Sundry Gibberish

I see the depth chart shaping up thusly:
NT: Locks — Jason Ferguson, LaRoi Glover, Fighting for a backup role: Leonardo Carson, Thomas Johnson
DE Locks — Greg Ellis, Kenyon Coleman, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears; On the bubble — Jay Ratliff

The one guy I can see Bill trying to sneak on the practice squad from the defensive rotation is Johnson, since he is relatively unknown. Ratliff got 17 phone calls on the second day of the draft and I heard that Ernie ecorsi from the Giants were really interested in Ratliff and think they would claim him if he was to be waived and since Spears can play DE or DT.

Since 8 is a lot of D lineman, do you think Ware would be included in the number?? I wouldn’t think so but he would be considered a DE in the 4-3.

I think that Ware would only be a situational pass rusher in the 4-3, not an every down Defensive end player

I bet the ravens are real happy that they did not get TO after all.
SOme have suggested this guy has a mental condition- they might be right.
Untill he opened his mouth and dissed McFlabb after the SB, TO was absolute KING of Philthy- he could do no wrong. Now he is Public Enemy#1!! Stupid is not something that really describes this; nor does being oblivious to the consequences. He KNEW what he was doing and didn’t care: I wonder if it is beginning to twig on him that he has screwed up BIG TIME?

Locks: Ferguson, Glover, Ellis, Spears, Canty, Coleman, Ratliff

Johnson to the practice squad.

Carson gets cut…BP only keeps 7, because he needs to make room for another LB, Safety, or WR (Peter Warrick anyone?)

t.o. and Moss both are not near worth the problems. Probably the two most talented receivers. Wouldn’t want either. Their salaries require sacrifices from the team (i.e., cap, chemistry), yet they don’t make the people around them better. It’s all about themselves.

How many rings does each have? How many playoff games?

My biggest concerns about this team:

1. Offensive Right Tackle — looks like minimal upgrade here
2. Slow-footed QB — making the O-Line all the more important
3. Thin WR corps - we saw how bad this was last year, and few changes
4. Lots of rookies on D = chances for screw-ups every snap
5. Inexperience at safety-imagine if Roy gets hurt!

Thanks for listening, guys. I feel better now!

I will bet that T.O. will stay and play in Philly this year — opening day, even. He and Andy will find a way to make up and save face, because they need each other right now. Not that there won’t be future blow-ups and problems if/when things go wrong. He will linger, though, like a migraine, at least through this year — he has to, because Philly thinks they are just three points and a stupid two-minute offensive lapse from winning the SB.

that is the best thing that could happen for cowboys fans. if he stays through this year he will just become a bigger distraction. take it from me i live near philly and some of the players took his side and some mcnabbs. he’s like a cancer and hopefully he brings the fall of the eagles

The Eagles are really in a total no-win situation. None of their options help their team…it is just a matter of varying degrees of how much the team suffers from this situation.

TRADE: If they try to trade T.O. chances are they aren’t going to any real value in return and they lose their top receiver and touchdown scorer. First off, there is very few teams that would want to deal with him and his ego tantrums. The ones that might deal with his attitude either don’t have the salary cap space or don’t have any players they can offer the Eagles in return that will help them. Reports I heard claim that Al Davis is 100% with Joey Porter and doesn’t want to trade him at all. The Cardinals already have two potentially great young receivers at lower pay grades and Bidwell would never fork over the money T.O. wants. Atlanta’s owner doesn’t want to capitulate on this salary issue with players, and Jim Mora Jr. already got an up-close and personal view of what kind of havoc T.O. can wreak on team chemistry with the 49ers. The only two teams I could see being crazy enough to even take the bait on T.O. are the Broncos and the Redskins…and neither team has the cap space to take him or anyone close to his caliber to trade for him.

CUT: If they were to cut T.O. the Eagles would get nothing in return more than likely. Maybe a conditional draft pick as compensation, but that isn’t even sure to happen. Considering the negative efffect T.O. is having on the Eagles team chemistry, this actually might not be as bad a move as it at first appears, but I don’t see any possible way they go this route unless it is in total desperation.

LET HIM SIT OUT: They could do to him what the Bucs did with Keyshawn and McCardell. In this case, nobody wins and T.O. loses a full season out of his career (he is over-30 years old, that’s a big deal). In this case everytime an Eagle receiver drops a ball the fans in Philly are going to be whining about the way the Eagles handled things and if they don’t get back to the Super Bowl they are all going to blame T.O. I give this about a 2% chance of happening.

PLAY HIM: This would be the best possible scenario for the rest of the NFC, and the worst for the Eagles. Instead of getting rid of the cancer they will let it spread and slowly tear their team apart (see 2003 49ers). Everytime the Eagles lose a game or McNabb throws a bad pass or another receiver drops a 3rd and long or TD pass, T.O. is going to open his mouth. There is barely anyone on the team who can stand him at this point, but they all know the circumstances of the situation. It may be ok for a week or two, but by about 8 games into the season if Philly isn’t 8-0 the fingers are going to start getting pointed and things are going to explode by week 10 or 11. Just watch. This is the most likely scenario as I see it.

PAY HIM WHAT HE WANTS: Never going to happen.

The real effect this will have on the Eagles is if McNabb has to run for his life on every pass play because T.O. is mired in double teams and can’t break free and they don’t have any compliment at the other WR. McNabb’s wheels are better than most, but if he is constantly scrambling and they don’t have their rhythm they are in big trouble offensively. They don’t have a RB who can run between the tackles and they are a total rhythm, finesse oriented offense.

Remember what happened in the 2003 NFC Championship game? McNabb got picked 3 times by a ROOKIE and then got knocked out of the game in the 4th qtr. The game before they pulled it out of their @ss on a 4th down busted coverage to Freddie Mitchell. Last year when they played the Ravens Jamal Lewis was out. They have seriously benefitted by the rest of their division going through terminal rebuilding since the Giants were in the SB in 2001.

They have been lucky as hell for at least the last 2 years at least. The clock is about to strike midnight on them. Right when the Boys are coming back in a big way. Perfect timing.

Unfortunately, no one is giving Andy Reid any credit. It looks like he did the right thing and sent Owens a message. T.O. isn’t missing anything in training camp, but his overall value is taking a hit. If Owens takes in this message then he will go back to training camp next week, and go with the flow. But if he goes back and is a neusance, then he will start getting that “Gary Sheffield label”, which is give me what I want or I’ll botch plays on purpose to make my point. Fortunately, that stuff doesn’t work in the NFL, only MLB. If Owens ever didn’t play to his potential, there aren’t many NFL coaches who will take that on. .. Owens still has a chance to salvage his reputaion, and like it or not, what he did last year was nothing you can label as “selfish”. He has the right to want more money, but coming in to training camp and disrupting the team isn’t the way to make his claim. The preseason is a critical time for developing young players, and Owens has crossed the line, and was immediately dealt with appropriately .. How he reacts to the discipline will be the test for him and his value as a player.

T.O. reportedly just called McNabb a hypocrite on espn and said he doesn’t want to nor does he have to talk to him. He said when he goes back to camp next week he is going to wear his camouflage and headphones again and not talk to anyone unless he feels like it.

I guess that is how T.O. is going to react to the “discipline”.

Reid brought this all on himself by taking Owens after the whole 49ers/Ravens fiasco. He knew what he was getting himself into…and if he didn’t then he should have. I don’t feel sorry for any of them…I am enjoying this because I predicted it would happen last year.

I hate the Eagles, but this almost makes me feel sad for them…almost.

What a head case.

In my list of biggest concerns about our team (above), I forgot a biggie:

6. offensive play calling

Could it please s#ck less than last year? Please?

I think Andy Ried is getting close to suspending T.O without pay for conduct detrimental to the team and placing T.O on the inactive list for the year. If T.O thinks that acting this way is going to get him a new contract, traded or cut, he is sadly mistakin. Let him sit at home for the year without a paycheck.

Derrick:

My guess is that T.O. and Drew Rosenhaus (aka Salacious Crumb) would file a grievance against the Eagles if Reid did that to him. They may be able to suspend him with pay (like the Bucs did with Keyshawn) , but without pay and under contract Gene Upshaw and the union would definitely get involved. I don’t even think it is legal for a team to suspend a player under contract without pay over a contract dispute or saying disparaging things about teammates in the media. If he started a fight or did something comparable in training camp that might be a different story.

I would be pissed at McNabb too. He played like a rookie in the Super Bowl. Looked lost out there. The 2 minute drill, missing a wide opened Brian Westbrook on a couple occasions, and throwing up some ducks as the Eagles were driving cost T.O., and the rest of the Eagles a ring. .. I think that is part of the problem there in Philly. T.O. doesn’t respect McNabb’s preparation, and maybe he knows more than us. Owens seem to indicate that McNabb was doing “other things” instead of getting ready for the Pats. .. Considering Owens’ own preparation, I wouldn’t blame him if he was pissed at a guy who was nonchalant before the big game. .. I don’t know but I just don’t see T.O. being the only problem there. McNabb looked aweful, so T.O.‘s story is kind of believable. .. He can’t do the Gary Sheffield thing though, it is not going to work in the NFL. .. But again, if I were T.O., I’d be pissed at McNabb too, especially if he were out partying or anything like that before the Super Bowl .. it sure looked like he might have had a hangover.

Not true Sterling,TO has a clause in his contract and would have to repay millions for what the team(under the arrangement) decides is conduct detrimental to the team/and or organization……

Sterling, this is what I found in an article that was posted earlier today—-

OWENS NFL CAREER IN JEOPARDY

Lost in the hoopla regarding the sudden and extremely bizarre ejection of Eagles receiver Terrell Owens from training camp on Wednesday is the very real possibility that the team can — and likely will — put the hammer to Owens in a manner that potentially prevents him from ever playing pro football again.

We reported several weeks ago that the team planned to make an example out of Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus if T.O. didn’t show for camp and/or if he reported and acted like a buffoon. Now, word is that the Eagles will follow through on their intentions.

Owens won’t be traded, since that would give him what he wants. We’ve determined via a solid league source that rampant rumors of a Owens-for-Hines Ward swap with the Steelers are bogus, and that the Eagles have no interest in Ward, who’s a contract holdout in Pittsburgh.

But it appears T.O. also won’t be cut, since that would give him the freedom he so desperately craves. Instead, the Eagles will sit on his rights until he reports to the team and behaves. If he doesn’t, he’ll continue to be suspended and/or otherwise disciplined.

Eventually, he won’t get credit against the 2005 season of his contract, and the team won’t face the requirement of paying him $7.5 million in March 2006 or releasing him.

And, eventually, he’ll have to play another year for the Eagles before he can get credit for the 2005 season of his contract.

Along the way, the Eagles will go after a chunk of his signing bonus, which as ESPN.com’s John Clayton reports can be forfeited for conduct detrimental to the team.

Owens, of late, is putting the “mental” in detrimental. His head ain’t right (to use a technical term), and if he doesn’t get it on straight, it’s likely that he never will play football again.

Sharkz and Sterling:
I think the key question is: what is the exact wording of his contract provision. More and more often, I read they are spelling out examples of “conduct detrimental” in these contracts, but if it’s just that fuzzy phrase by itself, then I don’t think they could win a case alleging that what he’s done up to this point — which is really just backtalking Andy Reid — amounts to breach of his contract. Otherwise, Sterling, I think your rundown of options is on the money.
And say what you will about Rosenhaus but he’s not dumb. Neither is TO for that matter. They lost the gambit of intimidating ownership, and their next move has got to be for him to get back on the field to prove that his value is still high enough to get him traded or bargain for next year. My guess is that Rosenhaus is telling TO that he’s absolutely got to get out on the field come regular season. A lot of this stuff can probably be chalked up to “training camp is no fun.”

I’m sick and tired of hearing about TO. He is garbage and no more. Keep that low life scumb off this blog site.

Thanks.

Didn’t see Derrick’s post. Actually supports what I was saying — except that I think the conduct detrimental thing is out of play once TO comes back and suits up.

Forget TO…who saw practice today? Burnett? Ware? Thompson? FORGET T.O.!

To change the subject a bit .. Do you all remember Mike Fisher’s article that Rafael posted here. What a bunch of crap! Fisher said stuff like “Ellis Camp or the Anti-Parcells Contingent” .. and immplied that Parcells allowed Pete Hunter to drown .. and he wrote, “This is one of many blow-ups that have happened out there because of conflicts with Parcells. .. There are plenty of guys who arenâ€â"¢t on Parcellsâ€â"¢ bandwagon. Some of them have told me that after they leave, some of them tell me because they want to leave. Hey, if youâ€â"¢re one of ‘Parcellsâ€â"¢ guys,â€â"¢ you donâ€â"¢t have a problem. Youâ€â"¢ve got it easy. If youâ€â"¢re not, you donâ€â"¢t.” … What a bunch of bull!! Where is Fisher now? Now that Ellis seems to be thriving, and everyone seems to be laughing .. Seriously, every player interview tells me how loose these guys are. A few players have walked in on Parcells press conferences, and joked with their coach. …. Why is it when there is a nice story to report, the Mike Fishers of the world disappear?

its simple, because the dirt stories sell. people like hearing about how other teams are in turmoil

eric
  good point. everyone is either a bp hater, or they are anti-cowboy. i truely believe this. a good thing is happening right now in dallas and people can’t stand it that dallas is getting ready to kick some major butt!!!

the number one thing that i have learned being a cowboys fan. when they lose, people laugh at you and say dallas sucks. however, when we where winning super bowls. they said that i was jumping on the bandwagon. my favorite 2 teams is #1. the boys of course. #2 is who ever is kicking the shit out of the eagles. at one time i loved the steelers for about 3 hours. hahahahaha.

remnant,
cant worry about injuries its not easy but alot of teams would be done if the wrong guy was injured.

TO saga continues, i dont see with what he said on espn and what has happened, i dont see how they can bring him back unless a miracle happens. i would like to see him there when we play the eagles, i want no excuses if we beat them.

Owens has publicly trashed Eagles coaches and players. Such conduct sometimes is specifically prohibited in contracts. The Bengals write clauses against such public defamation into all their player contracts. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the Eagles had written up a similar clause into Owens’ contract. If they did, he’s already screwed!

At any rate, malingering and refusal to participate in mandatory team events could both be easily interpreted as breach of most ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ clauses.

Day by day, Owens digs his hole deeper and deeper. If the Eagles do exercise the ‘suspension option’ for the regular season and can make it stick, Owens will get no pay for this season, he will get no credit for this season, the Eagles won’t have to pay him any scheduled roster bonuses, and they can come after him for bonus money already paid.

As others have already pointed out, it all depends on the specific language of Owens’ contract. Still, he appears to be getting close to actions which would cause suspension under ANY contract.

I hope T.O. goes back to the Eagles, he will cost them more victories than he will contribute to. My guess is he will go back. That’s the best case scenario for the Cowboys.

Remember when Emmitt held out the year after we won the Super Bowl? We lost the first 2 games, and if JJ hadn’t paid him what he wanted I think he would have had to hire more bodyguards because all the Cowboys fans I knew said just pay him so we can go back and win the Super Bowl again. After that 2nd loss (I think it was on MNF?) JJ got him signed up to a new deal and Emmitt was back the following Sunday. We only lost 2 more games that year as I recall…and one of them was because of Leon Lett’s snow sliding episode on Thanksgiving. We ended up winning the Super Bowl that January.

T.O. should have just held out and waited for Pinkston’s injury and the Eagles to start the season off with some losses (MNF at Atlanta?). The Philly fans might have then taken his side so they could win again and put the heat on the Eagles owners to bring him back by paying him more. Instead he has trashed his coach and QB and will probably be there stirring up the pot until Reid finally sends him home for good. At that point the fans will say just get rid of him. I just wonder how many losses and fractured relationships the Eagles will have before then. Hopefully Dallas will get to beat them before T.O. is gone!!

Rafael,

Could we please have a thread about where people will get together in various cities to watch the Cowboys.

I would love to get my fellow bretheren together in NY, and also turn them on to the blog.

I imagine this could happen all over the country.

Also, I have a few tips for how to get sports bars owners to create a weekly Cowboys game day event in their bars.

Great idea BigJim!!

Sterling,

You make a good point. But I wanted to make one thing clear for those who might not be aware. Emmitt Smith never held out from his contract and demanded more money (like owens and so many others are doing). The year you are referring to Emmitt didn’t even have a contract.

Just wanted to make sure classy individuals (Emmitt Smith) and selfish, punks (T.O.) are not associated in any way.

Mr. Bill,

Whatever the specific language in T.O.‘s contract, I’m sure the rest of the league is 100% behind Joe Banner and the Eagles. T.O. aside, this is a chance to knock Drew Rosenhaus down a few pegs. If he were to succeed with restructuring a deal, it would be open season for his clients to pout their way to better deals. If I’m not mistaken, Rosenhaus has already succeeded in this tactic against the Cardinals with Anquan Boldin.

Rafael,

At least Boldin was working under his rookie contract, which probably did not reflect his current value. Owens gets no such sympathy.

I’m sure the NFL is urging the Eagles to stand up to Owens. Knowing Reid’s reputation for hard-line stances in contract disputes, it probably doesn’t take all that much urging.

I’m also sure the NFL would love to hang an agent-tampering charge on Rosenhaus. Since there have been rumors that relations between Owens and Rosenhaus are not all that terrific [does Owens get along with anyone?], and given Owens’ penchant for running off his mouth, if the Eagles hold Owens to his contract, it is not so ridiculous to invision Owens turning on Rosenhaus, and accusing Rosenhaus of luring him away from his old agent with promises of a new, and more lucrative contract. Given that there are already suspicions that Rosenhaus habitually interferes with existing player-agent relationships, that would be enough to get him in deep trouble with the Players Association.

The house may just fall in upon both Owens and Rosenhaus over this. It couldn’t happen to nicer people.

For those of you who missed it, t.o. and Rosenhaus were interviewed at halftime of the snoozer preseason game last night.

Some observations:
- t.o. is an ingnorant, self-absorbed, malcontent. There is no way, no way, that he could play for BP
- t.o. explained that it was a blowup over signing autographs (don’t buy it)
- he went further to explain that he doesn’t need to communicate with anyone, he’s played in the west coast offense and doesn’t need coaching or to work on communication.
- lastly, he believes that it is a definite distraction and that it will cause a problem
- The agent from hell tried to explain that the “guaranteed” money is only $12 million for two years (he obviously left out this year’s base salary) which doesn’t put t.o. in the top 10 receivers.

IMO, t.o. will get suspended for conduct. BTW, ESPN’s Mortenson & Clayton talked to the players’ association & others about the contract. Even the PA said that t.o. was overstepping the line. And the contract did anticipate problems and language was specific about conduct such as this.

I hope they force him to honor the agreement. If he sits, or gets suspended, he gets no credit for any year. Childish behavior such as this deserves stern punishment. No play, no pay.

TO has already done enough to be suspended for the season. The standard DETRIMENTAL to the TEAM clause states that once it happens, the team may suspend the player for however long it wants, without pay.
Only if TO comes right out and apologizes, then promises to play under his current contract without complaint can he be re instated. HOW likely is that?

Correct me if I am wrong, but am I right that Drew Rosenhaus doesn’t get paid a penny unless he is able to redo T.O.‘s contract and if T.O. plays under it and receives the compensation? My understanding of agency agreements (admittedly in the entertainment industry with talent agents, but it couldn’t be that different) is that the agent’s compensation is contingent upon finding his/her client work for an amount negotiated by the agent (presumably better than the client could have negotiated on their own). The agent then receives a percentage of the compensation they negotiated for their client as their own compensation. It is kind of similar to a contingency fee lawyer agreement. I don’t think the agent receives a “retainer” or can bill his/her client for their time just for representing the client in negotiations or dealing with the media on behalf of the client.

If I am correct about this, if T.O. gets suspended or is forced to play under his current contract, Rosenhaus will have wasted a LOT of time for nothing except the publicity and noteriety he will gain. Since he will not get T.O. a new deal (or traded) he is going to appear highly ineffective to all the other young athletes out there looking for an agent and who want a shark on their side who can get them paid.

Sterling I know a high ranking NHL player agent, and frim what I understand from him is that a player has a choice to pay an hourly fee or the percentage it is all on what that player feels more comfortable with. As for the T.O situation I am not sure what his scenario is. Now let this be the last T.O. post, stop talking about him.

I have to disagree with K.C. the Eagles were a very different team
attitude wise with TO they had a swagger out on the field and
dominanted teams (us included).It is true they won without
TO but the attitude he brought had a lasting effect.TO is not
the only disgruntled guy on that squad so to blame him and just
him is a little naive…..but i will say this he does make a
 perfect scapegoat!!!!

I still think there is a bigger story there with T.O. This is what McNabb had to say today: http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/PHI/8730196

Eric,
I don’t know why but I believe TO.What does he have to gain by lying?
Look at Mcnabb’s reaction to all of TO’s statements……nothing just
don’t use my name….for crying out loud people on this blog get
more animated!!!I tell you what if he said stuff that wasn’t true about
me i’d have a bit more to say.Maybe not to the media but certainly
in the lockeroom.Which brings me to another question where are
the team leaders in all thisDoes philly have any

Sterling,

You are spot on! Owens’ existing contract was not negotiated by Rosenhaus, so Rosenhaus gets no benefit from it whatsoever. Only if Owens gets a new contract, would Rosenhaus get any coin out of his representation.

Of course, contract money is not the only source of revenue open to players and their agents. However, I sincerely doubt that IBM or Ford is going to be beating down Owens’ door to be their spokesperson. He’ll be lucky if he can get a gig shilling for a local porn shop.

EricR,

What? You think it might cause problems when the star quarterback and the star receiver get into a mud-slinging contest?

We can only hope! :)

Hey Bill whats wrong with schilling for a porn shop?
Lots of free DVD’s……… right Oiler Troll??

Matt:

Let this be the last post about this? Isn’t this the topic Rafael started and wanted us to respond to? Dude…

As a Cowboys fan I was totally sick of hearing about T.O. last year. Since the first preseason game Philly vs. Ravens when T.O. caught the a bomb on the first play of the game and ran it for a TD. I was in the cantina of my local mexican restaurant and some stupid Eagles fan started screaming and jumping around and shouted “I hope the Dallas Cowboys fans are watching this!!” I was already about to pay my bill and leave anyway, but I stopped and just glared hard at him to make him feel like a fool. He toned it down because I think his friends were embarrassed at his outburst in a crowded cantina like that. All year we had to hear about T.O. every week it seemed. How much he had done for the Eagles, blah blah blah. I just wanted him to disappear.

Now I am loving this situation!! The player I despise the most is single handedly destroying the team I dislike the most…and my favorite team ever the Cowboys will definitely benefit from it. How can you not like that?

Are you kidding me? This is the best news for Cowboys fans since the draft!!

Sterling wrote:

I was in the cantina of my local mexican restaurant and some stupid Eagles fan started screaming and jumping around and shouted â€Å"I hope the Dallas Cowboys fans are watching this!!”

How can the Eagle’s nation claim to be better, or have transcended the Cowboys when they can’t get the good team out of their collective mind? You’re in the Super Bowl, we’re 6-10 but you can’t stop thinking about us?

That’s why it will never last. Ultimately, one upping Dallas is their goal, not winning titles.

Rafael,

If thngs go the way we all hope they go, the iggles won’t be able to accomplish either of those goals this year. If they pull it off this year, they’ll do it while looking over their shoulder. We almost beat them once last year, with a much worse team out there than we should have this year. I am really excited about seeing how this team turns out this year.

Now I’m not expecting any miracles, but what I am expecting is a 10-6 season, a trip to the playoffs, and at least one beat down for the iggles. Give me that, and I finish the season a happy man. Give me anything more, and I won’t know what to do with myself.

Westbrook and McNabb are more important to that Offense than TO. It is funny though you would think the guy would just shut up and try to go get a Super Bowl Ring. But NO.

Maybe they will ship him off to the Raider Nation………Norv took a shot on Moss probably would do the same and give up either a Jerry Porter or a Ronald Curry. Personally I think Porter is as good as TO without the baggage and is just a better team away from being more of a house hold name.

Oh well………..at least it is the Eagles problem. Hey tell Bill and Jerry to offer Quincy Morgan for TO……..and see if they go for it. LOL.

does this remind anyone else of duane thomas. ok there is the big difference of one guy talking non stop and the other one not talking at all. Both, however, were very unhappy with their contracts and ceased communicating in an effective way. Peronally i feel that the eagles are a very good team in a very bad conference. i also think TO is almost as good as HE thinks he is. But he ain"t all that. The eagles did well without him. They seem to have a solid team and i can’t imagine he will make that much difference. The ravens and bucs won super bowls with just about the most medioces sets of wr’s i have ever seen. And in 1971 the cowboys won their first super bowl with a silent star at running back. It can be done. I mostly think this is a fun story in august.

For a productive back, Duane Thomas wore out his welcome in the league pretty quickly. TO may yet do the same. He is about to get sent to Keyshawn hell (from the Tampa days) for the year if he doesn’t shut his mouth. The “stupid police” need to arrest this guy for being overqualified—he took baseball steroids right off the sports pages, single handedly, which had to have been hard to do. I know I have a hard time crying for him, after he forced a trade and demanded the contract they gave him last year, with everyone (including the Eagles) warning him it would be light this year. All he wanted was his bonus last year. I think the league wants both TO and Drew Rosenhaus busted, so expect him to be told to sit the year out if this continues. From everything I have heard, if they do, it will stick, and the NFLPA knows it and has warned him of such.

I could give a rat’s butt about T.O.

As for the rotation:
Ratliff has to be kept because he would NEVER clear waivers to be placed on the practice squad. Between Johnson and Carson, I give Carson the edge because of his experience; BUT ONLY AN EDGE!