Mark Mussina’s Blog

The Ravens Should Land T.O…Here’s How.

Posted 1 year, 0 months ago
by Mark Mussina

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Tell me he’s not exactly what the Ravens need on the field: a big receiver, who makes plays. I know he’s older and not as good as he used to be, but hasn’t he’s still led the NFL in receiving  yards since 2004? And in general, he’s loved in the locker room, at least by some of the guys. The reason he divided locker rooms is because many of his teammates, both in Phily and in Dallas, agreed with what he was saying. I’ve never met the man, but in general he seems like a bubbly, personable, productive football player. And again, he plays a position the Ravens could surely use and upgrade.

You think these types of receivers aren’t important? Just drive up I-95 and see how even the Giants GM has said they would take Plaxico back. No, the Ravens need someone like T.O., and here’s how to do it.

He would only get a one year deal. (And when you look, historically, he has been a Boy Scout for his first season) In his contract, you stipulate that he can have one weekly press conference with the media. Something like Wednesday, so he has time to simmer down from the weekend. Don’t allow radio interviews, or let him answer any questions at his locker after practices or games. These are the things that get him in trouble. If you could avoid that, you’d be golden.

So have the contract stipulate that any talking to the media at anything other than his own, personal, weekly press conference would result in a hefty fine. A second offense would result in his release.

I know people will say “you can’t do that.” I think you can. You can put lots of things in contracts. If you can stipulate that a player can’t ride a four-wheeler or skydive, I would think you could limit his talking to the press. Maybe the NFL would have a problem with this, but I’m not sure they would. It’s not like they can demand players to talk to the media. Some players don’t talk after losses. Some guys barely talk at all. Didn’t Sterling Sharpe stop talking to reporters? I think Duane Thomas went a whole season and didn’t speak to anybody. Now, that was almost 40 years ago. Maybe the NFL has changed, but if you’re the NFL, ask yourself this? “Are we, as a league, better off with or without Terrell Owens”? I’m not saying the league wouldn’t survive without him, because it obviously would, but it doesn’t mean the product would be as good. Baseball isn’t better without Barry Bonds, but no team will sign Barry because no one wants to put up with the distraction. Well, Barry distractions would included lawyers, FBI agents, and the fact that many of his teammates will want to punch him in the face by the All-Star break.  With T.O. you never get the sense that guys want to punch him. They just want him to shut up, so the contract will stipulate that.

The other thing people will say is “he’ll never agree to it.” And you know what?  Maybe he won’t. But, after he sees what kind of offers he gets, or doesn’t get, maybe he will. Remember, he’s going to the Hall of Fame. If you sell him on the fact that the Ravens have a chance to get him back to the Super Bowl, and he could go out as the valiant knight riding off on his white horse, he might go for it. Really, if it comes down to sitting out, signing with the Lions, or taking the Ravens “stay away from reporters” contract, which do you think he’d choose?

Three more thought about this. One is, if there was ever a locker room personality that could tell T.O. to “sit down and shut up before I sit you down and shut you up” it would be Ray-Ray. Without Ray Lewis, I wouldn’t be as excited to make this offer, but with #52 around, I’m not worried about the locker room. Again, since it will be T.O.’s first season with the club, I don’t think there would be any problems, but if one started, Ray would quickly put it out.

Number two; I know T.O. and Ozzie have had some issues. Bury the hatchet and move on.

Lastly, remember a few years ago when Randy Moss was such a bad guy he got traded for a fourth round pick. Moss fought with his quarterback in Minnesota, he admittedly dogged it in Oakland, and no one wanted him; no one, except Brett Favre, and New England. The Patriots got him. Do you think they’re regretted it for a minute? You think now the Ravens wish they’d have offered a fourth round pick for Mr. Moss?

The Ravens have a missing piece, and they’ve had it for years. T.O. fills that void. It’s a risk, but it’s one I would seriously think about taking.

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9 Responses to “The Ravens Should Land T.O…Here’s How.”

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   Mike Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
   

   Mark,

   As much as I can’t believe I am saying this, you may be right. He always bites his lip the first year and stipulations in his contract like this would make him quiet it down.

   (EDIT:MM) I can tell you’re a wise man.

   
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   robodog Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
   

   A pretty controversial idea considering most of the NFL has already said NFW and T.O.’s shenanigans, especially his 2 weeks as a Raven. I think it might be worth consideration IF T.O. was kept on a very tight leash, and given only a 1 year deal, as it seems to take him longer than 1 year to work his “magic” with the team chemistry.

   
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   Ben Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
   

   You can’t be serious with this post? Are you a Ravens fan? Why would you want this kind of drama on our team? I mean you must have written two paragraphs on all the precautions we need to take and things we will and will not allow him to do. Cmon! Way too many “If’s…” We all know what the end result will be. Stay away from this guy. Look elswhere. You are only saying this b/c he is avalible now. Did you want him on our team when he was drama with Philly and Dallas????????

   (EDIT:MM) I’m a Cowboy fan and I loved him, just like I loved Michael Irvin, who also caused some problems. The Ravens can’t keep winning playoff games 13-10. Sooner or later, they need to score.

   
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   Cheese Puff Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
   

   I heard Billick tell Drew that T.O. would destroy Flacco, I don’t know if I would take Billick’s advice on QB’s or not, after all there are some that say Billick destroyed a few QB’s himself. One interesting thought might be that Baltimore is a “small market” team. Does this mean that the media would be less of a problem? Or would his presence draw more national media attention? Would a small market city be able feed his obvious need for attention? Has he gotten wise to the media game and might like the relative quiet of Baltimore? These are all questions only Mr. Owens can answer. As far as any grudges between Ozzie and anyone, I really don’t see that as an issue if Ozzie thought it would make the team better. I just think that there should be an understanding that at the first bsign of trouble his butt is gone.

   
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   Mike T Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
   

   Steve Smith actually goes and gets the ball by elevating himself and he has less drops than Owens.Steve Smith is what this team needs.

   (EDIT:MM) Wasn’t Steve Smith suspended by Carolina last year for punching a teammate? I see you’re point. Don’t sign T.O. because he’s a bad guy, but sign Smith, who is also a bad guy.

   
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   Jarrod Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
   

   Mussina,

   I want whatever your smoking on over there.

   Maybe you haven’t noticed, but Terrell Owens literally tears down football teams. Let alone, every single QB he’s been with. It’s been clearly documented in every single place he goes. Not only does he hang is QB’s out to dry in the media, but he will also eventually hang whatever O Cordinator that crosses his past as well.

   Berry the “hatchet”? That would actually care if TO cared about winning. T.O cares about T.O. To can get the ball thrown to him 21 times a game (which happened against Washington last season), and STILL will complain that he wasn’t thrown to enough.

   Ask Parcells, Jason Garrett, Andy Reid, Brad Childress, Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, and Jason Witten how good of a teamate he “is”.

   Oh and also ask them what they ever WON with the guy?

   (EDIT:MM) What have Jason Garrett, Andy Redi, Brad Childress, Tony Romo, Donovan Mcnabb, and Jason Whitten won without T.O.? As a matter of fact, the one Super Bowl the McNabb and Reid made it to happened to be T.O.’s one full season in Phily. I’m telling you, for one year, he’s a boy scout. And that boy scout would be a major offensive upgrade.

   
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   Bruce-Bel Air Says:
   March 6th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
   

   Mark,

   Obviously the paper thin air of Central Pennsylvania has gone to your head, which answers the question “are you high”? T.O. peed in our Wheaties 5 years ago when we “traded” for him, so in my book, that makes him persona-non-grata. Second…..we’ll have a second year quarterback under center this year, and we’ve all seen how patient he is with those types of QB’s. Would I love to see a wide receiver that can spread the field in a purple shirt this fall? **** yes….but not to the detrement of the development of Joe Flacco…no way…no how. Prehaps your time is better spent consulting with your older brother, on how he should spend his 90 or so million….but thanks for the contribution to the site!

   
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   Rich Says:
   March 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
   

   (EDIT:MM) I’m a Cowboy fan and I loved him, just like I loved Michael Irvin, who also caused some problems. The Ravens can’t keep winning playoff games 13-10. Sooner or later, they need to score.
   coupon

   So let me get this straight,,,We’re supposed to take the advice of a Cowboy fan on how to win playoff games?
   Off course you loved Michael Irvin,he was probably still playing the last time the Cowboys won a playoff game.Nefarious indeed

   (EDIT:MM) There are many Cowboys who can explain how to win playoff games. They don’t play anymore. Haven’t played in a while. But they’re out there.

   
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   Chris McAlister Says:
   March 8th, 2009 at 7:27 am
   

   If Ray Lewis couldnt keep me and my attitude in check then how on earth is he going to control TO who is 10xs worse????