Q&A with Terrell Owens..

With 15 flashy seasons as a wide receiver to his name and stats that could very well earn him a place in the Hall of Fame, Terrell Owens has certainly made his mark on the NFL. But as today's draft begins, Owens remains a free agent, and no one knows where the 2012 season will take him. What we do know for sure, however, is that his signature flair and focus are sure as hell going with him. We caught up with the athlete to explore the real-life plot lines happening on his own private T.O. Show.  

Hardest workout this week:They're all pretty challenging if you ask me. I'm back to doing football stuff, like lifting weights. I go in and try to get the most out of my workout. It's all about the mindset. 

Biggest pet peeve:I don't like a lot of chit chattering in the gym — I'm not in there to talk, I'm not going to Starbucks or anything like that (laughs). 

What we'd be surprised to find in his refrigerator:Frozen turkey pot pies.

Best insider tip:You have to take care of your body. You have to do all the maintenance, all the heavy lifting, the workout, the fine-tuning of your muscles, the stretching, the yoga. That's how I approach anything, from a professional standpoint to a competition standpoint. Diet is also very key. If you have a high-end car, you're not going to put cheap gas in it. You're going to put the best things in your vehicle to keep it running properly. The same goes for your body.

Ultimate healthy meal:Grilled blackened tilapia, salmon, brown rice, and I usually do a Greek salad without the feta cheese, with lettuce, tomato, olives, cucumbers, balsamic vinaigrette and light lemon dressing.

Ultimate decadent meal:Fries from McDonalds are my cheat! And every now and then I have peanut butter M&M's, Twix or Snickers.

Latest obsession:Do people count? (laughs) No, I've been drinking a lot of coconut water. I'm trying to stay hydrated.

How much sleep he clocks a night:Not as much as I should. Four to five hours — but I need a lot more than that.

Style inspiration: A lot of people say I'm very metrosexual (laughs). I tend to dress well and I got a lot of that from my mom. She's a seamstress and made all our clothes when we were younger. I design and decorate my own places and I think it all goes hand in hand. Fashion and home decor are definitely things I want to do. You will see a home decor line with the name "Loft 81" in a store near you!

Best vacation:Four or five years ago I went to Milan for Fashion Week with Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks. We had a great time, it was great to see the designers and shows. But if I really wanted to relax, I would love to go to Cabo. Let's go!

Three things still on his bucket list:Go on a nice vacation with my close family and friends with no worries, no stress — just have a good time. I think actress Rachel Nichols is hot, so I would go on a date with her! I also want to go to Tahiti or Bora Bora and stay in one of the bungalows over the water.

Number one reason for taking care of his body:What weeds out the good from the great athletes and superstars is their work ethic and how they take care of themselves. If your body is not in good working order, no matter how open or prepared you are, your body’s not going to be able to achieve a whole lot. So that’s been my mindset: I take care of my body in order to do the things that mentally I set myself out to do, and what I put the hard work in to do.

Message he'd send to the world with one request (Only catch: it has to be 140 characters or less):Don't believe everything you've read about me. 

http://q.equinox.com/articles/2012/04/terrell-owens

2012 NFL Draft: 5 Best Video Highlights of Prospect Justin Blackmon.

As the sixth best prospect coming out in this draft, everyone is waiting to see just what Justin Blackmon can do as a pro football player.

First, we shall see where he winds up.

Blackmon could go anywhere in slots 3-7 this coming Thursday night and may create as much buzz as the two superstars, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin, III, who will both be selected before him.

At 6'1", Blackmon is not as tall as I had thought him to be and, while he's compared to Terrell Owens in talent, the fact someone like Michael Floyd is a full two inches taller than him could hurt his draft stock.

While he's projected to be taken by the St. Louis Rams at the sixth slot, theJacksonville Jaguars (and myself) are hoping he falls one more spot.

Wherever he's chosen, Blackmon will undoubtedly help a struggling passing game and revitalize an offense needing help.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1155199-justin-blackmon-5-best-video-highlights-of-2012-nfl-draft-prospect

Jim Rohn - Some do some don't

Smith to Robinson chemistry may cure UK Football.

A football team can have a star quarterback, running back, or wide receiver, but if they lack chemistry it’s meaningless.

Just ask the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles.

The addition of Terrell Owens solidified a roster that many consider the best collection of talent to play in Philadelphia – perhaps more talent than head coach Andy Reid could manage.

Philadelphia came just short of winning the Super Bowl before the wheels started to fall off.

Owens and star quarterback Donovan McNabb’s differences came out with the comment by Owens that he “wasn’t the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl.”

The following season saw Owens suspension, deactivation and release from the Eagles with five years left on his contract.

So how does all this relate to Joker Phillips’ Cats?

While not having the NFL-sized egos and salaries to deal with, the Cats still haven’t had a prominent connection between any single quarterback and wide receiver since 2006.

Coming off of a 3-8 2005 campaign in a season where the team couldn’t  find success at any particular position on the offensive side of the ball, UK captured their first bowl victory since 1984 with the offseason transformation of quarterback Andre Woodson.

Woodson’s success in the passing game came with much help from Keenan Burton.

En route to their bowl win, Woodson completed 264 passes for 3,515 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Finding himself on the receiving end of a lot of those passes was Burton. At season’s end he had compiled 77 receptions for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns – leading the team in all three statistical categories.

Sophomore to be, Max Smith, is coming of age on the football field. Once he was given the opportunity last season, Smith showed flashes of success, but it was too little too late for any breakthroughs to occur.

Freshman receiver DeMarco Robinson has been singled-out by both Smith and Phillips as a potential play-maker for the Cats.

“I worked a training camp one year with Joe Gibbs, and I can remember in one of our coach’s meetings, there’s something to be said for a guy every time you have a scrimmage he makes a play. Demarco Robinson is that guy,” Phillips said. “Every time we came into this place (Commonwealth Stadium) he made a huge play for us and today he made a lot of big plays for us. We think he is one of our playmakers.”

Robinson agreed with the notion by his head coach, saying, “I feel like I can be the guy (playmaker), but we all feel like we should be that guy.”

And make big plays Saturday he did.

Every time Max Smith dropped back into the pocket your eyes would wander around the field looking to see where he may go, but it seemed for often than not that the pigskin met #9, Robinson.

“Over the spring we put it a lot of work – extra passes, extra throwing and stuff. It’s really showing that it’s helped, so we’re going to keep it up this summer,” Robinson said.

The game started with a short pass across the middle for a gain of six.

There were a couple of incompletions between that first catch and his second grab, but it started to become apparent that the two would find each other.

Like a thoroughbred from his post, Robinson exploded from his formation for his second catch.

Down the stretch he went, no one near him. Smith’s pass sailed threw the air and there was #9 gliding in stride for the touchdown.

At day’s end, Robinson had caught nine passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

The second touchdown for the duo came on a sideline route that is often only caught by larger receivers.

Robinson’s 5-foot-10, 159 pound frame defied that logic as he curled around and made the catch even with the defender’s presence.

He said afterwards that he was beginning to feel like a go-to-guy.

Until Smith began finding his tight ends in the fourth quarter, Robinson’s yardage made up a little over half of what Smith had thrown.

“I feel we’ve been like this all spring. I kind of looked at him to much today maybe,” Smith said. “That just says we’re working hard – I throw with him a lot, and I feel we’ve got a good chemistry.”

Although it was just a scrimmage, the connection between Smith and Robinson is one not seen by fans in Commonwealth Stadium in recent years.

The chemistry between the two may be just the magic elixir Philips needs to necessitate the UK football program.

http://kykernel.com/2012/04/22/smith-to-robinson-chemisty-may-cure-uk-football/

Allen Wranglers run into a perfect Storm and lose 52-45 at the AEC.

The Allen Wranglers were action Saturday night against the Sioux Falls Storm.

The Wranglers are now 5-2, as they suffer their second loss of the season 52-45 at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. They are now second in the Intense Conference of the IFL (Indoor Football League), two full games behind the Tri-Cities Fever who are 7-0.

Running back Darius Fudge of the Wranglers had two turnovers near the goal line, while trying to stretch in for touchdowns.

However there were other reasons why the Wranglers were unable to get the win Saturday night.

After taking the lead on a Terrell Owens touchdown from Maurice Avery to make the score 45-38,  the Wranglers seemed to be a little sluggish. The Wranglers were able to keep the score tied or remain in the lead throughout most of the game against the Storm until that point.

They may have gotten away from their game plan as Mike Phillips stated to me after the game, who wasn‘t dressed and his arm was in a sling.

Avery also was running for his life after the offensive line seemed to have broken down. Either way, the Storm remain undefeated so far this season at 6-0. The Wranglers still performed well, but just wasn’t able weather the Storm.

The Wranglers quarterback for the night was Maurice Avery. Filling in for Kacey Printers he finished the night with a 20/32 282 yards six touchdowns and one interception. That one interception pretty much closed the book on the Wranglers chances of winning the game at the 9:23 mark of the fourth quarter. Avery also ran with the ball 13 times for 57 yards.

Darius Fudge couldn’t get the running game going, rushing the ball 10 times for 25 yards and two fumbles, but he made up for it in receptions. Fudge caught six passes for 57 yards, saving many sacks of Avery as an outlet receiver.

Terrell Owens had an impressive outing grabbing 5 catches for 88 yards and two touchdown passes.

Also Owens was put in the wall on more than one occasion, but on two of those occasions an in good sportsmanship fashion, the Storm defensive players made sure he didn’t flip over and hurt himself.

Luke McArdle of the Wranglers also caught seven passes for 78 and two touchdowns. Ryan Moore caught two passes and 59 yards two touchdowns as well.

The Storm were lead by quarterback Chris Dixon, who threw 24 for 31 for 314 and four touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 61 yards and two touchdowns as well.

The Storm did most of their damage through the air however. Clinton Salmons caught seven passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Korey Williams caught eight passes for 112 yards and  one touchdown, and Carl Sims caught 5 balls for 90 yards and a touchdown.

The defense of the Wranglers was good for three and a half quarters. Frankie Solomon Jr. picked off two passes for the Wranglers defense. That gave him a total of six for the season.

However the Wranglers are not getting to the quarterback enough, just like in games past. They have only registered six sacks this season, however they lead the league on points allowed with only 37.9 points per game.

The Allen Wranglers are on the road in two weeks (after their second bye) to face the Wichita Wild for a third time. The Wranglers are 2-0 against the Wild, and will need to make it 3-0 to keep themselves ahead of the pack.

Last time these two teams met the Wranglers won a very physical game 61-48. The Wranglers won their home opener against the Wild as well by a score of 50-30.

The next home game for the Wranglers is May 5, 2012 against the New Mexico Stars who they beat in New Mexico 45-28.

http://www.examiner.com/wranglers-in-plano/allen-wranglers-run-into-a-perfect-storm-and-lose-52-45-at-the-aec

Terrell Owens heads the list of NFL player-coach dustups.

My favorite part of the whole Dwight Howard saga is he doesn't want to be traded to Los Angeles because either a) he doesn't want to play with Kobe Bryant, or b) he doesn't want to follow Shaq's legacy of moving from the Orlando Magic to the Lakers.

But clearly, he's not afraid to walk in Shaq's shadow by trying to get Stan Van Gundy fired.

The Howard-Van Gundy, player-versus-coach tiff happens all the time in sports -- especially in the NFL. So with that in mind, I'm putting together my list of all-time coach-player beefs.

Some others I considered include Mike Ditka-Jim Harbaugh, Todd Haley-Anquan Boldin, that nobody Patriots offensive coordinator-Tom Brady, Bill Parcells-Terry Glenn, Dan Reeves-John Elway, June Jones-Jeff George and some older ones with guys you've never heard of. I even wanted to put in Mike Sherman and Warren Sapp (above), but let's keep this to guys on the same team.

And no, we're not doing Bobby Petrino vs. the entire Atlanta Falcons roster, either.

1. Every man who ever coached Terrell Owens

Where to start here? Owens often called out Steve Mariucci's play-calling during their time in San Francisco. Andy Reid became so exasperated in Philadelphia, he eventually suspended the player. And speaking of "the player," Bill Parcells refused to call Owens by name in Dallas and simply referred to him as "the player."

Now, I'm not real familiar with the indoor league that currently employs Owens, but it's a safe assumption his current coach already is over his (expletive).

The 100 Greatest Athletes of the Complex Decade. 53 Terrell Owens

No matter how much you don't like him or think he's a locker room cancer, there's one thing you can't deny, Terrell Owens brought it on the field. Stats wise he's second to only the GOAT Jerry Rice and when you take the eye test for him throughout the Complex Decade, he passes with flying colors. T.O. could go long, he could go over the middle, he could get a jump ball, he was a good route runner, he yelled at his quarterbacks, wait, that last one isn't good, but you get the point. He didn't always get along with his teammates (or the world for that matter), but he came back from a broken leg in just over a month, so you can't question dude's dedication. We just won't talk about what he has done since his failed return to the NFL.

http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/04/the-100-greatest-athletes-of-the-complex-decade/terrell-owens

Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard's relationship crumbles for all the world to see.

Like sand through the hourglass, so goes the soap opera that is Dwight Howard's relationship with the Orlando Magic.  Seriously, has any ahtlete created as much drama over a sustained period of time than Dwight Howard?  At least LeBron James had the decency to keep The Decision to an hour.  At least there were only so many situps Terrell Owens could do in his driveway.  Ok... maybe Dwight's not as dramatic as Brett Favre, but we're reaching that kind of dangerous territory...

After that nightmarish on-again, off-again trade deadline saga was finally resolved with Dwight signing a waiver to stay in Orlando through 2013, it was going to be all smooth sailing for the Magic... right?  Not so fast my friend!

Today at a press conference, Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy admitted to reporters that Dwight Howard has asked for him to be fired throughout the season.  Their player-coach relationship has been rocky over the years, but to hear a coach publicly admit that his star player wants him fired akin to pressing the big red button on their relationship.  (Keep in mind the Magic are still somehow fifth in the Eastern Conference despite their own skullduggery.)  When reporters start to ask Van Gundy more questions about the situation with Dwight wanting him fired, he plays the situation calmly with a dash of "I don't give a f*ck."  Hey, Pat Riley basically did the same thing to him, so at least this isn't Stan's first rodeo.

But it's when Dwight Howard walks in on Stan Van Gundy talking about the situation where this interview really takes off.  Dwight puts his arm around Stan for a few uneasy seconds.  Van Gundy casually leaves Howard to answer questions about trying to get him fired.  Unbelievably, Dwight Howard then tries to deny what his head coach had said mere minutes earlier.  The whole thing is an absurd circus, but at this point, what else would you expect from Dwight Howard...

The Magic should go ahead and put Stan Van Gundy out of his misery.  Who wouldn't want to see Stan joining his brother Jeff in the ESPN booth, hosting a PTI style debate show, or starring in a buddy comedy together.  Free Stan Van Gundy.

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/april/stan-van-gundy-and-dwight-howards-relationship-crumbles-for-all-the-world-to-see.html

Terrell Owens: New USFL to be true NFL minor league.

San Diego businessman Jaime Cuadra plans to bring the USFL back as a true NFL minor league.

As opposed to the UFL, the new league will allow the NFL "unfettered access" to players, allowing them to be promoted at will like baseball's minor leagues. Players will also receive salaries well beyond the level paid by the Arena League. The USFL is targeting markets that have neither NFL nor major-college football, such as Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Memphis, Raleigh-Durham, Birmingham, Omaha, and Akron.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=718&line=230943&spln=1