crewsor

I'm dancing a friggin Christmas jig right now. I hate to sound callous, but it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I believe its karma.






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PHILADELPHIA Eagles star receiver Terrell Owens will miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the playoffs and Super Bowl because of a sprained right ankle, a devastating blow to the best team in the NFC.

Owens will have surgery Wednesday and stands only an outside shot at being able to play in the NFL's championship game on Feb. 6 -- if Philadelphia makes it that far -- head trainer Rick Burkholder said.
"I was looking forward to the playoffs, really trying to get this team to the Super Bowl," Owens said in a conference call. "I think without me, still, they achieve that goal."

Owens, whose touchdown celebrations and big plays made him an instant fan favorite, called some of his teammates with the news and told them he was sticking around for the playoff run.

"I'm behind them. I'm going to be their biggest cheerleader," Owens said.

Owens, who has 77 catches for 1,120 yards and a team-record 14 touchdowns, also has a fracture a few inches below his knee. But Burkholder still didn't rule out the chance that Owens would be able to run in five weeks -- the weekend of the NFC title game.

"There's a lot of hurdles that have to be taken on before he can ever get to that point," Burkholder said.

"The scenario I painted is the best-case scenario, but it is realistic," he said.

Owens was hurt on the second play of the third quarter of Philadelphia's win over Dallas on Sunday when he was dragged down from behind by Roy Williams on a 20-yard reception. Owens immediately grabbed the back of his leg, which was bent backward, but left the field on his own power.

The Eagles went on to win 12-7 and clinched home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.

Tests revealed a high ankle sprain. A screw will be implanted to stabilize and strengthen the ankle joint.

Owens had an MRI at the Eagles complex Monday morning, and complained of pain in his lower leg. He then saw an ankle specialist in Baltimore.

"I went down there optimistic, hoping for the best, and I got the worst of news," Owens said. "Things happen. You've just got to move on from it."

Burkholder said the fracture is not as serious, and will be allowed to heal on its own.

"He's a great player, but can the offense go on? Absolutely," coach Andy Reid said Monday. "We have some pretty good players on this offensive unit, so it'll still function and do very well this week."

Owens has missed just seven games in his nine-year career. Acquired in an offseason trade, he has provided a spark to an offense that often stagnated late in the season -- even though Philadelphia made the NFC championship game the last three years without him.

Philadelphia plays next Monday night at St. Louis and finish the season on Jan. 2 at home against Cincinnati. Philadelphia will open the playoffs Jan. 15 or 16.

The Eagles' other starting wide receiver, Todd Pinkston, hurt his knee against the Cowboys and Reid said he was walking with a limp Monday.

Without Owens, the Eagles will be left with basically the same lackluster receiving corps that has disappeared when needed in the title games. Freddie Mitchell or Greg Lewis could join Pinkston as the other starting wideout. Those three have a combined 60 catches for 1,073 yards.

Reid said the Eagles will activate wide receiver Billy McMullen.

"Freddie's going to get his chances to make plays," Owens said. "There shouldn't be any more excuses as to why he's not getting the ball. Now he gets his chance."

In two playoff games last year, the Eagles had one touchdown catch from a wide receiver.

None of the wide receivers caught a pass in the second half of the Eagles' 12-7 win over the Cowboys.

The Eagles have already set a franchise record for regular-season victories. They've finished first in the conference three straight years, but couldn't take advantage of playing at home in the last two NFC championship games, losing to Tampa Bay and Carolina. The Eagles also lost in the NFC title game in 2002, in St. Louis.

"There's no reason for the city of Philadelphia to get down because I'm not there," Owens said. "Obviously, my presence will be missed, but we have the guys to get it done."

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We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

bravosnakeeyes

I don't think thats fair. I personally am not an eagles fan but i think that TO gets a bad rap. The guys is great receiver who plays hard every game, is one of the best blocking receivers in the game, doesn't have any off the field problems and a good dancer. Yea he celebrates alot but if teams don't like to see him dance than they shouldn't let him score. He just plays with a lot of passion.... just like Deion, Ray Lewis.... Jerry Rice, the best receiver ever, used to do dance everytime he scored.... remember the cabbage patch. Im pretty sure that he didn't chose to sign with the ravens is behind your post

djtestudo

You're pretty quick

All I can say is:

Na na na na, na na NA NA, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye (YOU SUCK!)

__________________
"Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen."
--Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

crewsor

Yeah, I will admit to a touch of bias. Its not so much he chose not to sign, but the way he conducted himself. But that is just typical of him. I don't deny he has talent, but I also contend he is a self absorbed jerk. I wouldn't wish life threatening injury to him, but I can't say I don't get some satisfaction from this bit of misfortune for him.

__________________
We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

radioguy

he also seems to always give the ball to somebody in the front row behind the endzones. many times, i've noticed that it is a handicapped person of some sort ie: wheelchair. by seeing him do this, it makes me tolerate the celebrations.

Andrew

How can you cheer for someone to be injuried? I'm far away from a T.O. fan, but I wanted him in the playoffs. I wanted his alligator arms dropping balls when the game mattered much. If they made it to the SB, he would have gotten dominated by Ty Law, assuming N.E. went. This is sad.

Rdr4evr

I agree with you for the most part. A receiver of that caliber could show boat all he pleases as long as he backs it up, which he does. If he brings that shit to Oakland though, it would be a different story.

Although I would like to see Philly lose another championship game strictly for my own entertainment.

As for the other players you mentioned.....well, Deion was just plain annoying. Rice is possibly the greatest reciever to play the game, so he can do as he pleases as well (but its time to retire old man), and Ray Lewis, well, quite frankly I love the guy (even though I really shouldn't), he to me is the epidemy of what a football player should represent.

Jadedfox

TO could be one of the greats if he'd just shut the fuck up. I hate the guy. I'm happy he's out for the season.

--jaded

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There is no fucking you, there is only me.

bravosnakeeyes

[QUOTE=Jadedfox]TO could be one of the greats if he'd just shut the fuck up. I hate the guy. I'm happy he's out for the season.

TO is that type of player that you'd love to have on your team... but hate the shit out of him if he's not. I hated Shaq when he was in Orlando loved him as a Laker and hate him now that he's with the heat. But i don't hate him where i would be happy if he got hurt.

registrant2000

I'm no T.O. fan at all, but I was certainly interested in seeing whether or not the new *retooled* Philly could get the job done in the playoffs. This knocks them back a peg or two and if I were a conspiracy theorist I'd say that Andy Reid slipped Roy Williams a little "bonus" so T.O. wouldn't make good on the.. '15 touchdowns = Andy in tights' bet.

crewsor

Now wouldn't that have been a sight? Picture a 400 lb. Peter Pan in green tights. You could be right about the bribe.

__________________
We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

clockworkgreen

Enjoy Kyle F'n Boller as your QB, ass.

crewsor

I take it you have a problem with Kyle Boller. Seems like a nice enough gut to me.

__________________
We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

heccubusiv

Philly is screwed, but i think the Raven fans are pissed because they currently not in the playoff picture. It must hurt to not be able to control your own playoff picture. Even if you beat the steelers and the fins you need teams to lose. You can take the team out of Cleveland but you cannot take the suck out of the team.

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Fuck Ohio

djtestudo

At least he hasn't led the Ravens to three straight playoff chokes...Well, since we did hold the best offense in the league to their lowest points of the season, and give the best team in the league their only loss...yeah, the Ravens REALLY suck.

__________________
"Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen."
--Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

Rdr4evr

Why don't all of you face the facts. Both Ravens and Eagles will fail to make it to the big game this year

dragon2fire

only cause manning is such a classy guy and the ravens were out of the game.....if he had tried at the end we all know the worse would of been a field goal.

crewsor

They may not be the best team in the NFL, or may not even make it to the playoffs. But suck, I don't think so. They still have a shot at 10 and 6, and given the adversity they've faced this season, I'll gladly take that.

__________________
We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

thecoldone33

As an Eagles fan i can say that the Ravens can beat the tough teams and within a couple years will be back in the running to compete with the big teams in the AFC. If they can maintain their defence, keep Jamal Lewis runnning well and with the team, and continue to stick with Kyle Boller, they may surprise some people in the future.

Philly is far from screwed, at least in the play-offs. We are still a much improved defence that is giving the least points in the league, Westbrook is healthy and running, and Mcnabb is by far having his best season. Now you can make the argument that this would not be the case if not for T.O, but this would have been a good season for him otherwise. As long as we stick with the game plan were running, and Donovan make the right choice of when to throw and not to throw the ball, we'll be fine in the playoffs. Past that and into the superbowl if T.O is not atleast playing at 75% if he can get back in time, we dont stand much a chance against any of the big 3 from the AFC

heccubusiv

Last time i checked they were only the second best offense in the NFL
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statis...=2004&season=2
And you could not put up points against the 5th worst defense in the NFL
http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NF...r?sort_col_1=4

The ravens scored the second lowest point total this season against the colts( tied with the Bears) and still allowed 316 yards of total offense

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Fuck Ohio

djtestudo

You're just upset that you aren't undefeated...

__________________
"Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen."
--Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

dragon2fire

hyjack warning.

hey thats a much improved colts d. and as for the second best ...ok yes by yardage....but give me a break its eight yards lets see who wins it at the end of the year.

MikeyChalupa

I guess there won't be a "Desperate Housewives II" skit next MNF...

-Mikey