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No ruling after 14-hour T.O. arbitration hearing
The Philadelphia Eagles have no intention of letting Terrell Owens play again this season.
Terrell Owens might be closer to returning to the field this season, even though the Philadelphia Eagles still don't want him back.
Arbitrator Richard Bloch did not issue a ruling after the 14-hour arbitration hearing Friday.
Richard Berthelsen, general counsel of the NFL Players' Association, said a decision is expected by Tuesday and expressed optimism that Owens would not have to sit out the remainder of the season.
The dismissed Owens -- who did not speak with reporters after leaving the hearing -- is seeking reinstatement.
"This discipline did not meet the legal standards of the collective bargaining agreement," said attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing the union.
"He wants to play for Philadelphia," Kessler said. "He doesn't have any problem with his teammates, the organization or the fans. He never expected this to be the result."
Eagles coach Andy Reid suspended Owens two weeks ago for a series of incidents that included public criticism of the organization and quarterback Donovan McNabb. Following his suspension, which is for a total of four games without pay, Owens would be deactivated for the rest of the season.
The hearing started at 9:30 a.m. and finished at 11:40 p.m. The proceedings started with three hours of opening arguments, followed by eight hours of team testimony, then the players' association general counsel.
During the hearing, Reid was cross-examined by Berthelson for nearly the entire four hours of his testimony, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports.
The line of questioning went through each of the 11 counts of conduct detrimental to the organization brought by the team, and Reid was questioned repeatedly about whether the severity of the punishment was warranted, comparing what Owens did with what other players have done -- and whether they were punished as severely.
No other witness gave testimony for more than 30 minutes, according to sources. Reid answered questions from Berthelson while Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus consulted with the union lawyer about what to ask next, as if Reid were on trial.
The line of questioning was focused on reducing the length of the four-game suspension, and not the Eagles' move to deactivate Owens for the rest of the season, the sources said.
The players' association wants Philadelphia to release Owens if he's not going to be reinstated after the four-game suspension is over. Lawyers for the players' union argued Owens' punishment for conduct detrimental to the team was excessive and the suspension should be reduced.
The Eagles insist the suspension is justified, and also could be seeking to reclaim about $1.8 million of the $9 million signing bonus they gave Owens last year because they believe the petulant receiver violated his contract terms when he failed to show up at a mandatory post-draft camp in the spring.
Kessler said the Eagles have not made an attempt to reclaim that money. If they did, Kessler said, that would require another hearing.
Philadelphia most likely would make a decision on Owens -- either releasing or trading him -- by next March, when he is due to receive a $5 million roster bonus.
Source: AP
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