Terrell Owens: They Listen, But They're Not Hearing Me

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 11, 2010 8:35 PM EDT in Analysis

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs by Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 3 2010 in Cleveland Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

After a slow start three games into the young season, Terrell Owens recorded 14 receptions for 152 yards combined. Since then Owens has absolutely exploded, combining for 17 receptions for 324 yards receiving during the last two games, nearly doubling his yard/reception average. Though at the end of the day the explosion didn't mean much with both performances ending with losses to the Browns and Buccaneers, you can't fault Owens for coming alive whereas the rest of the offense continues to limp along.

Over the weekend, Owens sat down with Michael Irvin for an in-depth interview, talking mostly about Owens' career as the league's biggest perceived antagonist through the first half of the one-on-one.

During the back-half of the interview, Irvin presses Owens to talk about the struggles the Bengals are having, starting the season at 2-2 (interview was before the loss to the Buccaneers), fresh off the loss against Cleveland.

While he doesn't necessarily throw anyone under the bus, Owens is clearly growing frustrated because the coaching staff is not listening to the input he's giving. Here's a brief transcript on questions specific to the Bengals.

Who do you seeing not doing what they need to get done to win a Super Bowl here?

"I believe in those guys in that lockerroom. When we get it together, trust me, it's going to be hell. We're making mental mistakes. That's killing us. We got our butts kicked the first game. But to lose against Cleveland, come on."

Can you give me a hint on what's going on?

"I've been in the presence of a lot of great football minds. You think about obviously Steve Young, Jerry Rice... and when I was a rookie, my second year and third year, I didn't say a lot. But I sat back, I stood back there, and I watched and I listened. The progression that quarterbacks are supposed to go through. Understood if I'm supposed to run a post to get somebody else open. Trust me, I understand.

"Some people here think that I really don't think I know what I'm doing. But I have to do it their way."

What people here don't think you know what you're doing?

"Just some people. I understand that this is a totally different system, but at the end of the day, it's still football. So I try to address some issues, or input some things I've been taught that's made me successful."

How well is it being received when you offer this information?

"It's one of those things that they listen, but they're not hearing me. Mike, I just want to win. I want to give that input to help us win."

You can watch the entire interview here.

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Comments

Thanks Josh for clearing that up with the interview and everything.

But one last thing, I can’t get the interview through you link in your post as well as any other youtube links or video links in any other post. How do I get them? I have a new laptop and I could get them on my old one. Thanks.

by WHYUS!! on Oct 11, 2010 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe try updating Flash

An older version may not work with newer videos.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 11, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

In other Words "Bratkowski doesnt listen and he sucks"

by Diesel2405 on Oct 11, 2010 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

How do you know he means Brat?

Maybe he means Palmer.
Maybe he means Lewis.
Maybe he means Chad.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Oct 11, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

good for us fans...

Maybe just maybe TO keeps talking and blows the lid off the whole terrible ownership ordeal we have been putting up w for years. I do work w many different car dealers. Some are better than others and it is evident in all the details. From the daily operations and employee efficiency to paper towels in the bathroom it is apparent. If the Bengals were a car dealer they would be a buy here pay here..

by quickslant on Oct 11, 2010 10:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

With that being said..

I don’t think that it is out of the realm of possibility that we don’t get our sh t together and woop some NFL azz.

by quickslant on Oct 11, 2010 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

TO has been in a lot more winning games than ML, Brat or Palmer

Maybe, just maybe, they should at least consider what he is saying. Obviously, they need some help from somewhere.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 11, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

They'll Bengalize him yet

give it time.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Oct 12, 2010 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I watched this the other day

I have to admit that I haven’t been a fan of T.O., but I have to agree with every thing he said in the interview. The man is telling the truth. Regardless of his personality he produces on the field. He has come in here and in a couple of months become the most productive receiver on our team. I am tired of hearing this “Chad is getting double teamed” crap. If your so freaking great then you would find a way to GET OPEN! Chad isn’t half as good as he thinks he is. He is more interested in getting attention than playing football, and he can’t seem to do both at the same time. He is like a kid so starved for attention that he doesn’t care whether it is positive,or negative, as long as someone is paying attention to him. He has the maturity level of a 10 year old. At least T.O., while seeking attention, can show up to play on Sunday.

Zimmer is doing a solid job, but I don’t want to see him as head coach. Marvin is clearly not going to get it done, and he has had ample time to do so. He is a 500. coach at best. Bob Bratkowski would have been fired on any other team in the NFL 3 years ago. Special teams, in my opinion, has underachieved. I really thought that we were going to be explosive on special teams, and that they were going to be our best asset. That being said, barring the kickoff return for a touchdown in week 1 they have been solid.

It’s time to invest in a new quarterback. Palmer is a veteran and he is making rookie mistakes. I lay half of the blame on the quarterbacks coach for not getting this fixed. Carson doesn’t know what a check down is, and his vision and mechanics are awful, to put it politely.

I am not surprised in the least how our team has performed so far this season. I saw all of this coming in the preseason, while everyone kept making tons of excuses and telling me I was being overly concerned. At some point you have to realize, you are what your record shows, and when you play like crap every week it is because you are not a good team, even if you look good on paper.

We have a 2-3 record doing things Lewis and Bratkowski’s way. Our offense is terrible, so what the hell do we have to lose by trying it his way? When you have shown the ineptitude that our coaching staff has shown over the years and haven’t produced any playoff wins, then you damn well better learn to take some suggestions. If your ego is too big to remain teachable and listen to input from one of your players, (who happens to be the second leading receiver of all time with 15 years of playing experience) and they are telling you how to exploit their talents; then you have no business running an offense.

Everything that is wrong with this franchise starts at the top!

MIKE BROWN STEP DOWN!!!

by D-Day77 on Oct 12, 2010 4:48 AM EDT reply actions