No Huddle: 49ers Take Down Giants 30-12 on TNF →

Welcome back T.O.!

Oct 4, 2000 at 12:00 AM


After doing the crime (and I use the term lightly), he has done his time. This Sunday it will be business as usual for San Francisco's no. 1 Wide Receiver - Terrell Owens.

After being grounded like a spoiled teenager by 'father figure' Coach Marriuci, Owens is all set to go against Bay Area nemesis, the Oakland Raiders. Can we expect more over the top celebratory antics, or can we expect a new subdued approach to touchdown celebrations ala Barry Sanders. Who knows, and moreover, who cares.

This topic has been done to death by a multitude of the nations top sports writers and television analysts. It's almost as if Mr. Owens had become public enemy no. 1. It is time to move on and let bygones be bygones.

It's no secret that Owens is a crowd favourite as well as Garcia's favourite target. It's also no secret that the whole of the 49ers organization would like to see Owens separate himself from the rest of the receiving corps and assume the role of 'team leader' soon to be relinquished by old-timer Jerry Rice. And from all indications, he has the ability to do so.

In today's NFL, a receiver must be big and strong to survive. He must be able to take the hard knocks when going over the middle while having the presence of mind to hold onto the rock. In addition to this, he must also be able to blow off coverage to find some vacant real estate for his QB to throw to. Owens fits this description. In fact, if it were written in the dictionary, the description for a WR would be - see Terrell Owens.

If there could be one argument made against Owens's play, it would have to be the alarming regularity of which he drops the easy catch. However, the hallmark of a clutch performer is being able to come up with the big grab when required.

A perfect example of this could be Owens's touchdown catch against the Green Bay Packers in the 98 Wildcard Playoff game. With only seconds remaining on the clock, Steve Young threaded a pass between Packer defenders to find Owens in the end zone for the game winning score. It became known to many as 'The Catch 2'. A memorable moment indeed.

What most of the 49ers faithful would not remember is that just prior to making the play to catapult the team into the Divisional Playoffs, Owens had four dropped balls and was quite possibly having the worst game of his short career.

While the 49ers may never make the playoffs this year, Owens figures to have a big season nonetheless. Over the first four games of the season, Owens has racked up 23 receptions and 4 touchdowns. He is currently leading all 49ers receivers in points scored, yardage, and receptions despite the fact that he 'missed' last week's game against the Cardinals. Combined with the recent performances of Garcia and Garner, the Bay Area now has it's own version of the 'Big Three' to rival Indianapolis.

For continued success, Owens must put the events of the last week behind him. What's done is done. Right now, it's all about the game.

The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



49ers' Nick Bosa: I needed a couple of games to get back into football shape

By David Bonilla
Sep 17

Nick Bosa hasn't reached an opposing quarterback yet this season after recording an NFL-leading 18.5 sacks last season. Some of that may be the San Francisco defensive end getting warmed up. Bosa missed all of training camp and the preseason while holding out for a new contract. He finally returned to the 49ers after a six-week absence and just days before the team's Week 1 matchup. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year has recorded two tackles and two assists in two games. The 49ers enter a short week. They host the New York Giants at Levi's Stadium on Thursday, the team's home opener. Is the 49ers pass rusher worried about the quick turnaround? "I'm not too concerned about it," Bosa told reporters after the



49ers' Nick Bosa "getting back into his groove," says Kyle Shanahan

By David Bonilla
Sep 18

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has had time to review the film from Sunday's 30-23 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. What is his assessment of his now-highly-compensated defensive end, Nick Bosa? "I think he's getting back into football shape, getting back into his groove," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday via a conference call. "I thought he got better and stronger throughout the game, similar to last week in that aspect. I thought he finished the game real strong and took a step forward from Pittsburgh." Bosa earned Pro Football Focus' highest grade


Featured

More by Ben Squire

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone