Has Terrell Owens finally grown up?
The numbers say the San Francisco wideout got back on track against the Bucs, catching six passes for 152 yards, including a highlight reel 75-yard play that no other receiver in the league could have made.
Owens later dropped a couple of potential TD passes, but he had a positive impact on the game–unlike last week when he dropped three catchable passes in a 20-19 loss to Seattle.
Owens was humbled by his performance against the Seahawks. Instead of holding court and pointing fingers, Owens showed his gentler side.
QB Jeff Garcia noticed that Owens was much more cooperative as the Niners prepared for the Bucs. “Oftentimes there was a little too much silence. This time, I saw him being more into what was going on, as far as being involved,” Garcia said.
But before you leap to the conclusion that Owens is a changed man, it should be noted that he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season and realizes his indifferent play could cost him.
perfect practice: Randy Moss’ no-look, over-the -head lateral to Moe Williams that resulted in an end-of-the-half Vikings touchdown was the kind of instinctive play that few athletes could have made. However, Minnesota regularly practices “desperation” plays, and it paid off against the Broncos.
PANIC ROOM: Brian Westbrook’s 84-yard game-winning punt return versus the Giants was Dante Hall-like, but the Eagles aren’t going anywhere with Donovan McNabb completing just
9 of 23 passes for 64 yards and one interception. Head coach Andy Reid is quietly panicking.
RAMMING HIS WAY: After a slow start, Rams’ right tackle Kyle Turley is getting the job done. The St. Louis running game averaged 4.9 yards a carry Sunday with most of the gains coming over his side. Along with left tackle Orlando Pace, the Rams have the best pair of tackles in the league.
TRADE YA: The Cowboys said they wanted San Francisco RB Kevan Barlow before last week’s trade deadline, but they only offered a middle-round draft pick (either third- or fourth-round), and 49ers GM Terry Donahue never gave serious consideration.
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Edited by the Sports staff of RedEye
