One thing should be stated right off the bat.
Owens is speaking the truth.
Lets look at the quote in its entire context:
“I think there’s underachieving from the top down,” Owens said. “You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week.
“Of course, we have to go out there and play the game. But in order for us to do what we’re allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position.”
The one problem that T.O. has is while a lot of time he is speaking the truth, he forgets to do one thing.
He forgets to lay any blame on himself. Granted the Bengals as a whole have been horrible, but he has had his share of drops and alligator arms.
So it appears to the general public he is throwing people under the bus. It is a fine line because we want athletes to speak their minds, but if it is an athlete that the media deems not up to their butt kissing code, they get slammed for doing so.
My personal advice to Owens would just not say anything— because whatever he says harmless, insightful or controversial is always going to be portrayed as negative.
I know Owens wants to play next year. So if he wants that to be in Cincinnati, he better hope there are brand new coaches.