T.O.'s Future

How Will the Past and Present Affect It,
Will the Cowboys Be Better Off Without Him,
and Where Will He Land?

Terrell Owens. T.O.

Like him or not, T.O. is many things. An elite athlete. A tremendous football player. An outspoken individual. A lightning rod of controversy. And he lets you know all of those things every chance he gets. Yes, he makes big plays on the field. But unfortunately he creates even bigger distractions off of it.

And those are detrimental to the teams he has played on.

Yesterday, the "Oh No, It's T.O.'s Popcorn Show" came to an abrupt halt in Big D.

For the past few years, that infamous "D" has become synonymous with distraction, drama, disruption, discontent, divisiveness, and discombobulation, led by a defined and decidedly destructive force in the greater Dallas area. Listen, I have never played with T. O. I do not know the man personally.

And I will not tear another person down for any reason. There is no need for that. Ultimately, your actions will speak louder than your words. And in T.O.'s case, the decibel level for both have been at airplane status for quite some time. It's deafening and clearly too loud for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization to tolerate anymore. So they turned it off.

So was this a good move for Dallas?

Yes.

But is it really a surprise to anyone at this point that the Cowboys essentially told T.O. to, 'Beat it. Scram. Your services are no longer wanted here?' Can you really blame them? They knew his track record (and not his Usain Bolt imitation after scoring a TD). They knew what happened in Philadelphia. In San Francisco. The Cowboys knew what they were getting with T.O. They gave him an opportunity. They paid him a lot of money for his talent and services (hell, they lost $9 million just to get rid of him)!. And they gave him multiple chances.

But in the end? Same result.

What will happen to the Cowboys?

They will be a better team.

We will now see how well Tony Romo is able to play the game above the shoulders in December. We will see young receivers have an opportunity to step up and make plays. We will see how good Roy Williams can be with a legitimate offense around him.

Jerry Jones is officially cleaning house, people. He is eliminating the distractions. All that talent, all those salaries and no playoff wins in what, 12 years? That's unacceptable. And, with the releases of Adam "Pacman" Jones and Terrell Owens from the team, it looks like there may be hope for "Discipline" to return to (the self-proclaimed) "America's Team."

The 'Boys will be okay. They will be just fine. And they have one helluva division to
deal with, so it's best they do move on and get focused.

THE T.O. EFFECT ON AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAM CHEMISTRY

Let's make this simple.

In ANY professional work environment, disruptive forces must be removed. If they are allowed to stay on board, it will be to the detriment of the department, the staff, the unit, the team. Resentment will build amongst your employees. Overall productivity will decline over time and the organization will more than likely experience a divisiveness that leads to a toxic environment. No matter how good of an employee or athlete he or she may be, if that individual is a distraction and creates chaos, he or she must be removed from that organization, or the organization will suffer. And, when they are aware of the policy, have been given multiple chances, and are paid HANDSOMELY, there is NO excuse.

No one person is or can be greater than the team, and you simply cannot win championships like this. Ask the Steelers, the Giants, the Patriots. Yes, they have some exceptional players, but more importantly, these organizations have built great teams that rely upon everyone working within the system and playing to their strengths and understanding their role on that team. TEAM. And although there is no "I" in team — there is an "m" and and "e" and T.O.'s "I love me some me" philosophy does not work and it will NOT win championships.

Track record, track record, track record. Everybody cant' be wrong. Three franchises. Same end result. One common factor. There needs to be a level of accountability that T.O. is simply not willing to own. You can't tell me Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Ray Sherman, Andy Reid, Todd Haley, Tony Romo, Bill Parcells, etc., are all making this up.

SO WHERE DOES HE GO FROM HERE?

T.O. needs to make like Michael Jackson and Look at the Man in the Mirror. Then he needs to ask that man to change his ways, really evaluate himself and the legacy he wants to leave, along with the post-NFL career he wants to have. In other words, he does not need a publicist telling the world he has "25 million reasons to live" or his agent speaking on his behalf in front of his house ever again. The sit-ups in the driveway stunt? Bad move. The exclusives with NFL Network and the passive aggressive nature of calling your quarterback, tight end and offensive coordinator out? Stop it. It doesn't work. People aren't buying it. Good TV? Yes. Bad long-term career move? Absolutely.

Terrell can no longer be his own worst enemy. He can still be who he is from a fun-loving and creative aspect, but he cannot allow the ego to overtake the importance of the role he plays on a team and in an organization. Terrell has to be committed to change, and a large part of that is truly understanding that it is NOT all about him. The good thing is that this can happen IF and ONLY IF he is serious about it. He is an important and integral part of the success of any team he plays for, but he must understand how the reputation damage he has incurred is impacting his long term opportunities.

You have to be accountable for your actions. You have to understand the ramifications. The world does not revolve around T.O. and neither does the NFL. (Golf however, needs Tiger, he is their sun, moon and stars. But all jokes aside, Tiger is NOT a disruptive force. And he is reaping the benefits of getting it done right on every level — on and off the course).

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, there are 29 teams in the NFL that DO NOT have an interest in T.O. It can't be because he isn't productive. He's arguably one of the most prolific receivers EVER!

Wherever T.O. ends up, he needs a strong, experienced strategic public relations team around him, but he must LISTEN. He needs his agent to work in lockstep with that strategic PR team and help them rebuild his reputation. There is still an opportunity for T.O. to turn around his reputation and his legacy. He is one of the hardest working professionals in the game. He is clearly committed to being the best he can be as an athlete and he seems to want to be the go to guy when the game is on the line. He makes plays.

But this is not about questioning his productivity. It is a new day in the NFL. And the "D" has been replaced with "C" — coachability, team chemistry, and character all count because they lead to championships. Owners and coaches are cleaning up the locker rooms and focusing on getting the chemistry right. And Roger Goodell? Well, clearly the Commish is cleaning up the league. Ask Chris Henry. Ask Pacman Jones - oh wait — he's in the "scrip club" makin' it rain.

For T.O., the drama, the sideshow, the distraction, the disputes with quarterbacks and offensive coordinators have to stop. The passive aggressive calling out of your teammates has to stop. Focus on the game. Build a strong, knowledgeable support team of advisors around you and eliminate the distractions. It's time to rebuild and remake yourself. You're 35 years old. No more excuses. Nobody wants to hear them anymore.

SO WHERE WILL HE LAND?

The Saints? The Rams? The Titans? Well, if Mort's insider reports are accurate, they could be the only three that would consider taking a chance on
him.

My bet?

There is a QB in the Bay Area Al Davis just paid a ton of money too. He's a big kid from LSU. Cannon for an arm, supposedly. He needs a big play receiver. That same team picked up Randy Moss a few years back, and, well, we all know what happened there....but hey, Randy didn't get in trouble in Oakland and he got himself to New England and he hasn't looked back. Randy Moss - 3.0. Reinvented himself and hooked up with a man named Brady, joined his bunch and tore some defenses up. He is doing well handling the distractions - you don't hear about it anymore. He gets out there and plays the game and is still one of the best in his position. But most of all, he understands the opportunity he's been given in New England.

So Raider Nation, getcha popcorn ready. I think the T.O. Show's next run will be in front of the Black Hole.

Life, Work, Parenting and Sports RivalriesWhat Do You Do When...

Like many of you, I am a professional. I am also a dad. I work hard. I enjoy what I do for a living - wait - I LOVE what I do for a living!!!

Although I have a long way to go, I have had a great career so far for which I am very thankful. But more than anything else in the world, I love and would do anything for my little boy.

I'm also a fan and I love my Yankees and my Giants - and I don't mean the ones Mr. Clear or the Cream, Home Run Record Man with the * played for - I mean the "G-Men" who play in the toughest division in the NFL and get it done each weekend in the swamps of Jersey - my home state).

If you understand sports rivalries, you understand the intensity (sometimes insanity) that surrounds them. And when you are a Yankee fan, you know what happens when it comes time to play that team in New England that has only recently established a championship tradition. I think it goes without saying if you were to ask any Boston fan how they feel about the Yankees there is no love lost there. This rivalry is arguably the greatest in all of sports. It runs deep. There is history there. A lot of it. It is at times fun, at times heated, and it is in our blood. It is how we were raised. We understand that to be true.

My son? Well, he is five. He is growing up with me here in California. A long way from Jersey. But he knows why Daddy loves his Yanks and G-Men. He understands.

So, one day about a year ago, he asked me, "Daddy, why do you hate the Red Sox so much?" I replied to my impressionable little man, "Son, we don't say "hate" (wink wink). Now your Daddy is from Jersey and Daddy was raised a Yankees and Giants fan. And when you are from where I'm from, under no circumstances do you ever cheer for the Red Sox. It's just the way it is."

He then turns to me and says, "Well Daddy, what if I played for the Red Sox? Would you cheer for them then? Would you come to my games? Would you move to Boston?"

Needless to say, looking into his little eyes, I immediately responded, "YES! Of course son! Buddy, I will root for whatever team you play for, you are my son! And I love you more than anything in the world and if you have the opportunity to play for the Red Sox, I will root for them (wink, thinking...$$$$$$ - hey c'mon already — we all need a bailout)!"

"But Dad," he said, "what about the Yankees? Would you cheer for me when we played the Yankees?"

Perplexed, I said, "Yes, of course!" (thinking to myself, no self-respecting Yankee fan would EVER...wait...stop — this is my son...).

He smiled, hugged me and all was well in the world.

Until...

I found out today the Little League team that drafted him was...

...The Red Sox....

And Theo Epstein was nowhere in sight.

Reaction? Joy and pain. Like sunshine and rain.

And I already offered to help coach.

The anguish?

THIS IS LIKE A BUCKEYE WEARING MAIZE AND BLUE!
THIS IS LIKE A TAR HEEL JOINING THE CAMERON CRAZIES!
THIS IS LIKE WATCHING RUDY GIULIANI PUT THAT D*MN "B" BASEBALL HAT ON HIS HEAD WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO GET SOME STINKIN' VOTES! (Seriously, that was appalling — and he calls himself a Yankee fan)!?!?!
THIS IS LIKE A.ROD AND VARITEK TEXTING EACH OTHER!
THIS IS LIKE KEN STARR AND BILL CLINTON BEING FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK!

THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!

THIS IS “THE YANKEES AND THE RED SOX” PEOPLE!

Okay, I know. Perspective. He's five. And he's playing baseball and loving it and he's on...

...The Red Sox...

Oh man. And now here I am - having to put that damn "B" on my head, with those two freakin' words describing a color and clothing item across my chest.

My son's reaction? He laughed. Hard. And I did, too. We laughed for a while. It was a good laugh. A really good laugh. He knew what it meant. And he said, "Daddy, you must really love me because you sure don't love the Red Sox!" We laughed even harder.

We're going to have fun this season. He's my son and I'm his dad. Nothing - not even the Yankee - Red Sox rivalry — can separate that.

Oh man. The things we do for our kids.

Now, let's hope during football season he's not picked to be on the Redskins....

:-)

A Yankee Die Hard's Day of Reckoning

Okay.

Taking a break from the day. Have to share.

If I sent this to you, you understand you are either on the Yankees side of the fence or that team in Boston that's just learning how to build a winning tradition. Or you can't stand either team.

I love my Yankees. We all know our rivalry with Boston runs deep. It is at times fun, at times heated. Overall, it is in our blood. It is how we were raised. We understand that to be true.

Now I love my son. More than anything in the world. You all know that.

One day about a year ago, Houston asked me, "Daddy, why do you hate the Red Sox so much?" I replied to my impressionable little man, "Son, Daddy is from Jersey. Daddy was raised a Yankees and Giants fan. And when you are from where I'm from, under no circumstances do you ever cheer for the Red Sox. It's just the way it is."

So he turns to me and says, "Well Daddy, what if I played for the Red Sox? Would you cheer for them then? Would you come to my games? Would you move to Boston?"

Needless to say, I immediately responded, "YES! Of course Buddy! If you play professional sports, I'll cheer for whatever team you play for! You are my son! And I love you more than anything in the world!" (Think...$$$$$$)!

He smiled, hugged me and all was well in the world. Until...

I found out today the Little League team that drafted him was ... The Red Sox ... and Theo Epstein was nowhere in sight.

And I'm supposed to help coach.

Yes, I will take pictures of me in a Red Sox jersey and hat.

Oh man. The things we do for our kids.

You can stop laughing now.