T.O. accentuates the positive
Owens brushes aside concerns about reputation
A relaxed Terrell Owens expressed eagerness Thursday for working out in Buffalo and batted aside questions on controversial topics more deftly than an All-Pro cornerback.
Owens, the star receiver and the Bills' marquee acquisition this offseason, is participating in the team's voluntary conditioning program this week. He said he expects to be in town frequently this spring.
"OTAs — I'm there," Owens said, referring to organized team activity practices the Bills will hold in May. "I've never been absent from any OTAs that a team has been a part of. When I was in San Francisco and Philly, we didn't have OTAs, but the last couple teams I've been with that's when they started implementing the OTA program, and I've been a part of those. I have yet to miss one."
Owens was quoted last month as saying he did not expect to participate in voluntary workouts. He said that report, out of Washington, D.C., didn't get the full story.
"I think you guys only got a piece of the story in what was reported," Owens said. "The guy asked me about it and I informed him that I've never really come to any optional or voluntary camps. That doesn't mean I'm not going to show up. I know at some point I have to get acclimated with the system and come here and bond with some of the guys. So I think you guys only got a piece of what was reported, which is the case nine times out of 10."
Owens typically did not attend voluntary conditioning workouts while he was in Dallas. But reporters who cover the Cowboys say he came to most of the voluntary "OTA" practices during his three-year tenure in Dallas. He did boycott all offseason work during his last year in Philadelphia, 2005, due to a contract dispute.
A large number of reporters was present to talk to Owens at the Bills' practice facility. Asked if he was surprised how much attention he generates just for showing up to lift weights, Owens said "yes and no."
"The thing I find so unfair about it is that I'm not the only guy out of 32 teams that didn't show up to voluntary and optional weight sessions and running," he said. "That's what's so frustrating about the whole thing is that everybody nitpicks at anything and everything that I do. But I realize that's part of it. In a sense it motivates me. I'm working out hard, and I'm looking forward to the season."
Owens, who ranks tied for sixth on the NFL's all-time receptions list, said he was running routes and catching passes from quarterback Trent Edwards on the practice field Wednesday.
"The last couple days we've got some throwing in," Owens said. "Trent was out there yesterday. Today some of the other guys were out there. I'm just trying to get familiarized with the offense and the signals and things like that."
Owens' impression of Edwards?
"Well, he throws a nice ball," he said. "This is early. We obviously have a long way to go. So I'm looking forward to getting into minicamp and OTAs, and training camp is really where it all begins."
Asked what he would say to fans worried he might be disruptive to the team, Owens smiled and said: "No worries."
"I think if you guys really, just if you listen to all the statements that a lot of my teammates have had since I left the Cowboys, there wasn't any disruptions," Owens said. "You guys are basically going off commentators' comments and broadcasters' comments. I honestly feel good about myself in the way I conducted myself three years in Dallas. And those guys have spoken very, very highly of me and the things that I brought to the team on and off the field. So I really don't have to worry about that."
Owens brought his Atlanta-based trainer, Buddy Primm, with him to Buffalo this week to coordinate his workout regimen with the plan of the team's training staff.
"I've been with him over a decade now," Owens said. "Every year we try to implement some new things. I always try to challenge myself. He organizes and constructs my workouts accordingly. So whether it's more or less, I think the thing for me is to be smart about my workouts.
"Sometimes you get later on in your career, it's not all about working harder, it's all about working smarter. So I have a good knowledgeable guy in Buddy."
Asked about the recent comments of Dallas Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, who said the Cowboys were better off without Owens, T.O. was unfazed.
"I think he has three Super Bowl rings so he has the authority to say that," Owens said. "So other than that, I'm fine."
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