Marvin Lewis Uses the Old Shoe Problem Excuse Covering for Terrell Owens

There has only been one game played in the 2010 NFL season and already the haters looking for ammunition against Batman and Robin have something.

Both Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson were not on the field for the Bengals when they attempted a Hail Mary pass prior to halftime against the Patriots. The Bengals actually completed the bomb from Carson Palmer (rookie Jordan Shipley made the catch) but they came up short of the end zone as time expired. After the game, people were wondering why the star receivers were not on the field for that play.

Head Coach Marvin Lewis explained that Chad had gone into the training room early to receive medical attention. Apparently Ocho needed an IV which is completely understandable. T.O. however had less of an excuse.

After being badgered and pressed by the media, Owens told inquiring minds to ask Coach Lewis what happened. Marvin pretty much dodged the issue after the game, but he had more of an explanation on Monday: “[Owens] had shoes that just got here on Saturday. Again, we don’t need to get into all of that. It’s over. It occurred but it’s not a big deal.”

It’s issues like this that support the notion that Marvin Lewis did not want T.O. on the team. He was put in a bad spot and wanted to diffuse the issue so he did his best. Still, a shoe issue? That’s almost as bad as saying the dog ate T.O.’s homework. Understandable, but lame.

Sources:
Terrell Owens had shoe problem, Lewis says [Cincinnati Enquirer]