T.O. rumor autopsy reveals hype, negotiating strategy

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jul 27, 2010 9:20 AM CDT in St. Louis Rams news

One last mention of Terrell Owens and the St. Louis Rams, then we can move on with our lives.

Doing an autopsy of the rumor that bubbled up this weekend, it seems like this was a classic example of the agent using some interest to drive up the price of the player.

The ubiquitous "high-ranking official" quoted on Sunday said that an offer could come for Owens the very next day. It's a scoop that a reporter is duty-bound to print, caveat or not. The reality was much different. From today's breakdown in the PD:

The Rams did discuss Owens in recent days, including Monday, when the coaching staff reconvened for the first time after a brief summer vacation. But their interest in Owens never was as great as portrayed in some media reports.

The Rams Park meeting Monday was to discuss a variety of personnel and team issues with training camp fast approaching, not just Owens. And despite speculation that the Rams were trying to bring in Owens for a visit, one source familiar with the situation said that was not the case.

Basically, the Rams talked about Owens, somebody with the team had some communication with T.O.'s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the next thing you know it's all but a done deal. Until, of course, it's not a done deal. This looks like pure and simple negotiating tactics to drive up the price.

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...and ESPN fell for it hook, line and sinker.

At various points over last weekend, I heard both Mortenson and Clayton, their hallowed “insiders”, swore up and down that the Rams would be the ones to sign Owens. I think that 75% of their “inside” information is bullshit. The same goes for their baseball insiders assuring the world that the Cardinals would be trading for Roy Oswalt any second now.

I understand that information is a moving target that can change at any time. But ESPN often seems to create stories and controversy when there is little or nothing there, as Van noted above. And, of course, too many times, they situate themselves to be part of the story itself, as we saw with the LeBron nonsense. I wish ESPN had stronger competition.

by tbell61 on Jul 27, 2010 10:49 AM CDT reply actions

Yea I get frustrated watching ESPN as well.

To me it seems like they have really gotten away from quality sports reporting. Its more like a CNN trying to report the latest breaking news. My last straw was when NFL live talked about Brett Farve for about half the show. Brett Farve is not that important and I could care less what he does.

This site has been by far the best thing I have found for news on favorite teams.

On the bright side, the rams did get on ESPN.

by ramsrule on Jul 27, 2010 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe the Rams were in on it the whole time

And now Drew Rosenhaus owes us one.

Onubon > Gates

by Carneros on Jul 27, 2010 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Leonard Little might not be done as a Ram

Link

Onubon > Gates

by Carneros on Jul 27, 2010 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

Man things keep popping up on the internet

Spags also isn’t ruling out Brian Westbrook, has spoken to him and “hopeful” but decision has to be made on both sides

Onubon > Gates

by Carneros on Jul 27, 2010 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Thank Goodness Little is gone. He's 6-7 years removed from greatness.

by RamChop on Jul 27, 2010 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it was obvious to the Bengals

They’re the only ones left now and if they made an offer based on the Rams interest, it should’ve been accepted immediately.

by dbcouver on Jul 27, 2010 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

No one wanted T.O.

This was obvious from Rosenhaus’ tweet and Rosenhaus forcing Jon Beason to apologize on twitter for his comments on T.O.
ALso, its funny how 70% of people voted yeah for TO while on the next survey, only 10% voted that it was dumb to not sign T.O. Whats up with that?

by heinzketchup on Jul 27, 2010 7:15 PM CDT reply actions