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TV analysts and sportswriters have always tripped over themselves to declare Marvin Harrison as a better player, and team mate than Terrell Owens. After observing both of them for many years, I’ve always thought the exact opposite.

I believe it’s really interesting that Marvin was released from the Colts weeks ago, and has yet to sign with a new squad. There have been rumors that teams are interested, but there hasn’t been any solid news of anyone beating down his door. So if Marvin is the better player, the better team mate, and the all-around character guy …. why did the team cancer with rapidly declining skills secure a deal first?

The answer is simple, Owens is a better player.

Now I know there are some people who will instantly question me on that claim, so I’ll explain why I feel that way. Terrell is a warrior on the field, he fights for extra yards, he goes over the middle, he holds team mates accountable if they make mistakes, he’ll confront coaches if he doesn’t like the game plan. He may come off like an asshole, but you can never say he isn’t giving his all.

Marvin on the other hand…. has always played football like a girl to me. he rarely fights for extra yards and elects to scurry out of bounds, or dive to the ground before defenders can touch him. If you’ve ever watched Marvin on the sideline, he generally avoids talking to anybody…. instead he sits on the bench alone until it’s time to go back on the field. His team mates have pretty much confirmed he behaves similarly in the locker room.

I wouldn’t dare say Marvin wasn’t a great player and a technician at what he did, but when you stack him up against Owens and consider all factors I’d put my chips behind T.O. Owens got to play 2 seasons as a 2nd string receiver with Steve Young, and 1 full season with Donovan McNabb, other than that he’s never been with quarterbacks in Peyton Manning’s league. Marvin on the other hand, has gotten to play with Manning for the last 10 years straight.

When you put their stats side by side, the results are strikingly similar (T.O. has more TDs, Marvin has more receptions, everything else is close).

So i’ll put the question on you, why did Owens get a deal before Marvin did?