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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2136254
T.O. returns to practice with Eagles
ESPN.com news services
Related Video:
Sal Palantonio on Owens impending meeting with Andy Reid ESPN Motion
PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens returned to practice with the Eagles on Wednesday, one week after he was dismissed from camp following a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid.
Owens, again wearing camouflage and listening to oversized headphones, arrived at Philadelphia's practice facility at 7:27 a.m. He was greeted by several dozen fans, some holding signs, including one that read "TO must go."
Owens jogged onto the practice field shortly before the morning session began at 8:45. He ran routes, caught passes and even interacted with teammates, a marked contrast from his reclusive behavior earlier in camp. It didn't appear he spoke to quarterback Donovan McNabb. The two have feuded all summer.
The disgruntled All-Pro wideout met briefly with Reid before practice.
"It was a good meeting," Reid said, avoiding questions about particulars. "He did a nice job. He worked very hard."
Owens missed several practices with a groin injury before he was sent home last week, but had been close to returning to practice.
After spending a few days at his home in Atlanta, Owens returned to Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. A police escort led him from the tarmac and away from fans and reporters waiting at the airport terminal.
Owens' return to his home in Moorestown, N.J., Wednesday night was met with the same hoopla as when he left. He ignored reporters' questions, waved to fans and signed some autographs from a green SUV. Owens was accompanied home by agent Drew Rosenhaus and publicist Kim Etheredge.
Owens had said he'll report and give his all to the NFC champions, but won't be happy because the Eagles won't redo his contract.
The Eagles also refuse to budge off their hard-line stance: Owens can play for them under the seven-year, $48.97 million deal contract he signed last year, or he won't play at all.
There was a message left on Owens' Web site last week that said he planned to catch more balls than he ever has and his "on-the-field heroics will far outweigh any off-field criticism."
"Terrell will return to camp and continue to display the work ethic, and on-the-field dedication that has made him one of the world's most elite athletes," the message said. "For you the fan, and your continued support in the most difficult of times, Terrell plans to reward you with a season for the ages. Where small men succumb, great men overcome!"
It's no surprise that Owens has gone to the Internet to state his side of the story. After all, he's gone to the media to blast Reid from his driveway where he did shirtless stomach crunches and ripped franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb on two separate television interviews.
Owens also said he had an antagonistic exchange with offensive coordinator Brad Childress, saying the offending words were repeated greetings of "Hey, Terrell."
"I have to deal with everybody that is here in a team setting and so when he is here in a team setting, we will deal with it," Childress said Saturday.
How Owens and the rest of the Eagles and coaches deal with each other remains the most intriguing question for the next few weeks. Owens had been distant on the field with his teammates during his short camp stint and barely acknowledged the cheering fans.
There seems to be an irreparable rift between Owens and McNabb, who lobbied to have the deep threat he desperately needed join the team last year.
Owens and McNabb both say they don't need to talk to each other privately or on the field. While Owens blasted McNabb, calling the quarterback a "hypocrite" and saying the two of could not be successful together [which contradicts his Web message], McNabb said the duo "can do special things together."
The Eagles sent Owens a letter detailing exactly why he was sent home last week after an argument with Reid. The team wanted to document exactly what its grievances are with Owens in case the bitter feud rises to the point where additional disciplinary action is necessary.
While the Eagles would love a happy Owens, right now they'd simply settle for a productive one. After cutting loose Freddie Mitchell and losing Todd Pinkston to a season-ending injury, the Eagles are thin and inexperienced at wide receiver.
Greg Lewis, Billy McMullen and Reggie Brown proved to be worthy targets for McNabb in Monday's game against Pittsburgh, finishing with a combined 12 receptions for 139 yards. Each had at least one catch for more than 20 yards.
Nice numbers, sure, but it's not the playmaking, showboating, exhilarating T.O.
Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle late in the season. He missed the final two regular-season games and the first two playoff games before returning for the Super Bowl, in which he had nine receptions for 122 yards.
The Super Bowl was the kind of effort that made Owens believe he was worth more than he was being paid. The Eagles' response? Tough.
What happens Wednesday can be the first step toward determining if the T.O. Show will go on in Philadelphia.
T.O. returns to practice with Eagles
ESPN.com news services
Related Video:
Sal Palantonio on Owens impending meeting with Andy Reid ESPN Motion
PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens returned to practice with the Eagles on Wednesday, one week after he was dismissed from camp following a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid.
Owens, again wearing camouflage and listening to oversized headphones, arrived at Philadelphia's practice facility at 7:27 a.m. He was greeted by several dozen fans, some holding signs, including one that read "TO must go."
Owens jogged onto the practice field shortly before the morning session began at 8:45. He ran routes, caught passes and even interacted with teammates, a marked contrast from his reclusive behavior earlier in camp. It didn't appear he spoke to quarterback Donovan McNabb. The two have feuded all summer.
The disgruntled All-Pro wideout met briefly with Reid before practice.
"It was a good meeting," Reid said, avoiding questions about particulars. "He did a nice job. He worked very hard."
Owens missed several practices with a groin injury before he was sent home last week, but had been close to returning to practice.
After spending a few days at his home in Atlanta, Owens returned to Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. A police escort led him from the tarmac and away from fans and reporters waiting at the airport terminal.
Owens' return to his home in Moorestown, N.J., Wednesday night was met with the same hoopla as when he left. He ignored reporters' questions, waved to fans and signed some autographs from a green SUV. Owens was accompanied home by agent Drew Rosenhaus and publicist Kim Etheredge.
Owens had said he'll report and give his all to the NFC champions, but won't be happy because the Eagles won't redo his contract.
The Eagles also refuse to budge off their hard-line stance: Owens can play for them under the seven-year, $48.97 million deal contract he signed last year, or he won't play at all.
There was a message left on Owens' Web site last week that said he planned to catch more balls than he ever has and his "on-the-field heroics will far outweigh any off-field criticism."
"Terrell will return to camp and continue to display the work ethic, and on-the-field dedication that has made him one of the world's most elite athletes," the message said. "For you the fan, and your continued support in the most difficult of times, Terrell plans to reward you with a season for the ages. Where small men succumb, great men overcome!"
It's no surprise that Owens has gone to the Internet to state his side of the story. After all, he's gone to the media to blast Reid from his driveway where he did shirtless stomach crunches and ripped franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb on two separate television interviews.
Owens also said he had an antagonistic exchange with offensive coordinator Brad Childress, saying the offending words were repeated greetings of "Hey, Terrell."
"I have to deal with everybody that is here in a team setting and so when he is here in a team setting, we will deal with it," Childress said Saturday.
How Owens and the rest of the Eagles and coaches deal with each other remains the most intriguing question for the next few weeks. Owens had been distant on the field with his teammates during his short camp stint and barely acknowledged the cheering fans.
There seems to be an irreparable rift between Owens and McNabb, who lobbied to have the deep threat he desperately needed join the team last year.
Owens and McNabb both say they don't need to talk to each other privately or on the field. While Owens blasted McNabb, calling the quarterback a "hypocrite" and saying the two of could not be successful together [which contradicts his Web message], McNabb said the duo "can do special things together."
The Eagles sent Owens a letter detailing exactly why he was sent home last week after an argument with Reid. The team wanted to document exactly what its grievances are with Owens in case the bitter feud rises to the point where additional disciplinary action is necessary.
While the Eagles would love a happy Owens, right now they'd simply settle for a productive one. After cutting loose Freddie Mitchell and losing Todd Pinkston to a season-ending injury, the Eagles are thin and inexperienced at wide receiver.
Greg Lewis, Billy McMullen and Reggie Brown proved to be worthy targets for McNabb in Monday's game against Pittsburgh, finishing with a combined 12 receptions for 139 yards. Each had at least one catch for more than 20 yards.
Nice numbers, sure, but it's not the playmaking, showboating, exhilarating T.O.
Owens had 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle late in the season. He missed the final two regular-season games and the first two playoff games before returning for the Super Bowl, in which he had nine receptions for 122 yards.
The Super Bowl was the kind of effort that made Owens believe he was worth more than he was being paid. The Eagles' response? Tough.
What happens Wednesday can be the first step toward determining if the T.O. Show will go on in Philadelphia.
