FortKnox's Journal: Football: You can't spell "toddler" without T.O.*

*The JE title came from a fanball.com article. I had to use it because, frankly, it hits the nail on the head.

Here's the background: Terrel Owens (T.O.) was ticked off at the 49ers, and wanted out. He could void his contract, which he planned on doing, and told his agent to do the paperwork. The problem? Well, his agent didn't turn in the papers in time. So the 49ers kept his rights. They told him that he could seek a trade (you never want to keep a disgruntled player on your team). He was practically signed on at Philly when the Ravens offered a round 2 pick of this years draft to the 49ers. The 49ers thought it was a good deal and made it official.

Now, that's how the NFL works. The teams allow the players to seek the trade, but have the final say, and get to make the decision. Nothing was afoul here. The only problem was TO's agent, the ignorant man that couldn't file paperwork in time. So it went into arbitration. Shoulda been open/close. Did you file the paperwork to void the contract? No? I rule in favor of the 49ers, you are a Baltimore Raven.


Instead, the crying toddler got his way. Philly dealt out a good DE to the 49ers, and a 5th round pick to the Ravens (the Ravens got their 2nd round pick back from the 49ers). It should be noted that this was a settlement, so we won't know what the arbiter was going to rule. But it is said that the arguement on Owen's side was strong, and if it made it through arbitration, countless other players would find loopholes in contracts to get out of them.

Regardless, this is an open-shut case of not respecting the deadlines of paperwork, and not taking responsibility for your errors. This is something I plan on teaching my son over and over... and yet in the 'business' and 'law' world we have here, we can't even do it. What a sad, sad day this is for the NFL.

the best part

[heliocentric]

I'll forgo getting into some of the things you missed (there are three dates we're talking about for the paperwork, 49'ers went with the earliest, part of the arbitration was that that date was wrong as TO's contract clearly states a different date, for all this gripe about honoring contracts people seem to over look this fact that the 49'ers were trying to use a later union agreement with the NFL to get around a clause in TO's contract) to discuss one point:

It should be noted that this was a settlement,

while I don't care for TO

[asv108]

I think the result of this deal is fair for all sides involved. The date for filing changed as a result of a players union deal reached last year. It was up to his Agent to keep track of these things. While T.O. is not a nice person, I think there is a lot of hostility towards him concerning this deal even though T.O. really had nothing to do with getting in to the situation in the first place.

*I* knew the date for voiding his contract...

[johndiii]

...at least a week beforehand. And he didn't? And the guy who was being paid to handle it for him didn't? Give me a break here.

Oh, and Eagles fans, this is not a good thing for you.

Re:

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

baltimore scored

[Triumph The Insult C]

keeping their 2nd round pick, and *not* having to put up with to. not bad.

Eagles will have to deal with T.O.!

[sulli]

Ha. I can't wait until the Philly fans start dealing with his 'tude. Great news for the rest of the NFC East.

Yawn

[rdewald]

FK, you're my homey and all that, but please, it's entertainment law, not a military tribunal. They got together and worked out a deal, why do you care? Because TO got his way not acting like a good boy and being all reverent of the NFL? Please.

The NFL produces the longest running TV reality show in the country. BFD if they break their rules, BFD if they're all on steroids, BFD if they are lousy role models for young kids. It's a sick, twisted society that makes television entertainers into role model

Let me just pipe in here

[baldass_newbie]

Donovan has never had a 'real' receiver, and you could say that TO hasn't had a 'real' QB since Steve Young.
I'm glad everyone is down on this. Typically in the NFL if everyone thinks its great, it isn't and if eveyrone thinks it'll suck, well...

And it really looks like the 49ers tried to pull a fast one and the league got caught. Late word was that TO had a bullet proof case.
I'm just wondering why the Iggles had to give anything up then.

True, but

[MagnetarJones]

All of that aside, Why would the Ravens want him if he is going to be pissed about the whole deal?

Remember this (you never want to keep a disgruntled player on your team) from your post?

The "deal" works out for everyone.