Take a day off and all Hades breaks loose...
ESPN floated the "Terrell Owens-could-be-a-Raider" story today and the knee-jerk reactions were predictable.
The more I thought about it, the more I thought about the story I wrote last year, when T.O. was looking for a job after the Cowboys kicked him to the curb. Only difference now is Raiders fans would probably enjoy T.O. throwing JaMarcus Russell under a bus, figuratively, of course.
Following is the story I write that ran on March 6, 2009...
Owens runs typical route;
DISCARDED IN DALLAS, OAKLAND A POSSIBLE OPTION
BYLINE: Paul Gutierrez
pgutierrez@sacbee.com
Got your popcorn ready, Raider Nation? Can you handle a force so disruptive, a yapping mouth so loud, an ego so obnoxious it's not only burned bridges in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas but also scorched the earth?
Of course the ultra-inclusive enclave that is Silver and Blackdom can board Terrell Owens. At least you think you can. Shunned bad boy finds a home and thrives in Al Davis' Boys Town for wayward and lost NFL souls is a tale so rich, it has become cliche.
Yes, T.O., who loves him some, um, him, even as the Cowboys grew weary of his antics, would look awesome in silver and black. And he'd give JaMarcus Russell the elite receiver the young quarterback needs to further his development. So, on one hand, the Raiders going after Owens makes all the sense in the world. In fact, it makes too much sense. So much it makes no sense at all.
Owens is a Hall of Fame talent unafraid to go across the middle of the field -- unlike a certain former Raiders receiver, malcontent by the name of Moss ... Randy Moss. But while Owens gained gallons of goodwill for his gutsy broken-ankle performance in Super Bowl XXXIX, nearly leading the Eagles to an upset of New England, T.O. also is a first-ballot Hall of Shamer.
The rebuilding Raiders need Owens' game-breaking gifts, not T.O.'s team-killing rifts. Too bad they come in the same quixotic package.
"He's a very talented guy, but his reputation is suspect, and the Raiders need to move forward," said former Raiders coach Tom Flores, who should know, having led two teams filled with misfits and castoffs to Super Bowl titles.
"The Raiders have a lot of good, young players; they don't need distractions."
Indeed, T.O. would throw his own quarterback under the bus as soon as he'd grab a Sharpie, or some pom-poms or a bucket of Jiffy Pop.
Lest we forgot how he trashed Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb to the nth degree in the testosterone-filled sports world by questioning the former's sexuality and the latter's, um, toughness. Even after weeping tears of support for Tony Romo, T.O. turned on Jessica Simpson's boy toy.
And you thought Warren Sapp was the "QB Killa." The Animal House Raiders of Lyle Alzado and John Matuszak would not accept a me-first prima donna pass catcher. And the recycling plant of Plunkett and Co. should spit out T.O.'s baggage.
No, the hyper-sensitive Russell does not need this. Unless ... could a humbled T.O. have his lesson in suffering the indignity of being cut by a franchise more loosey-goosey than the Raiders?
At least he has a fan in former Raiders receiving great Tim Brown, who recently told me, "I love watching T.O. play."
So where does he go from here? The Big Apple seems natural, the only market large enough to sustain his ego, and the Giants need a game-breaking receiver who won't shoot himself in the leg while clubbing.
The nation's capital might be interesting, what with Washington's spendthrift owner, Daniel Snyder, always eager to make a splash. Alas, even with a new White House occupant, "hope" and "change" have never really applied to T.O.
The most intriguing new address for him might have been where it all began. But the 49ers re-marrying Owens had to be part of a three-step plan.
One that started with signing Kurt Warner. Then inking Owens, who would have respected a fellow Canton-bound player. And finally, drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, who won't be ready to run a team for two or three years, anyway.
See, even discussing T.O.'s immediate future elicits more than a craving for popcorn.
Pass the Maalox.
Call The Bee's Paul Gutierrez, (916) 326-5556.
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What had been rumored became reality as the Raiders cut high-priced defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who was reportedly due a $5.925 million option bonus this coming Sunday.
Should the Raiders not re-sign "G-Money," who had a career low-tying two sacks, with 25 tackles, at a discounted price, that opens up more time for last year's surprise, undrafted Ivy League rookie Desmond Bryant from Harvard.
And with the release earlier in the week of veteran defensive end Greg Ellis, it would seem as though the Raiders could stand to draft a pass-rushing lineman like Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan or Florida's Carlos Dunlap.
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Awkward, anyone?
Was told today by a source that recently-cut running back Justin Fargas will indeed attend Saturday night's "Commitment to Excellence Awards Dinner and Ceremony" at the Oakland Airport Hilton.
Fargas and tight end Zach Miller were the co-winners of the award.
