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The 10 greatest false alarms in NFL history: an April Fools special

By Erik Lambert

NEW YORK CITY - APRIL 24: Quarterback Eli Manning (Mississippi) stands next to his older brother QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts after Eli was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers at the 2004 NFL Draft on April 24, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Manning was later traded to the New York Giants in exchange for QB Philip Rivers (North Carolina State) and New York's third-round pick (No. 65), which they use to select Iowa K Nate Kaeding, and the Giants' first-round and fifth-round picks in the 2005 draft. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY - APRIL 24: Quarterback Eli Manning (Mississippi) stands next to his older brother QB Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts after Eli was selected first overall by the San Diego Chargers at the 2004 NFL Draft on April 24, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Manning was later traded to the New York Giants in exchange for QB Philip Rivers (North Carolina State) and New York's third-round pick (No. 65), which they use to select Iowa K Nate Kaeding, and the Giants' first-round and fifth-round picks in the 2005 draft. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – MARCH 16: (L-R) Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, newly acquired Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hold Owens’ #81 Philadelphia Eagles jersey during a news conference March 16, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Terrell Owens signed a $42 million dollar deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was acquired in a three way trade with the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – MARCH 16: (L-R) Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, newly acquired Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hold Owens’ #81 Philadelphia Eagles jersey during a news conference March 16, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Terrell Owens signed a $42 million dollar deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was acquired in a three way trade with the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) /

07. Terrell Owens files a grievance to avoid going to Ravens

Going into 2004, the divorce between the San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Terrell Owens was getting ugly. It reached the final stage when the team traded him to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2nd round pick. However, Owens had already negotiated a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and challenged that the 49ers no longer held his rights, believing he became a free agent the day before the trade took place. The NFLPA soon filed a grievance on his behalf.

It became a messy and confused situation that almost went to court. However, the NFL and the three teams involved were able to reach a settlement. Baltimore got their pick back and the 49ers got a 5th round pick and a player in return for Owens going to Philadelphia. It’s hard to know how things would’ve gone for T.O. had the trade to Baltimore stuck. Brian Billick had coached Randy Moss in the past, so he had a history dealing with ego-driven receivers.

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