Tired of TO

On the NFL side of the football world, this bloke just can't keep his name and face out of the media. If a week or two goes by without reporters clamoring for his attention he just has to go do something stupid yet again to get onto the front page.

Owens undoubtedly is one of the most talented receivers ever to play in the NFL, so let’s get that out up front so I don't get flamed for ignoring his footballing skills and athleticism. He has blinding pace and throughout his career has consistently terrorized defenses around the league. This season, again he has been a productive and integral part of a mostly successful Dallas Cowboys team that is approaching their final push to secure a play-off spot.

You would think most players would be happy playing their career on perennial play-off and championship contending squads. But not this misfit. He tore up the 49ers franchise that delivered him to the NFL, to the point that they were forced to let him go to Philadelphia for practically nothing. A couple more decent seasons and a Superbowl appearance with the Eagles followed, but Owens incited a very public row with the team’s veteran quarterback and leader, Donovan McNabb - one of the most respected players in the game.

Phase 3 of his career finds him in Dallas and once again fortunate to be surrounded by a talented team that was regarded as one of the pre-season Superbowl favorites. However, after a relatively harmonious couple of seasons, TO once again feels threatened that maybe the entire franchise does not revolve around him; and as usual it is everyone else’s fault.

This past week he was reported as being upset because his quarterback, Tony Romo, who just a few months ago he was shedding tears for after a playoff defeat, seems to favor Tight-End, Jason Whitten in the passing offense. Apparently he went as far as claiming that they draw up plays together that don't involve him, bless - what they have their own ball and won't let him play anymore? Give me a break. On Friday as the Cowboys prepared to take on the conference leading and division rival NY Giants, Owens and Whitten had a heated exchange during which they had to be pulled apart. So TO's at it again and it's just a matter of time before he breaks up yet another championship potential locker room with his antics.

It is just yet another example of pathetic jealously that is usually refined to the schoolyard. Every team needs to have options in the passing game but he's only happy if they throw to him 15-20 times a game so he can be "unleashed" per his own words from a few weeks ago. For the record, while Whitten does have a key role in the Dallas offense (as does any talented TE on any team), his numbers thus far this season are comparable to Owens:

Owens - 58 RECS 886 YDS 9 TDs

Whitten - 69 RECS 815 YDS 3 TDs

So just what exactly is TO complaining about? He gets far more of the share of touchdowns which allows him to engage in his favorite pastime of showboating himself in front of the camera.

All About "81"

Mind you, he is not all to blame. The media thrive on this circus like vultures on a rotten desert carcus, bombarding us with images, interviews, analysis, and speculation revolving around the Dallas receiver.
HELLO people - this is just what he craves. During his spat with McNabb which resulted in him being kicked out of the Eagles practice facility for a week or two, TO decided to continue his own conditioning and work-outs at his home. In the front yard of course and with all members of the media invited. ESPN and the other sports network cameras couldn't get the trucks there quick enough, just so we could watch this idiot doing sit-ups in front of his mansion. Even with this latest incident supposedly behind them after Dallas defeated the Giants on Sunday night, the NFL network had the TO highlight available on it's website immediately after the game - for the record he caught 3 balls for 38 yards, but in the carnival world of TO, that is apparently worthy of a highlight reel.

I guess it is just another example in sport that is all too familiar. Superstar athletes that act like a spoiled brats that can't have all the toys but are given the spotlight regardless of their attitude or behavior. Pick your sport or game and you'll be able to come up with several examples. Heck, you could probably devote your own sports blog to the subject.

I just don't understand the ego and arrogance behind individuals like TO. His talent is undeniable. At the age of 35 he is still one of the best receivers in the league in terms of talent. But if you want the best at that position take a look at Cardinals wideouts, Fitzgerald and Boldin. As much, if not more, talent minus the garbage that comes with the TO package. Regardless of how bad my team are (and they are bad this year), as a die-hard Seahawks fan I would cringe if he ever pulled on the number 81 in Seattle.

So 2 requests: TO just please for once shut up and play football. And to the media please quit glorifying this egomaniac and concentrate on covering the games and, maybe just once in a while, give us some insightful analysis of players and teams that deserve some attention as we approach the finale to the NFL regular season.

If you have a rant or want to nominate an ‘Owens-esq’ candidate; if you’re a Cowboys fan and have an opinion on the forthcoming implosion in the locker room; if you love TO and everything he does and everything he stands for, hit the comment button below....Cheers!

Mid-Week Action

Nothing like a little mid-week action to brighten the daily grind…plenty of football going on as well, so worth a quick take...

Tuesday night saw a full slate of Championship fixtures and an opportunity for the Tractorboys to build on their win at Plymouth as we welcomed Charlton and former Town hero, Matt Holland. Looked like we had this one in the bag, but that would mean two consecutive wins for the first time this year. Could it be??? No, Pablo Counago wasted a penalty and despite 20 attempts on goal, Ipswich were once again held to a disappointing draw, with the teams sharing the spoils, 1-1. Call-out to Own Garvan for knocking in his 3rd goal in the last 2 games. Other than that, yet another truly disappointing display that sees us slip further from the promotion race. Big Fat Jim (don’t know why they call him that as he’s not really fat, or big, for that matter, but we’ll figure it out another day) Magilton reckoned we created enough chances to win 3 games, and the players are trying hard, and he's really disappointed….err this is getting really old Jim. Put together a streak and lets get moving – 4 wins in 14 games keeps the Blue Tractor firmly stuck in mid-table mediocre mud, heading nowhere….again. Sort it out Jim, pick a team, and get them to play. If you can’t do it, raise your hand and move on.

Got to mention the north London derby between the purveyors of the beautiful game, Arsenal, and the current butt of all football jokes, their hated rivals Tottenham and their new manager Harry Redknapp. So it was Arsene against ‘Arry, and although Spurs took an unlikely early lead, once the Gooners got up 3-1 in the second half, who saw a 4-4 draw coming?!! Too early to tell what effect Harry will have on the men in white, but regardless, ‘Arry or not, this team won’t be in the bottom 3 come judgement time. Keep it in perspective though, they aren’t anywhere near the top 4 either. Elsewhere, Hull finally succumbed to a squad from London, with Chelsea having their way 3-0 at the KC – despite their great start, midfield maestro, Geovanni is getting a bit carried away by proclaiming, "Scolari is a top coach and I do not doubt he will be a success at Chelsea, but I feel sorry for him because we are going to beat his team.” Right you are then.

Nothing else out of the ordinary, Man U, as expected, handed Zola’s Hammers their 4th straight defeat (was Curbs really that bad? And did you fix that kit yet?), Liverpool won on a late penalty…again to stay at the top. Villa continued to confirm their status as a potential top four or five team with a good win over Blackburn.

On the US side of the house the longest 3 innings in baseball history finally ended with the Philadelphia Phillies defeating the amazing Rays 4-3, in a 50 hour game 5 of the World Series and taking the title 4 games to 1. Congratulations to both teams, the Rays for getting there and firmly shoving the Red Sox and Yankess into also-ran nobody's this year, when nobody, including this author gave them a chance. And to the Phillies on your first championship in any sport in 25 years. Now do me a favour and invite all your mates on the Eagles football team over for a right good piss-up before they head to Seattle to kick the crap out of my Seahawks this weekend. 'Till then...Cheers all.