So Which Team Will T.O. Ruin Next?
March 5, 2009 - 1:52 am by Ryan PhillipsThis is a glorious day, the Cowboys have cut Terrell Owens…
…and now the question is which team is stupid enough to sign him. I vote the Bears, just for my personal entertainment purposes. Thoughts?
Let us first ponder the past repercussions of T.O.’s scortched Earth policy when it comes to teams that pay him handsomely.
San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003)
From 1996-2002 San Francisco made the playoffs five times. During his final season, tensions between Owens and quarterback Jeff Garcia boiled over and the team finished 7-9. T.O. was shipped to Philadelphia that offseason.
Since dumping Owens the 49ers have gone: 2-14, 4-12, 7-9, 5-11 and 7-9, and haven’t reached the playoffs.
With Owens the 49ers winning percentage (including the playoffs) was 58.4. Since his departure it’s 33.3. Ouch. T.O.’s artistry in San Francisco ranks up there with Czar Alexander I’s work against Napoleon. Nicely done.
Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05)
Things were going great for the Eagles and T.O. as they reached the Super Bowl in his first season with the team. Then, that offseason, he demanded a new contract and insulted the organization and his quarterback before being suspended in 2005 and released following the season.
With T.O. the Eagles went 13-3 in 2004, reaching the Super Bowl where they lost to the Patriots 24-21.
In 2005 with Owens running his mouth or sitting on the sidelines for most of the season, the Eagles went 6-10.
Following his release, in 2006, Philadelphia reached the playoffs at 10-6. In 2007 the Eagles were 8-8 and this past season they went 9-6-1 and lost to the Cardinals in the NFC title game.
With T.O. the Eagles won 60 percent of their games. Since his departure they’re at 56.6.
Dallas Cowboys (2006-08)
Since signing a three-year, $25 million contract with Dallas in March of 2006, Owens has had a rocky time in Big D. When on the field - especially in 2007 - T.O. performed incredibly well. But he hasn’t been able to help himself from pissing virtually everyone off.
In 2006 the Cowboys went 9-7 and lost in the Wildcard round to the Seahawks. In 2007 they went 13-3 and dropped their Divisional round game to the Giants. This past season, promises of a Super Bowl were ringing out but Dallas fell flat, finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs.
With T.O. the Cowboys had a 62 percent winning percentage.
So where will they go from here? Will they fall the hardest of all his former teams or land softly?
And who will be dumb enought to take on Owens and the ridiculous train of baggage he’s sure to bring with him?
6 Responses to “So Which Team Will T.O. Ruin Next?”
Norv Turner, need I say more???
By MamaD on Mar 5, 2009
your facts contradict your point. each team he has been on is significantly better than they were without him. your article is basically proof that the Cowboys will suck this year. if they have any sort of success at all it will be breaking what is clearly a consistent trend.
By chase on Mar 5, 2009
Actually, our point was that he’ll go somewhere, and while it might be good for a short time, he’ll wear out his welcome, get released and leave the team worse off in the end.
By Phillips on Mar 5, 2009
I made the same point in a comment. The truth is that teams are better off keeping him. Look at Philly. Romo? Please watch him throwing to Witten and tell me if he is as good as they say. T.O. is just one of the greats, but he is a pain. As much as football is about toughness, teams should be better able to deal with him, or?
By Job on Mar 5, 2009
Um, I vote not the Bears. I can see Kyle Orton overdosing on Jack Daniels after T.O. rips into him on the sidelines for missing him deep. We just can’t do that to our K.0.
By Cousin Charlie on Mar 5, 2009
Actually, the way it looks is that a team is better by having T.O. on it because they can’t afford to pay anybody else as a WR. Then he leaves cause people get tired of his crap and they struggle to fill the gap. The Eagles did better on that front because they had more to work with.
Now try an imagine Owens trying to share plays with another quality receiver. That sure sounds like a winning combination.
And nobody has made the obvious Raiders/T.O. connection? For shame!
By Santa Claustrophobia on Mar 7, 2009