From drama to success
Adam Roberts
http://media.www.lhueagleye.com
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
If Americans, especially sports fans, like to cheer for the underdog then they love a comeback story.
After four weeks of play there are only four teams with flawless records. Two of those teams, the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys, are riding on the wings of the league's biggest comebacks kids.
The players in question are wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. Both have made the transition from skilled to diva and now finally to impressive.
Moss, who is now Tom Brady's go to wide out in Foxboro spent the last two seasons in a black hole, both by location and statistically.
The former Viking turned Raider struggled to find his place in Oakland with no leadership, quarterback or will to win. Moss even admitted he wasn't trying at points because he wasn't enjoying himself.
In Minnesota, Moss made headlines with several childish outbursts. Some of his shining moments included spraying a referee with a water bottle, pretending to 'moon' the crowd in Green Bay and walking into the locker room during a close game in Washington before time was up.
He became more of a headache than a playmaker. In 2006 with 13 games Moss had 553 yards, which he has nearly surpassed this season after only four starts.
The most dismal stat from his last season in Oakland is that Moss only crossed the goal line three times. That compared to his seven TDs so far this year, including two Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With his team-leading 31 receptions Moss is straight up nasty under Bill Belichick.
Owens may not be putting up numbers like Moss, but he is still a monstrous asset to one of the class teams in the NFC. And judging where T.O. is now compared to last year in Dallas and two years ago in Philadelphia, he is a godsend.
Since leaving San Francisco and joining the Eagles in 2004 Owens has been as outspoken as a player can get. In Philadelphia Owens openly bashed other players like quarterback Donavon McNabb and head coach Andy Reid.
His comments were out of control and so were his on the field antics. Though he hasn't completely left behind his fine-warranting celebrations the last few seasons saw many over the top touchdown dances.
Last year in Dallas Owens brought loads of controversy once again. His well-publicized battle with head coach Bill Parcells allegedly lead to the Tuna's departure after the season.
"The Player" as Parcells called him, also had a reported suicide attempt in the middle of last season that further distracted the Cowboys and added to Owens' reputation as a wild child.
With a new coach and system in Dallas Owens has been positioned where he feels he should be, as the number one wide receiver. In four games Owens has hauled in three touchdowns, tied with tightend Jason Witten for the most on the team.
Owens also averages 19.1 yards per touch which is up considerably from last year's average of 13.9.
After week four Owens and Moss are both officially back and in the case of Moss probably better than ever. Because of their efforts their respective teams are also in good shape.
The Cowboys currently lead the league in points per game with 37.8 and yards per game with 440.8. While the Patriots come in second with 37 points and 431.8 yards per game.
http://media.www.lhueagleye.com
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
If Americans, especially sports fans, like to cheer for the underdog then they love a comeback story.
After four weeks of play there are only four teams with flawless records. Two of those teams, the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys, are riding on the wings of the league's biggest comebacks kids.
The players in question are wide receivers Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. Both have made the transition from skilled to diva and now finally to impressive.
Moss, who is now Tom Brady's go to wide out in Foxboro spent the last two seasons in a black hole, both by location and statistically.
The former Viking turned Raider struggled to find his place in Oakland with no leadership, quarterback or will to win. Moss even admitted he wasn't trying at points because he wasn't enjoying himself.
In Minnesota, Moss made headlines with several childish outbursts. Some of his shining moments included spraying a referee with a water bottle, pretending to 'moon' the crowd in Green Bay and walking into the locker room during a close game in Washington before time was up.
He became more of a headache than a playmaker. In 2006 with 13 games Moss had 553 yards, which he has nearly surpassed this season after only four starts.
The most dismal stat from his last season in Oakland is that Moss only crossed the goal line three times. That compared to his seven TDs so far this year, including two Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With his team-leading 31 receptions Moss is straight up nasty under Bill Belichick.
Owens may not be putting up numbers like Moss, but he is still a monstrous asset to one of the class teams in the NFC. And judging where T.O. is now compared to last year in Dallas and two years ago in Philadelphia, he is a godsend.
Since leaving San Francisco and joining the Eagles in 2004 Owens has been as outspoken as a player can get. In Philadelphia Owens openly bashed other players like quarterback Donavon McNabb and head coach Andy Reid.
His comments were out of control and so were his on the field antics. Though he hasn't completely left behind his fine-warranting celebrations the last few seasons saw many over the top touchdown dances.
Last year in Dallas Owens brought loads of controversy once again. His well-publicized battle with head coach Bill Parcells allegedly lead to the Tuna's departure after the season.
"The Player" as Parcells called him, also had a reported suicide attempt in the middle of last season that further distracted the Cowboys and added to Owens' reputation as a wild child.
With a new coach and system in Dallas Owens has been positioned where he feels he should be, as the number one wide receiver. In four games Owens has hauled in three touchdowns, tied with tightend Jason Witten for the most on the team.
Owens also averages 19.1 yards per touch which is up considerably from last year's average of 13.9.
After week four Owens and Moss are both officially back and in the case of Moss probably better than ever. Because of their efforts their respective teams are also in good shape.
The Cowboys currently lead the league in points per game with 37.8 and yards per game with 440.8. While the Patriots come in second with 37 points and 431.8 yards per game.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:34 PM
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