Not surprisingly, Rashad McCants was named to first team All-ACC today, along with Julius Hodge, Tim Pickett, Justin Gray and Chris Duhon. Sean May was named to the second team (along with J.J. Redick, B.J. Elder, Marcus Melvin, and Shelden Williams) and Ray Felton was named to the third team (he was joined by Chris Paul, Luol Deng, John Gilchrist, and Jarrett Jack).
I'm now convinced the voting was rigged (maybe they voted in Florida using the butterfly ballot--I think Pat Buchanon got more votes than Ray Felton). I want to meet the coach who would rather have Chris Duhon running their team instead of Ray Felton, Chris Paul, John Gilchrist or Jarret Jack. I've already made two posts about why Duhon is an average collegian and would make a subpar pro, but apparently I can't mention it enough.
Not only that, but how is it possible that Duhon is on the first team while teammates Redick and Williams are on the second team and Deng is a third teamer? If Duhon, Redick, Williams and Deng were all available for the draft, I have a good idea who would be drafted last (or maybe not at all).
Maybe Duhon is good and I'm blinded by my loyalty to UNC, but I have a hunch that's not the case. Maybe Duhon will get drafted and be a servicable NBA point guard, but this too I also doubt. Of course, we'll just have to wait and see--but as I've mentioned before, I suspect Duhon is training for his real future profession--assistant coach at Duke University.
They can't even give the job away
It looks like that even though the Cleveland Browns have offered Jeff Garcia a contract (and presumably a starting job) he has opted to sign with Tampa Bay (or will shortly) and compete with Brad Johnson. How bad a feel does one get when visiting the Browns that instead of being assured a starting job, they instead opt to sign with a team with a pretty good starting QB?
Not only that, but the Browns are low-balling Tim Couch (at least in Couch's opinion) and barring any deals for Drew Henson may be back at square one with Kelly Holcombe.
ESPN is reporting that Couch remains optimistic he'll be able to work out a new deal and remain with the Browns.
"I still want to be here...I still want to be part of this organization. I still believe in my teammates here and believe they can get it done."-Tim Couch, after working out at the team's training facility.
Two things: 1) Good luck with that, and 2) I'm just glad I'm not a Browns fan.
Update: Maybe I spoke too soon. ESPN is reporting late Monday night that Garcia has agreed to a four year, $25M contract, which will leave Tim Couch out in the cold.
This guy is unbelievable
Even after all the antics we've endured over the last few years--both on the field and in the faces of Steve Mariucci and Jeff Garcia, Terrell Owens has even outdone himself. As a Steelers fan, some part of me thinks this whole saga is pretty funny, but as a rational adult, it's also very pathetic. On what planet is it OK to blame everyone but yourself (and your bumbling agent) when you (and your bumbling agent) screw up?
Look, this isn't brain surgery. TO's rep didn't file the proper paperwork to become a free agent. By all accounts, it wasn't a ruse by the 49ers front office, but instead a dereliction of duty by his agent. If this was some conspiracy, why was he the only victim (besides marginal WR, Dennis Northcutt). If the answer to that question is that, "They're out to get me because of my onfield antics," then the response to that answer is, "stop singling yourself out and play football."
So now TO has duped himself out of a big signing bonus and a pretty hefty salary. That said, he'll still make $5M+ over the next three years and the Ravens even expressed interest in trying to restructure.
But as of this afternoon, TO refused to report for his physical with the Ravens in the hope that the trade would be rescinded.
Furthermore, Gene Upshaw, executive director of the Players Association, has asked the league to overturn the trade and have Owens' contract voided so he can be declared a free agent.
I'm not sure how setting this precedent is a good idea. To me it's very simple. TO screwed up and now he wants a do-over. Even though the 49ers left the Eagles in the lurch, you can't blame them for opting for a 2nd round pick from the Ravens in lieu of a 5th round pick from the Eagles and James Thrash (I think if I were the 49ers, I'd rather have a 5th round pick sans Thrash). Anyway, this all precipitated TO to say the following:
"I'm going to fight it to the end until I can't fight it anymore," Owens told WCAU-TV. "This is not to disrespect the Ravens organization by any means. I just want a fair shot at my free agency.Gee, thanks. That's like saying, if every girl in school says no, then sure, we'll go to the prom together.
"If it comes down to the point where I can't win, I'll be a Raven."
The good news is that it looks like TO doesn't have a leg to stand on:
A league source told The Baltimore Sun for Monday's editions that the union has little chance of succeeding in its efforts, since it will concede that Owens' agent made a mistake by missing the paperwork deadline to make Owens a free agent. The Ravens expect the matter to be cleared up by the end of the week and are certain that Owens will play for them this season. Judging by his comments over the weekend, Owens conceded that his next catch could be in Baltimore.Let's hope this thing gets resolved in a sensible manner and if TO doesn't want to be a Raven, then the Ravens should be able to decide what to do with him. And if they decide it's in their best interest to keep in, then I'll see you Baltimore, TO.
