Linebacker Smith says 49ers 'better off without' Owens
ESPN.com news services
San Francisco 49ers: Niners linebacker Derek Smith said he'd like to take a physical shot at former teammate Terrell Owens and then took a verbal shot at the Eagles receiver, the Contra Costa Times reported Tuesday.
Smith told the paper the 49ers "were absolutely better off without" Owens and tabbed the receiver as a selfish player who promoted himself at the expense of the team.
"You put a bad apple in with a bunch of good apples, it's just a matter of time before the other apples spoil. That's my opinion," Smith told the paper, adding that he'd like to get a shot at Owens when the Niners visit the Eagles on Sunday.
"I'll prepare the same way that I do for any game, but I'd love to get a shot at him and I'm sure every defensive player would love to get a shot on him," Smith said. "I mean, he's a premier player. You get a shot on a premier player, it looks good."
Smith said his dislike for Owens peaked during the receiver's last season in San Francisco, in 2003, when T.O. was bothered by a groin injury much of the season and practiced minimally during the week so he would be able to play in games.
"I don't like the fact that someone is in there playing dominoes with their friends while we were out there practicing," Smith told the paper. "I didn't like the fact that they were in there sleeping on the rehab table while we were out there practicing. And then they just come out on Fridays because they think they're that good and they can come out and play. I didn't agree with any of that. I don't care who you are. No one is above the team.
"I don't think he'd fit in with this scheme [under new coach Mike Nolan]. I don't think he would fit in with this staff, personally. He'd do his own thing. I don't think he buys into anything but his own thing. I think we're better off without him. We're absolutely better off without him."
ESPN.com news services
San Francisco 49ers: Niners linebacker Derek Smith said he'd like to take a physical shot at former teammate Terrell Owens and then took a verbal shot at the Eagles receiver, the Contra Costa Times reported Tuesday.
Smith told the paper the 49ers "were absolutely better off without" Owens and tabbed the receiver as a selfish player who promoted himself at the expense of the team.
"You put a bad apple in with a bunch of good apples, it's just a matter of time before the other apples spoil. That's my opinion," Smith told the paper, adding that he'd like to get a shot at Owens when the Niners visit the Eagles on Sunday.
"I'll prepare the same way that I do for any game, but I'd love to get a shot at him and I'm sure every defensive player would love to get a shot on him," Smith said. "I mean, he's a premier player. You get a shot on a premier player, it looks good."
Smith said his dislike for Owens peaked during the receiver's last season in San Francisco, in 2003, when T.O. was bothered by a groin injury much of the season and practiced minimally during the week so he would be able to play in games.
"I don't like the fact that someone is in there playing dominoes with their friends while we were out there practicing," Smith told the paper. "I didn't like the fact that they were in there sleeping on the rehab table while we were out there practicing. And then they just come out on Fridays because they think they're that good and they can come out and play. I didn't agree with any of that. I don't care who you are. No one is above the team.
"I don't think he'd fit in with this scheme [under new coach Mike Nolan]. I don't think he would fit in with this staff, personally. He'd do his own thing. I don't think he buys into anything but his own thing. I think we're better off without him. We're absolutely better off without him."
