Quote:
Originally Posted by Machiavelli
Those types of things can be speculated upon, but hardly proven with respect to the effect on the on-field product. Did T.O. really cause the Cowboys to be absolutely disgraced against the Eagles?
There are too many variables involved; one can't simply point the finger at a single convenient player and blame them for a team's ills.
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There are lots of variables: the impact of an individual player on a team depends on the team and the individual.
1) The Ottawa Senators got rid of Emery who was supposedly the cause of the team falling apart internally which resulted in a poor on ice performance. Obviously, eliminating that "cancer" wasnt sufficient to right the ship.
2) The Dallas Stars. Got rid of Avery and things seem to be getting better in Dallas immediately afterwards (they beat the Flames, anyways). I think Dallas will make the playoffs.
3) SF Giants. Barry Bonds is the most me-first baseball player I can think of. The detrimental effect on the team is up in the air. I don't know.
3) The Dallas Cowboys. The biggest factor that makes me think Owens is a problem on that team which outweighs his on field contributions is that he goes too any length to make his point. In the media, talking to former players (I'm looking at you Michael Irvin and Keyshawn Johnson), in the ear of his QB while following him up and down the sidelines, arguing with the OCoordinator in the middle of the game.
Owens is too amazing of a talent to be bounced around that much while he was still playing at a very high level without there being legitimacy to the accusations that he's a problem to the team's chemistry. The guy is a cancer and he gets third (soon to be 4th) chances because he's one of the best wide receivers to play. I think that players stop playing for him on the field... Romo would rather look into a tight window to get Crayton or Witten the ball than look to Owens.
I think he's rightfully done in Dallas. For awhile there I thought Jerry Jones was going to take a run at Al Davis' record for most criminals, misfits, rejects and rehabbers he could fit on one team. At least the Raiders can still be first in something.
