The B.O. of T.O.

It's late August and that can only mean one thing; that football pre-season action is in full swing and the regular season is just around the corner. Seeing as how I have some regular overseas readers, I just want to clarify that I am talking about American football as opposed to soccer (or as I call it... the original football). I have been a fan for a number of years but over the past decade or so, that fanatacism has increased and I can usually be found giving company to my mom on Sunday afternoons. Having been born and raised in Washington during the glory days of the original Gibbs era, I was raised with the belief that the 'Skins would forever dominate the league. How far we have fallen. The last decade or so has been rather dry for us Washington fans but we always keep ourselves going with statements like, "Just wait till next year," or the ever popular, "We need a new quarterback!" Yes, it's just not football season in Washington without such controversies. But don't let that lead you to think we're the only team with problems. Dallas, mortal enemies of Washington, has a fairly large one on its hands.

Terrell Owens is a star receiver who has played with organizations such as the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles prior to moving to Dallas. His last season in Philadelphia was one marked with extremely bad blood and lots of in-fighting that many believe led to the total meltdown of the team. Owens, or T.O. as his fans call him, had come to believe that he was the second coming and that no matter what he said or did, no one was going to survive without him let alone win. He loved to explain how his skills were of such extraordinary levels that he alone would make the plays that would lead his team to victory. Basically, T.O. forced his teammates to spell team with an "I" or at least with nothing other than a "T.O." He loved to lay the blame on others, and he loved to show off for the cameras. He still does. If there's one thing that T.O. does well is draw a crowd.

His styling and his ever-so-quotable self-adulating remarks almost guarantee that he will get quotes in the paper, even if he's in another city. In recent years, injuries and the advent of much stronger defenses around the league have hindered him in his performance. He's no longer the player he used to be. But it would be ridiculous to lay the blame with him. To hear T.O. tell it, he hasn't changed at all, it's the teams that have gotten lousy. Coaches can't coach, quarterbacks can't throw and offensive linesmen can't throw a block good enough for him. So he constantly spouts off at the mouth about how everyone else has cramped his style and how he isn't going push himself if he can't count on his team. Oh? So the team comes into play at that time.

This attitude of his was so detrimental to the team in Philadelphia last year that they suspended him for several games despite the fact that he was key in their offense and could have made the difference in terms of reaching the playoffs and sitting them out. He had created such bad blood that the coach had no choice but to bench him and eventually the owners agreed that it was time to give him the boot. I find it sad. There is no doubt that T.O. is a talented player and that in his prime he was probably one of the best. Had it not been for his "me me me" attitude, I think his teams probably would have given that extra effort for him. I don't know about you, but when there are guys weighing in excess of 300 lbs. coming at me, I would definitely like someone to help protect me.

In Dallas, T.O. has missed 14 consecutive practices. He has an injured hamstring which he has aggravated again so it's understandable that he may take some time out. But again, to hear him tell it, it isn't because he didn't stay in shape during the off-season or that he was not ready for training camp, but it was because he was made to do too many reps. What I find sad in that is that this is a player that many people look up to. Many kids take their inspiration, good or bad, from these athletes and to hear a talented player like T.O. constantly pass the buck on to others as to why he isn't playing well or why he's hurt. It's disappointing to see him constantly showing off for reporters but rarely showing off in practice for his team. He signed a fairly significant deal with the Cowboys to be one of their star receivers. If he plays, he may, in time, become a threat for most teams out there. But for now, he seems to be content riding a stationary cycle and blaming anyone and everyone under the sun for his injuries and lack of playing time.