TO's got more problems

[offiss]

Lewis should be the last person talking about other people's conduct, the fact is owen's was right, and he went where he wanted, I don't think he really realizes the mistake he's made as far as team's, but he had the right, I can't wait to see how he react's when he figure's out half of the passes that will be thrown to him will land at his about 5 yds. in front of him.

[Hogskin]

Offiss, you may be right, but I am expecting much, much more from McNabb than that. It will be a new experience for him to throw to an OPEN receiver. In fact "Football Guys", who I believe is the best player rating service out there, projects him as #3 overall fantasy QB for 2004. T.O. also has played with him at least once (in a Pro Bowl), and wanted very much to team up with him - that is the reason he chose Philly. One thing is sure, he will be thrown to alot...

[FRPLG]

Actually they way I understand it was that while he and his agent were definitely in the wrong the 49ers were also arguably culpable to a smaller degree. The deal was cut becuase the NLFPA was able to make a stretched legal argument about expectations of being a free agent. To me it rang hollow but I guess both the 49ers and Baltimore were afraid they'd lose so they cut the deal. In the end I don't blame TO for the contract issues as this is what agents are for but he certaintly could have dealt with the situation in a more professional and mature way and I bet he'd even have gotten the same result. Just another example of someone not accepting resonsibility for themselves and it ticks me off. I disliked him before...now I totally disdain him.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Actually they way I understand it was that while he and his agent were definitely in the wrong the 49ers were also arguably culpable to a smaller degree.

I'm not sure what you heard on this, but here is what the Washington Post reported:

"The union maintained before Burbank, though, that Owens had given the 49ers sufficient notification of his intent to become a free agent. The deadline for voiding the remainder of the deal originally had been set for March 2 in Owens's contract. The deadline was changed to Feb. 21 as part of an agreement between the league and the union, and union officials said that Joseph was notified of that change. But because the change in the deadline was made after Owens's contract was signed, the union argued to Burbank that the March 2 deadline should apply to Owens. "

It is a dicey situation for sure, but the NFL can not change a clause in a contract simply by notifying the other party that they want to change it. They should have requested and gotten a signature or initial on the change. That is the way it works everywhere. If the 49ers had written into the original contract that they would use a date agreed to with the union instead of specifying March 2, it is an entirely different situation. So, that is what it came down to, and why the arbitrator was almost certain to rule in Owens' favor. As Upshaw said, it then just came down to where TO wanted to play - because he would have been a free agent. So to keep from TOTALLY screwing the Ravens, all 3 teams reached an agreement just before the arbitrator was to announce his ruling.

[SmootSmack]

Just a couple of weeks ago Ray Lewis was on the Dan Patrick show on ESPN Radio and he was saying he had no problem with what TO did. That this is a business, could be TO's last contract, he has to look out for himself, etc.

I wonder what changed Lewis' mind

[Hogskin]

Maybe the interviewer told him he wanted something "controversial" LOL