Terrell Owens? Not all that popular with NFL fans. Or management. Teams are lining up to say they won't sign the talented, but melodramatic wide-receiver, and fans don't mind a bit. An ESPN SportsNation poll says 73% do not want their team to sign Owens and fans voting in smaller polls around the country feel the same.What the French, Toast? Let's think about this for a minute. Okay, Owens is a prima donna who drops too many balls. Granted, dealing with Drew Rosenhaus is nobody's idea of a good time -- unless you like being thought of as chum. But Owens is still a big, strong, fast wide-out who could make a bad team better and send an average team to the playoffs. He's a top ten WR, easy. Also, what with getting cut by Dallas and all, he will probably come out next season looking to prove himself.
Sure, the guy has a big mouth and a bigger ego, but let's keep it in perspective. Compared to a lot of players in the NFL, Owens is practically a saint. He's never been accused of shooting anyone, robbing anyone, of beating a girlfriend or using steroids. His work ethic is unmatched, and his massive will to win is obvious. The worst you can say about the guy is that he likes money and talks too much. Big freaking deal.
The massive negative reaction to Owens is understandable. Owens has always been too fond of the spotlight. But just being sick of someone's face is no reason to keep your football team from winning games.
Sports by Brooks read Seth Davis' new book about the 1979 NCAA Championship game, "When March Went Mad: The Game That Transformed College Basketball." Apparently, even back in the late 1970's, Billy Packer was already a jerk.
Last night, David Letterman had the Top Ten Reasons to Watch the World Baseball Classic:
More, this time from Bugs and Cranks, on the comedy goldmine that is the WBC. Or forget baseball altogether ( at least until your fantasy draft) and see ESPN the Magazine's story on a few other stick-and-ball games played around the world. Bonus: Many have silly uniforms. Double-bonus: Some have an umlaut in their names.
