more TO stuff
T.O. makes it official: He's playing in the Super Bowl
By BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer
February 2, 2005
AP - Feb 1, 8:39 pm EST
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- He's not limping. He's not feeling any pain. He's embracing the biggest spotlight in sports.
And the way Terrell Owens is talking, it's ludicrous that anyone would doubt he'd be ready for Sunday's Super Bowl.
Owens didn't waste any time Tuesday pronouncing himself fit for the Philadelphia Eagles' first try at the NFL title since 1981. Less than a minute into media day, he let the world know that T.O. would be in the house -- Alltel Stadium -- and in uniform against the New England Patriots.
``I feel great, I'm proving people wrong, the sky is the limit for me,'' he said. ``There are no limitations.''
Well, maybe a few, but the All-Pro wide receiver basically is ignoring them. He doesn't have clearance from the doctor who performed surgery on his right leg after he severely injured it on Dec. 19 against Dallas. Nor has he taken a regular role in any practice sessions.
No matter to Owens, who confidently predicted last month he would be in the lineup when the Eagles got to the big game.
``I will play on Sunday,'' he reiterated during a question and answer session that often resembled a monologue. ``I know the type person I am; I have a lot of faith in my ability.
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``I told the guys in the locker room: You guys just get us into the Super Bowl and I'll be there. They've done their job, now it's time to do my job.''
Where T.O. is concerned, part of that job involves controversy. Whether he's pulling a Sharpie from his sock during a game, or being teased by actress Nicollette Sheridan, dressed only in a towel, for a Monday Night Football opening, there is no middle ground for Owens.
Nor does he expect there to be.
``I was T.O. before I got here,'' said the player who forced a trade from San Francisco, refused to report to Baltimore, where the 49ers dealt him, then got the trade reworked for him to land in Philly. ``I didn't ask to be controversial, but I guess it follows me.
``Controversy is the plan and map God made for me. Obviously, it was that way in San Francisco and I thought I could start on a clean slate in Philadelphia, and it followed me. Obviously, I got tired of it, but I can't dwell on it. You just move on.''
Adorned with diamonds in each ear and a matching bracelet, Owens moved smoothly through media day. The throngs of real journalists were joined by hangers-on, autograph seekers and other NFL players, many of them hired by the likes of NFL Network to do interviews that were more like jock joke sessions.
But T.O. found time to talk some football, too. He praised the Patriots for getting to their third Super Bowl in four years, and displayed a strong knowledge of their defense, particularly the secondary.
``They make their presence known in the secondary,'' he said, specifying safeties Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson. ``When you have two guys who do that at safety, you must be aware of it. You have to take into account those guys will deliver great hits. You know they're back there and you know they're coming after you.''
AP - Feb 1, 8:00 pm EST
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They surely will test Owens early -- if he is on the field. Remember that when Owens participated in his second straight practice Tuesday, he spent much of the time running in place. He got on the field for six of the Eagles' 20 offensive plays, catching one of the two passes that were thrown his way.
That's it.
``I think any time you send a message, sometimes people listen and sometimes they don't,'' Harrison said. ``It just depends how hard you send the message.
``I think with these guys, with T.O. being out there, I mean he is a big, physical receiver. I think he welcomes the contact, but if we get our shots, we're going to take them, just as well as if he gets an opportunity to beat us, he is going to beat us.''
The Patriots, who have taken selflessness to a new level, didn't seem bothered that Owens overshadowed them Tuesday -- and probably will all week. Instead, they seem to relish the spotlight shining elsewhere, particularly on an opponent that hasn't gotten this far in 24 years.
Maybe the Eagles will lose their focus, distracted by all the T.O. mania. To the Patriots, he's just another player -- a terrific player, but just one of 11 starters on offense who has to be stopped.
At least that's the Pats' party line.
``Terrell Owens is a playmaker,'' linebacker-end Willie McGinest said. ``He makes big plays, that's what he does. He was leading the league in touchdowns before he got hurt and you can expect nothing else. He's been doing it his whole career.
``We're prepared for him to be out there.''
And if there ever was any doubt, T.O. firmly dispelled such a notion.
``If you believe in miracles,'' he said, ``just wait until Sunday.''
Updated on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2005 2:38 am EST
