Countdown to Kickoff - 92 Days
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by user Christof
This is the first in a series of opinions, leading to the start of the 2006 NFL Season.
Today is June 7, 2006. The first game of the NFL season is slated for September 7. The season will open when the Colts visit the Giants.
In prepartion for this joyous occassion, which is only 92 days away, lets look at one of big story lines this season. Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys.
Being a Philadelphia Eagles fan and season ticket holder, I have had the opportunity to witness the Owens era in Philadelphia live. Contrary to reports, Mr. Owens was not the angel everyone says he was during the 2004 seasons. Many remember the sideline "stalking incident" between Owens and Dononvan McNabb during the Eagles game (and first loss) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shortly thereafter, there was an interview in the local papers with Owens in which he complained that he was not getting the ball enough.
Fast forward to after the Dallas Cowboys game in December - the game that saw Owens go down with a broken ankle, thanks to a horse-collar tackle by Roy Williams. During the week after the game, Owens did an interview with Stephen A. Smith. The article that then appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer clearly showed a less than happy T.O. with the Eagles organization. However, the Eagles were on their Super Bowl run, and the media, especially the local Philadelphia media, did not push this issue.
As far as 2005, well, we all know how that turned out between TO and the Eagles.
Now what to make of TO in Dallas. Well, you have an old fashion, no non-sense coach in Bill Parcels. You have an aging quarterback in Drew Bledsoe, who already has his favorite throwing target - Terry Glenn. You have no offensive line. This all leads to the following conclusion:
T.O. will rip apart the Dallas Cowboys like he did the Eagles this season. Sure, T.O. will be "good" as long as the Cowboys win. However, if they start losing, and they will, then the real T.O. (a.k.a. Leon) will re-appear. The magic number is 3: 3 losses. After that point is reached, T.O. will resort back to his old self ways: he will start ripping the Tuna, he will throw Bledsoe under the bus, he will divide the locker room.
The sad thing is: the so called "experts" and national writers and sportscasters think T.O. will be an angel this year. Peter King, football writer for Sports Illustrated, has already predicted the Cowboys to win the Super Bowl. (Side note - Peter, we all know that the Tuna is your boy from your days working the beat at Newsday, but come on, you need to get off your knees and see reality).
Anyway, as the Countdown to Kickoff occurs, keep in mind that Countdown for T.O.'s meltdown is occurring as well.
Date
Wed 06/07/06, 6:29 am EST
