OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Terrell Owens was traded to the
Baltimore Ravens by San Francisco on
Thursday for a second-round draft pick in 2004.
The Ravens won't draft until the third round in April because they used their first-rounder to move up and acquire quarterback Kyle Boller in last year's draft. But in making this trade, they now have a Pro Bowl receiver to help their young quarterback grow.
Owens was given permission by the 49ers to
seek a deal after his agent failed to file a document voiding the
final years of his contract.
Ravens coach Brian Billick said he was impressed by "comments
across the board" about Owens' productivity and work ethic.
"The profile we got was of a player that, given his level of
proven productivity and his desire to win, seemed to fit the Raven
profile," Billick said at a news conference.
Billick also said he wasn't worried about the wide receiver's
difficult relationship with the 49ers.
"However he treated people or dealt with people before is not
of concern to me because the Baltimore Ravens weren't a part of
that," Billick said.
Owens missed out on free agency when he didn't notify the 49ers by Feb. 21 to void the final three years of his contract. Owens had a clause in his contract to void the contract by the first week in March but a collective bargaining override -- which was created in 2001 -- made the date around Feb. 21.
David Joseph, Owens' agent, did know about the change of date. The Ravens pick up the final three years of his contract valued at around $17 million.
Unless Baltimore agrees to renegotiate his contract, the mix up
could cost Owens millions.
General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team has been negotiating
for an extension on the contract.
Owens is due to make $17.7 million in base salary over the next
three seasons, including $5.3 million next year -- a relative
bargain for one of the NFL's best receivers.
Owens had been hoping to land a signing bonus of more than $15
million from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta or a handful of other
teams with the cap space to sign the star receiver.
All along, the 49ers believed Owens would end up in Baltimore. During the Ravens playoff drive, several 49ers front office people kept calling the Ravens, telling them that they thought Baltimore would be the logical choice. Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis also played a role in urging Owens to come to Baltimore, trying to recruit him at this year's Pro Bowl.
Owens has spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers, who
drafted him in the third round in 1996.
He and Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison are the only receivers with
more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns over the past four seasons.
Last season, Owens had 80 catches for 1,102 yards and nine TDs --
his lowest totals since 1999.
Owens is also known for a series of on-field celebrations and
off-field conflicts.
Two years ago, he pulled out a pen and signed a ball after
scoring a touchdown in Seattle. He wasn't fined for the move but
was chastised by commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who said the star wideout
would be disciplined for future stunts.
He also precipitated a melee during a game by dancing on the
Dallas Cowboys' star at midfield after scoring.