Owens Says he WON'T play for the Ravens... even skipped physical

[Dante]

Ravens take wait-and-see stance on Owens
By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer
March 8, 2004


OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Terrell Owens skipped a physical with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, then reasserted his intention not to play for the team.

While the Ravens waited for an arbitrator to rule on the star receiver's bid to void his trade from San Francisco, Owens issued a statement saying he won't suit up for Baltimore.

``So that there is no misunderstanding, regardless of what happens with the grievance, under the present circumstances I do not see myself playing for the Ravens,'' Owens said. ``I can assure everyone that I will continue to keep fighting for my right to play for the team of my choice even after the grievance. At the end of this process, I simply want to be able to exercise my right to play for a team of my choosing under a deal that is fair to me and my family.''

The Ravens will wait for the arbitrator's ruling before making their next move.

``This is a matter between the league and the union right now,'' Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said. ``We can't do anything until we hear back on the ruling.''

The Ravens expect the matter to be cleared up by Friday and are certain Owens will play for them this season. They said they are willing to rework the deal to bring his salary in line with top receivers in the league.

But Owens wants a contract with the team of his choosing, and believes the Ravens were out of line in making the trade.

 

[TheGeneral+]

Dont blame him. But, he could do better than Philly as well most likely.

 

GENERAL!!!!!

sb

 

[Journeyman]

In a way , I don`t blame him either....

But #1 he signed the contract, he now wants renegotiated...#2 It was HIS agent the F`ed up....

and General, what exactly do you mean by your comment ?

 

[RobFunk]

I am no hurry at all for football

this TO thing is getting way too much press. it isnt even all that interesting except to baltimore and philly fans. he's filing a grievance. if he wins, he'll be on philly. if not, he's on the ravens. alright, we get the point.

and I think general is talking about the ammount of free agency money he could get, since it is the obvious bottom line with owens.

 

[Journeyman]

The NFL will not allow him out...there is now way...Owens is a Raven UNFORTUNATELY! In the past 4 days we have seen enough of his crap, I don`t see how the Ravens and more importantly the fans in Baltimore will forget his comments....

I don`t blame the guy, but it was his agent who dropped the ball...his comments show he is a classless, non team player...you just don`t say the stuff he says and expect it to be forgotten...he will be a Raven...

 

[RobFunk]

you are right on with your comments j-man. but i think this guy is just a real intense and moody competitor. kinda like keyshawn, except with the ability to actually get in the endzone.

last season, you saw him making negative comments about garcia, then you hear about him having lunch with him and everything is cool.

despite the stuff we're seeing now, make no mistake that come september, this guy will be every bit as spectacular as he has sold himself to be.

 

[Journeyman]

Sometimes though a player has to have more sense then to spout off to the media like that......he has alienated himself to the city he is more than likely going to be playing in lol....I do agree though with what you say about a guy coming off strongly but then being friends...I mean, if I was playing ball and a good friend of mine sucked one night...I may blast him,lol...but still love him...but in the media its played as if we can`t stand one another...

I think that side of it gets lost ALOT!

Owens has to show better judgement, he is all over media central talking as if he will not play in Baltimore, like a spoiled child....The Ravens look like chumps now...

 

[RobFunk]

yea.. .he should definatly know better on how to handle things better in the media, especially given the length of time and attention he has got so far in the leauge. his choice of words sucked, and what he was saying has absolutely no bearing on what will take place either way.

amoungst the boys, it's a whole different story. im sure that's why billick is confident everything will be o.k.

kinda like a 10 year old kid not getting to be on the baseball team he wanted to be on, but after a few games and he's made some friends everything is just fine.

 

[DENIRO]

owens is everything what is bad in sports today

 

[bulldog77]

As a guy who is stuck with a SB future on the Ravens, I can only hope that when Owens eventually gets to Ravens that Ray Lewis kicks his miserable ass and Owens gets the major attitude adjustment he is in dire need of. It might be the best thing that has ever happened to that arrogant prick.

 

[GH]

It's especially unfortunate that he is going this with Baltimore.

There is still a lot of resentment there for Elway snubbing them 20 years ago. In their eyes, he might as well have driven the moving van outta town.

They have plenty of hard feelings that transfer over to TO quite nicely.

 

[RobFunk]

i don't know why this just gets me siked up for sunday night football

 

[RPM]

i think he just wants a new contract. if the ravens offer the same thing philly was going to give him, than he will probably shut the fvck up.

 

[Journeyman]

We had just traded for another brash Bay area superstar, who came with a world of talent, an even larger ego, and no desire to stick around ...his name Reginald Martinez Jackson!!! Reggie sulked sat out over a month of the regular season and eventually came in....his stay was short, and Baltimore was left without an upcoming star (Don Baylor who they traded for him) and wondering 'what if"

Years later Reggie said he wished it turned out different in Baltimore...the ORioles were putting together a strong run of their own in the late 70`s...and might have won a few more championships had Reggie stayed!

 

It's about time we have some luck come our way. The Ravens already got their Super Bowl...it's our turn.

The key though is the Eagles don't have a problem with TO becoming a Raven. They are more upset with the Niners and the way they handled it than anything else. Banner said they have no plans to contest the deal with the league so I think whatever the NFL decides is fine with us. Don't get me wrong I posted that I wanted TO in an Eagles uniform hours after the Carolina debacle so I would be happy to see him here but if the Eagles aren't complaining then I have no reason to complain either. For once I'm going to back the Birds on their decision not to get all bent out of shape.

sb

 

[CaPPiNgTiGeRz]

Owens is a prime example of some of the most class-less guy in sports today. Just tell him if he doesn't want to be a raven , fine, stay HOME. fu**ing crybaby, this guy makes me sick.

 

[Jacksorbetter+]

I am in a weird spot as I am a Ravens fan that lives in Philly. I think Me-o is a complete idiot. He has misplaced anger towards Baltimore and the Ravens. Ravens fans will never root for this guy. He has no rights as a free agent because his agent screwed up. He is under contract and is making a complete a** out of himself right now. I don't think the Eagles have any rights to complain as they tried to low ball the Niners. A 5th and James Thrash. If I was Terry Donahue, I would have dropped the phone laughing. The Niners offered to take a 5th and Brandon Whiting but the eagles said no. If you've noticed the Eagles themselves are not saying anything. The only two resolutions to this are either Me-o plays for the Ravens and gets booed by everyone or the Ravens trade him to the Eagles. The Ravens have the best front office in the NFL and will not trade him for crap. It will take the Eagles first rd pick at least for him. There are no winners in this.

 

[Dante]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CaPPiNg TiGeRz:
Owens is a prime example of some of the most class-less guy in sports today. Just tell him if he doesn't want to be a raven , fine, stay HOME. fu**ing crybaby, this guy makes me sick.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


great post..well, at least he will be the spokes person for 'Sharpie' Pens when his overrated career is over

 

[newton0038]

So how will the books traet this Owens thing if he is not allowed to go where ever? Does anyone think that TO will start dropping the ball intentionally, On of those " shit I dropped the ball for a fumble again, silly me." I don't think that this will be a good situation for anyone if the EGO stays where he does not want to be or where he more than likely is not very welcome now. If TO plays for the Ravens this year I think I will be taking the other teams that play the Ravens by the points anyways cause TO probably will- the money he lays down will be the compensation he is looking for because he did not get his trade or the cash. Gonna be a big mess in Maryland until he is gone.