Owens a factor in loss
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. ? Terrell Owens was a go. The rest of the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t quite match his stellar performance.
The Eagles’ All-Pro receiver caught nine passes for 122 yards, but Philadelphia lost, 24-21, to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
Owens defied his doctor’s advice and was in the starting lineup just 6 1/2 weeks after ankle surgery.
“A lot of people in the world didn’t believe I could play, but my faith alone — the power of prayer and the power of faith — carried me all the way,” Owens said.
Right from the start, Owens was no decoy.
He caught a seven-yard pass on Philadelphia’s second play — his first action since he severely sprained his ankle and broke his leg in a game against Dallas on Dec. 19.
Owens had a 30-yard catch-and-run later in the first quarter, setting up a first down at the Patriots’ eight, which the Eagles failed to turn into points. After that catch, the flamboyant Owens flapped his arms along the sideline.
He also had a 36-yard reception in the fourth quarter, but didn’t catch any of Donovan McNabb’s three touchdown passes.
“For him to come back and play the way he played, I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel said.
Patriot greatnessOwens was the target on McNabb’s incomplete pass that started the game, and he hauled in a nine-yard reception on the second possession.
He appeared to have no trouble running his patterns, gaining several yards after his catches. Owens seemed out of breath early on when he went to the sideline, but didn’t have to sit out plays.
He didn’t have any receptions in the second quarter as McNabb spread the ball around and had better success moving the offense, but had two catches during Philadelphia’s game-tying scoring drive in the third quarter and six total in the second half.
“It’s remarkable how he was able to come back and played so well for us,” McNabb said.