Terrell Owens Talks About Play-Calling And Himself... A Lot.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 6, 2010 9:29 AM EST in Analysis

CINCINNATI OH - DECEMBER 05: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5 2010 in Cincinnati Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bengals fans and Terrell Owens are a lot alike. We're human. We love breathing the plentiful and beautiful air of freedom. We like to eat food, followed by any number of reasons to use a bidet afterwards. We like driving, especially when it substitutes walking in fine 20-degree Cincinnati weather. Our contemporaries don't really care for us.

After the game Sunday, Terrell Owens talked about the play-calling in an artful description of "teeing off" by Kevin Goheen.

"I just think that, coming here this year, with the opportunities that presented themselves with myself and Chad (Ochocinco), the progression of Jordan Shipley and Gresh (Jermaine Gresham), we could be a little more aggressive," said Owens.

The press conference continues, going from that one sentence about expectations early in the season into a spiel about himself, saying the word/letter "I" 12 times in the following 10 sentences.

"There are times when I'm not the No. 1 option, but considering the things that I've done this year, I present matchup problems."

"It's frustrating when you feel like there are opportunities that are left out on the field and they aren't being taken advantage of," said Owens. "Everybody's frustrated but I feel like I can be part of the solution as well. Go back and watch the film. I can play this game. There ain't nobody I feel can stop me when I'm out there. That's just confidence; it's not arrogance.

"Everybody can listen to what I say and say that I'm arrogant and that I'm trying to create some controversy or distraction. It's not a distraction ... When there were opportunities one-on-one, I can exploit those matchups."

He is right. The team should be far better on offense with a greater use of the play-calling -- i.e., no more two-yard bubble screens, shovel passes, ineffective inside runs on back-to-back downs. But let's not be too delusional into thinking that Owens' frustration is much more than some selfless humanitarian diatribe about the Cincinnati Bengals. Owens has an expiring contract with four remaining games and would, after the tremendous season he's having, like one more payday before retiring. Who can blame him?

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Comments

He is right!!!!

I no that everyone wants to dog T.O. for what he said but its TRUE!!! Yes we was in that game but play callin is bad. Havnt seen a new play or formation the whole year. Play callin is the worst in the red zone. We dont motion our recievers to cause matchup problems. We havnt sent Gresh down the mid of the field more the 5yards yet. So play callin is the worst. We open every game with the TE in motion then we run to that side. We just perdictable. We dnt use Chase Coffman. We try to make him a blocking TE when he was just a big reciever in college. Put him in the slot an run him down the middle of the field like Indy, Dallas, Atlanta an other teams with good recieving TEs. So i believe T.O. is right and has the right to say what he said. It goes back to what Willie Anderson said the players n leaders of the team the coaches dnt listen to. Guess thats why all the good players want to leave the Bengals when they play here.

by i am will on Dec 6, 2010 9:51 AM EST reply actions

I'm not so sure

What I saw was Palmer unable to make the throws for them to be aggressive. He had TO deep and he underthrew him…again. He had Chad on a 15-20 yard out pattern and he underthrew him…again.

I’m sorry but Palmer’s elbow is completely shot and he can no longer put any mustard behind his passes. It results in a conservative mid range passing attack and honestly, I don’t blame them. There was a time when Palmer could put zip on the balls but that’s long past. His arm is about as strong as Pennington’s now.

by Mexal on Dec 6, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions