TO asked to leave Eagles camp

[LoKyBuckeye]

The saga continues....

McNabb tells Owens to stop talking about him

Associated Press
Posted: 13 hours ago

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Donovan McNabb insisted he wasn't stung by criticism from Terrell Owens, laughing off the banished wide receiver's remarks before turning serious and telling him to "keep my name out of your mouth."

Hear Eagles' Donovan McNabb respond to banished wide receiver Terrell Owens' remarks about the quarterback. McNabb laughs off the criticism, but makes it clear that his name should not be coming out of Owens' mouth.
While Owens left his home for the Bahamas, McNabb joked with reporters, tapped the mikes and rubbed his hands together before taking his seat inside a jammed media tent shortly after Philadelphia's Friday practice.

"Yeah! C'mon, bring it!" McNabb said to laughter.

Owens again blasted McNabb on two separate interviews with ESPN on Thursday, calling the quarterback a "hypocrite" and saying the two of them could not be successful together. Owens also said he had no desire to speak with McNabb.

"It's so funny to me how my name keeps getting thrown out there," McNabb said. "You've just got to have fun with it and that's exactly what we're doing."

Owens was told to go home Wednesday after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid - and to stay there for a week. He's since lifted weights and shot hoops in front of the reporters camped outside his house and had harsh words for Reid and McNabb in TV interviews.

On Friday morning, Owens left his Moorestown, N.J., home with two suitcases and went to Philadelphia International Airport, where he told KYW-TV as he headed to a security gate: "I'm going to the Bahamas. I'm going to get a tan."

McNabb, light and smiling throughout his interview, agreed with Owens the two didn't necessarily have to speak to win.

"I still to this day see no reason for us to talk," McNabb said. "When we step on this field, it's all about business. We're professionals that line up and do the right thing."

This was the second time this year McNabb has warned Owens to stop talking about him.

After Owens complained that McNabb was tired in the Super Bowl, McNabb said "Just keep my name out of your mouth," during a mandatory minicamp.

McNabb, who made a recruiting pitch to get Owens to Philadelphia before last season, was tired of hearing Owens complain.

"Now for my name to be thrown out again, this is the second time. Keep my name out of your mouth," he said. "Keep my family's name out of your mouth."

Owens called McNabb a "hypocrite" on Thursday because the quarterback said publicly that he did not want to meet with Owens, while T.O said McNabb did try to arrange a meeting.

McNabb said he didn't learn until Thursday that his brother did reach out to someone close to Owens to arrange a meeting where the two Eagles could possibly work out their differences.

McNabb was bothered that Owens brought his family into his televised rants.

"My family doesn't need to be involved in any of this. I don't need to be involved in any of this," he said. "Now when you bring my family into it, I have a problem."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

The next chapter........

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Terrell Owens passes by coach Andy Reid as he runs on to the field for the morning practice session in Philadelphia Wednesday, Aug.17, 2005. Owens returned from a week-long suspension.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Owens all smiles in return to practice, but still won't talk to McNabb</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
August 17, 2005

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Aug 17, 10:19 am EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Terrell Owens ran routes, caught passes and joked around with his Philadelphia Eagles teammates -- quite a different T.O. from the one booted out of training camp a week ago.

This Terrell Owens smiled, laughed and even tutored some of the younger receivers on the sidelines Wednesday.

``He was fine today. He did a great job,'' said coach Andy Reid, who gave the All-Pro wideout the heave-ho and told him not to come back for a week.

The new Terrell Owens, however, still couldn't bring himself to talk to the player he needs to be in sync with the most: Donovan McNabb.

For the first time, McNabb -- who has maintained his sense of humor throughout the ordeal -- said he anticipated talking to Owens at some point. ``I think it's going to happen. I look forward to it happening,'' McNabb said. ``But, again, when we get to that situation, then that's when we will handle it. I think what we are doing right now is easing into everything and just going out and working, trying to answer some of the questions one of us may have and then be able to work in the confines of our own football field.'' The running feud between quarterback and receiver was set aside while they were on the field, at least. The two stood next to each other in the huddle at times, across from each other at others, and appeared to communicate between plays. But they also stood side-by-side while stretching at the end of practice -- and didn't say a word.

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Owens ran precise routes and caught crisp passes from McNabb. All that was missing were high-fives and hugs.


``He works hard out there on the field. We were able to make some big plays,'' McNabb said.

Owens met briefly with Reid before practice, a condition for his return. He didn't answer questions from reporters after the morning practice.

``It was a good meeting,'' Reid said, avoiding questions about particulars. ``He did a nice job. He worked very hard.''

Owens, again wearing camouflage and listening to oversized headphones, arrived at Philadelphia's practice facility at 7:27 a.m. He was greeted by several dozen fans, some holding signs, including one that read ``TO must go'' -- the same message carried on a radio station-sponsored banner trailing an airplane that flew near the practice field.

Owens jogged onto the field shortly before the morning session began at 8:45. He missed several practices with a groin injury before he was sent home last week, so Reid limited his reps to avoid aggravating the injury.

The NFC champions are hoping Owens isn't a distraction the rest of camp and into the season. The Eagles didn't allow Owens' antics to disrupt them last year, though he had a better relationship with McNabb, Reid and just about everyone else.

``I can't sit here and try to tell you what Terrell is going to do,'' All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins said. ``Only Terrell knows what he is going to do.''

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Aug 17, 10:18 am EDT</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Owens spent a few days at his home in Atlanta after he left the team last week, then returned to Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. A police escort led him from the tarmac and away from fans and reporters waiting at the airport terminal.

Owens' return to his home in Moorestown, N.J., Tuesday night was met with the same hoopla as when he left. He ignored reporters' questions, waved to fans and signed autographs from a green SUV -- the same one he drove last year. Owens was accompanied home by agent Drew Rosenhaus and publicist Kim Etheredge.

Owens had said he'll report and give his all, but won't be happy because the Eagles won't redo his contract. The team refuses to budge from its hardline stance: Owens can play for them under the seven-year, $48.97 million deal contract he signed last year, or he won't play at all.

A message left on Owens' Web site last week said he planned to catch more balls than he ever has and his ``on-the-field heroics will far outweigh any off-field criticism.''

``Terrell will return to camp and continue to display the work ethic, and on-the-field dedication that has made him one of the world's most elite athletes,'' the message said. ``For you the fan, and your continued support in the most difficult of times, Terrell plans to reward you with a season for the ages. Where small men succumb, great men overcome!''

Owens used the media to blast Reid, McNabb and offensive coordinator Brad Childress in separate television interviews last week, including a bizarre scene where he held a shirtless workout in his driveway. He called out Reid, said McNabb was a ``hypocrite,'' and accused Childress of being antagonistic, saying the offending words were repeated greetings of ``Hey, Terrell.''

``If a daily, 'How you doing' or a 'What's up' is antagonistic or spiteful then I must be on the wrong planet,'' Childress said.

It'll be interesting to see how long Owens can go without irritating Reid to the point where he would consider suspending him. The Eagles sent Owens a letter detailing why he was sent home last week. The team wanted to document exactly what its grievances are with Owens in case additional disciplinary action is necessary in the future.

It's obvious the offense is much better with the playmaking, showboating Owens, especially since the Eagles lost starter Todd Pinkston to a season-ending injury early in camp. Freddie Mitchell, last year's No. 3 receiver, was cut in the offseason, leaving the Eagles with Greg Lewis, Billy McMullen and rookie Reggie Brown. The trio had 12 receptions for 139 yards in a preseason loss to Pittsburgh on Monday. Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle late in the season. He missed the final two regular-season games and the first two playoff games before returning for the Super Bowl, in which he had nine receptions for 122 yards.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="" vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>McNabb hoping to play with Owens this preseason</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>August 22, 2005

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Donovan McNabb acknowledges that he needs preseason playing time with Terrell Owens even if he doesn't talk to him off the field. Owens has yet to play this preseason. He missed the Eagles first game after being dismissed from the team for a week and sat out Saturday night's victory over the Ravens to rest his sore groin. Owens returned to practice Monday afternoon and did not appear limited by the injury. The Eagles' next preseason game is Friday at home against Cincinnati.

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``It's very important that we be able to get some work,'' McNabb said. ``It's valuable time right now, what we're doing on the practice field. But once we get out on the playing field, we want to keep that same mentality -- what we've done in practice is the same thing we've done in a game.''


Owens is in the second year of a seven-year contract worth nearly $49 million, and he has demanded that the team redo his deal. He and McNabb have sparred in public, with Owens calling McNabb a ``hypocrite'' and with McNabb saying he doesn't need to talk to Owens to be successful on the field.

Owens, who has not spoken publicly was hurt early in camp and aggravated it Thursday.

``He obviously wants to play and would have played Saturday, but I didn't think it was a smart thing to do coming off his injury,'' coach Andy Reid said Monday. ``I think that it is good that he gets that timing down.''

The Eagles have now lost two wide receivers for the season because of injuries.

Todd Pinkston, expected to start with Owens, ruptured his Achilles tendon on Aug. 5. On Saturday against the Ravens, second-year pro Justin Jenkins injured a knee on the opening kickoff.

Reid said second-year man Carlos Perez will replace Jenkins on the depth chart behind Owens, Greg Lewis, rookie Reggie Brown and Billy McMullen.

Perez leads the Eagles this preseason with seven receptions for 62 yards. After facing the Steelers backups in the preseason opener, Perez saw some time against the Ravens first-team defense on Saturday and finished with a team-high four catches for 36 yards.

``I made a few plays, and I think the coaches saw that I could play. I was kind of excited about that -- to be out there and have a good game against Baltimore,'' Perez said. ``I've still got a few mistakes I want to eliminate.''

One of those mistakes came in the third quarter, when Perez caught a pass at the Baltimore 3-yard line but fumbled it out of the end zone for a touchback. ``I put the ball on the ground at the end trying to make a play,'' Perez said. ``You've just got to hold onto it when they tackle you and not worry about trying to make a big play and getting the extra yards.''

 

[Golferdow01]

Losing Pinkston for the season really hurts them...from what I saw of him last season he was pretty good...Eagles are in a world of hurt right now

 

[LoKyBuckeye]

Owens finds end zone on first play

Associated Press
Posted: 9 hours ago

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - No high-five, no handshake, not even a nod of approval.

Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens already weren't speaking to each other. No surprise they aren't exchanging congratulations, either.

The feuding stars hooked up for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the first play, helping the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-17 in a preseason game Friday night.

Playing together for the first time since their public spat began in April, McNabb and Owens picked up where they left off last year. In just one half, Owens caught five passes for 131 yards, and McNabb threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

"It was business as usual," McNabb said.

Carson Palmer played into the third quarter with the rest of Cincinnati's starters, but the Bengals (1-2) couldn't get into the end zone until the reserves scored twice in the fourth quarter. Palmer completed 13 of 25 passes for 136 yards.

"We weren't sharp," Palmer said. "There's no way around that. We got outplayed. It's tough and frustrating."

After Rod Hood returned the opening kickoff 24 yards to Philadelphia's 36, McNabb connected with Owens on a deep pass down the right side. The All-Pro wideout caught McNabb's toss in full stride near the 20 and streaked into the end zone.

"I saw the mismatch with T.O. to the outside and I decided to take it," McNabb said. "I tried to put it in a decent spot. He did an excellent job accelerating to the ball and scoring the touchdown."

Known for his flamboyant antics after scoring, Owens toned down his act. He spiked the ball, stood with his hands on his hips and nodded his head. Owens then ran to the sideline, stopping once to pound his chest and point toward the sky.

While nearly everyone congratulated Owens and McNabb after the play, the two didn't even acknowledge each other. Owens twice walked past McNabb without looking at him and then sat on another bench just a few feet away from the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

"We were both excited whether we celebrated together or with other teammates," McNabb said. "Let's not blow this out of proportion. It's still early."

The friction between Owens and McNabb started when the enigmatic Owens took a shot at McNabb's performance in Philadelphia's Super Bowl loss to New England. Owens also called McNabb a "hypocrite" earlier this month.

Owens hasn't endeared himself to fans by demanding a new contract just one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed in March 2004. But the notoriously boorish Philly fans didn't get a chance to give Owens an earful. He heard plenty of cheers after his score.

Owens missed the first preseason game at Pittsburgh after he was sent home for a week following a heated dispute with Eagles coach Andy Reid. He was held out of last week's game at Baltimore because of a groin injury that he reaggravated late in the first half.

"They'll be fine. Sometimes actions speak louder than words," Reid said of McNabb and Owens.

Without Owens, McNabb and the rest of the offense had some success in the first two games. But they were dominant with Owens on the field. McNabb completed 14 of 23 passes, Greg Lewis had four catches for 72 yards and one TD and rookie Reggie Brown had a TD catch.

"We are showing progression," McNabb said. "With the addition of having T.O. out there, we are able to do a little bit more things and it makes it exciting right now."

McNabb threw 31 yards to Owens on Philadelphia's second play. McNabb twice overthrew Owens, but they didn't communicate after either play.

McNabb's 8-yard TD pass to Brown gave the Eagles a 17-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Lewis made an outstanding, one-handed catch for a 27-yard TD reception that made it 27-3 at halftime.

"Everybody's getting involved and you can't just key on one person," Lewis said. "T.O.'s the headliner of the receiving corps and Reggie and myself try to get in where we can fit in."

Casey Bramlet threw a 36-yard TD pass to Chris Henry to make it 27-10 midway through the fourth quarter. Craig Krenzel tossed a 41-yard TD pass to Kevin Walter in the final minute.

"We didn't play very well on offense, defense and special teams," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "We didn't tackle, we didn't block, we didn't cover, we didn't punt. The fortunate thing is it doesn't count."

The Eagles (2-1) were home for the first time since beating Atlanta in the NFC championship game seven months ago. The whole team ran onto the field before the game rather than introducing the offense or defense individually.

NOTES:

Owens' injury doesn't appear serious. ... Last year, McNabb and Owens connected for an 81-yard TD pass against the Ravens on the Eagles' first play in their first preseason game at home. ... Bengals S Kim Herring injured his right shoulder in the second quarter and didn't return. ... Eagles T Tra Thomas, playing for the first time since returning from a blood clot in his leg, left with a lower back injury in the first quarter. .... Bengals Pro Bowl RB Rudi Johnson ran 17 times for 72 yards.