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By EDDIE PELLS, AP National Writer
January 30, 2006
Terrell Owens and his agent visited Denver on Monday, talking with coach Mike Shanahan to see if he might be a fit with the Broncos.
Owens is under contract with Philadelphia, but the Eagles have given him permission to seek a trade.
Denver is a suitor, and a person familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition he not be identified because there was no deal, told The Associated Press the volatile receiver had a good meeting with Shanahan.
Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were shown by KCNC-TV at the Denver airport on their way out of town Monday night.
Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano, working at the Super Bowl in Detroit, said he could not comment because he had no knowledge of the visit.
Last week, Shanahan declined commenting specifically on Owens because he is still under contract with the Eagles.
The coach does, however, have a history of taking chances on so-called risky players. Some, like Gerard Warren and Todd Sauerbrun, have worked out. Others, like Maurice Clarett and Dale Carter, haven't.
"Whoever that guy might be ... there's always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way, they could come into this organization," Shanahan said. "But they're going to have to live by the standards we practice."
The day after the Broncos lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game, several Broncos said they would welcome Owens in their locker room.
"If it would work anywhere, I think it would work here because of the guys in the locker room," center Tom Nalen said. "Guys would keep him straight. I think he'd conform. He'd fit in here."
The Broncos have receivers Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Smith, 35, had another strong year, finishing with 85 catches for 1,105 yards. Lelie had moments, but hasn't lived up to his potential as a first-round draft pick.
Many believe the Broncos need a game-breaker to take the next step.
"Everybody wants difference makers and everybody wants great players," Shanahan said. "Sometimes, you get a great player that's not a team player and then you have a great player on your team and he might not help you win games."
In November, the Eagles suspended Owens for the remainder of the season for his repeated criticism of the team, Donovan McNabb and several other issues.
Owens is due $7.5 million if the Eagles keep him on their roster after March 1. He has five seasons remaining the $49 million contract he signed in 2004.
The Eagles may not want to pay Owens the bonus money and some teams may want to see if they cut him, which would make him a free agent, eligible to be signed under new terms.
But for some compensation in a trade, a team could get the rights to Owens, then negotiate a new deal with him while he's still under his old contract.
AP/Yahoo Story
January 30, 2006
Terrell Owens and his agent visited Denver on Monday, talking with coach Mike Shanahan to see if he might be a fit with the Broncos.
Owens is under contract with Philadelphia, but the Eagles have given him permission to seek a trade.
Denver is a suitor, and a person familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition he not be identified because there was no deal, told The Associated Press the volatile receiver had a good meeting with Shanahan.
Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were shown by KCNC-TV at the Denver airport on their way out of town Monday night.
Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano, working at the Super Bowl in Detroit, said he could not comment because he had no knowledge of the visit.
Last week, Shanahan declined commenting specifically on Owens because he is still under contract with the Eagles.
The coach does, however, have a history of taking chances on so-called risky players. Some, like Gerard Warren and Todd Sauerbrun, have worked out. Others, like Maurice Clarett and Dale Carter, haven't.
"Whoever that guy might be ... there's always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way, they could come into this organization," Shanahan said. "But they're going to have to live by the standards we practice."
The day after the Broncos lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game, several Broncos said they would welcome Owens in their locker room.
"If it would work anywhere, I think it would work here because of the guys in the locker room," center Tom Nalen said. "Guys would keep him straight. I think he'd conform. He'd fit in here."
The Broncos have receivers Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Smith, 35, had another strong year, finishing with 85 catches for 1,105 yards. Lelie had moments, but hasn't lived up to his potential as a first-round draft pick.
Many believe the Broncos need a game-breaker to take the next step.
"Everybody wants difference makers and everybody wants great players," Shanahan said. "Sometimes, you get a great player that's not a team player and then you have a great player on your team and he might not help you win games."
In November, the Eagles suspended Owens for the remainder of the season for his repeated criticism of the team, Donovan McNabb and several other issues.
Owens is due $7.5 million if the Eagles keep him on their roster after March 1. He has five seasons remaining the $49 million contract he signed in 2004.
The Eagles may not want to pay Owens the bonus money and some teams may want to see if they cut him, which would make him a free agent, eligible to be signed under new terms.
But for some compensation in a trade, a team could get the rights to Owens, then negotiate a new deal with him while he's still under his old contract.
AP/Yahoo Story
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