Owens Act Not Welcome In Foxborough

[PatsFans.com Article]

Owens needs to bark up another tree. Or maybe he should simply stop barking and take his act somewhere else.

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[Matw]

Why are people acting like Belichick would keep TO around if he was causing issues in the locker room? He'd be out the door in a heartbeat.

Sign the beast. :rocker::singing:

 

[PatsFanInVa]

37 in December. Thanks for reminding us...

How do we know that the buffalo experiment was due to anything other than not getting open?

Owens and Moss - the Moss half might still be the dream for one more year, then he's off to pay some bills. But Owens? Much as I'd like my dream fantasy draft from 2005 to come true, 37 and mentally unstable is way more of a risk than 32 and mentally unstable.

And here we are with a bunch of guys who are pre-30 and not mentally unstable.

Meh. If Bill wants to do it fine. Doesn't look good to me though.

 

[WelshPat]

I would disagree that Dillon worked out "just fine" also. Sure, he had a GREAT year and helped in winning a superbowl. But judging from what people who cover the team have said, he caused his fair few amount of problems.

Also, really he had only one good year, years 2 and 3 were hardly anything to shout about

Owens is a different guy to Moss. Moss is immature and sulks. Owens is crazy and pretty much unstable

 

[Uncle Rico]

Belichick is trying to rebuild the strong chemistry and locker room leadership that allowed him to take chances on Dillon and Moss. They came into teams with enough established leaders to head off problems. The Pats don't have that right now (not enough, at least) but have drafted several potential leader-type guys the last two years. It wouldn't make sense to draft those types of players (college captains, etc.) then throw a TO into a mix right away.

It's possible that TO's negative effect on past teams is over-stated, as I think was clearly the case with Moss. But one quiet year in a gentle media town like Buffalo doesn't seem like enough to risk what is being built in Foxboro, not in the wake of last year's leadership void.

 

[Ryan]

I personally don't want him here. I can't stand his attitude and his "look at me" personality. I will say that I do think he can still be a productive player. He had 55 catches/829 yards/5 TDs last year with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing to him most of the year. Yes, his numbers dropped, but so did Lee Evans'. Buffalo just has an overall bad passing offense. With a good QB, TO might be able to crack 1000 yards again. Still, I don't want him here. I want to see TEAM players and not guys who cry when they don't get 20 passes thrown their way.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Randy Moss and T.O. are two very different people -- that much is obvious from the outside.

Moss felt (feels?) himself surrounded by a lot of hostility and racism and he deeply distrusts the media. Sure, he may have made a few misjudgements when he was younger and lost control when he shouldn't have, but that was all magnified by the fact that he was so much in the spotlight. BB has given him the chance to step out of it and it's been perfect for him. The only thing that BB hasn't done is get him the ring he so richly deserves.

T.O. compulsively seeks public attention but not in the exuberant way that Chad Ochocinco does. It's a drug he doesn't seem to handle very well. I don't think that T.O. is a bad person. But I do think that he's a troubled one and difficult to work with.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Eh-this whole "TO might go to the Pats" is yet another non-story to boost the MSM's ratings.

Won't happen-however,if TO(along with his former Eagles buddies Westbrook and Shawn Andrews) go to Washington before TC starts, then you might have to wonder if to some extent, the NFL is fixed.

 

[The_Riddler]

Let's scare the crap out of Fat Rex and get TO in a Pats uniform to play with Moss. This offense would be unstoppable. If TO acts up, make it a "cut friendly" deal and simply part ways. I mean it's all upside and little downside.

Anything to scare the Jets and Fat Boy is fine by me.

 

[stinkypete]

If TO signed with the Patriots, whose catches would he take? Sure, he can take Welker's place on the field for 6 weeks or so if Welker goes on PUP, but what about after? Is he going to take Edelman's place on the field? Tate's? Hernandez's?

The other question is...could TO be THE missing piece that restores the Patriots as a juggernaut Super Bowl contender? IMO, he's not.

The 2009 Patriots lacked a reliable 3rd option to open his side of the field and catch the ball. TO can still be a big play receiver, but those are the two things he doesn't do well. Owens never had elite speed and he drops a lot of passes. Adding Owens to the Patriots offense would mean a handful more 50 yard TDs and a hell of a lot more 3 and outs. Don't see it equating to any more wins.

So if he's not going to make the team better, why take catches from a youngster?

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

If TO signed with the Patriots, whose catches would he take? Sure, he can take Welker's place on the field for 6 weeks or so if Welker goes on PUP, but what about after? Is he going to take Edelman's place on the field? Tate's? Hernandez's?

The other question is...could TO be THE missing piece that restores the Patriots as a juggernaut Super Bowl contender? IMO, he's not.

The 2009 Patriots lacked a reliable 3rd option to open his side of the field and catch the ball. TO can still be a big play receiver, but those are the two things he doesn't do well. Owens never had elite speed and he drops a lot of passes. Adding Owens to the Patriots offense would mean a handful more 50 yard TDs and a hell of a lot more 3 and outs. Don't see it equating to any more wins.

So if he's not going to make the team better, why take catches from a youngster?

You're presumption is that TO wouldn't make the team better therefore why take reps away from a youngster. The argument against this opinion is that TO would make the team better so therefore would justify taking reps away from the youngsters.

Frankly, after Moss (and Welker IF he's healthy), I don't see much strength in the receiving corps. Certainly, not enough to enter the season knowing for certain that it's a strong unit. The kid's, Price and Tate, are unknowns and Patten and Holt are treading on the wrong side of 30 and offer no certainty themselves.

My opinion is that TO could step onto this team and instantly be the 3rd best receiver on it, giving Welker the benefit of the doubt that he makes it back 100% healthy and perform to his recent level. This is not a certainty!

 

[jmt57]

I disagree with Bob George's assessment that "since 2007, Moss has had two good to average seasons, but is still fighting questions over his work ethic and attitude."

Do you really expect Moss to duplicate an NFL record year with a quarterback that hadn't started since high school in 2008? Of course not, yet Moss still finished 3rd in receiving touchdowns, and went over 1000 yards receiving for the ninth time in his career. Then with a recovering Brady playing with broken ribs and fingers, Moss led the league in touchdown receptions and was 5th in receiving yards last year.

All that is just "good to average"?

As for the "work ethic", that's been debated ad nauseum already. Merril Hoge is about the last person to give the Patriots credit for anything, yet even he said the criticism was unfounded. As for "attitude", when or where exactly has Moss ever had a bad attitude since coming to New England?

Mr. George makes good points about regaining control of the locker room, but the remarks about Moss were unnecessarry and invalid in my opinion.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I don''t want TO...I don't want TO...I don't want TO...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

You're presumption is that TO wouldn't make the team better therefore why take reps away from a youngster. The argument against this opinion is that TO would make the team better so therefore would justify taking reps away from the youngsters.

Frankly, after Moss (and Welker IF he's healthy), I don't see much strength in the receiving corps. Certainly, not enough to enter the season knowing for certain that it's a strong unit. The kid's, Price and Tate, are unknowns and Patten and Holt are treading on the wrong side of 30 and offer no certainty themselves.

My opinion is that TO could step onto this team and instantly be the 3rd best receiver on it, giving Welker the benefit of the doubt that he makes it back 100% healthy and perform to his recent level. This is not a certainty!

Patten and Holt are treading on the SAME wrong side of 30 as TO. One has years in this system and the other knows what it takes to win a ring.

Bill's got enough on his plate without babysitting an over the hill self absorbed diva. So has Tom breaking in three new TE's (two rookies), three essentially new WR's, continuing to develop Edleman, rehabbing Welker and keeping everyone else focused and engaged. There aren't enough reps to go around in camp let alone in season to waste valuable ones on a washed up egocentric drama queen nobody seems to want anymore who has never played in an offense remotely as demanding and disciplined as this (read and react) or on a team like this (where self sacrifice is demanded and you are held accountable and mental toughness is a prerequisite because no one wants to hear your excuses or rationalize all the drops).

When an enabler easily enamored with talent at the position like Jerry Jones gives up on you it's time to hang 'em up. Just because you're not acting out in the media doesn't mean you're suddenly a good teamate. Buffalo didn't ask him back, either. There is no remaining upside to investing time and effort let alone money in TO.

 

[Patspsycho]

Patten and Holt are treading on the SAME wrong side of 30 as TO. One has years in this system and the other knows what it takes to win a ring.

Bill's got enough on his plate without babysitting an over the hill self absorbed diva. So has Tom breaking in three new TE's (two rookies), three essentially new WR's, continuing to develop Edleman, rehabbing Welker and keeping everyone else focused and engaged. There aren't enough reps to go around in camp let alone in season to waste valuable ones on a washed up egocentric drama queen nobody seems to want anymore who has never played in an offense remotely as demanding and disciplined as this (read and react) or on a team like this (where self sacrifice is demanded and you are held accountable and mental toughness is a prerequisite because no one wants to hear your excuses or rationalize all the drops).

When an enabler easily enamored with talent at the position like Jerry Jones gives up on you it's time to hang 'em up. Just because you're not acting out in the media doesn't mean you're suddenly a good teamate. Buffalo didn't ask him back, either. There is no remaining upside to investing time and effort let alone money in TO.

Couldn't have said it better. This offense is demanding, and TO is a old dog who will not learn new tricks.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Patten and Holt are treading on the SAME wrong side of 30 as TO. One has years in this system and the other knows what it takes to win a ring.

Bill's got enough on his plate without babysitting an over the hill self absorbed diva. So has Tom breaking in three new TE's (two rookies), three essentially new WR's, continuing to develop Edleman, rehabbing Welker and keeping everyone else focused and engaged. There aren't enough reps to go around in camp let alone in season to waste valuable ones on a washed up egocentric drama queen nobody seems to want anymore who has never played in an offense remotely as demanding and disciplined as this (read and react) or on a team like this (where self sacrifice is demanded and you are held accountable and mental toughness is a prerequisite because no one wants to hear your excuses or rationalize all the drops).

When an enabler easily enamored with talent at the position like Jerry Jones gives up on you it's time to hang 'em up. Just because you're not acting out in the media doesn't mean you're suddenly a good teamate. Buffalo didn't ask him back, either. There is no remaining upside to investing time and effort let alone money in TO.

I would say the upside is that TO is a superior player than either Holt, Patten, Price, and Tate and, because he is, he potentially makes the Pats to be a better team.

Hey, I'd love not to have to consider adding TO to this team but, frankly, after Moss, I'm not overly impressed with the remaining options at WR that this team looks to trot out onto the football field.

For a passing first offense like the Pats are that isn't good! We all saw how that worked last year after Welker went down and teams loaded up to stop Moss. If adding TO, and his baggage, lesson's this void then I'm all for it, presuming a non burdensome contract is in place for him.

 

[jmt57]

Frankly, after Moss (and Welker IF he's healthy), I don't see much strength in the receiving corps. Certainly, not enough to enter the season knowing for certain that it's a strong unit. The kid's, Price and Tate, are unknowns and Patten and Holt are treading on the wrong side of 30 and offer no certainty themselves.

My opinion is that TO could step onto this team and instantly be the 3rd best receiver on it, giving Welker the benefit of the doubt that he makes it back 100% healthy and perform to his recent level. This is not a certainty!

How is it that age is an issue with Holt, but not with Owens? Holt is three years younger than TO.

In addition Holt has proven that he is willing and capable of taking the role of being the third option to receive a pass; Owens hasn't done that in over ten years.

Holt had 722 yards receiving last year as his team's third receiving option last year; Owens had 829 yards receiving as his team's number one. The fact Owens played for a team with a bad passing game is irrelevant; Jacksonville's game plan revolved around Maurice Jones-Drew.

Welker's health doesn't factor in to the equation; he plays the slot, a totally different position. If Welker is not ready to go Edelman fills that role quite adequately.

Typically one of the biggest things you are looking for opposite the deep threat is sure hands, a possession receiver you can count on to move the chains. Unfortunately this is not only not Owens' strength, it is his biggest weakness on the field.


Edit: sorry, I see MLR already responded while I was typing, sorry about that.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

How is it that age is an issue with Holt, but not with Owens? Holt is three years younger than TO.

In addition Holt has proven that he is willing and capable of taking the role of being the third option to receive a pass; Owens hasn't done that in over ten years.

Holt had 722 yards receiving last year as his team's third receiving option last year; Owens had 829 yards receiving as his team's number one. The fact Owens played for a team with a bad passing game is irrelevant; Jacksonville's game plan revolved around Maurice Jones-Drew.

Welker's health doesn't factor in to the equation; he plays the slot, a totally different position. If Welker is not ready to go Edelman fills that role quite adequately.

Typically one of the biggest things you are looking for opposite the deep threat is sure hands, a possession receiver you can count on to move the chains. Unfortunately this is not only not Owens' strength, it is his biggest weakness on the field.


Edit: sorry, I see MLR already responded while I was typing, sorry about that.

My concern with Holt and Patten agewiose is that I believe both are done. My brother-in-law is a Rams fan and he told me after the '08 season that Holt was done. Holt did nothing last year with Jax to change my thinking on this.

Meanwhile, I live in Bills land and watched TO play last year. He's not anywhere near finished as a player. Yes, he drops balls, but he also gets open, plenty and deep down the field much of that time. Last year in Buffalo, this didn't matter because not only did the Bills not have a QB capable of getting TO the ball downfield but the OL didn't give the QB enough time to find TO down field. I am presuming this wouldn't be the case with the Pats and that TO would be wicked dangerous. In fact, I believe TO might well be a superior deep threat than Moss is at this stage of their careers. Would having two deep threats be a problem schemewise ..... I don't know but, if the cost sin't much, I'd like to see them give it a try. One thing is for sure, opposing defenses would certainly have to respect the Pats deep passing game if they trotted out Moss and TO.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Bill's got enough on his plate without babysitting an over the hill self absorbed diva. So has Tom breaking in three new TE's (two rookies), three essentially new WR's, continuing to develop Edleman, rehabbing Welker and keeping everyone else focused and engaged. There aren't enough reps to go around in camp let alone in season to waste valuable ones on a washed up egocentric drama queen nobody seems to want anymore who has never played in an offense remotely as demanding and disciplined as this (read and react) or on a team like this (where self sacrifice is demanded and you are held accountable and mental toughness is a prerequisite because no one wants to hear your excuses or rationalize all the drops).

Exactly. I don't see him following BB's media rules too well either. If people got ticked at AD for his remarks, just imagine a 'slighted' TO with a mic in his face (and there would be plenty of that, the media would LOVE having TO here). BB would flip, TO would never play

 

[Frezo]

If Belicheck wanted TO he would have picked him up before the draft and drafted one less WR or not signed Holt. When BB wants an available player, he gets him and does not wait 6 to 8 weeks. He acts decisively and with purpose. He fills holes on the team prior to to the draft. For the most part that is his MO.