Pearson is rightfully wary of Owens
By Connor Byrne
03/27/06
Recently, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson voiced some concerns over the team's newest acquisition, receiver Terrell Owens. Among other things Pearson said that Owens didn't make the Cowboys a Super Bowl team, nor did he fit the character of the organization.
The only question is whether Pearson is speaking out of sour grapes or real concern for the only team that he was ever associated with on the NFL level.
Why would there be sour grapes for Pearson? Because for 21 years, he has been waiting to be the next Cowboy to receive the privilege of being elected into the team's Ring of Honor. Maybe Pearson has perceived that to be a slight from the Cowboys' organization, which he worked so hard for during his lengthy, successful career. In his 11-year career, Pearson caught 489 passes with 48 touchdowns, while Owens has caught 716 passes and 101 touchdowns in 10 seasons. While it isn't likely, perhaps Pearson (widely regarded as an all-time great in Dallas) is somewhat jealous of Owens' production. However, the thing that makes this theory highly unlikely is the fact that Pearson was always thought of as a team player, and that was evidenced in the fact that he, alongside Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, helped guide the Cowboys to three conference titles and a Super Bowl victory during his career.
Also, as mentioned earlier Pearson questioned whether Owens fit the Cowboys' prior list of great character players. Allow me to remind Pearson that Owens' character is no more questionable than that of the Cowboys' greatest receiver ever, Michael Irvin. In his illustrious 12-year career in Dallas between 1988 and 1999, Irvin was regularly caught with drugs and repeatedly ran into trouble with the law. Does that seem like character to you? Not exactly, but the Cowboys still won three Super Bowls with Irvin because he got the job done on the field and because he was a consummate team player.
Ironically enough, Irvin has become a close friend and advisor to Owens. Maybe he can teach Owens to behave himself on the field and in the locker room. It would be nice to see some of Irvin’s finer qualities in terms of team play rub off on the league’s biggest team cancer.
Owens has justly earned the reputation as a chemistry-killer for NFL organizations. He managed to demolish team unity in San Francisco during its successful run a few years ago, and he managed to take a sledgehammer to all goodwill that existed toward him in the city of Philadelphia this past season. Following his ridiculous escapades in Philly, Owens has become "Public Enemy No. 1" in a city known for brotherly love.
Rather than trying to better themselves from 2004's Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, the Eagles' players were too busy worrying about what foolish statement would come from Owens' mouth. Owens routinely berated classy quarterback Donovan McNabb, and that led to a tension-filled division in the Eagles' locker-room. Midway through the season, Eagles coach Andy Reid deactivated Owens for the final nine games of 2005, but the damage was already done. McNabb got hurt just a couple of weeks later, and the Eagles' season essentially came to an end as they finished just 6-10, good enough for last place in the NFC East.
Undoubtedly, many of the Philadelphia Eagles' struggles last season stemmed directly from the distractions caused by Owens; however, the Eagles could have learned their lesson after bearing witness to what Owens did in San Francisco. With the 49ers, Owens belittled Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia as well as head coaches Steve Mariucci and Dennis Erickson. That led to a major feud which ended with T.O. being moved after a disappointing, angst-riddled 2003 season. However, in typical Owens fashion, he blocked a trade that would have sent him to the Baltimore Ravens for draft picks. After the Ravens decided they didn't want someone like that on their team anyway, they rescinded their trade offer and Owens became a free agent. Thus, Owens alienated two different organizations before he signed with the Eagles and then proceeded to do it to them as well. Perhaps the Eagles should have known better, and perhaps the Cowboys should know better as well.
After seeing all of the ways that Owens has wronged teams and individuals within the league, it becomes pretty easy to see why someone of Pearson's stature and disposition would question his ex-team for picking the controversial figure up. If any coach in today's league can stifle Owens' attitude, it would have to be the Cowboys' Bill Parcells.
At the age of 64, it may become increasingly difficult for Parcells to deal with the stress that comes with such a controversial figure. To put it simply, Owens could drive Parcells into an earlier retirement than he's planning on. Not to mention the stress that Owens could cause the Cowboys' players.
No disrespect to Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, but he's not as good as Donovan McNabb, and he may not even be as good as Garcia was when he was in his prime in San Francisco. Not only is Bledsoe grossly immobile, not only does he hold onto the ball too long, but he also tends to crumble under pressure-packed situations. If he does the same with Owens on his side, it could turn ugly in Dallas.
Despite all these damning facts in Owens' past, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brought him in for the simple reason that T.O. might greatly aid in the team's chances of winning it all. Although Pearson thinks Owens might actually hurt the Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations, the troubled receiver would greatly help them if he can simply behave himself. That may seem like a pipe dream, but it's something that the title-hungry Jones is ready and willing to take a chance on.
At this point, Drew Pearson was certainly right to criticize Owens and his former organization for bringing him in. Nonetheless, the payoff will be great for the Dallas Cowboys if Owens can handle himself with class. If he doesn't, it will be a long, wearisome season in Irving, Texas.
03/27/06
Recently, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Drew Pearson voiced some concerns over the team's newest acquisition, receiver Terrell Owens. Among other things Pearson said that Owens didn't make the Cowboys a Super Bowl team, nor did he fit the character of the organization.
The only question is whether Pearson is speaking out of sour grapes or real concern for the only team that he was ever associated with on the NFL level.
Why would there be sour grapes for Pearson? Because for 21 years, he has been waiting to be the next Cowboy to receive the privilege of being elected into the team's Ring of Honor. Maybe Pearson has perceived that to be a slight from the Cowboys' organization, which he worked so hard for during his lengthy, successful career. In his 11-year career, Pearson caught 489 passes with 48 touchdowns, while Owens has caught 716 passes and 101 touchdowns in 10 seasons. While it isn't likely, perhaps Pearson (widely regarded as an all-time great in Dallas) is somewhat jealous of Owens' production. However, the thing that makes this theory highly unlikely is the fact that Pearson was always thought of as a team player, and that was evidenced in the fact that he, alongside Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, helped guide the Cowboys to three conference titles and a Super Bowl victory during his career.
Also, as mentioned earlier Pearson questioned whether Owens fit the Cowboys' prior list of great character players. Allow me to remind Pearson that Owens' character is no more questionable than that of the Cowboys' greatest receiver ever, Michael Irvin. In his illustrious 12-year career in Dallas between 1988 and 1999, Irvin was regularly caught with drugs and repeatedly ran into trouble with the law. Does that seem like character to you? Not exactly, but the Cowboys still won three Super Bowls with Irvin because he got the job done on the field and because he was a consummate team player.
Ironically enough, Irvin has become a close friend and advisor to Owens. Maybe he can teach Owens to behave himself on the field and in the locker room. It would be nice to see some of Irvin’s finer qualities in terms of team play rub off on the league’s biggest team cancer.
Owens has justly earned the reputation as a chemistry-killer for NFL organizations. He managed to demolish team unity in San Francisco during its successful run a few years ago, and he managed to take a sledgehammer to all goodwill that existed toward him in the city of Philadelphia this past season. Following his ridiculous escapades in Philly, Owens has become "Public Enemy No. 1" in a city known for brotherly love.
Rather than trying to better themselves from 2004's Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, the Eagles' players were too busy worrying about what foolish statement would come from Owens' mouth. Owens routinely berated classy quarterback Donovan McNabb, and that led to a tension-filled division in the Eagles' locker-room. Midway through the season, Eagles coach Andy Reid deactivated Owens for the final nine games of 2005, but the damage was already done. McNabb got hurt just a couple of weeks later, and the Eagles' season essentially came to an end as they finished just 6-10, good enough for last place in the NFC East.
Undoubtedly, many of the Philadelphia Eagles' struggles last season stemmed directly from the distractions caused by Owens; however, the Eagles could have learned their lesson after bearing witness to what Owens did in San Francisco. With the 49ers, Owens belittled Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia as well as head coaches Steve Mariucci and Dennis Erickson. That led to a major feud which ended with T.O. being moved after a disappointing, angst-riddled 2003 season. However, in typical Owens fashion, he blocked a trade that would have sent him to the Baltimore Ravens for draft picks. After the Ravens decided they didn't want someone like that on their team anyway, they rescinded their trade offer and Owens became a free agent. Thus, Owens alienated two different organizations before he signed with the Eagles and then proceeded to do it to them as well. Perhaps the Eagles should have known better, and perhaps the Cowboys should know better as well.
After seeing all of the ways that Owens has wronged teams and individuals within the league, it becomes pretty easy to see why someone of Pearson's stature and disposition would question his ex-team for picking the controversial figure up. If any coach in today's league can stifle Owens' attitude, it would have to be the Cowboys' Bill Parcells.
At the age of 64, it may become increasingly difficult for Parcells to deal with the stress that comes with such a controversial figure. To put it simply, Owens could drive Parcells into an earlier retirement than he's planning on. Not to mention the stress that Owens could cause the Cowboys' players.
No disrespect to Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, but he's not as good as Donovan McNabb, and he may not even be as good as Garcia was when he was in his prime in San Francisco. Not only is Bledsoe grossly immobile, not only does he hold onto the ball too long, but he also tends to crumble under pressure-packed situations. If he does the same with Owens on his side, it could turn ugly in Dallas.
Despite all these damning facts in Owens' past, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brought him in for the simple reason that T.O. might greatly aid in the team's chances of winning it all. Although Pearson thinks Owens might actually hurt the Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations, the troubled receiver would greatly help them if he can simply behave himself. That may seem like a pipe dream, but it's something that the title-hungry Jones is ready and willing to take a chance on.
At this point, Drew Pearson was certainly right to criticize Owens and his former organization for bringing him in. Nonetheless, the payoff will be great for the Dallas Cowboys if Owens can handle himself with class. If he doesn't, it will be a long, wearisome season in Irving, Texas.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:35 PM
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