Analysis: Owens standing tall in spite of poor start
Bills WR Terrell Owens has never been one to shy away from the limelight. Yesterday he did his best to get back into it, calling his 2009 stats “pathetic.”
According to the Associated Press, Owens still believes in his ability as a receiver, despite not having a single game this season where he has totalled more than 60 yards. He also feels strongly that his early-spring guarantee of a 10 touchdown season will come to pass, saying “I’ve got to hold up my end of the bargain.”
For his critics, this season has been perfect, proving (at least in their minds) that T.O. is a nonfactor, and is deserving of being relegated to the NFL’s basement. But Owens certainly isn’t going down without a fight, and love him or hate him, you have to respect that he’s willing to stand up like a man and take his medicine.
“They’re pathetic to be honest. Definitely, for myself, it’s very, very frustrating. I hear a lot of people saying I’ve hit the wall, I can’t play any more, this and that. I mean, I know I can play. I’m frustrated, but I mean, what can I do? I just continue to try to work hard, continue to try to do the best I can.”
– Buffalo WR Terrell Owens, on his 2009 stats.
Much of the blame for Owens’ poor start this season can be laid at the feet of his offensive line, who have given up 21 sacks on the season, forcing the Bills’ QBs to scramble for their lives instead of standing tall and throwing downfield to T.O. It also hasn’t helped that Buffalo has had little continuity in the offensive gameplan from week to week, with offensive coordinator Turk Schonert being dismissed early in the season.
But whatever the cause of his decline, Owens is still the proud (and sometimes arrogant) receiver we’ve known for years, and is not likely to go away with the wind anytime soon. His production may never reach what it once was in San Francisco, Philadelphia, or Dallas but you can bet your last dollar bill on him continuing to fight each week.
That’s the T.O. we expect to see, and like it or not, he’s still on everyone’s radar screen, albeit as a much smaller blip in the corner.
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