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Wednesday, July 05, 2006
First Look at Terrell Owens' New Book
 "It's one of those nonfiction books that is clearly in many cases fiction," said WIP's Howard Eskin during his rip this afternoon of Terrell Owens' new book, named -- what else? -- T.O. Apparently copies of the book, scheduled for release later this month, have started to hit some local Wal-Marts, where an 'IP producer got one. Details are sketchy, but, according to Eskin, Owens called the Eagles' list of supposed sins a "joke," even though they persuaded an arbiter to uphold a suspension that cost the team's best recent receiver four games and about $800,000. Owens pointed out he committed no crime, and freedom of speech should forgive half of those sins, which included missing meetings and parking in spots reserved for coaches and the handicapped. In another passage read by Eskin, Owens tells of his rotten relationship with ex-defensive end/ team ambassador Hugh Douglas. Douglas "had it in for me" and was "out to get me," and "called me out, challenged my manhood," by accusing Owens of faking an injury. Owens confirms the two did have a fight, and he got no sympathy afterward from higher-ups over the so-called assault. "Management didn't care that I was attacked like that," the excerpt continued. In one funny bit, Eskin gets into an imaginary dialogue with Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus: Eskin: "Why is it that this book comes off like it's written by a second grader?" Infamous audio clip of Rosenhaus: "Next question!" Eskin: "Why is it that your brother rather than a legitimate writer wrote this for T.O.?" Rosenhaus clip: "Next question!" Eskin: "Why is this book so completely one-sided to make T.O. look like the hero and the victim?" Rosenhaus: "Next question!" Hmm. Maybe Jason Rosenhaus co-wrote the book to make sure Owens didn't answer WPVI reporter David Henry's memorable question to the agent: "What have you done for your client, other than get him kicked off the team?"  Remember how Eskin did a mock funeral (above), dumping fan-rejected T.O. jerseys into a coffin? (See "Paying Their Last Disrespects.") It's just barely mentioned in the book, and the Burger King's doppelganger's not even named. But that's not why Eskin calls the book "this piece of garbage" that's "scribbled in crayon." No, Eskin has long been knocked "Me-O," once even calling for making the Oct. 8 Dallas game a "painfest." More "revelations": Owens says coach Andy Reid never warned him he might be suspended for than one game. If he had been, "I would have found a way to make things right ... to work things out with Donovan." ... Owens says coaches asked him to try to cheer McNabb up when the QB got in a funk, and that's why he animately shouted at the QB on the sidelines of a Pittsburgh game. ... As for McNabb's remark about Owens' actions being like "black on black crime," Owens called that depiction "too ridiculous to deserve a response," a WIP newbreak reported. ... Jeremiah Trotter "fought for me," said T.O., calling the linebacker "the undisputed team leader." ... Owens also said way too much was made of saying "I wasn't the one who got tired in the Super Bowl" because he never mentioned anyone by name. As if he had to spell out he was talking about McNabb, Eskin said. Tomorrow on Philly.com: A poll asking, Will you buy Terrell Owens' new book?
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