T.O. says Jets 'more desperate' than he is

Terrell Owens defended his Monday-night tweet to the Jets by saying he's not the "desperate" party here.

"I think I feel like I have a talent to go out there and help that football team," the free-agent wide receiver said Tuesday in an interview on Canada's TSN -- a day after he tweeted to the Jets "Call my agent @jordanwoy & let's make it happen."

"I've read a lot of tweets and everybody's saying that I'm desperate, I'm begging for a job," Owens continued. "But it's not begging for a job when you know that you can still play at a high level, given the opportunity. When you have a defensive back [Antonio Cromartie] playing offense and running routes, then I think that's more desperate than my actual tweet itself."

Owens -- who had 983 receiving yards for the Bengals in 2010 and did not make Seattle's final 53-man roster this season -- still believes he can be an asset to an NFL team. The question is, will any of the 31 other organizations give him a call?

During the fourth quarter of the Jets' 23-17 loss to Houston Monday night, the free-agent wideout sent out his tweet -- and it got a lot of play. So much so, Rex Ryan was asked about the Jets' level of interest in him the following day.

"I'm a social media-network-type of guy," said Owens. "I tweeted it just to have some fun with it, but at the same time there's a little bit of seriousness to it. I think a lot of people know, as I said, I’m ready, I’m willing and able to play the game.

"So as far as me actually getting on the field and getting a response from the Jets, I haven't gotten anything. ...I guess Rex was questioned about the tweet, but I think the response he said and what I've gotten is, never say never."

Owens' history as a trouble-maker is long and detailed. And he's aware his reputation as a locker room distraction and a malcontent has affected his ability to land a job in the NFL. But Owens claims he's a changed man.

"For whatever reason, a lot of people around the league that have done far worse things than I have, as far as, I guess, being outspoken. But again, I've matured," he said. "There's things I've done throughout my career that I can honestly say it was things said and done out of immaturity. And I feel like I've grown and moved on from those things."

To see the whole interview, click here.