Tim Graham on TO

[Realist]

To about 90 percent of the people on this thread:

 

Please read the column.

 

I don't write about being owed anything. I don't whine. I don't need a tissue.

 

The column isn't even about Sunday's news conference. You might have noticed that had you read it. Do I mention it? Yes, but that's not what it's about.

 

If I was offended at the way Owens acted on Sunday, I would have written about it Sunday ... or Monday. I wrote a column sympathetic to Owens on Sunday night, his news conference included. I feel badly for him and for the fans who bought season tickets because he was on the team (someone brought up the point earlier that it's disingenuous of me to make that point because Evans makes more than Owens; so what? Evans didn't make people who were about to boycott the team over Jauron and three straight 7-9 seasons turn around and throw their money at the team).

 

Anyway, what this column is about is Owens' act when he went on "Two Live Stews," claiming to be the victim of media bullies ... at a time when the coverage was sympathetic towards him. He's already playing his role of the victim -- this time by the big, bad Buffalo media, which is laughable.

 

As mentioned in the Ask Tim Graham thread, on the volatile news conference scale, this rated a 6. He probably averaged an 8 in Dallas. Any Larry Quinn news conference is a healthy 7.

 

But everybody is all worked up because a) the entire news conference was played on ESPN, b) Owens has played the victim role so well for so long, people feel the need to jump to his defense like he's a child.

 

If this news conference offended you, then you would have a stroke if you saw what the average news conference is like in a major market. I was at the Donovan McNabb news conference the day the Eagles signed Michael Vick. I didn't see anybody jump in to save McNabb from the bullies.

 

But T.O. is so meek and helpless, people feel the need to embrace him.

 

Larry Quinn wants to know where you guys are after his news conferences.

 

 

Tim, thanks for posting to this thread.

 

I think I mentioned earlier in this thread or in a different one, can't remember, Evans says so many more controversial bites about the team and you never hear anything about those comments. But you can see how careful TO is trying to be with every word he says, it has to be nearly impossible for him to give an interview. If he's not careful, he is torn apart by the media.

 

If you put Evans' words in TO's mouth, they would be plastered all over the newspaper, internet, all over TV, it would be ridiculous with what would be said about him. Isn't this the media trying to create the story? I can't blame him for being vague and unresponsive to many questions.

[NY Nole]

To about 90 percent of the people on this thread:

 

Please read the column.

 

I don't write about being owed anything. I don't whine. I don't need a tissue.

Actually you and other 'media' are whining. I read your article and watched the replay of that press conference and TO is 100% correct in his assessment -- you (and other media) are trying to goat him. You claim to be looking for his "opinion" of why his streak of receptions came to an end? That is plain rubbish. You are looking for that juicy quote to stir up some controversy and pad your image as a great reporter/blogger that gets the scoop, justify your position with ESPN, sell newspapers or whatever. Just what would have been an acceptable answer to your question on his streak?? What insightful opinions were you looking for? Do you think he is going to recite the plays called and their assignments? Do you think he is going to give you their detailed gameplan? Are you looking for some detailed review of NOLAs coverage schemes? Would you have been happy if he said "Well Trent had to take what was given to him and, unfortunately, my number wasn't called." Hell no -- you wouldn't print any of that because it doesn't have a wide enough appeal for your story. You (and others) are simply looking for something along the lines of "The plays called sucked" or "Trent sucks" or "The Offensive Line sucks." When TO doesn't oblige -- you and others have to make this a story of how TO has it out for the media. Because TO has to have it out for somebody.. right?

 

Anyway, what this column is about is Owens' act when he went on "Two Live Stews," claiming to be the victim of media bullies ... at a time when the coverage was sympathetic towards him. He's already playing his role of the victim -- this time by the big, bad Buffalo media, which is laughable.

There was/is no media that is sympathetic to TO. The folks at your laughable outfit ESPN have been non-stop TO bashing since Buffalo signed him (and long before that). Mark Schlereth never says a positive thing about him. Same for other analysts like T.Jackson or Mortensen. ESPN first take has ran headlines every day since TO signing about "how long till this blows up in buffalo?" and now their headlines are "TO blows up in buffalo." Skip Bayless calls him "Team Obliterator." Sports writers from the San Fran media to Philadelphia write countless stories that basically say "We told you so.. same old TO."

 

As for the local media -- TO doesn't care about the Buffalo News, WGR or any other local hack. He goes home, turns on ESPN or other national outlets on his satellite and is reacting to them. Don't fool yourself to thinking the local media is the ire of TO's attention.

[TimGraham]

Thanks for your feedback, Emmitt. It's "goad," not "goat."

 

But you're way off in trying to find our ulterior motives and your concepts of how journalism works. We can't get a scoop in a news conference. It's impossible, by definition. There are dozens of news outlets in the room. Whatever he says, everybody gets to use. There is no exclusive.

 

As I explained before, this news conference barely rates in terms of hostility. If you think we were being bullies, then you should see us in front of somebody like Jerry Jones, Michael Vick, Joe Torre, Ozzie Guillen, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant ...

 

You know those Coors Light commercials where snippets of a coach's news conference are used? You think those were polite exchanges? Those are all born of heated interview sessions. They happen all the time.

 

This is a classic case of fans not wanting to see how the sausage is made.

 

If you're a Bills fans, you're aghast because this is the first time you've been exposed to anything like this.

 

Believe me, there's much worse on a weekly basis.

 

Actually you and other 'media' are whining. I read your article and watched the replay of that press conference and TO is 100% correct in his assessment -- you (and other media) are trying to goat him. You claim to be looking for his "opinion" of why his streak of receptions came to an end? That is plain rubbish. You are looking for that juicy quote to stir up some controversy and pad your image as a great reporter/blogger that gets the scoop, justify your position with ESPN, sell newspapers or whatever. Just what would have been an acceptable answer to your question on his streak?? What insightful opinions were you looking for? Do you think he is going to recite the plays called and their assignments? Do you think he is going to give you their detailed gameplan? Are you looking for some detailed review of NOLAs coverage schemes? Would you have been happy if he said "Well Trent had to take what was given to him and, unfortunately, my number wasn't called." Hell no -- you wouldn't print any of that because it doesn't have a wide enough appeal for your story. You (and others) are simply looking for something along the lines of "The plays called sucked" or "Trent sucks" or "The Offensive Line sucks." When TO doesn't oblige -- you and others have to make this a story of how TO has it out for the media. Because TO has to have it out for somebody.. right?

 

 

There was/is no media that is sympathetic to TO. The folks at your laughable outfit ESPN have been non-stop TO bashing since Buffalo signed him (and long before that). Mark Schlereth never says a positive thing about him. Same for other analysts like T.Jackson or Mortensen. ESPN first take has ran headlines every day since TO signing about "how long till this blows up in buffalo?" and now their headlines are "TO blows up in buffalo." Skip Bayless calls him "Team Obliterator." Sports writers from the San Fran media to Philadelphia write countless stories that basically say "We told you so.. same old TO."

 

As for the local media -- TO doesn't care about the Buffalo News, WGR or any other local hack. He goes home, turns on ESPN or other national outlets on his satellite and is reacting to them. Don't fool yourself to thinking the local media is the ire of TO's attention.

[Guest dog14787]

I would say that out of those three, only one is probably correct.

 

 

If T.O. wasn't genuinely concerned about the team somebody would have been thrown under the bus by now don't you think.

 

Especially when blowing up and throwing a hissy fit is to be expected , at Trent, or at the coaching staff, and who could even blame him, but it hasn't happened.

 

It hasn't happened because T.O. knows it serves no purpose. Unity is the one thing the Buffalo Bills have right now to help carry them forward, take that away and the Bills are done.

[loyal2dagame]

If you're a Bills fans, you're aghast because this is the first time you've been exposed to anything like this.

 

not true.......bickering bills ring a bell?

[TimGraham]

not true.......bickering bills ring a bell?

 

Please.

 

Bickering Bills is minor league compared to Terrell Owens. Ask somebody in Cleveland about the Bickering Bills. They'll want to know which two Williams you're talking about and what their quarrel is.

[GG]

If T.O. wasn't genuinely concerned about the team somebody would have been thrown under the bus by now don't you think.

 

Especially when blowing up and throwing a hissy fit is to be expected , at Trent, or at the coaching staff, and who could even blame him, but it hasn't happened.

 

It hasn't happened because T.O. knows it serves no purpose. Unity is the one thing the Buffalo Bills have right now to help carry them forward, take that away and the Bills are done.

 

And where do you get your reasoning that TO has a genuine concern for "his Buffalo Bills football team?"

 

TO is probably the most competitive guy on that roster and the only obvious things about this season (so far) has been that he's kept his composure through the madness that's ensued. The only thing that TO cares about right now is to shed the label that he's a locker room cancer, so that he can join a real team next year.

[DC Tom]

Please.

 

Bickering Bills is minor league compared to Terrell Owens. Ask somebody in Cleveland about the Bickering Bills. They'll want to know which two Williams you're talking about and what their quarrel is.

 

I always felt "Bickering Bills" was kind-of overblown.

 

Really, though...TO gets the coverage he gets because 1) he's a drama queen, and 2) the media loves controversy. Anyone who holds either TO or the media solely responsibly is missing the very real co-dependence betwen TO and the media that exists at this point.

 

And the fans, for that matter. In all this talk about TO looking for attention, and the media looking for a TO-blowup to write about, no one's yet taken notice of the fact that the fans are eating up the controversy about...what, exactly? A controversy about there not being enough of a controversy over a usually controversial player?

[dave mcbride]

Thanks for your feedback, Emmitt. It's "goad," not "goat."

 

But you're way off in trying to find our ulterior motives and your concepts of how journalism works. We can't get a scoop in a news conference. It's impossible, by definition. There are dozens of news outlets in the room. Whatever he says, everybody gets to use. There is no exclusive.

 

As I explained before, this news conference barely rates in terms of hostility. If you think we were being bullies, then you should see us in front of somebody like Jerry Jones, Michael Vick, Joe Torre, Ozzie Guillen, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant ...

 

You know those Coors Light commercials where snippets of a coach's news conference are used? You think those were polite exchanges? Those are all born of heated interview sessions. They happen all the time.

 

This is a classic case of fans not wanting to see how the sausage is made.

 

If you're a Bills fans, you're aghast because this is the first time you've been exposed to anything like this.

 

Believe me, there's much worse on a weekly basis.

Tim, I live in NYC, and read the papers here pretty closely (particularly the Times). I also occasionally will catch snippets of talk radio on a rare day off. I don't think any of what I hear or read is more critical than what Jerry Sullivan writes or says on a weekly basis in the News and on WGR. WGR seems just as harsh as WIP or the FAN when it comes to the Bills too. There might be more sharks circling in Chicago and and Philly at any random news conference, but the critical tone that ends up surfacing and reaching the largest audience (Sullivan's articles are almost always the most viewed on the News' website) when this stuff enters general circulation strikes me as about the same in Boston, Buffalo, and Philly. There may be more negative voices in the larger media markets, but the percentage of negative voices is about the same. And even the so-called neutral voices aren't that favorably inclined -- check out Allen Wilson's chats and you'll see what I mean.

 

Did you ever speak with Mularkey or Donohoe about the Buffalo media? If memory serves, Donohoe thought it was unbelievably negative compared to Pittsburgh. I'm guessing he's still shocked at the stupid hubbub that ensued when he said 'save your postage.'

[shrader]

As I explained before, this news conference barely rates in terms of hostility. If you think we were being bullies, then you should see us in front of somebody like Jerry Jones, Michael Vick, Joe Torre, Ozzie Guillen, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant ...

 

It's not about the local media though. No matter who is asking the questions, it's going to get to the national media and he knows that. I'm sure he doesn't care that it is Jerry Sullivan asking the question. He's anticipating what some ESPN or another national personality will do when they get their hands on that quote.

 

I'm always joking about it when watching games, but I think it is 100% accurate. No matter what Owens does, someone will twist it and use it against him. It seems clear that he wants to change his image, unfortunately he came to this realization about 5 years too late.

[Guest dog14787]

Please.

 

Bickering Bills is minor league compared to Terrell Owens. Ask somebody in Cleveland about the Bickering Bills. They'll want to know which two Williams you're talking about and what their quarrel is.

 

I was wondering about one comment you made Tim if you have a moment:

 

The brassy New York Jets benched receiver David Clowney on Sunday for a tweet that reflected poorly on the team. Owens, meanwhile, is tweeting like a trash-talking canary.

 

 

Is there a twitter in particular you are referring to because I monitor T.O.'s twitters and I'm not sure I have seen anything reflecting poorly on the team or considered trash talking.

 

I suppose trash talking carries a broad interpretation, but I was curious if there was something in particular that caught your attention. (I don't read them all)

[TimGraham]

I was wondering about one comment you made Tim if you have a moment:

 

The brassy New York Jets benched receiver David Clowney on Sunday for a tweet that reflected poorly on the team. Owens, meanwhile, is tweeting like a trash-talking canary.

 

 

Is there a twitter in particular you are referring to because I monitor T.O.'s twitters and I'm not sure I have seen anything reflecting poorly on the team or considered trash talking.

 

I suppose trash talking carries a broad interpretation, but I was curious if there was something in particular that caught your attention.

 

What Owens tweeted repeatedly about Rodney Harrison's suspension I certainly consider trash talking.

[loyal2dagame]

I was wondering about one comment you made Tim if you have a moment:

 

The brassy New York Jets benched receiver David Clowney on Sunday for a tweet that reflected poorly on the team. Owens, meanwhile, is tweeting like a trash-talking canary.

 

 

Is there a twitter in particular you are referring to because I monitor T.O.'s twitters and I'm not sure I have seen anything reflecting poorly on the team or considered trash talking.

 

I suppose trash talking carries a broad interpretation, but I was curious if there was something in particular that caught your attention. (I don't read them all)

 

yeah, when you call a cheater a cheater(rodney harrison), it's not trash talking...... it's telling the truth

[Guest dog14787]

What Owens tweeted repeatedly about Rodney Harrison's suspension I certainly consider trash talking.

 

 

Thanks

[TimGraham]

yeah, when you call a cheater a cheater(rodney harrison), it's not trash talking...... it's telling the truth

 

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to attack a network broadcaster.

 

If Owens is trying to turn a new leaf and everybody thinks the way he handled himself with the Buffalo media after the game was admirable, then you don't slap him on the back and congratulate him for talking smack 15 minutes later on twitter.

 

Which is it? Are you proud of him for staying composed, or do you love it that he's going after a broadcaster who doesn't play the game anymore?

 

Avoid the drama, or court the drama?

[Realist]

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to attack a network broadcaster.

 

If Owens is trying to turn a new leaf and everybody thinks the way he handled himself with the Buffalo media after the game was admirable, then you don't slap him on the back and congratulate him for talking smack 15 minutes later on twitter.

 

Which is it? Are you proud of him for staying composed, or do you love it that he's going after a broadcaster who doesn't play the game anymore?

 

Avoid the drama, or court the drama?

I think because its Rodney Harrison, whom everyone on this board hates, people are okay with it.

[loyal2dagame]

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to attack a network broadcaster.

 

If Owens is trying to turn a new leaf and everybody thinks the way he handled himself with the Buffalo media after the game was admirable, then you don't slap him on the back and congratulate him for talking smack 15 minutes later on twitter.

 

Which is it? Are you proud of him for staying composed, or do you love it that he's going after a broadcaster who doesn't play the game anymore?

 

Avoid the drama, or court the drama?

 

i dont get it tim.

 

how did T.O. "attack" harrison.

 

harrison called him a clown and said T.O is more concerned with his own stats than the team's success.

T.O. refreshed the FACT that harrison was suspended for cheating.

 

so because harrison is retired now and does a football show he should be able to say what he wants about anything, but not have anything said in return? and if harrison did still play, would that matter? espically if it's T.O. making the comments?

 

as i'm sure you remember, jim(chris) everett actually attacked jim rome for spouting off and there were alot of people happy(although that may be a strong word) about that.

 

not trying to argue your point, just showing the double standard

[Guest dog14787]

That doesn't mean it's a good idea to attack a network broadcaster.

 

If Owens is trying to turn a new leaf and everybody thinks the way he handled himself with the Buffalo media after the game was admirable, then you don't slap him on the back and congratulate him for talking smack 15 minutes later on twitter.

 

Which is it? Are you proud of him for staying composed, or do you love it that he's going after a broadcaster who doesn't play the game anymore?

 

Avoid the drama, or court the drama?

 

With all due respect addressing the media is one thing, but a twitter has more of a personal ring to it don't you think, and although we like to do it, I'm not so sure pulling twitters out of context is any more fair than it would be to quote one comment from an interview without knowing what proceeded and followed the comment.

 

I realize that's not what you did, but instead you called him a trash talking canary with no explanation. (which was cute by the way)

[TimGraham]

i dont get it tim.

 

how did T.O. "attack" harrison.

 

harrison called him a clown and said T.O is more concerned with his own stats than the team's success.

T.O. refreshed the FACT that harrison was suspended for cheating.

 

so because harrison is retired now and does a football show he should be able to say what he wants about anything, but not have anything said in return? and if harrison did still play, would that matter? espically if it's T.O. making the comments?

 

as i'm sure you remember, jim(chris) everett actually attacked jim rome for spouting off and there were alot of people happy(although that may be a strong word) about that.

 

not trying to argue your point, just showing the double standard

 

Not a double standard.

 

I don't care if Harrison was still playing, many teams would admonish their players for tweeting like that. Just as the Dolphins did with Channing Crowder and the Jets did with David Clowney. Randy Moss and Wes Welker caught hell from Belichick for merely stating their offense MIGHT be better than it was in 2007. If a Patriot had sent that type of tweet to another player in the league -- I don't care if the target was Tony Mandarich -- Belichick would go ballistic.

 

And I'm sure there were a lot of Sabres fans who thought that it was OK for Dominik Hasek to strangle Jim Kelley. Still doesn't mean you should act that way.

 

It's about how you want your players to represent your organization.

 

But Owens' tweets weren't facts, as you claim. He ridiculed Harrison for taking steroids. That wasn't why he was suspended. He was suspended for HGH. But Owens didn't merely point that out either. He posted at least five tweets in which he asked Harrison to ship him steroids to One Bills Drive.

 

As a Bills fan, you're OK with a player reacting like that to a broadcaster 15 minutes after pretending to turn a new leaf with media who was right in front of him? Whatever leaf he's trying to turn, he lit on fire when he tweeted Harrison.

[TimGraham]

With all due respect addressing the media is one thing, but a twitter has more of a personal ring to it don't you think, and although we like to do it, I'm not so sure pulling twitters out of context is any more fair than it would be to quote one comment from an interview without knowing what proceeded and followed the comment.

 

I realize that's not what you did, but instead you called him a trash talking canary with no explanation. (which was cute by the way)

 

The link to the tweets is right there in the story.