, I'm not trying to be a Plummer basher but he has a few implosions a season, now with a guy like TO on the team that would mean three to four "incidents" a season not to mention the hissy fits he would throw at Shanny when he decided to run instead of throw to him in the end zone. Or at Jake when he throws to the TE on the roll out instead of him on the other side of the field.
Keep TO away!!!

[defenseman]

In short, what is shanny saying???? Never, say never.....dman

[ND Bronco Fan]

In short, what is shanny saying???? Never, say never.....dman

True but we know nothing about who it is about as well. TO, Ricky Williams or Adam Sandler (dude hit like hell in Waterboy)

[defenseman]

You are correct. I'm thinking shanny is a "case by case" kind of guy. I'm guessing there are some football players out there that may qualify to be scrutinized if shanahan believes they can help his team get over the hump..dman

[Deacon Blue]

Ya, but when someone mentions troubled players TO is the first guy that comes to everyone's mind.

[ND Bronco Fan]

Ya, but when someone mentions troubled players TO is the first guy that comes to everyone's mind.


He sure is but are really no one is mentioning the fact that maybe Shanahan was not talking about TO. Guess it is speculation season but I would not get too worked up about something that is no more than guessing at what he meant.

[defenseman]

We'll see how it plays. I'm sure shanny sees the need for the help at WR, just like the rest of us..........TO is the best available, along the line of skill WR anyway, not the most polished human being by any stretch...dman

[Deacon Blue]

He sure is but are really no one is mentioning the fact that maybe Shanahan was not talking about TO. Guess it is speculation season but I would not get too worked up about something that is no more than guessing at what he meant.

True, but wasn't his answer in response to a question about TO?

Or am I thinking of a different interview?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Interceptions

Last year
Plummer - 7
Green - 10
Collins - 12
Brees - 15

Last three years
Plummer - 34
Brees - 37
Green - 39
Collins - 48

But don't let the facts get in the way.

^5

[GreatWhiteBronco]

the interesting thing is the underlying statement about this whole TO thing... Denver players believe that veteran leadership along with a chance to win a Bowl breeds conformity. DUH! i know... but it also implies that they believe the Philly locker room does not have the veteran leadership that Denver does. so is it a personality thing ? i know Denver has a buncha characters on their team, Rod and Keith being the head honchos to keep things loose. i suppose there is the possibility that TO's either been in a rebuilding organization or in a winning, but all-business, sterile organization... could Denver be one of a select few teams that brings fun AND winning to the table ?