Is TO High Maintenance?

[fortdick]

Teams will adjust if we are killing them with other weapons and TO will get his but as TO said they were sending double teams on him and Romo being the smart QB he is will not throw into the teeth of what the defense is doing. Take what they are going to give you and they will backoff and adjust. Believe or not I do think TO may be maturing and understands that on this team there are others who can pull off the big plays and his will come within the game but you don't force things and as I said if a defense is willing to stop a player they can and there is nothing you can do about it except to attack them elsewhere. I once saw John Taylor go for over 200 yards and 3 TD because the Rams refused to let Rice beat them but in the end the Rams still got smoked and Montana was smart enough not to just throw into the teeth of the defense.

So now you are comparing Romo to Montana?

Sorry, but I hate it when people do that. And, for that reason, I thought I would do it to you.

 

[Doomsday101]

So now you are comparing Romo to Montana?

Sorry, but I hate it when people do that. And, for that reason, I thought I would do it to you.

:laugh1: No Joe is Joe and Tony is Tony but I think Tony is smart enough to take what the defenses are giving him and smart enough to look to the open man regardless of who he is.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good post, Coco.

Of course T.O. is extremely high maintenance. If Jerry and the team decide he's worth all the kowtowing that's necessary just to keep his head right, I guess that's okay. But I personally hate to put so much importance on such an unstable player.

I mean, look at this quote from the last game:

Said Owens: "I didn't get the ball in the first half, but I decided to stay positive and stay in the game."

Wow. Great job, T.O. Like Chris Rock said, you want a cookie for that?

And you are totally right about those bad routes early. Like you say, we DID try to get the ball to him, but he and Romo weren't on the same page. Based on Romo's throws to everyone else and T.O.'s history, I think we know who was to blame on those. Last year, several people reported that T.O. ran wrong routes pretty often, but the T.O. fans wouldn't hear anything of it. Well, it's just the truth.

I still have a feeling it's just a matter of time until he goes off, and not in a good way. I'm not saying it will destroy the team, but it kind of sucks that we have other very talented players on this team who don't have to need an entire team of handlers and pep-talkers just to keep them on the right track.

 

[Doomsday101]

I completely understand what you are saying. TO has changed some... actually I dont even know if its "he changed" as much as it is that this teams seems to know what it is doing and he knows that they will use him.

In San Fran and Philly... when did things go bad? when they were (1)losing or when (2)he wasnt getting the ball.

So far so good on (1)"winning" and (2)"getting him the ball"

I agree TO said that he knows that the team wants to get the ball to him but he also understands that there are going to be times when Romo has to get the ball to the open man. If he is doubled then someone else is open.

 

[DallasEast]

So why was a Jerry Jones & Jason Garrett pep talk in order at half time? Not saying TO asked for it, but I don't think our offensive braintrust had anything to apologize for.

It doesn't matter whether Owens asked for it or not.

Additionally, if the organization from Jerry Jones on down feels that it must apologize to Owens so that it can get a high return on its investment in him, so be it.

Call it what you want, 'a necessary evil', yada yada yada, etc. When focused, Owens is a premier wide receiver with only a handful of peers (i.e. Harrison, Steve Smith, etc.). If he's not focused, he could potentially be a distraction which could affect his and the offense's efficiency.

Jones and Co. must take every step necessary to keep Owens in the game (so to speak) EVERY week. If that means that he needs a pep talk, cool. If that means he's being 'pampered', ditto.

Owens is an offensive weapon who can shred opposing defenses if he's kept involved in the offense; but if he should wander off into OwensLand, he could morph from being an gameday asset to a gameday liability. Or worse.

If it means that the team has to grovel at his feet to fulfill his contract, that's just the way it's going to be.

 

[WV Cowboy]

This thread is amazing, ... ignorant, but amazing none the less.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

It doesn't matter whether Owens asked for it or not.

Additionally, if the organization from Jerry Jones on down feels that it must apologize to Owens so that it can get a high return on its investment in him, so be it.

Call it what you want, 'a necessary evil', yada yada yada, etc. When focused, Owens is a premier wide receiver with only a handful of peers (i.e. Harrison, Steve Smith, etc.). If he's not focused, he could potentially be a distraction which could affect his and the offense's efficiency.

Jones and Co. must take every step necessary to keep Owens in the game (so to speak) EVERY week. If that means that he needs a pep talk, cool. If that means he's being 'pampered', ditto.

Owens is an offensive weapon who can shred opposing defenses if he's kept involved in the offense; but if he should wander off into OwensLand, he could morph from being an gameday asset to a gameday liability. Or worse.

If it means that the team has to grovel at his feet to fulfill his contract, that's just the way it's going to be.

Great post.
Smart too... seeing the bigger picture.

Reminds me of 1977 when Reggie Jackson wasnt doing so well in World Series.... so it comes down to Game 7..... who other than Joltin' Joe DiMaggio comes into the locker room.... ignores Billy Martin(well just waived at him as he walks by him to make a b-line for Reggie Jackson). Anyways... Joe tells Reggie that he is "special" he has the "gift" etc.....

Reggie goes to batting practice and hits dozens out of the park... dont think he missed one.... then comes the game... Reggie hit THREE HR's...

Get my point.

 

[DallasEast]

Great post.
Smart too... seeing the bigger picture.

Always have. You will not find one post made by me on this forum which disputes Owens' skills as a wide receiver. His head, OTOH...

Reminds me of 1977 when Reggie Jackson wasnt doing so well in World Series.... so it comes down to Game 7..... who other than Joltin' Joe DiMaggio comes into the locker room.... ignores Billy Martin(well just waived at him as he walks by him to make a b-line for Reggie Jackson). Anyways... Joe tells Reggie that he is "special" he has the "gift" etc.....

Reggie goes to batting practice and hits dozens out of the park... dont think he missed one.... then comes the game... Reggie hit THREE HR's...

Get my point.

You'll need a better example for your point.

I've been a New York Yankees fan for past 32 years. IF (and that's stretching the word) Jackson could be labeled as a head case while he was wearing pinstripes, it could equally be said that he's would have correctly been labeled as a head case which existed several levels below that of Owens'.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I've been a New York Yankees fan for past 32 years. IF (and that's stretching the word) Jackson could be labeled as a head case while he was wearing pinstripes, it could equally be said that he's would have correctly been labeled as a head case which existed several levels below that of Owens'.

Actually the point I wanted to make was made. The "pep talk" worked.


Now as to the level of head case each one is/was. At the time(Reggie) it was "high profile" and got alot of attention and distracted the team.
Reggie talked trash about Manangers decisions, about other players play, etc. Still the point I was trying to make was the "pep talk"

 

[CoCo]

This thread is amazing, ... ignorant, but amazing none the less.

Don't just tell us how ignorant we are.

Do something productive about it instead of just being critical. Enlighten us.

 

[iceberg]

A certain percentage of you will respond "duh."

Let me also say I'm not a TO hater. All is forgiven, lets move forward.

Some Cowboy fans still hate TO & some have bent over hard to say he's been 100% misunderstood. The rest of us are somewhere in between.

So I rewatched the 1st half last night and noticed something.

First, for all the talk from the announcers about how you need to get TO involved from the get go, uhhh, we tried to do just that. We threw to him in the first series and I'll bet at least 4 other times in the first half. Its not like we weren't trying. So why was a Jerry Jones & Jason Garrett pep talk in order at half time? Not saying TO asked for it, but I don't think our offensive braintrust had anything to apologize for.

Second, far and away, the ugliest plays we ran in the first half were to TO. He and ROMO were not on the same page. Clearly Romo was expecting routes different than what TO was running. Considering how razor sharp Romo was with everyone else, I found that interesting. At one point in the 2nd quarter after another disconnect Romo is clearly frustrated as he heads off the field. We don't know why. We can only speculate.

At this point the haters are probably ready to cut loose. The back-breaking apologists, the same in the other direction. That's not the purpose of my post although I know any TO thread is risky. Rather, for the level-headed I'm simply asking for perspective on just how much maintenance this guy requires, even when things are seemingly smooth and also is TO a big time free-lancer on his routes? undisciplined? confused? Or is it early adjustments to a new offense?

TO has been fine.

it's all the "Crap" around him that gets old. people looking for a problem, peopel saying he's "high maintenance" with nothing to go on since he's been a cowboy...

he's been great since he's been here. let's just leave it at that and quit picking on a past problem.

 

[tyke1doe]

Of course, TO is high maintenance.

But all he ever wanted was ...

1.) His money (pay him what he's worth according to the value he places upon himself and his skills)
2.) The ball (let him earn his money by giving it to him often)
3.) Praise (tell him how great he is)


No different than any other high-maintenance relationship.

 

[JoeCorrado]

Terrell Owens is not high maintenance. He just likes to be recognized for what he brings to the field. He wants to feel appreciated and while some may say that as a professional he does not need to be told "good job, we appreciate the effort" the truth is that it is just human nature for any of us to have the need to feel appreciated and to be told so.

That is not high maintenance in my opinion. That is such a small price to pay to have him on the filed giving 100% on a weekly basis.

Remember when the Eagles let his 100th TD go unrecognized? Things were never the same after that. The Eagles played like 100 TD's was nothing special, we all know different. Just a difference in styles between the organizations but had he hit the 100 TD mark as a Cowboy I doubt that the team would have allowed it to go by without some sort of recognition.

His contract is based on performance alone- that has zero to do with maintenance, but it does have a lot to do with getting the ball and the opportunity. All the great ones want the ball... those who don't want the ball will never be confused with the greats.

 

[fortdick]

Terrell Owens is not high maintenance. He just likes to be recognized for what he brings to the field. He wants to feel appreciated and while some may say that as a professional he does not need to be told "good job, we appreciate the effort" the truth is that it is just human nature for any of us to have the need to feel appreciated and to be told so.

That is not high maintenance in my opinion. That is such a small price to pay to have him on the filed giving 100% on a weekly basis.

I am sure all players want recognition, but you have to admit, TO whines for it more than anyone.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

That is such a small price to pay to have him on the filed giving 100% on a weekly basis.

Yes it is.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

It doesn't matter whether Owens asked for it or not.

Additionally, if the organization from Jerry Jones on down feels that it must apologize to Owens so that it can get a high return on its investment in him, so be it.

Call it what you want, 'a necessary evil', yada yada yada, etc. When focused, Owens is a premier wide receiver with only a handful of peers (i.e. Harrison, Steve Smith, etc.). If he's not focused, he could potentially be a distraction which could affect his and the offense's efficiency.

Jones and Co. must take every step necessary to keep Owens in the game (so to speak) EVERY week. If that means that he needs a pep talk, cool. If that means he's being 'pampered', ditto.

Owens is an offensive weapon who can shred opposing defenses if he's kept involved in the offense; but if he should wander off into OwensLand, he could morph from being an gameday asset to a gameday liability. Or worse.

If it means that the team has to grovel at his feet to fulfill his contract, that's just the way it's going to be.

T.O. is not the first athlete in professional sports to be treated a little different. Special players=special circumstances.
Im not saying its OK, but it does not happen, and T.O. is not the first athlete to be coddled.

These threads are incredible.

 

[CoCo]

The title I chose for this thread was admittedly weak. I struggled with what to call it and threw that on as I had to get going.

And I'm not opposed to special treatments for special players. I understand that is sometimes the best path. Two points I am concerned a bit with though.

1 - The half-time pep talk when in fact Romo threw TO's way several times in the opening half. Then TO's response after the game that he decided to try to stay positive. That whole sequence just makes me uneasy.

2 - The other issue is the missed connections in the first half and the possibility that it may have been caused in part by TO's route running. I guess I'd like to believe that TO is doing everything possible to make sure he is a reliable target so Romo CAN push the ball his way. If TO runs improper routes it doesn't help us get him what he wants and of course more importantly make the team productive.

If you're going to demand the ball you darn well need to be doing all the right things to make that possible. I'm trying not to be conclusive about TO's level of fault in that as I truly don't know. I just noticed some interesting coincidences from Sunday's game (including Romo demonstrating frustration) and was interested in what others thought about it.

I knew this topic was sure to get some "noisy" responses, and it has. I appreciate the thought that some have given.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

2 - The other issue is the missed connections in the first half and the possibility that it may have been caused in part by TO's route running. I guess I'd like to believe that TO is doing everything possible to make sure he is a reliable target so Romo CAN push the ball his way. If TO runs improper routes it doesn't help us get him what he wants and of course more importantly make the team productive.

If you're going to demand the ball you darn well need to be doing all the right things to make that possible. I'm trying not to be conclusive about TO's level of fault in that as I truly don't know. I just noticed some interesting coincidences from Sunday's game (including Romo demonstrating frustration) and was interested in what others thought about it.

I knew this topic was sure to get some "noisy" responses, and it has. I appreciate the thought that some have given.

I dont know myself... but if TO is in fact not running clean or the right routes then it HAS TO BE REMEDIED. BY TO. No excuses.

 

[iceberg]

The title I chose for this thread was admittedly weak. I struggled with what to call it and threw that on as I had to get going.

And I'm not opposed to special treatments for special players. I understand that is sometimes the best path. Two points I am concerned a bit with though.

1 - The half-time pep talk when in fact Romo threw TO's way several times in the opening half. Then TO's response after the game that he decided to try to stay positive. That whole sequence just makes me uneasy.

2 - The other issue is the missed connections in the first half and the possibility that it may have been caused in part by TO's route running. I guess I'd like to believe that TO is doing everything possible to make sure he is a reliable target so Romo CAN push the ball his way. If TO runs improper routes it doesn't help us get him what he wants and of course more importantly make the team productive.

If you're going to demand the ball you darn well need to be doing all the right things to make that possible. I'm trying not to be conclusive about TO's level of fault in that as I truly don't know. I just noticed some interesting coincidences from Sunday's game (including Romo demonstrating frustration) and was interested in what others thought about it.

I knew this topic was sure to get some "noisy" responses, and it has. I appreciate the thought that some have given.

if you're talking TO "on the field" then i would say yes, he is. like any player who wants to win and excel, he gives his all and he expects it in return. we've not had that at WR since irvin was carried off the field.

that said - i think the perception is that he's high maintenance more than he actually could be. meaning we expect him to be a whiner som sometimes we look for it. when we see something that could be close we call him a "whiner" where we'd call someone an active participant. so i think his rep hurts him here but he did that to himself over the years.

now - last week in game 1 did he cause any problems w/o getting the ball in the 1st half? not that i know of. he even went in at 1/2 talking about the team not the TO. maybe people can change and maybe TOs grown up finally. i hope so cause the TO that's been here in dallas to date we need. badly.

off the field i think he's been fine. we're gonna bring in tank and many ignore his past but tanks past is legally troubled. to's is just personal. but when you're the cowboys and your history "goes to 11" - people watch more.

nature of the beast.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Is he high maintenance?


In a word HELLZ YEAH


Get open and the ball will be thrown to you.