Terrell Owens Ridiculous in Criticism of DeSean Jackson Contract Situation

With so much hype surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles entering the 2011 NFL season, the last thing that this team needs or wants is Terrell Owens giving one of their players contract advice. But that is what has happened as the controversial receiver has said that DeSean Jackson is making a mistake not holding out without getting a new contract.

Owens was a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic on Tuesday when he was asked about what he would do if he were in Jackson’s position.

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“Absolutely not,” Owens replied. “I would have to better myself and my family and my situation. That’s ridiculous.”

Owens said that Jackson has obviously received advice “to go in there, be a man about it and play under the existing contract that he has,” adding, “but I guarantee you—if he goes out and gets hurt, God forbid, he’s not going to get the contract that he probably would have gotten if he held out.”

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It is not like Jackson is going into this season without a plan. He has an insurance policy that will take care of him should he get injured.

With respect to Owens, because I understand where he is coming from, did it ever occur to him that Jackson returned because he really wants to be a part of this “dream” team that the Eagles have built?

If Jackson continues to produce like he has, he is going to get paid by someone. The money is not the issue here. This is about Owens’ belief that players have to do what is in their best interest, and that is OK.

Athletes have ridiculously short careers, and if you have a chance to get paid big money by a team, then you need to take advantage of it.

But Jackson, being the player that he is, knows that he is not going to help his stock by sitting at home while other receivers catch passes from Michael Vick. The best thing that he can do is get out on the field and show the Eagles yet again why he deserves to get paid like a No. 1 receiver.

I don’t blame Owens for saying what he did; he was asked the question and gave an honest answer. But to say that what Jackson is doing is “ridiculous” is, in and of itself, ridiculous.

Jackson wants to do what he can to help his team win a championship. No one, especially Terrell Owens, has the right to criticize him for that. And if he produces for this team like he has in the past, he will get that contract he so desperately wants.

Right now, though, it is all about winning and being a team player for Jackson. Those are two concepts that Owens has never understood in his career.