T. O. means trouble — for Philly foes

‘ A pleasure to coach,’ Reid says Receiver has 16 TDs in 17 games

PHILADELPHIA— Terrell Owens gave Andy Reid an earful on the sideline, trying to persuade the coach to call his number one more time. There was no argument, no heated dispute, no name- calling or calling out. It was just T. O. wanting to rub it in against his former team.

Reid simply ignored Owens and kept watching the backups finish out the Philadelphia Eagles’ 42- 3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Owens might have been a slight nuisance on the sideline because he didn’t want to come out of the game, but he was far more trouble for the defence on the field. The all- star wideout had five catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first 19 minutes — in his first game against the team that drafted him.

Playing against the 49ers had to motivate Owens, especially after linebacker Derek Smith made some critical comments earlier in the week. Reid gave Owens extra incentive, sending him out for the coin toss as one of the team captains.

“ You may think I’m crazy for saying this, but he is a pleasure to coach,” Reid said yesterday. “ He enjoys playing the game. No matter what phase we were in during this thing, he enjoys it. He loves it and I appreciate that.” Owens certainly caused plenty of problems off the field the past several months. After helping lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl last season, Owens demanded a new contract, even though he signed a seven- year deal worth $ 48.97 million ( U. S.) when he joined Philadelphia in March 2004. He feuded with quarterback Donovan McNabb, argued with offensive co-ordinator Brad Childress, dissed some teammates and was kicked out of training camp for a week after a verbal confrontation with Reid. But Owens has been on his best behaviour since he returned to the team in mid- August. He’s reconciled with McNabb, stopped pouting and put aside his contract issues for now. More important, his performance has been more disruptive for opponents than his attitude in the locker- room.

In the first two games, Owens had 12 catches for 255 yards and two TDs. Overall, the Eagles are 14- 3 in the 17 games Owens has played, including the 24- 21 loss to New England in the Super Bowl. Owens has 98 catches for 1,577 yards and 16 TDs in those 17 games.

“ Personally, I like his game, he is a good receiver,” 49ers safety Tony Parrish said. “He plays hard, he comes to work and he produces. What else can you ask of him as a football player? Now, as a person, I don’t know him, so I can’t speak on it.”