McNabb calls Owens' autobiography a 'children's book'

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Donovan McNabb does a better job avoiding tacklers than lingering questions about Terrell Owens.

Speaking to reporters after practice Friday, a cordial McNabb called Owens' recently released autobiography a "children's book," mocked the star receiver for saying he was misquoted in his own book and disputed some of the written allegations.

McNabb and Owens helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl during the 2004 season, but their relationship quickly deteriorated in 2005. Owens eventually was kicked off the team and signed with the Dallas Cowboys in March.

In "T.O.," which came out earlier this month, Owens mostly offers his side of his tumultuous second season in Philadelphia. McNabb joked that he should have been a co-author because Owens mentioned the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback at length in the book.

Donovan McNabb on T.O.'s book: 'It won't sell unless he's talking about me.' (AP)

"It won't sell unless he's talking about me," McNabb said, adding that he didn't read the book and is waiting to play himself in the movie.

Owens likens McNabb to a bully who spat in his mouth as a teenager while he innocently slept on a school bus. He traces the root of the friction to when McNabb didn't throw him the ball on a play in a game during his first season with the Eagles.

McNabb scoffed at Owens' version of events.

"He told me, 'Hey, I was open on that. Throw me the ball,"' McNabb said in a soft voice. "And you guys believe that, I'm sure. I mean, you think about that."

Owens also claims that one of the offensive coaches told him McNabb gets tense in big games.

"It's funny how they would just come to him," McNabb said sarcastically. "Why wouldn't they just say something to me? To say that I can't play in big games, I don't think that's a true statement at all, so I don't get offended by anything he may have said in his book that he was misquoted."

McNabb denied the implication that he influenced management's decision to suspend Owens.

"I can sit here and say that's not true," McNabb said. "If I had that much pull, a lot of changes would be made."

Though he isn't too fond of Owens the person, McNabb praised Owens the player.