Owens misses start of Bills' voluntary workouts

[Biggems]

The Buffalo Bills' voluntary conditioning program began Monday, March 23 ( article ). The National Alzheimer's Gala was scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 ( website ).

As always, Terrell Owens had a choice. His choices were:

A) attended the Gala and receive recognition for his work in fighting the disease

B) attended the voluntary minicamp, demonstrate symbolically to everyone (front office, new teammates, fans and the media) that he is willing to show his face even though he does not have to be there

C) attend the voluntary minicamp on Monday and Tuesday, score public relations points with his new team, fans and the media, fly to Washington D.C. on Wednesday (thus missing the third day of minicamp instead of the first and second days), attended the Gala and score even more public relations points with his new team, fans, the media, plus soak in the recognition from others praising him for his charity work--which he is unquestionably deserving of

Which choice did Owens take? A. And that should not surprise (literally) anyone.

Which choice never entered his mind? B, also known as the Darren Hambrick rule of "What Do Voluntary Mean?" which is embraced by a number of players in addition to Owens.

Which choice would have been the smart one? C.

That's Terrell Owens. Always has been. Always will be.

I wonder where Owens will be today, which is Thursday a.k.a. the day after the Gala a.k.a. the fourth day of the voluntary minicamp? Stay tuned.

EDIT! STOP THE PRESSES!

The Bills conditioning program runs four days a week, with most players usually working Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, while taking Wednesdays off. But the schedule is flexible for players to move workout days up a day or back a day depending on other offseason obligations.

- http://www.buffalobills.com/news/ar...workouts/35cbba03-b43d-49de-b0c5-cdce9d38e0a2

~inserts Looney Tunes theme~ That's Terrell!

Yeah cause TO needs that offseason conditioning program.........what with his doughboy physique and all

 

[JVita17]

I really thought voluntary meant voluntary. I guess him spending time with the Gala is so horrible to some people. Even if he wanted to ski on dirt at this time and moment I wouldnt have a problem with him missing a VOLUNTARY workout.

 

[DallasEast]

Yeah cause TO needs that offseason conditioning program.........what with his doughboy physique and all

zoom! (over head)

Please remember what I, myself, stated:

...his charity work--which he is unquestionably deserving of

Which choice never entered his mind? B, also known as the Darren Hambrick rule of "What Do Voluntary Mean?" which is embraced by a number of players in addition to Owens.

People continually miss the point. Owens isn't the only player who has or will intentionally miss voluntary workouts. Unfortunately, given his history, Owens is not like every other player in the eyes of the media and his critics.

If he desires to prevent any unnecessary media or public criticism, Owens should consider how his actions will be preceived and act accordingly. By doing so, he can help deflect, minimize or eliminate criticism direct at him. In this case, he could have shown up at minicamp even though he does not need to.

In other words, YES, he does not have to be in camp for conditioning purposes, BUT by doing so, he creates the preception that he is a team player. That preception would generate positive feedback from the media, etc. instead of negative criticism.

That's the point. For him and other highly criticized players who do not willingly participate in voluntary camps, it has always been the point. Of course, the fact remains that Owens doesn't give a damn about media or public perception, so que sera sera, what will be will be.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Or he can simply not care what the media or a bunch of whinny people think about him not making it to a voluntary week of conditioning. I mean if the guy were going to come in once things mattered, out of shape, and crap then people could give him a hard time but since he'll still be the best conditioned athlete on the Bills team, come the stuff that actually matters, I think TO should probably go about his business and not give a crap about what the media thinks.

 

[DallasEast]

Or he can simply not care what the media or a bunch of whinny people think about him not making it to a voluntary week of conditioning. I mean if the guy were going to come in once things mattered, out of shape, and crap then people could give him a hard time but since he'll still be the best conditioned athlete on the Bills team, come the stuff that actually matters, I think TO should probably go about his business and not give a crap about what the media thinks.

Again, he doesn't give a damn. That's obvious. Well, I'm wrong. Terrell Owens doesn't give a damn about media, fan, etc. perception UNTIL he feels that it is impacting him in a negative way--at which time he reacts in typical Terrell Owens fashion and questions loudly, "Why me?"