| All eyes will be on Terrell Owens in Texas
Stadium this Sunday. And you can bet the mortgage that’s just the way Owens wants
it.
Who can forget the fracas instigated by the Niners’ strange but supremely talented
go-to receiver in Texas Stadium last year, when he rubbed the 49ers’ 41-24 victory in
the Cowboys players’ faces with his ill-advised romps to the midfield star to
obnoxiously celebrate a pair of TD catches?
Owens returns to the scene of that crime this Sunday, and while he has proclaimed
himself "off the map" this week as far as discussing his return to "Big
D," he decided to show up at practice Wednesday wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned
with the photographed image of him strutting his stuff in last year’s game, spreading
his arms wide apart as if he had the whole world in his hands.
That was before Cowboys S George Teague cleaned his clock, much to the delight of many
of us who thought Owens went over the edge.
Owens’ actions in Dallas resulted in a one-week suspension, as well as the loss of
a week’s pay, which resulted in friction between Owens and his head coach, Steve
Mariucci, that won’t go anyway anytime soon, if at all.
The feeling here is that Owens, who continues to lead the league in receiving TDs
despite just ordinary production in recent weeks, will have a huge game this Sunday.
Forget the injuries to his right hip, left knee, right foot and both ankles that are in
great part responsible for only 11 catches for 161 yards in the last three games combined.
Forget the fact Owens’ 32-yard TD reception vs. the Eagles last Sunday was his
first since Dec. 2.
Owens, it says here, is ready to make a statement — one that could result in an
eye-catching fantasy payoff.
In a weird way — which is the only way with him — Owens figures to be
extremely motivated this Sunday. He has never really apologized for what he did in the
Dallas game last year, claiming it was caused by a spontaneous emotional reaction that was
never meant to embarrass anybody.
Not only would a strong performance offer him retribution in his own mind. It would
increase the surprising 49ers’ hopes of gaining a homefield edge for at least one
playoff game — with Owens being one of the key factors, regardless of how he conducts
himself.
Granted, the Cowboys’ highly ranked pass defense might have other ideas. But both
Owens and QB Jeff Garcia, who is battling a rib injury, have reportedly looked good in
practice this week and could be ready to bust loose.
And then there’s the biggest reason I think Owens will come through with flying
colors. The guy seems to have a flair for making his presence felt whenever he’s a
focal point.
Earlier this season, after dropping four catchable passes which were key factors in a
loss to the Rams and going into a memorable postgame locker room funk, Owens got his game
back together in a big way — scoring 13 of his league-leading 14 TDs in the next nine
games.
Regardless of what you think of the guy, Owens walks the walk more often than not.
And his act in Dallas this Sunday will definitely be worth catching — especially
if he’s on your fantasy team. |
