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Shane · 03-16-2004, 12:13 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1760284

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

ESPN.com news services
PHILADELPHIA -- Under the terms of a deal that is being discussed among three teams, the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association, wide receiver Terrell Owens would be declared a free agent -- thus clearing the way for him to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sources tell ESPN's Sal Paolantonio that the San Francisco 49ers, Owens' former team, would receive a player and/or a draft pick from the Eagles. The player being prominently discussed is Eagles defensive lineman Brandon Whiting; with the signing of Jevon Kearse, the Eagles have a surplus of defensive ends. And the Baltimore Ravens, who earlier this month obtained Owens from the 49ers -- would receive a compensatory draft pick, either from the Eagles or from the league.

The hangup in the talks appears to be coming from Baltimore. The Ravens have been promised nothing higher than a fourth-round pick for dropping out of the picture, and those sources say the Ravens contend that the pick is not enough for losing Owens, whom they believe they traded for in good faith.

The 11th-hour discussions are being conducted while the NFL's special master, Stephen Burbank, contemplates the case argued before him in Philadelphia. Lawyers for the league and the NFL Players Association spent 2½ hours Monday at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law arguing whether Owens belongs to the Ravens or should be a free agent.

Burbank is expected to issue a ruling Tuesday.

All parties are being encouraged to make a deal, the sources tell Paolantonio. If the parties cannot agree to a deal and Burbank rules that Owens should be a free agent, the Ravens and the Niners would not receive compensation.

The sources also said that Ravens are concerned that if Burbank rules against Owens, he will drag out the process through an appeal. Owens has stated emphatically that he wants no part of playing in Baltimore.

Players Union executive director Gene Upshaw sounded very confident that Owens would win his case and be declared a free agent, Paolantonio reported.

Upshaw said that lawyers for the Players Union argued that Owens' contract with the 49ers clearly stipulates he can void the final years of his contract by March 15, or the end of the NFL's calendar year (March 2), whichever comes first.

The NFL argued that the deadline to notify the 49ers was Feb. 21, the date agreed upon by the union and the league.

Owens, who has spent eight sometimes controversial seasons with San Francisco, was supposed to become a free agent March 3. But his agent, David Joseph, failed to file papers voiding the final years of his contract by the Feb. 21 deadline.

The NFL ruled he belonged to the 49ers, who traded him to Baltimore for a second-round draft choice. Under terms of the deal being discussed Tuesday, the second-round pick would be returned to Baltimore.

Owens has said he does not want to play for the Ravens and the union appealed, contending Owens should become a free agent. Owens reportedly had settled on a $10 million signing bonus with the Eagles in expectation he would be traded there.

The Ravens have said they will renegotiate his contract, although they are under no obligation to do so if Burbank rules in their favor.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

03-16-2004, 12:13 PM	#5
Shane Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 277	ESPN: Owens may be about to become free agent http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1760284 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 ESPN.com news services PHILADELPHIA -- Under the terms of a deal that is being discussed among three teams, the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association, wide receiver Terrell Owens would be declared a free agent -- thus clearing the way for him to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Sources tell ESPN's Sal Paolantonio that the San Francisco 49ers, Owens' former team, would receive a player and/or a draft pick from the Eagles. The player being prominently discussed is Eagles defensive lineman Brandon Whiting; with the signing of Jevon Kearse, the Eagles have a surplus of defensive ends. And the Baltimore Ravens, who earlier this month obtained Owens from the 49ers -- would receive a compensatory draft pick, either from the Eagles or from the league. The hangup in the talks appears to be coming from Baltimore. The Ravens have been promised nothing higher than a fourth-round pick for dropping out of the picture, and those sources say the Ravens contend that the pick is not enough for losing Owens, whom they believe they traded for in good faith. The 11th-hour discussions are being conducted while the NFL's special master, Stephen Burbank, contemplates the case argued before him in Philadelphia. Lawyers for the league and the NFL Players Association spent 2½ hours Monday at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law arguing whether Owens belongs to the Ravens or should be a free agent. Burbank is expected to issue a ruling Tuesday. All parties are being encouraged to make a deal, the sources tell Paolantonio. If the parties cannot agree to a deal and Burbank rules that Owens should be a free agent, the Ravens and the Niners would not receive compensation. The sources also said that Ravens are concerned that if Burbank rules against Owens, he will drag out the process through an appeal. Owens has stated emphatically that he wants no part of playing in Baltimore. Players Union executive director Gene Upshaw sounded very confident that Owens would win his case and be declared a free agent, Paolantonio reported. Upshaw said that lawyers for the Players Union argued that Owens' contract with the 49ers clearly stipulates he can void the final years of his contract by March 15, or the end of the NFL's calendar year (March 2), whichever comes first. The NFL argued that the deadline to notify the 49ers was Feb. 21, the date agreed upon by the union and the league. Owens, who has spent eight sometimes controversial seasons with San Francisco, was supposed to become a free agent March 3. But his agent, David Joseph, failed to file papers voiding the final years of his contract by the Feb. 21 deadline. The NFL ruled he belonged to the 49ers, who traded him to Baltimore for a second-round draft choice. Under terms of the deal being discussed Tuesday, the second-round pick would be returned to Baltimore. Owens has said he does not want to play for the Ravens and the union appealed, contending Owens should become a free agent. Owens reportedly had settled on a $10 million signing bonus with the Eagles in expectation he would be traded there. The Ravens have said they will renegotiate his contract, although they are under no obligation to do so if Burbank rules in their favor. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.