but I think there is a BIG difference when you start coming out knocking your coach and management -- Shaq and Kobe didn't do that.
I actually go the exact opposite way.
I took problems with his comments on McNabb (btw, I don't think he ever really had a problem with McNabb, just the quarterback, who happens to get more recognition and money). I don't care what he said about the FO and organization. He's frustrated. I've said bad things about my job before. It's natural. You have to know better than to do it in front of a national audience, but it's a natural thing to do.
I care much more about his McNabb comments and altercations with Douglas than I do FO comments
(BTW, I know a WR on the practice squad, and he said TO was a fabulous teammate, constantly helping him whenever need it. I do NOT believe this man's satan, just that he's an attention seeking, egotistical guy).
Steve Young said something in the preseason that I now get wholeheartedly. He said that TO's a great teammate, until he feels disrespected. And he feels disrespected easily. And once he feels disrespected, it's almost impossible to save the situation.
Last year Donovan said "we can win the superbowl without TO". And in TO's weird way, he took that as Donovan saying that the team doesn't need TO. Then, Donovan doesn't stand up for TO in his contract dispute at all, meanwhile he says that the FO needs to pay Brian Westbrook. Again, TO feels disrespected. With the contract dispute, TO wasn't demanding ludicrous money. But the way his contract was structured, there was a good probability he would be cut this year to save a roster bonus. TO came out and said that if they would restructure it in a way that would guarantee future years, he'd have no problem with his current contract. But the FO's stance was to not even discuss contracts. Disrespected (rightfully or wrongfully).
TO obviously made egregious mistakes (taking contract dispute public, criticism of the FO and Donovan, relations with the coaching staff), but he's not the only one. the front office and donovan made mistakes as well.
As for Donovan, he's been getting a lot of praise for being a leader and for taking the high road and not going public against TO. Bunk. Donovan never led for a second in this situation. Just because he didn't say anything publicly also doesn't mean he was the better man in their fued. At training camp, Donovan never went to TO to talk. And whlie the press was all over TO for not talking to his quarterback, Donovan never went to TO to talk either. When TO felt "criticized" by McNabb, he went to the media rather than work things out. On the flip side, when McNabb felt criticized by TO, he became an introvert. Neither solved jack on their problems. In fact, Donovan's brother (or cousin) was the one who tried to be a mediator and call TO, Donovan never made an attempt. That's not a leader. And Donovan's every bit as sensitive as TO. This was grade school from both sides.
As for the FO, whenever they feel challenged, they cut off talks. They get a vendetta. It shouldn't be hard to think of examples. Hugh Douglas, Jeremiah Trotter, Corey Simon, Bobby Taylor. Even upstanding citizen Troy Vincent had contract negotiations cut off because he became critical. They don't just not cave in to contract disputes, they end disucssions.
