Final
Owens returns to Philadelphia on Sunday
Oct 3, 2006 - 11:28 PM Dallas (2-1) at Philadelphia (3-1) Sunday 4:15 pm EDTPHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- "The City of Brotherly Love" is ready to unleash its venom on Terrell Owens.
After nearly helping the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl title in 2004, Owens nearly ruined the team with his petulant behavior last season.
On Sunday, Owens will return to Philadelphia as a member of the hated Dallas Cowboys in a pivotal NFC East battle.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was often criticized last season by Owens and did his best to avoid addressing his relationship with the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
"It's a division game and we need it. Anything else, I personally don't care," McNabb said.
Philadelphia experienced a true love-hate relationship with Owens. It was all love in 2004 when Owens played the role of hero for the Eagles and it turned into hate when Owens clearly disrupted the team with his constant criticisms of McNabb and management.
"I'm probably the most hated man in Philly, so I expect the worst," Owens said. "But we're not going down there to taste the cheesesteaks. We're not going down there to visit the Liberty Bell. We're going there to try to win a ballgame."
Owens' antics in Philadelphia did not stop Cowboys owner Jerry Jones from giving Owens a three-year contract worth $25 million last February.
"Hopefully, we'll give T.O. something to be proud of," Cowboys cornerback Aaron Glenn said. "I know he's going to go out there and do his deal."
"It's big for him (Owens) going back," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. "It's such a big game for us because it's a division game and there's always a little extra enthusiasm out there when you're playing Philadelphia."
Owens missed most of training camp and played in just one preseason game due to a hamstring injury. Then in a September 17 win over Washington, Owens broke his right ring finger. The following day, he underwent surgery.
But that was just a prelude to the biggest distraction of all. On September 26, he was rushed to the hospital for an "accidental overdose" of prescription pills which was first reported as an attempted suicide.
Owens denied the reported suicide attempt at a news conference the next day. He still expects the Eagles fans to let him hear about it.
"I heard they have a chant ready, 'O.D., O.D.' I'm ready for it," Owens said.
Last week, Owens played with a plate and glove to protect his broken finger and caught five passes for 88 yards in the Cowboys' 45-14 win at Tennessee.
On the field, Owens remains a premier receiver. But it was his off-the-field transgressions that caused the Eagles to suspend him for four games and then banish him for conduct detrimental to the team.
Owens publicly criticized numerous members of the organization, was fined numerous times for tardiness and reportedly was involved in a fight with former Eagle Hugh Douglas in the locker room.
In a grievance hearing last November that lasted nearly 14 hours, Eagles coach Andy Reid cited 11 incidents in which Owens' conduct was detrimental to the team.
In 2004, Owens had 77 catches for 1,200 yards and a franchise-record 14 receiving touchdowns before severely injuring his ankle in a game against Dallas. After missing the final two regular-season games and two playoff games, he made a courageous return and had nine catches for 122 yards in a 24-21 loss to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Before his antics with the Eagles, Owens excelled with the San Francisco 49ers but also created turmoil with his criticisms of quarterback Jeff Garcia and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
In 145 career games with San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas, Owens has 730 catches for 10,722 yards and 102 touchdowns. He has 14 receptions for 187 yards and a score in two contests this year for Dallas.
"I don't think my team will be distracted," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said of Owens' return to Philadelphia. "All we're worried about is trying to beat a football team that is in first place in our division."
The Eagles played without star running back Brian Westbrook in their 31-9 win over Green Bay on Monday night. Wide receivers Donte Stallworth and Reggie Brown also were injured during the game. Stallworth strained a hamstring injury and Brown sprained the AC joint in his shoulder.
McNabb beat Green Bay with his arm and legs, passing for 288 yards and two touchdowns and running for 47 yards and two scores.
Despite the absence of injured cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Rod Hood, the Eagles held Brett Favre without a touchdown pass.
Drew Bledsoe hit Terry Glenn with two touchdown passes and Julius Jones rushed for 122 yards and a score in the Cowboys' rout of Tennessee.
The Cowboys swept the season last year, winning at home, 33-10 on October 9 and here on November 14, 21-20.
Dallas held the Eagles to just six first downs and Bledsoe threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns - both to Glenn - in the first meeting. Glenn had seven catches for 118 yards.
The Eagles squandered a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of the rematch. Bledsoe hit Glenn with a 20-yard touchdown pass with 3:04 left and safety Roy Williams returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown 21 seconds later to give Dallas the win.
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