Terrell Owens might be closer to returning to the field this season, even though the Philadelphia Eagles still don't want him back.
Arbitrator Richard Bloch did not issue a ruling after the 13-hour arbitration hearing Friday.
Richard Berthelssen, general counsel of the NFL Players' Association, said a decision is expected by Tuesday and expressed optimism that Owens would not have to sit out the remainder of the season.
PHOTO: AP
The dismissed Owens -- who did not speak with reporters after leaving the hearing -- is seeking reinstatement.
"This discipline did not meet the legal standards of the collective bargaining agreement," said attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing the union.
"He wants to play for Philadelphia," Kessler said. "He doesn't have any problem with his teammates, the organization or the fans. He never expected this to be the result."
Berthelssen said that the hearing started at 9:30am with three hours of opening arguments from the players' association, followed by eight hours of team testimony, and another two hours from the players' association general counsel.
The All-Pro wideout was suspended on Nov. 5 following a series of incidents in which he again criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb, called the organization "classless" and fought with former teammate Hugh Douglas, who serves as team "ambassador."
Two days later, the Eagles extended the suspension to four games and told Owens not to return to the team. Owens is losing more than US$200,000 per game from his US$3.5 million salary. He would be paid for the games he doesn't play if the Eagles deactivate him as planned once the suspension is up.
The players' association wants Philadelphia to release Owens if he's not going to be reinstated after the four-game suspension is over. Lawyers for the players' union argued Owens' punishment for conduct detrimental to the team was excessive and the suspension should be reduced.
The Eagles insist the suspension is justified, and also could be seeking to reclaim about US$1.8 million of the US$9 million signing bonus they gave Owens last year because they believe the petulant receiver violated his contract terms when he failed to show up at a mandatory post-draft camp in the spring.
Kessler said the Eagles have not made an attempt to reclaim that money -- and if they did, that would require another hearing.
Philadelphia most likely would make a decision on Owens -- either releasing or trading him -- by next March, when he is due to receive a US$5 million roster bonus.
Owens arrived for the hearing with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, shortly after 9am Friday morning. Eagles coach Andy Reid showed up about 4 hours later following the team's practice. Team president Joe Banner, offensive coordinator Brad Childress, head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, and Douglas also were expected to testify, though it's not known if all did.
Owens' relationship with the Eagles took a drastic turn after he fired longtime agent David Joseph, hired Rosenhaus and demanded a new contract just one season into the seven-year, US$48.97 million deal he signed when he came to Philadelphia in March 2004.
The Eagles refused to redo the deal and Owens has clashed with management since. He earned a one-week exile from training camp after a heated dispute with Reid that followed a shouting match with Childress.
Soon after Philadelphia lost to New England in the Super Bowl, Owens took his first verbal shot at McNabb, suggesting the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback was tired in the fourth quarter of the loss.
McNabb responded harshly and the two didn't speak for a prolonged period in training camp. They briefly reconciled their relationship and performed well together on the field -- Owens had 47 catches for 763 yards and six TDs in seven games.
After Owens sat out a 17-10 loss to Washington, McNabb said the team was "better off" without its top playmaker.
McNabb, however, threw a crucial interception that was returned for the winning score in the final minutes of a 21-20 loss to Dallas on Monday night that dropped the last-place Eagles to 4-5. McNabb now is facing the possibility of season-ending surgery for a sports hernia, and will miss Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
A contrite Owens pleaded for another chance in a public apology outside his home in Moorestown, New Jersey, one day after the Eagles told him to go home. Some players, including linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, said this week they would welcome Owens back. But management hasn't changed its stance.
Owens was set to earn base salaries of US$770,000 in 2006, US$5.5 million in 2007, US$6.5 million in 2008, US$7.5 million in 2009, and US$8.5 million in 2010.
With only six weeks remaining in the regular season, the big games get bigger. For the Indianapolis Colts (9-0), the only remaining unbeaten NFL team, the big games are coming almost weekly against winning teams. The Colts face the Cincinnati Bengals (7-2) on today and the Steelers next week, and on successive weekends in December they play the Jaguars, the Chargers and the Seahawks.
That schedule should keep the Colts from thinking about an unbeaten season. Still, coach Tony Dungy couldn't resist, saying, "This is the first time I've ever been through this situation, so I'm going to enjoy it."
He has much to enjoy. His Colts are second in the league in offense and fourth in defense. Edgerrin James has five straight 100-yard running games, and Peyton Manning has thrown 17 touchdown passes.
Although the Bengals have not had a winning season since 1990, they have matured enough this year to become contenders. They have become tough, too, which pleases quarterback Carson Palmer, who said, "People said we were just a finesse team."
Four weeks ago, they lost to the Steelers, and now they are tied with them for the lead in the AFC North. They cannot afford to lose games as important as this.
After losing to the Colts last Sunday, quarterback David Carr of the Texans said, "You know they're going to score points. You need to get at least 30 points to be close."
Can the Bengals do that? Unlikely.
Carolina (7-2) at Chicago (6-3)
Both are division leaders on winning streaks: six straight for the Panthers, five straight for the Bears. The Panthers beat up the Jets with six forced turnovers and four sacks, but coach John Fox warned, "We could go out and stumble next week, and we'll be the worst team on the planet again."
The Bears turned back the stubborn 49ers with their usual tough defense. The offense got by because third-stringer Cedric Benson, taking over for the injured Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, rushed for 120 yards.
Tampa Bay (6-3) at Atlanta (6-3)
The Buccaneers' worries about quarterback were tempered when Chris Simms played his best pro game. Against the Redskins' good defense, he passed for 279 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions and no sacks. The Buccaneers won, 36-35, on a fearless 2-point conversion call with 58 seconds left.
In a stunning loss to the Packers, the Falcons fumbled six times, losing three, and Michael Vick finished with three fumbles, three sacks and only 24 yards rushing. Don't figure on that happening again.
Philadelphia (4-5) at
NY Giants (6-3)
The Eagles, who have won the NFC East title the last four years, are falling fast. They have lost three straight games, including Monday night's debacle when the Cowboys scored two touchdowns within 21 seconds. Now quarterback Donovan McNabb's injured groin will sideline him in favor of third-stringer Mike McMahon. The Giants looked awful in losing to the Vikings. Eli Manning threw four interceptions and misread pass coverages.
Oakland (3-6) at Washington (5-4)
The Raiders are 0-4 in their division, their defense has only one interception all season and receiver Jerry Porter says, "It doesn't look good."
The Redskins have a turnover differential of minus 11.
Arizona (2-7) at St. Louis (4-5)
In losing to the Lions, the Cardinals passed for 359 yards and ran for 25.
Coach Dennis Green said, "Some teams have worse records than others. Ours is worse than most."
Detroit (4-5) at Dallas (6-3)
If Jeff Garcia, who missed the last two games with a sore leg, is ready to return as the Lions' quarterback, Joey Harrington will sit. The Cowboys, despite a porous run defense, slipped past the Eagles with late heroics and are tied for first in the NFC East.
Jacksonville (6-3) at
Tennessee (2-7)
The Jaguars routed the Ravens on the running of Greg Jones, a fullback turned tailback, and the receiving of Matt Jones, a college quarterback turned receiver. The Titans have lost four straight and six of seven, their worst start under Jeff Fisher.
Miami (3-6) at Cleveland (3-6)
The Dolphins fear quarterback Gus Frerotte will be limited by a sprained right index finger. Sage Rosenfels would replace him.
Quarterback Trent Dilfer said of the Browns' season, "You've just got to keep moving along. You can't feel sorry for yourself."
New Orleans (2-7) at
New England (5-4)
The Saints have lost five in a row, and their offense doesn't take care of the ball. Coach Jim Haslett said, "I'd just like to win one right now."
In beating the Dolphins, the Patriots needed an untested rookie fullback, Heath Evans, to bail out the running game.
Buffalo (4-5) at San Diego (7-2)
Kelly Holcomb, the Bills' quarterback the last five games, is recovering from a concussion, and J.P. Losman, the starter in the first four games, seems about to take over. Losman did well in relief in a victory over the Chiefs. Before their bye, the Chargers beat the Jets as LaDainian Tomlinson ran for four touchdowns. He is first in the league in touchdowns (15) and rushing yards (1,099).
Quarterback Drew Brees is not having his best season, and he said of Tomlinson, "Giving the ball to him is our best bet."
Pittsburgh (7-2) at Baltimore (2-7)
The Steelers have more quarterback problems because fill-in Charlie Batch broke his right hand. Tommy Maddox will start as Ben Roethlisberger rehabilitates his knee.
The Ravens have lost four straight and have not scored a touchdown in 11 quarters.
Seattle (7-2) at San Francisco (2-7)
The Seahawks have allowed no 100-yard runner this season, and the 49ers pose no threat. They have gone 39 possessions without a touchdown and are playing quarterback roulette. Ken Dorsey will start this week, the fourth quarterback change in six games.
NY Jets (2-7) at Denver (7-2)
After the Jets lost to the Panthers, cornerback Ken Lucas of the Panthers said, "It's good when you can make a team quit on you." The Broncos have won five straight at home, and Jake Plummer has thrown 193 passes without a touchdown, a club record.
Kansas City (5-4) at Houston (1-8)
When the Chiefs lost to the Bills, Trent Green suffered through four giveaways and six sacks. His team crossed midfield seven times and got only a field goal out of it. The Texans fought well against the Colts, but now three offensive linemen are injured.
Minnesota (4-5) at Green Bay (2-7)
The struggling Vikings returned a punt, kickoff and interception for touchdowns and upset the Giants. The struggling Packers surprised the Falcons as rookie Samkon Gado, their fifth starting tailback of the season, ran for 103 yards. His verdict: "Surreal."
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping