CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
September 24, 1998

(Allsport)

 

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens stopped by in the CBS SportsLine chat room to talk live with fans about the 49ers, life in the NFL and how working with one the best receivers in NFL history has helped improve his game on September 24th.

Find out what Terrell had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Terrell Owens: Hi all! I'm feeling fine. Just got out of practice, doing just great and ready for your questions.

Question: What's it like catching passes from a future Hall of Famer like Steve Young?

Terrell Owens: It's pretty much the same as catching a pass from any other QB, he's just a marquee name QB. He's considered one of the greats. It's got a different rotation because he's a left hander. It's fun getting passes from Steve, who I watched growing up. But when it comes down to it, it's the same as playing with Jerry.

Question: Does playing with Jerry Rice benefit you in any way? Do you learn from him?

Terrell Owens: He's helped me out a tremendous amount. Everything I've done on the field so far... He's contributed to a lot of my success. I owe a lot to Jerry and the coach as well.

Question: How do you feel about sharing the work load with two other wide receivers?

Terrell Owens: I feel they're just using all our talents out there... I'm not on the field a consistent amount of time, but they're giving us all a chance to have our time out on the field. There's only one ball and three receivers. They'll find a way throughout the season to give it to us so we can win some games.

Question: Who is the toughest cornerback you've ever faced?

Terrell Owens: The toughest cornerback I've faced ... Green and Dishman ... They're Pro Bowl players ... They have much more experience than I do. I test my skills against theirs ... They're pretty much the most competitive guys I've gone against this year.

Question: What's your opinion of rookie R.W. McQuarters? Do you think he'll ever be used on offense?

Terrell Owens: McQuarters is a very talented athlete. He played a receiver and defense in school. He's taking it one step at a time as a defensive back. Eventually they'll implement him in the offense. Just hope he doesn't get rusty. McQuarters is a Deion Sanders type. It's early to tell now.

Question: What athlete inspired you growing up?

Terrell Owens: I'd have to say Michael Jordan. I like the competitive energy and spirit he brings. He challenges himself and his teammates.

Question: What do you think of Randy Moss?

Terrell Owens: Randy Moss is a great addition to the Vikings. One of their great players.

Question: What has been your most exciting TD so far as an NFL player?

Terrell Owens: Probably my first TD pass my rookie year. I've had some other TD's besides that, but that was probably my most exciting TD.

Question: What are your team practices like?

Terrell Owens: Our team practices different from other teams. We don't have a lot of contact, defensive wise. You don't want to risk any injuries during practice. By holding back, it makes the guys eager to hit someone on Sunday.

Question: How is Coach Mariucci's style different from Coach Seifert's?

Terrell Owens: I think he (Mariucci) brings his college-type enthusiasm to the game. He's serious when he needs to be, very outgoing. Coach Siefert was stern in his ways, not very vocal. Mariucci gives us slack, but as long as we're working hard and winning ball games, he's making us successful and we're making him successful.

Question: Did you always want to be an NFL player?

Terrell Owens: No, actually I didn't. I always wanted to play in the NBA. I lucked out on a scholarship to UT Chattanooga. I played three years of basketball, played some big name schools, against Penn State, UConn, others ... got some basketball conference rings. Football just kind of found me. When I realized I could play and have success, I started working hard to achieve my goals.

Question: What has been your favorite Monday Night Football game?

Terrell Owens: Probably the one when I scored my first TD. It was a tying TD catch in the 4th Quarter, right before the half. I had caught my first pass of my career, trying to get some extra yardage. They had us 21-0, we came back and end up winning the game against the Bengals. Other than that, I just enjoy playing on Monday nights.

Question: Who would you say is most responsible for the 49ers' success?

Terrell Owens: It has a lot to do with the guys in the front office ... Eddie De Bartolo, Carmen Policy, on down to the players ... The players winning, and the right people to recruit/draft players ... It goes way back beyond my memory of making the 49ers who they are today. There are a lot of traditions in place that have carried on through the years. We a great team from the top down. It works all the way through.

Question: Is the defense a little weaker now that Dana Stubblefield's is gone?

Terrell Owens: Yes and no. He was one of the premier players on the defense. Unfortunately, he went to the Redskins, but we're 2-0 without him. Our record would probably would be the same with him. Somebody's loss is somebodiy's gain. It's a team effort. One player doesn't win a ballgame.

Question: What advice would you give a high school football player with goals to make it to the NFL?

Terrell Owens: Listen to your coaches, do the little things to make you better, stay after practice, work with your coaches. Work extra, work harder in the weight room. Most importantly, get your education. The curriculum is strict now. You can't play sports if you don't have the grades.

Question: What are the 49ers' chances of making to the Super Bowl?

Terrell Owens: We're on the right track to make it to the Super Bowl. We've had some flashes of what we're capable of. We need to maintain our focus, take one game at a time, one week at a time and build on our successes.

Terrell Owens: Keep looking for the Triple Threat! I've enjoyed this everyone, thanks for having me here!