Eagles fishing for something in return

The news this week that the Philadelphia Eagles have granted agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade for his exiled client, Terrell Owens, was more of a step sideways than forward. On his way out, Owens likely won't be traded, an end result that will bear no fruit for the Eagles, and potentially less green for T.O.

Rosenhaus has done some wheeling and dealing in the past, but when every owner in the league knows a player will be available in the spring as a free agent, it's tough to convince them that it's in their best interest to give something up. That is where both T.O. and the Birds lose even more.

For the Eagles, it's the loss of a prime time playmaker with nothing to show for it, not even a ring. Granted, Philly has known that day was coming ever since training camp in 2005, if not earlier. But I'm sure in the back of their minds, they figured we'll at least get a draft pick or two down the line.

For T.O., who signed a contract of 7 years for $49 million in 2004, the huge payday he wanted from the Eagles might be hard to find elsewhere. While with the 49ers, T.O. was like the flu compared with the cancer he was to Philadelphia. Teams who want to win a championship will be wary about signing up his services for a long term deal. He'll most likely end up with a contract full of out clauses.

Then again, it could be an out clause that helps Philly receive nothing for their troubles.