Grievance Hearing Thread

[Diomedes]

The Bye Bye TO thread is now 20 pages long.  Time for a new forum to discuss this melodrama, don't you think?

Here is Bob Brookover's piece from today's Inquirer:

Let's Make a Deal
Eagles may try to work out T.O. exit strategy
By Bob Brookover
Inquirer Staff Writer

Terrell Owens returned to Philadelphia yesterday.

It's still highly unlikely that he will return to the Eagles for this or any other season.

Owens' grievance hearing against the team is scheduled for late this morning. The site was changed yesterday from the team's NovaCare Complex to the Philadelphia Airport Marriott.

That's what was definitely known last night.

Far more was unknown.

It was believed that the Eagles were trying to cut some sort of deal with Owens and the NFL players' union in an attempt to keep the case from being ruled upon by Richard Bloch, the arbitrator assigned to the hearing.

Team president Joe Banner was in meetings late yesterday and did not return a phone call last night.

Owens returned to Philadelphia on a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, but he granted no interviews and apparently did not return to his home in Moorestown, the site of his news conference 10 days ago after Eagles coach Andy Reid announced his four-game suspension without pay.

If Owens' case goes to a hearing today, it will be argued by lawyers from the players' union and the league.

Richard Berthelsen, the general counsel for the NFL Players Association, has said the union would argue that the Eagles' punishment of their star receiver for conduct detrimental to the team was excessive.

Berthelsen said the offense has a four-game suspension limit and the Eagles have said that they plan to deactivate Owens during the final five games of the season, which the union will argue deprives the receiver of a chance at earning incentives and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Sources with the Eagles have said that the money in this dispute does not matter to the team as much as ridding it of the headaches the controversial receiver has caused. Owens stands to lose $823,529 if Bloch rules against him. The Eagles have also maintained that they are entitled to $1.8 million of the receiver's $9 million signing bonus from last year because they believe Owens violated his contract terms when he failed to show up at a mandatory post-draft camp in the spring.

With more than $2.6 million at stake, the Eagles could dangle that money in front of Owens in the hope that he would agree to end his dispute and cut ties with the team.

Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said that his client's main goal is to rejoin the Eagles, and there is still a movement in the team's locker room to bring the receiver back. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter continued to beat that drum during an interview Wednesday that ESPN2 aired yesterday on its Cold Pizza morning program.

Trotter was asked if he thought Owens was finished with the Eagles, who have lost twice since their top receiver was exiled.

"I don't think so," the linebacker said. "For some crazy reason, I got a feeling. We would love to have T.O. back. We love what he brings to the team - his emotions, his ability, his confidence. He would definitely make us a better team. He feels bad about it. He's going through a tough time mentally. He wants to be with the team. He's not a bad guy."

Trotter allowed that Owens' return would have to come with conditions, including that he'd have to understand "that Andy is the head coach and whatever he says goes." The linebacker has expressed his feelings to Reid.

"He knows how I feel about T.O.," Trotter said. "Andy loves T.O. But as a head coach, you've got so many things to worry about, the last thing you want is outside distractions. Just cause I love T.O. doesn't mean I agree with everything he does."

Trotter said he believes that even quarterback Donovan McNabb, the target of numerous cheap shots by Owens, would welcome the receiver back.

"I believe Donovan wants him back if T.O. comes back with the right attitude," Trotter said. "I'm sure he'll accept him."

McNabb refused to answer questions about Owens after the Eagles' loss Monday night to the Dallas Cowboys. The quarterback is facing the prospect of season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia.

Defensive end N.D. Kalu, who has expressed disappointment in the past about Owens' behavior, said he'd be willing to bring the receiver back.

"He is one of the best receivers in the league, so why wouldn't we welcome him?" Kalu said. "We just hope he is on the same page with everybody, which I'm sure he is because he sounded so sincere with his apology."

[rjs246]

I'm going to recommend that we publicly stone anyone who starts another TO thread.

My, what a marvelous idea!

[T_Section224]

ok, let me gather some rocks.

[PhillyGirl]

Lovers quarrel? 

[Diomedes]

I like to get stoned.

[rjs246]

Are you saying I'm in love with myself? Because, that is very clearly the case.

[Wingspan]

i'm gonna go ahead and say that this thread will be 10 pages by 2pm Eastern Time...and not one post will not make any sense.

but a few will make me laugh.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

My sources say that the arbitrator will rule that T.O. must be the starting QB for the Eagles for the remainder of '05.

[BigEd76]

The curtains are still closed, and no one is allowed into the hotel unless they're eating at the restaurant.  Intense.

[Wingspan]

now there are CURTIANS involved?

what is this world coming to?!

[T_Section224]

The curtains are still closed, and no one is allowed into the hotel unless they're eating at the restaurant. Intense.

well, it's lunch time, i'm on my way, i'll update you when i get back...

[Wingspan]

aparently someone excused them self after they coughed right before speaking. can you beleive the drama?

[DH]

The curtains are still closed, and no one is allowed into the hotel unless they're eating at the restaurant. Intense.

well, it's lunch time, i'm on my way, i'll update you when i get back...

Make sure you brings some eggs, T. 

[JTrotter Fan]

Speaking of eggs, Roy Williams was on ESPN Radio yesterday bitching about their bus getting hit.  He said it was rude but that he expected it from Philly fans.  I hate Roy!

[Susquehanna Birder]

My sources say that the arbitrator will rule that T.O. must be the starting QB for the Eagles for the remainder of '05.

I guess I have to register the TO2TOTD handle now.