The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Terrell Owens has never had any problems off the field. His antics on the field cause him enough trouble.

Owens' brash-talking, showboating image hasn't made him popular around the NFL. But the perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver, an MVP contender in his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, can't understand why he has become such a villain.

He said Wednesday he received several "hate" e-mails through his Web site from players asking how he can embarrass Ray Lewis by imitating Lewis' dance after Owens scored a touchdown in Sunday's 15-10 victory over Baltimore.

"It's discouraging at times that I get labeled and put in that same mold and that I'm the worst guy that ever put on a uniform," Owens said. "It's funny. I listen to all the comments and it baffles me.

"You have a guy like Ray Lewis, who I thought he was pretty much my friend. This is a guy, double murder case, and he could have been in jail, but it seems like the league embraces a guy like that. But I'm going out scoring touchdowns and having fun, but I'm the bad guy."

Lewis declined comment on Owens. The Ravens issued the following statement: "Like the rest of the NFL community, we would expect nothing less from Terrell Owens."

Owens drew notice for his TD celebrations with San Francisco, including pulling a Sharpie from his sock and autographing a football, posing on the Cowboys' star at midfield in Texas Stadium, and waving a cheerleader's pompons.

This season, he performed sit-ups in the end zone, threw a football at a derogatory sign and tore down another negative one.

Though he has many critics, Owens also has a few supporters.

"Why isn't it funny when Terrell does the pompons?" said Steelers linebacker Joey Porter.

Even stoic Eagles coach Andy Reid doesn't have a problem with Owens' flashy personality.

"I think you're dealing with a guy that is a great kid," Reid said. "You never read anything negative about T.O. off the field or taking care of people, whether it's family or friend. It's all positive. He's never been a drug abuser or any of that stuff off the field. He's a straight-arrow guy, and that's welcome in our locker room."

DOLPHINS: Junior Seau avoided a major injury for 15 NFL seasons - until now. A torn pectoral muscle has ended Seau's season, and perhaps his career. The linebacker will undergo an operation today, and he'll decide later whether to return in 2005.

"Of course I will play again," Seau, 35, said with a grin Wednesday. "I'll say that now. But that could change tomorrow. ... Assessing my situation after surgery is definitely going to be something that I need to do."

STEELERS: Pittsburgh quarterback Tommy Maddox isn't disappointed that rookie Ben Roethlisberger took advantage of Maddox's long injury absence to seize the starting job.

"I don't sweat it too much," Maddox said. "I'll just go out there and do my job, work as hard as I can and try to help this team win any way I can."

Coach Bill Cowher made official Tuesday what has been a given for weeks: Roethlisberger will remain the starter even after Maddox is healthy enough to play. Maddox is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

EXTRA POINTS: Running back Jamal Robertson was waived by the 49ers, clearing the way for Maurice Hicks to become Kevan Barlow's backup. ... The Cowboys waived defensive tackle Chris Cooper and signed DeVone Claybrooks from their practice squad to replace him. Claybrooks will back up La'Roi Glover and Leonardo Carson against the Bengals on Sunday. ... Tailback Brian Westbrook (cracked rib) returned to Eagles practice but remains questionable for Sunday's game.

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