Offseason Madness

Terrell Owens is so conceited and such a potential clubhouse cancer, but he's so good.

As a Baltimore native, this entire Terrell Owens drama that first had the former 49er as a free agent, then on his way to Philly, and finally under contract with the Ravens, has been trickier than the conclusion to an episode of Melrose Place.

Owens' agent wasn't aware of the logistical change in his client's contract that caused him to miss the date to file for free agency. The players association has filed a grievance with the league saying Owens should be a free agent. The league OK'd the trade to Baltimore, so their stance on the issue is obvious.

The Ravens expected the wide receiver in Baltimore on Monday for his scheduled physical -- but of course Owens didn't show up.

Owens has been cited in multiple publications blasting the 49ers, downplaying his trade to Baltimore, and showering all praises on the Philadelphia Eagles, who he thought he was traded to in the first place.

With all of that drama, what do we have now? We have a superstar wide receiver, who is arguably the best player at his position, in limbo. He should be in Baltimore, yet is probably on some tropical island cursing out his agent via cell phone.

We have the 49ers who, in all likelihood, are preparing their draft board and including the second round pick the team acquired from the Ravens for Owens. They also seem happy just to get rid of the wide receiver. For all the good press Owens brought the team, he brought just as much bad publicity. While in San Francisco, he performed outlandish, but creative, touchdown dances, openly spoke his mind on many issues, and is probably the sole reason Jeff Garcia wasn't resigned to play quarterback. As far as the 49ers are concerned -- good riddance.

We have Philadelphia who, before Baltimore jumped in offering its second round pick, was on the verge of acquiring Owens for a fifth round pick and James Thrash. That would have been a robbery -- a premier wide receiver who would have mingled so well with all-world quarterback Donovan McNabb. To put it simply, the only thing that could stop that combo would have been a hamstring injury. McNabb to Owens would have been completely unfair, so I'm glad that trade didn't go through.

However, the real victim of this entire charade is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens played by the rules. It doesn't matter if Owens really deserved free agency or not, he was technically still a 49er. The Ravens followed the rules by giving up a much-needed second round pick for Owens and, so far, they are without his services.

In this situation, Owens needs to be a professional. While unhappy in San Francisco, Owens rarely slacked on a play even though he outwardly expressed his displeasure in the Bay area. He has always claimed to be a professional, but is currently not holding up his end of the bargain.

As an NFL player, you have the right to free agency when your contract is up. However, in that same breath, when you are under contract, you must report and play for the team that owns your rights.

In other NFL news just 40 miles down I-95, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder believes he is buying his way to a Super Bowl Championship. First, he bought Joe Gibbs out of retirement and then commenced to overpay every free agent that contemplated a career in Washington.

For Snyder's efforts with his pen and checkbook, I really hope the Skins bring home the big one next year. As fellow co-host on TUTV's Best Damn Interruption Sports Show Colin Stewart put it, "The Redskins win the Super Bowl every off season."

So far Snyder has had the initiative and passion of George Steinbrenner with the luck of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos. No matter how much money Snyder dishes out to big name veterans, the production just doesn't show. Maybe this off season's big name additions like Clinton Portis, Mark Brunell, and Shawn Springs can end the trend.

For some reason, the NFL off season has become almost exciting as the actual NFL season. I find myself checking epsn.com more and more, looking for any updates in free agency and any updates to Mel Kiper's mock draft.

The NFL is truly a business and the business aspect doesn't get more exciting than this time of the year.