Incredibile ora TO vuole una nuova trade x andare a phillie!!!!!!!!
Owens not happy with trade, wants to play for Eagles
March 6, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens wants to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, not the Baltimore Ravens.
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One day after the San Francisco 49ers traded the four-time Pro Bowl receiver to Baltimore, Owens said he's not happy with the deal and plans to file a grievance regarding the situation.
"This is about me getting a fair shot at a team that I want to go to. Baltimore is definitely one of my choices, but Philly was my 'A' choice, my priority on my list," Owens said in a television interview late Friday night. "I talked to my agent earlier and we're going to file a grievance for the situation and we're going to hope for the best possible situation."
The Eagles, desperate for a No. 1 receiver, reportedly agreed to a contract with Owens that included a signing bonus believed to be worth about $10 million. But the volatile receiver was traded to the Ravens on Thursday before Philadelphia could work out a trade with San Francisco.
The Eagles wouldn't comment Friday. Owens' agent, David Joseph, didn't return phone calls from the Associated Press. Chad Steele, a spokesman for the Ravens, declined to comment Saturday.
Owens failed to become a free agent this week when he missed a deadline last month to void the final three seasons of his contract. Joseph already filed a grievance to resolve that matter.
"We're not idiots," Owens said. "This is something we've been waiting on. The 49ers have known that I was more than possibly going to void my contract. There's been a lot of backstabbing going on the last couple of years."
The Ravens sent a second-round pick to the 49ers for Owens.
Owens caught 80 passes for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns last season -- his lowest totals since 1999. He has been selected to the last four Pro Bowls while feuding with teammates, coaches, the 49ers' front office and the media.
Owens is due to make $17.7 million in base salary over the next three seasons, including $5.3 million next year -- a relative bargain for one of the NFL's best receivers.
The Eagles had perhaps the league's worst starting receivers, James Thrash and Todd Pinkston. The duo combined for just 85 catches and three TDs last season. In Philadelphia's 14-3 loss to Carolina in the NFC Championship Game, Thrash had one catch and Pinkston had none.
The Eagles, who have lost the conference title game the last three years, upgraded their defense by signing three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jevon Kearse to a $66 million, eight-year deal. But they still need a top target for Donovan McNabb, who has openly campaigned for the team to acquire Owens.
Owens spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round in 1996.
He and Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison are the only receivers with more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns over the past four seasons.
Owens also is known for a series of on-field celebrations and off-field conflicts.
Two years ago, he pulled out a pen and signed a ball after scoring a touchdown in Seattle. He wasn't fined for the move but was severely chastised by commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who said he would be disciplined for future stunts.
Owens also precipitated a melee during a game by dancing on the Dallas Cowboys' star at midfield after scoring.
Owens threw a sideline tantrum during a game against Cleveland last season, and lost it again the following week against Minnesota, chewing out offensive coordinator Greg Knapp after the 49ers were stopped on a fourth-and-1 running play.