Terrell Owens In the Valley.

I highly recommend this bit of long-form on TO by Michael J Mooney:

He spends large portions of the game looking bored on the sideline. He's on the field for most offensive plays, but the passing game struggles. The Nebraska players are extra rough with him, a little slow to get off him in a pile. Both teams score regularly, though, which drags the game out. It's already 45-34 at halftime. As the night stretches on, he looks miserable. The Wranglers eventually win, 86-57. 

Owens has three catches for 58 yards and two of the team's 12 touchdowns. After the game, fans are invited onto the field to meet the players. They're told to wait next to a table if they'd like an autograph from the most famous player to ever attempt indoor football. Eventually, after more than 100 people have lined up, he arrives. He's freshly showered, in jeans, a tie, and sunglasses, even though he's indoors and it's nearing midnight. He sits down and the line works its way past him. 

Fans are told that he'll only sign one item per person. And no, he won't pose for photos. (Plenty still try, and he begrudgingly obliges, though he sneers at the men in yellow shirts working security.) Signature after signature, he looks sullen. He looks like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world. 

His new teammates, however, are smiling and laughing. Each player happily poses with anyone who asks. "Oh, that one's blurry," they say. "Let's do another." Most of these men are just glad they're still playing football, even if it's for the Allen Wranglers. They make $225 a game. A lot of them work day jobs in security or on construction crews. They know this may be their last chance to put on shoulder pads and sign autographs.

I think what surprises me most about Owens is his surprise that no franchise is interested in him. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/06/terrell-owens-in-the-valley/258862/

Terrell Owens Also Scheduled To Speak At The NFL Rookie Symposium

his Sunday June 24, the NFL will kick off it's 15th Rookie Symposium, "emphasizing the sport’s legacy, tradition of character and leadership, as well as social and professional responsibility. The four-day orientation will be held at the Bertram Hotel in Aurora, Ohio and for the first time will feature speakers and a history session at the nearby Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton."

From the NFL:

The core teaching principles of the Rookie Symposium are NFL history, experience, player expectations, and professional and social responsibility. The program includes presentations, videos, and workshops focused on these principles as well as other topics, including player health and safety, decision making and maintaining positive relationships.

Along with Adam Jones discussing the challenges in his personal life and football careers, other guest speakers will include former Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens, Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty and retired players LaVar Arrington, Luther Elliss, Jamie Dukes, Antonio Freeman and Aeneas Williams.

This year the symposium will be broken down in a new format to "facilitate more effective learning by separating the rookies into smaller groups divided by conference."

"We have reduced the number of draftees simultaneously attending the symposium to create the most favorable learning environment," said Troy Vincent, current NFL Vice President of Player Engagement, a five-time Pro Bowler and former NFL Players Association president. "Each rookie should leave the symposium with the knowledge and history of where our game began, where it is today, and challenged to make a positive personal impact on the future of our game. The NFL and its clubs are committed to providing players with the best resources to succeed both on and off the field."

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/6/20/3100903/terrell-owens-also-scheduled-to-speak-at-the-nfl-rookie-symposium

The Indoor Football League is Delightfully Dysfunctional.

The last time we heard about the Indoor Football League was when Terrell Owens got cut by the Allen Wranglers for basically being Terrell Owens. Now comes news that the Omaha Beef—and isn't that the best nickname ever?—will miss the playoffs because of what the IFL's interim commissioner called "extenuating circumstances." Such as?

Well, Omaha finished the regular season with a 6-8 record, good enough for a tie for fourth place. The Beef—there it is again!—owned the playoff tiebreaker over the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and Chicago Slaughter, but the Steelhawks will instead travel to Sioux Falls to take on the undefeated Storm in the first round. Why? According to Jay Elsen of the Mid-Continent Sports Network, the group of IFL owners in charge of the Beef decided a trip to scenic Sioux Falls (and certain defeat at the hands of the powerful Storm) wasn't within their budget.

Yes, the other IFL owners who currently run the Beef made the decision. But only because the team's previous owner, who has not been charged with a crime, relinquished control after he was allegedly caught getting crack cocaine sent to him through the mail.

http://deadspin.com/5919669/the-indoor-football-league-is-delightfully-dysfunctional

Dallas Cowboys Mini-Camp News, Notes & Observations.

Regardless of Jerry Jones’ candor when admitting that Terrell Owens is “a friend” and welcomes a call any time, from the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, in order to talk shop. It is not likely that the Cowboys will pursue T.O. or any other free agent veteran receivers for the available number three wide receiver position.

This was a topic bounced around during last mini-camp session at Valley Ranch. Barring a severe injury to more than one of the young receivers on the team the Cowboys apparently are content with allowing the young guns at the position battle it out. In order not to beat a dead horse let’s start off our mini-camp observations and notes with the defensive side of the ball and while a surprise to some not such a surprise to others.

Adrian Hamilton broke the Southwestern Athletic Conference single-season sack record with 20.5 as a defensive end lining up with a hand on the ground. The sack record which was previously held by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis was surpassed by Hamilton in his final year at Prairie View A&M along with six forced fumbles by Hamilton. Hamilton continues to show very good rushing agility and the ability to get pressure up field. Bryan Broaddus of DallasCowboys.com admits that Hamilton has a chance to make the 53 man roster and looks very comfortable when dropping into coverage when the defense called requires him to do so. Everything on Adrian Hamilton coming out of Valley Ranch is that the defensive end, being moved to outside linebacker, is taking full advantage of every opportunity he is getting and delivering nothing but positive end results with those opportunities.

If Hamilton comes along at a much more accelerated rate than originally anticipated and Victor Butler who is having a great offseason so far as well, the Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t think twice about Anthony Spencerwalk following the 2012 season.

Anthony Spencer sat out the last two days of mini-camp due to a sore hyper-extended knee strictly on a precautionary basis. Let’s not fool ourselves here; both Spencer and DeMarcus Ware are the starters at outside linebacker. Yet with the competition heating up at outside linebacker behind starters Ware and Spencer recently signed rookie Kyle Wilbur or Alex Albright could find themselves on the bubble come time for final roster cuts.

Bruce Carter tweaked a hamstring during the first day of mini-camp before team drills. With Carter out Orie Lemon is getting the call during first team reps next to Sean Lee. Lee seems to taking hold of the vacant leadership role that Jason Hatcher, who is quietly having a nice offseason at defensive end, voiced concerns about earlier in the offseason. Lee can be heard barking commands, lining up the defense and getting right the wrongs during defensive mishaps. Sean Lee intercepted a Tony Romo pass intended for John Phillips on camp’s final day.

Jason Hatcher’s performance this offseason has been labeled nothing short of “outstanding”. Hatcher will come into his first year as the entrenched starting at defensive end.

Brandon Carr’s press man ability seems to be deserving alone of the fifty million dollars the Cowboys signed the former Kansas City Chief via free agency. Carr’s ability is the talk of the Valley Ranch onlookers and while Mike Jenkins and Maurice Claiborne have yet to get on the field fellow defensive back and last years nickel corner, Orlando Scandrick, finally seems to be coming into his own this offseason. Scandrick is also being commended for blanketing receivers, giving up very littel seperation and creating much needed pass break-ups.

Cole Beasley has been working some on the outside when Austin is in the slot which equates to the UDFA running with the first team offense but Andre Holmes still seems to be the odds on favorite from the Valley Ranch media to take over the 3rd wide receiving spot. Beasley seems to be learning both the slot and outside position along with continuing to make catches on the move and adjusts to the ball well while in the air. On the third day of camp Beasley was also seen fielding punts which could be another way the 5′ 9″ wide receiver makes the team. Beasley also beat safety Justin Taplin-Ross up the seam for what would have been a hefty gain during third day team drills. Could the former SMU mustang be this years Danny Amendola or Danny Woodhead? Beasley is battling Kevin Ogletree, Raymond Radway, Tim Benford, and Dwayne Harris for the 5^th wide receiver position.

Dwayne Harris has been asked by the Cowboys to drop his weight to under 200 pounds. The second year player currently weighs in at 205 pounds.

Will it be David Arkin or Ron Leary at right guard handling Justin Tuck and the one and three techniques of the New York Giants on September 5^th? Arkin is a good athlete, has tenaciousness about him and demonstrates excellent strength but doesn’t seem to be making up ground on Mackenzy Bernadeau the free agent guard acquisition that is sidelined with a hip injury. Undrafted free agent Ronald Leary seems more NFL ready at this point in the off season which is slowing beginning to speak volumes about Arkin with the Valley Ranch staff.

Phil Costa seems to be making progress from where he left off last season. Will that be enough to call defenses properly and keep the shotgun snaps from missing Tony Romo’s out stretched hands? Kevin Kowlaski was expected to get some snaps at center but that plan had been deterred due to an injury that has kept Kowalski from participating in mini-camp.

Virginia Tech rookie Danny Coale had his protective boot removed eleven days ago and spent his mini-camp time rehabbing and catching passes from a team trainer. The fourth round draft selection should be back to 100% in time forOxnard.

Miles Austin is reported to be in excellent shape. The lack thereof being somethingAustin attributed to be the reason behind a lackluster 2011 season.Austin has been running very crisp routes and essentially snatching every pass, thrown his way, out of the air and seen dropping almost nil.

Along with Miles Austin being crisp with his route running, on the other side of the offense Dez Bryant has been putting on a show with the way the third year wide receiver has been catching the football. Several one handed catches during the three day mini-camp. Bryant is reported to be looking extremely sharp this off season and finally seems to be getting “it”. However like our counterparts at DCfanaticsblog we are not ready to annoint Bryant as the team’s new number one receiving option just yet. The young and seemingly determined Dez Bryant has managed to stay the course when referencing the right and wrong ways to conduct oneself during the NFL offseason but Bryant still needs to prove that he can be a formidable and dependable presence in the fourth quarter of critical games.

Mike Jenkins made the mandatory mini-camp saving himself $60,000 in fines and as expected spent his time rehabbing his injured shoulder. During mini-camp Stephen Jones let it be known that due to the severity of Jenkins’ shoulder injury the 5^th cornerback could open up training camp on the PUP list. Jenkins would then have to pass a physical before being cleared to practice. The Cowboys would then be left with the decision of whether or not to activate Jenkins or to place him on reserve/PUP, which would keep Jenkins out of the first six games. The Cowboys decision on Jenkins would have to be prior to September 5^th.

The Cowboys third round pick, Tyrone Crawford, inked a rookie deal during mini-camp but was held out for precautionary reasons due to a calf injury. Outside linebacker Kyle Wilbur, still recovering from offseason index finger surgery, also came to terms with the Cowboys during mini-camp.

Rookie Matt Johnson did not attend the first two days of mini-camp as Eastern Washington classes did not let out until Thursday but did show up to Valley Ranch for the final day at camp. Johnson the rookie safety also reached a four year deal with the Dallas Cowboys leaving only Maurice Claiborne as the team’s only two unsigned draft picks. Johnson looked at home at Valley Ranch practice considering this was the rookie safety’s very first practice other than the mandatory rookie camp. Johnson actually lined up and played as a true free safety through a couple of the team drills looking very comfortable with reads and attcking down hill.

With Felix Jones limited to sideline rehab work the past few weeks due to a shoulder injury. Phillip Tannerhas been running with the second team offense and at times lining up in the backfield along with DeMarco Murray. Murray has been seen releasing out into the flat while Tanner stays home in blocking protection. DeMarco Murray has been catching a lot of passes out of the backfield for you fantasy football maniacs out there. After denoting the injury history of both Murray and Jones it’s really a no brainer that we have Tanner as a Cowboys breakout player candidate. While not as fast as the aforementioned two, Tanner is a tenacious runner with a propensity for the tough yards.

Sixth and seventh round picks, tight end, James Hanna, inside linebacker Caleb McSurdy and Matt Johnsonare the only draft picks to actually participate in mini-camp and McSurdy actual has been given a couple opportunities to line-up with the first team red zone defense.

Rookie James Hanna makes some tough borderline extraordinary catches but yet seems to allow the simplest most routine passes fall to the ground. Apparently this is the dilemma that has plagued the rookie tight-end during his time at Oklahoma.

Last but certainly not least America’s team quarterback Tony Romo looks to be sharp and on his way to yet another statistically top 5 season now if that translates to a playoff deserving record will remain to be seen. However with a much improved and scheme comfortable defense we believe it will.

Stoic head coach Jason Garrett has admitted to the Cowboys having a great offseason and yet in the same breathe admitting that the team has light years to go. Let’s hope that the head coach has some sort of warp speed plan to get this team to Cowboys Stadium ready to win on September 5th.

http://thelandryhat.com/2012/06/15/dallas-cowboys-mini-camp-news-notes-observations/

Jerry Jones would like T.O. to reach out to him, believes Owens still ‘could help someone’.

Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager/El Jefe Jerry Jones is certainly one of the more active of the men who count NFL teams among their personal possessions. Jones has never been afraid to speak out about personnel decisions; he would like it to be known that he's not just signing all the checks -- he's also buying a lot of the groceries.

That's why Cowboys fans might have been a bitalarmed by Jones' comments after the team's Tuesday minicamp, when the subject of Terrell Owens came up. T.O., of course, played for the Cowboys from 2006 through 2008, put up the most statistically productive three-year stretch of any receiver in team history, but was booted before the 2009 season. After shorter turns with the Buffalo Bills in 2009 and Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, Owens got himself kicked out of the Indoor Football League for alleged contract violations.

Most people would assume that T.O. is done, certainly when it comes to any shot in the NFL. Jones may think a bit differently in that regard, though he played his cards pretty close.

"First of all, he really can reach out to me at any time, because I consider him a friend," Jones said. "We would feel good if he reached out. I think that he really, without having first-hand knowledge of what kind of physical condition he is in, I know he has the right stuff and could help someone.

"I have actually looked at some of the things he did last year. He has the ability to be quite a threat as a receiver. I would advise him if that he still has got the heart -- and he does -- to continue to try to get on with an NFL team."

Most recently, Owens was seen working out with old buddy Chad Ochocinco in Miami. While Ocho recently signed on with the Miami Dolphins, T.O.'s dance card remains empty in an NFL sense. Is it time for a Jerry-Terrell reunion? Not so fast, hombre. While the 'Boys are looking for a third receiver to complement Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, Jones shut that topic down pretty quickly.

"If he just wanted to talk about [a return to the NFL], I'd talk about it," he said. "But again, we are not planning on doing anything at receiver. ... I have no plans to do anything different than what we're doing right now."

Jones also discussed the TNT re-do of the TV series "Dallas," in which he recently made an appearance. "I did enjoy having it shot out at the stadium, having it shot there in the suite," said Jones, who said that he did not know when the episode would air. "Of course, I've always been a big fan and was a big fan, when I first got to Dallas, of J.R. [Ewing], so all of that fit well. I think it's a good thing for Dallas."

One reporter asked if Jones saw any similarities between himself and that dastardly Ewing. To that inquiry, the answer was a bit less certain.

"I think that's a loaded question," Jones said with a laugh. "We both have a cowboy hat on, I know that."

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/jerry-jones-t-o-reach-him-believes-owens-144151301--nfl.html

Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco work out in Miami.

What do you do when you're a prominent wide receiver who suddenly finds yourself unemployed? In the case of Chad Ochocinco, you join forces with the most famous unemployed wide receiver in America.

Ochocinco, released by the New England Patriots on Thursday, worked out with Terrell Owens in Miami this weekend. The video footage of this seminal event was provided by OCNN, Ochocinco's news network (or something to that effect).

Ochocinco and Owens are seen running routes and catching balls in one short video. In another, Owens discusses his hopesof an NFL return.

"Eventually, I'm coming back. All I need is one team," he said, wearing his now customary uniform of no shirt, fresh coat of perspiration and dog tags. "Everybody's talking about what happened five, seven years ago. See my heart, not my past."

Though it's unlikely NFL general managers are clawing at each other over a 38-year-old receiver with character issues coming off major knee surgery, Owens was asked where he would like to play preferably.

"Ideally, there's a few teams out there," he said. "Obviously I want to go to a contender, but whatever the case may be I just want the opportunity to go out play a couple more years, I'm still productive.

"I've done some things wrong, but hey, I was young, immature, but right now I'm moving forward, turning over pages."

Ochocinco remains out of the shot during this interview, which is probably for the best. Owens is facing a serious uphill struggle to get back to the NFL, and Ochocinco is best served to keep his own quest for employment separate.

That said, this must be some treat for 2010 Cincinnati Bengals nostalgists. We know you're out there!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d829b7fd8/article/terrell-owens-chad-ochocinco-work-out-in-miami

Terrell Owens Vs Wranglers.

On Monday Terrell Owens Vs Wranglers was a top story. Here is the recap: (TMZ) Terrell Owens has given the Allen Wranglers an ultimatum -- issue a public apology and cut him a check for the more than $160k he claims they owe him ... or he'll take them to court ... a source close to the football star tells TMZ.

As TMZ first reported, Owens has been considering filing a lawsuit against his former Indoor Football League employers ever since they 86'd him last week. Owens claims they breached his contract when they cut him loose for allegedly skipping a children's hospital visit.

According to our sources, T.O. and his legal team fired off a letter on Friday to Wranglers owner Jon Frankel. We're told T.O. wants a public retraction regarding the team's allegations that T.O. missed the event on purpose -- because T.O. claims the team privately acknowledged a team publicist mixed up the dates.

As for the money ... our sources say T.O. claims he is owed $160,000 (or 4 game checks) the team still has not paid him. T.O. also claims the team owes him 50% of merchandise, tickets and concessions from his time with the team.

http://www.antimusic.com/news/12/June/ts04Terrell_Owens_Vs_Wranglers.shtml

T.O. TO WRANGLERS I Want an Apology ... and a LOT of Money!!!

Terrell Owens has given the Allen Wranglers an ultimatum -- issue a public apology and cut him a check for the more than $160k he claims they owe him ... or he'll take them to court ... a source close to the football star tells TMZ.

As TMZ first reported, Owens has been considering filing a lawsuit against his former Indoor Football League employers ever since they 86'd him last week. Owens claims they breached his contract when they cut him loose for allegedly skipping a children's hospital visit. 

According to our sources, T.O. and his legal team fired off a letter on Friday to Wranglers owner Jon Frankel. We're told T.O. wants a public retraction regarding the team's allegations that T.O. missed the event on purpose -- because T.O. claims the team privately acknowledged a team publicist mixed up the dates. 

As for the money ... our sources say T.O. claims he is owed $160,000 (or 4 game checks) the team still has not paid him. T.O. also claims the team owes him 50% of merchandise, tickets and concessions from his time with the team.

We're told if the apology and the money don't come by Tuesday, T.O.'s next step will be to sue. 

http://www.tmz.com/2012/06/03/terrell-owens-wranglers-lawsuit/