Sascha
12-05-2005, 03:22 AM
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PF/PF_1000841_999~Terrell-Owens-Philadelphia-Eagles-Posters.jpg
Alright, by now we all know the story of Terell Owens, and I'm sure we're all quite sick of it. After multiple gaffes and warnings, Owens finally broke the camel's back, and was suspended, and then deactivated for the remainder of the season. He is not waived, so no other team can claim him. He won't be traded, since it's past the deadline anyway, but the Eagles are just not going to do Owens any favors. He was, simply, benched.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/PHI_960_thumb.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1026&c=58) Then came "the apology", and the arbitrator hearing. The Owens case clogged up valuable court room space and time for the better part of a day, then we were left in limbo for nearly another week, before the arbitrator decided to side with the Eagles, and Owens was out of a job for the rest of the year.
And I'm sure we all remember Keyshawn Johnson's season of 2003. Another hugely talented receiver who's mouth sometimes runs without a filter, who got himself in trouble with his head coach, and Jon Gruden sat him down for the rest of the season. Again, no waivers, no trades, just a "sit down and shut up" move for a premier wide receiver in this league.
However, the aftermath was vastly different. There was an apology, a much less public and much more believable one, but no arbitrator hearing, and no player's union uproar. So, my question ever since has been this, how does Keyshawn feel after all the work that went into the attempt to reinstate Owens?
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/keyshawn.jpg
Well, first off, let's compare these two a little. First, their career stats: Terrell Owens; 142 games played, 716 catches for 10,535 yards and 101 touchdowns. Also, he went to several post-seasons with the 49ers, including the catch that led to his rise, against the Packers, and played in the Super Bowl last season. Keyshwan Johnson, drafted the same year, has played in 146 games and caught 726 balls for 9499 yards and 60 touchdowns. He also has a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs. Johnson is a possession receiver, so his TD's are down a bit from Owens', but the stats are quite similar.
Now let's compare the people. Terrell Owens has never quit on his team during game time, unlike Randy Moss. But, off the field, he's an even bigger distraction. He has called out quarterbacks as well as coaches and always seems to put himself in front of the team. And the his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, adds fuel to the fire by making an ass out of himself at every opportunity. They would take any opportunity they have to shove their faces in front of TV camera and claim how victimized they are, eventually leading to the arbiter's hearing. Keyshawn Johnson is another player who would never quit or take a play off while he's on the field. He's a very charismatic guy and an entepreneur, as he has a blooming Restaurant business. He certainly has had his own share of blow-ups, starting with his "Just give me the damn ball" book, and including a shouting match with Drew Bledsoe now as a Cowboy. However, when he was sat down by Jon Gruden, Johnson sat back, took all attention off himself, took his punishment like a man, and waited for the next year. He didn't cry to TV, and the union apparently didn't take any action on his behalf, as they did with Owens. His agent, Jerome Stanley, instead of making a buffoon of himself and his client, accepted their fate. Granted, Johnson was already unhappy in Tampa, having put his house on the market and making no plans of continuing his Bucs career beyond that season.
But again, after the Terrell Owens saga, I just have to wonder if Johnson's not thinking, "What about me?". The Players' Union did not jump to his side and demand a hearing, and he certainly did not become a bigger name because of his driveway workouts instead of his play. Maybe the reason is this. Keyshawn Johnson actually has class. Yes, he's brass and cocky, but nowadays he's tame compared to the likes of Moss, Owens, and even cousin Chad. Keyshwan actually cares about his persona, and the perception fans have of him. Having seen him at a couple of autograph sessions, Keyshawn always had a smile on his face, a kind word for his fans, and time to sign for every person in line. I just can't imagine Owens displaying the same level of class.
So, my verdict is this. Terrell Owens is an immensly gifted receiver, who happens to think he's more important than the rest of the team, and is not about to tell you otherwise. He is a classless lowlife whos persona actually gets lowered whenever Mr. Drew "next question" Rosenhaus joins in the circus. Meanwhile, Keyshawn Johnson is an immensly talented receiver, who knows that he's only as good as the players around him. He ended up in a non-favorable situation, got suspended, lived with it, and continued his career without a pay cut in Dallas.
Hopefully, I was able to change some opinions of Keyshawn Johnson with this article. He does not deserve to be classified in the same category as Owens, and hopefully more people will see that.
There it is, my first article as an official member of the PSH writing team. Enjoy! :)
Alright, by now we all know the story of Terell Owens, and I'm sure we're all quite sick of it. After multiple gaffes and warnings, Owens finally broke the camel's back, and was suspended, and then deactivated for the remainder of the season. He is not waived, so no other team can claim him. He won't be traded, since it's past the deadline anyway, but the Eagles are just not going to do Owens any favors. He was, simply, benched.
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/3/9/1/PHI_960_thumb.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1026&c=58) Then came "the apology", and the arbitrator hearing. The Owens case clogged up valuable court room space and time for the better part of a day, then we were left in limbo for nearly another week, before the arbitrator decided to side with the Eagles, and Owens was out of a job for the rest of the year.
And I'm sure we all remember Keyshawn Johnson's season of 2003. Another hugely talented receiver who's mouth sometimes runs without a filter, who got himself in trouble with his head coach, and Jon Gruden sat him down for the rest of the season. Again, no waivers, no trades, just a "sit down and shut up" move for a premier wide receiver in this league.
However, the aftermath was vastly different. There was an apology, a much less public and much more believable one, but no arbitrator hearing, and no player's union uproar. So, my question ever since has been this, how does Keyshawn feel after all the work that went into the attempt to reinstate Owens?
http://www.pigskinheaven.com/gallery/files/7/keyshawn.jpg
Well, first off, let's compare these two a little. First, their career stats: Terrell Owens; 142 games played, 716 catches for 10,535 yards and 101 touchdowns. Also, he went to several post-seasons with the 49ers, including the catch that led to his rise, against the Packers, and played in the Super Bowl last season. Keyshwan Johnson, drafted the same year, has played in 146 games and caught 726 balls for 9499 yards and 60 touchdowns. He also has a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs. Johnson is a possession receiver, so his TD's are down a bit from Owens', but the stats are quite similar.
Now let's compare the people. Terrell Owens has never quit on his team during game time, unlike Randy Moss. But, off the field, he's an even bigger distraction. He has called out quarterbacks as well as coaches and always seems to put himself in front of the team. And the his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, adds fuel to the fire by making an ass out of himself at every opportunity. They would take any opportunity they have to shove their faces in front of TV camera and claim how victimized they are, eventually leading to the arbiter's hearing. Keyshawn Johnson is another player who would never quit or take a play off while he's on the field. He's a very charismatic guy and an entepreneur, as he has a blooming Restaurant business. He certainly has had his own share of blow-ups, starting with his "Just give me the damn ball" book, and including a shouting match with Drew Bledsoe now as a Cowboy. However, when he was sat down by Jon Gruden, Johnson sat back, took all attention off himself, took his punishment like a man, and waited for the next year. He didn't cry to TV, and the union apparently didn't take any action on his behalf, as they did with Owens. His agent, Jerome Stanley, instead of making a buffoon of himself and his client, accepted their fate. Granted, Johnson was already unhappy in Tampa, having put his house on the market and making no plans of continuing his Bucs career beyond that season.
But again, after the Terrell Owens saga, I just have to wonder if Johnson's not thinking, "What about me?". The Players' Union did not jump to his side and demand a hearing, and he certainly did not become a bigger name because of his driveway workouts instead of his play. Maybe the reason is this. Keyshawn Johnson actually has class. Yes, he's brass and cocky, but nowadays he's tame compared to the likes of Moss, Owens, and even cousin Chad. Keyshwan actually cares about his persona, and the perception fans have of him. Having seen him at a couple of autograph sessions, Keyshawn always had a smile on his face, a kind word for his fans, and time to sign for every person in line. I just can't imagine Owens displaying the same level of class.
So, my verdict is this. Terrell Owens is an immensly gifted receiver, who happens to think he's more important than the rest of the team, and is not about to tell you otherwise. He is a classless lowlife whos persona actually gets lowered whenever Mr. Drew "next question" Rosenhaus joins in the circus. Meanwhile, Keyshawn Johnson is an immensly talented receiver, who knows that he's only as good as the players around him. He ended up in a non-favorable situation, got suspended, lived with it, and continued his career without a pay cut in Dallas.
Hopefully, I was able to change some opinions of Keyshawn Johnson with this article. He does not deserve to be classified in the same category as Owens, and hopefully more people will see that.
There it is, my first article as an official member of the PSH writing team. Enjoy! :)