Owens, 35, burnt down the last of his remaining bridges in Dallas, and there are multiple reasons why the Ravens aren’t interested.
Team officials noted that Owens wouldn’t be an appropriate addition to the Ravens’ locker room given his notoriously selfish attitude juxtaposed by coach John Harbaugh’s emphasis on building team chemistry.
In addition to Owens’ age, declining production, history of feuding with former teammates like Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo and Jason Witten and his inconsistent hands, the Ravens have a bitter history with the combustible wideout.
Five years ago, Owens successfuly fought a trade to the Ravens after he filed a grievance through the NFL Players Association.
Ultimately, Owens, who said he didn’t want to play with former Ravens starting quarterback Kyle Boller, was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles after an NFL special master looked at the case and a three-team settlement was reached where the Ravens were compensated with a fifth-round draft pick.
Plus, Harbaugh, who laughed during the season and declined to comment when asked if he had any good T.O. stories, is well aware of the discord Owens can bring to a football team. Harbaugh was an Eagles assistant when Owens’ relationship with McNabb and the entire Eagles organization imploded.
One more reason why Owens won’t be playing for the Ravens is his expected asking price. Despite his many problems, Owens is a talented football player that would demand a high salary.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome declined to talk about Owens during a Thursday news conference for new center Matt Birk because the release hadn’t been formally executed.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
