After the past three weeks of play, it’s fair to question the motives and goals of Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver, Terrell Owens. Yes, he can be a playmaker. Yes, he can be a difference maker. And yes, he can be completely ineffective and useless.
After two games of reverse handoffs to Owens, it’s hard to miss the fact that TO NEVER intentionally sacrifices his body for the team. In fact, he’ll flop down on the ground as quick as he can to avoid a hit. That is most decidedly NOT winning football. We saw it against the Bengals when TO was a yard away from gaining the first down and refused to dive for it. Instead, he took the easy out of bounds option and avoided the hit.
Last week against the Redskins, Terrell flopped down on the ground after catching a pass in the middle. He was about to get hit from two different directions and opted to quit and not risk the contact. Acts of cowardice a champion does not make.
If you’re reading this, Terrell (and let’s face it – we all know you are because you want to know what’s said about you), we are not doubting that you have the physique and skills necessary to be a top 5 receiver in this league. But we DO object to the lack of effort.
Look, blocking a cornerback is nice. Chasing down an interception is appreciated. But not diving for the first down to avoid the hit? Unforgivable. Like it or not, this is the reason Jason Witten will go down in history as the greatest Cowboys receiver of this era. He blocks and works off the ball, but he gives every effort to gain every yard possible. He takes the big hits and keeps going. He is driven to win.
Which leads us back to the question that spawned this article. What ARE Terrell Owens’ motives? Without knowing him personally, it is still safe to assume that personal stats and Hall of Fame achievements are top priority for TO. And since a receiver cannot control the number of passes he will have a chance to receive, TO avoids any and all possible chances of injury so that he might attain with longevity what others (Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin) have attained with sheer skill and willpower.
No one doubts his speed and fitness. But his hands aren’t top notch and he can’t get off the block when the corner makes contact. Owens used to be able to strongarm corners out of his way and take off down the field. No more. Whatever strength or skill allowed such a move in years past appears to have eluded him this season.
Best of luck to him proving me wrong. I dont’ need to be right. I just need him to jump, dive, and risk the hit for the team. Until then, it looks like TO is only about TO.
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