Owens catches five passes for 131 yards and TD in return
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb made it clear in a hurry that they don’t have to speak in the locker room to connect on the field. In their first game together since their post-Super Bowl spat, the feuding stars hooked up for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage Friday night in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 27-17 exhibition victory over Cincinnati.
“It was business as usual,” McNabb said.
The squabble and Owens’ demand for a new contract turned training camp into a sideshow for the NFC champion Eagles, threatening to distract and derail them as they try to return to the Super Bowl.
On Friday night, they showed when all of the hoopla is pushed aside, they could be the best tandem in the conference. In just one half, Owens caught five passes for 131 yards and McNabb threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
“It was great to get those two connected,” coach Andy Reid said. “They’ve got a special thing between them and it showed.”
Owens declined to speak to reporters, putting his headphones on to tune everyone out.
With the Eagles running onto the field before the game as a team rather than having the offense or defense introduced individually, there was never a chance for the fickle fans to boo Owens. He never gave them an opportunity once the game started, either.
After Rod Hood returned the opening kickoff 24 yards to Philadelphia’s 36, McNabb connected with Owens. The All-Pro wide receiver caught McNabb’s pass in full stride near the 20 and streaked into the end zone.
“It’s good to have him back out there,” Reid said.
Known for his flamboyant antics after scoring, Owens toned down his act. He spiked the ball, stood with his hands on his hips, stared at the crowd and nodded his head – perhaps in approval of a job well done. McNabb jumped into center Hank Fraley’s arms and pointed downfield.
Owens then ran to the sideline, stopping once to pound his chest and point toward the sky. What he didn’t do was celebrate with McNabb. The two didn’t even acknowledge each other.
“We were both excited whether we celebrated together or with other teammates,” McNabb said. “Let’s not blow this out of proportion. It’s still early.”
Maybe, but Owens twice walked past McNabb without even looking at him and then sat on another bench just a few feet away from the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
“Everybody saw he came out exploding on the first play of the game,” said Greg Lewis, who had four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. “That just set everything off the right way.”
The touchdown was eerily similar to the way the Eagles (2-1) opened last year’s preseason when McNabb and Owens connected on an 81-yard TD pass, also on the first play.
The friction between Owens and McNabb started when Owens took a shot at McNabb’s conditioning in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl loss to New England. Owens also called McNabb a “hypocrite” earlier this month.
Owens also hasn’t endeared himself to fans by demanding a new contract just one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed in March 2004.
Owens missed the first preseason game after he was sent home for a week following a heated dispute with Reid. The star receiver was held out of the second game because of a groin injury that he reaggravated late in the first half.
McNabb threw 31 yards to Owens on Philadelphia’s second play, and Owens made a diving catch out of the end zone on the next play. McNabb twice overthrew Owens, but they didn’t communicate after either play.