I bet..., T.O. will get paid

Here's what i think: both sides have the other by the balls.

- Without T.O., the Eagles will not win the Super Bowl, not even come close. You saw friday just how much T.O. can do for that team, and how lackluster an offense they have without him.

- However, if T.O. decides to do something crazy like not show up in week 1, he loses money anyway, doesn't get any paychecks. Furthermore, he could be suspended and disciplined even more. Philly's management is so hardheaded and cocky, that they won't pay him...or will they?

I think somehow, someway, T.O. will get his money. Whether it's a deal done under the table so that the Eagle's management saves face, he is simply too valuable to their SB chances. All that..."we're a team, one person isn't bigger than the squad" talk you hear from Andy Reid doesn't apply to this situation. The reality is that if T.O. isn't playing, Philly ain't winning. Reid and everyone else knows this. Like i said, he'd never admit that nor would the Philly front office, but when ur a special player like T.O., special exemptions are made, whether others like it or not. It won't come out till he's retired or something, but i guarantee you T.O. will get his money in some form sometime this year.

This post has been edited by GatorBuc99 on Aug 27 2005, 08:08 AM

Your probably right, but I think he'll get his money in the offseason, especially if the Eagles win the SB.

I refuse to fight this stupid fight any longer. I will say this though, the Eagles have a stronger defense then in past years. In past years they were deep into the playoffs with Duce at HB, and Thrash, Pinkston, and Mitchell at WR. Lewis and Brown are a step up over Thrash and Pinkston. Westbrook and Moats are a step up over Duce, more versitile. LJ Smith is a better athlete at TE compared to Chad Lewis.

^^^typical blind iggles fan 2 rookies, one unproven player(Lewis), an athletic, but inconsistent TE, and a versatile back isn't quite SB worthy skill position talent. All u have to do is look at the Pre-T.O. Mac5 numbers compared to last year's #'s. not such a stupid fight man..it's a totally legit point.

This post has been edited by GatorBuc99 on Aug 27 2005, 01:04 PM

From a talent standpoint, this current team is much, much better. The players will make the plays. Don't you worry. Thrash and Pinkston, hell, give me a damn break. The defense is also light years better then in years past. This much I know to be true. The defense can carry the team, if need be.

I guess only in the eastern part of the United States can fans expect unproven players to contribute right away. You have the Patriot contingent believing all that glitters is gold, and all that is gold must be a Patriot. And in Philadelphia, after a rash of success in finding rookies, now all rookies are supposed to start and play right away. Sorry to dissapoint you, but Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis are inconsistent and probably should not be starting

I agree the defense is better as a whole, but the depth behind some of the players is shaky.

Being a Titans fan, Jevon Kearse will go down with an injury, or be nagged by one, and the depth behind him will be exposed. Regardless of how many Eagles fans come in this thread and praise how great the team is, you cannot tell me with a straight face Hugh Douglas is still a good player. Your first round hiccup, Jerome McDougle, has missed 13 games in two seasons.

The only adequate spot is defensive tackle where they have four DTs any team would love to have in Sam Rayburn, Mike Patterson, Corey Simon, and Darwin Walker.

At linebacker the team is pretty thin. Matt McCoy is still adjusting to the NFL while Keith Adams and Mark Simoneau should be backing players up, not starting.

The defensive secondary is a tale of two positions. The corners are full and able, but the depth behind the safeties is subpar at best.

This post has been edited by Skorik on Aug 27 2005, 03:28 PM

With their proven track record, I can go out on a limb and feel confident about them, as a team. Men have stepped up and gems have been found. Its ok for other teams to count on young players and rookies, but not the Eagles? As for the depth at Safety, have you considered Quinten Mikell, or Sean Considine. Mikell is a solid safety who was actually brought up in trade rumors with the Packers. The corner spot has very good depth, with Rod Hood, Dexter Wynn, and Matt Ware waiting in the wings.

This post has been edited by The Mike Aitkens on Aug 27 2005, 04:51 PM

Am I running around saying the Titans won't miss a beat by starting two young defensive ends while releasing Kevin Carter? Of course teams have to rely on young players, that is how the Patriots have won three championships since players like Asante Samuel, Richard Seymour, David Givens, Daniel Graham, Russ Hochstein have all stepped up after being passed over (Hochstein) or simply being a diamond in the rough (Asante Samuel).

But to say Ryan Moats can easily come in and produce? Or Reggie Brown? That seems like a bit of a stretch.

It's not like they're asking either of them to do much. Moats is in there to take some carries so that Westbrook doesn't have to run inside and Brown is the 3rd WR...by far an upgrade over any receiver not named Terrell Owens last year even as a rookie.

Moats will be asked around 100 carries this season, since Levens had about that last year.

More importantly, for all the grinding Levens did outside he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and had five rushing touchdowns. If Moats can't make plays behind the line scrimmage when people have a hand on him already, it will be a long year in terms of rushing for the Eagles.

Levens was awful last year, and has been awful for a long time now. He got stuffed more than a 30lb turkey on Thanksgiving. He had one big run that bloated his stats and anyone can get one yard (TDs).

Which is why he has played ten years in the league and found employment?

He had one bad year with the Giants, but sandwiching that year were two good ones with the Eagles.

Todd Pinkston: 36 rec. 6 TDs. I am 100% positive that Greg Lewis can handle putting up those numbers. Pinkston stretched the field, but so does Greg Lewis. Lewis also has better speed, and is more physical.

Freddie Mitchell: 22 rec. 2 TDs. Reggie Brown should be able to produce those type of stats, possibly better.

Chad Lewis: 29 rec. 3 TDs. LJ Smith should be putting up 7-10 TDs this season. He is primed for a breakout year.

As for Dorsey Levens, he was not a threat AT ALL in the passing game. Moats is light years more of a threat in the passing game. He has also showed that he has the ability to fight for the tough yardage between the tackles. Expecting 150 touches and 4 TDs shouldn't be asking too much from him.

Eh, if we are talking about the Eagles and not TO in here I'll bring up the fact that the NFC flat out stunk last year and will be much better this year.

That combined with injuries, fights and a lack of depth will keep Philly from the NFC Championship.

I have no problem with most teams putting stock into thier rookies, but when you are going to contend for the Super Bowl, I want a player that has proved himself in the NFL, not in the NCAA or at the combine. Young players are fine for teams trying to get to the playoffs as thier season goals, not for teams trying to get over the hump of being so close to champions.

The simple fact is that if TO doesn't play, he doesn't get paid. He's not dumb enough to give up a season's worth of pay. He'll play, and he'll play well, as he'll likely be playing for a new contract after this season.

why not just make him a big incentive deal for this year

Let's not forget that TO is averaging roughly 7 million annually on his current deal (whatever a contract is worth these days). It's not like he's being paid the league minimum. As I see it, the only party with a hold on the genitals is management.

so u mean to tell me the Eagles are SB worthy without T.O., BF? 'cuz if they aren't, as i contend..then it's safe to say T.O. has them by the balls as much as they do him.

I don't think Terrell Owens will play well because he had the same exact opportunity to do the same in San Francisco and consistently took plays off, and did not play all too well some games, having one of his worst seasons (by his standards). Also, it should be noted that the 49ers did god awful that year, basically because the team was purging itself of expensive players, but the Terrell Owens situation only made it worst.

If you think a player will play well because his contract says so, you are higher than a kite. Aren't people at McDonalds asked to make food and they get paid? They make a god awful cheeseburger with the patty hanging off the bun, and say it is a cheeseburger and give it to you. Terrell Owens will jog some routes, make eye contact with Andy Reid, and say thats a Go Route.

The Eagles should have done something for him a long time ago rather than let this mess linger on.

I don't think Terrell Owens will play well because he had the same exact opportunity to do the same in San Francisco and consistently took plays off, and did not play all too well some games, having one of his worst seasons (by his standards). Also, it should be noted that the 49ers did god awful that year, basically because the team was purging itself of expensive players, but the Terrell Owens situation only made it worst.

If you think a player will play well because his contract says so, you are higher than a kite. Aren't people at McDonalds asked to make food and they get paid? They make a god awful cheeseburger with the patty hanging off the bun, and say it is a cheeseburger and give it to you. Terrell Owens will jog some routes, make eye contact with Andy Reid, and say thats a Go Route.

The Eagles should have done something for him a long time ago rather than let this mess linger on.

He also got a sh!t contract in his eyes as a result of that season. I think he's smart enough to realize that. Also with his actions during the past offseason, he's going to have to put up amazing numbers to get the type of money that he's looking for. The man might be an idiot, but he's not retarded.

he wasn't gonna see 60, 65% of that money anyway, even if this whole squabble hadn't occured.

Levens had his best yrs at RB with the Packers. It's been all downhill since.

TO will NOT be paid, IMO. He has no leverage, despite his immense ability that was showcased again on Friday night.

The Eagles are just too stubborn to cave on this, not to mention the pressure from the other teams not to cave, and will also not even admit they need TO to win.

I disagree. TO puts them there again, but that doesn't mean they still can't pull it off. The D is incredible and the O still has McNabb and Westbrook. The other wideouts will do just enough.

Kearse avoided injury pretty much all of last year. He was only nicked up a couple times. Sure, he had a bad stretch of injuries, but that doesn't mean he will automatically be hurt again. If every team feared injuries for their stars, no one would have a job.
And no, Hugh is not a star anymore. But what he is is fine - a situational pass rusher with heart and talent who has worked himself into his best shape in 2 years. McDougle will come back soon enough and ND Kalu is also decent. Sure, they don't have 8 deep here, but what team does?

Trotter is a stud in the middle and Dhani Jones is a decent LB himself. Adams has speed and heart to make up for less than desirable size and talent, but remember, not every position has to be manned by All-Pros to have a good team...

OK, they don't Pro-Bowlers as backup S's, but c'mon... Dawkins and Lewis are the best S combo in the league. Silly point, here. I forgot Dallas went out and picked up Ed Reed to back up Roy Williams - Detroit, here they come.

Exactly, nepcorrect. The Eagles don't need Moats to be a Payton-esque blocker; they just need him to get in the way a little bit for McNabb to step away from the rush and make a play. McNabb may not have Manning's accuracy, but he sure as hell doesn't need the time that Manning does. McNabb can make plays, either in the pocket, moving around, or flat-out running. It's a wonderful luxury.

OK, that's enough for now. My point has long been made, anyway. The Eagles will again dominate, TO or no TO. TO will just make them that much better.

I bet TO doesn't get paid until he shows he can be a team player, not be a distraction, and play like the best WR in the NFL. The Eagles have already shown they are not going to pay him just because he wants it really bad, so why would it change now?