49ERS Owens feels he's underpaid

The San Francisco receiver says that he'll play for any other team if necessary.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens remained a no-show Tuesday at the 49ers' final spring minicamp, but he did appear on ESPN's "Rome Is Burning" and said in an interview taped last month that he is "underpaid" and will play next year for any other team if the 49ers don't award him a contract extension.
Asked by the show's host, Jim Rome, if he would stay with the 49ers after his contract voids next spring, Owens replied: "I want to be there if they want me to be there.
"I'll go and play for any team. I'll take my passion. And I'll take my Sharpie. My antics. Whatever I can. I'll take them to all 31, 32 teams and I'll play my heart out," Owens said.
Bypasses minicamps
Owens hasn't attended the 49ers' two voluntary minicamps or voluntary passing camp held the past month.
He did participate in a mandatory minicamp May 2-4, but was limited by a lingering groin injury.
Owens, who's slated to earn a base salary of $4.2 million this season, told Rome he wants more money.
"Compared to baseball, basketball, I don't make enough money," Owens said.
Rome replied: "But compared to the average guy buying a ticket?"
"We're not talking about the average guy," Owens said. "Everybody can't play football."
Said Rome: "You're not going to run out of money, are you?"
"Nah, I'm not going to run out of money, but I still feel like I'm getting underpaid."
General manager Terry Donahue, who's downplayed Owens' absences, said Monday that the team met last week with Owens' agent, David Joseph, regarding a possible contract extension.
Owens' six-minute interview with Rome was filmed in Los Angeles after the May 2-4 minicamp, and it was not set up through the 49ers public relations department, according to a team spokesman.
QB envy
While Owens and quarterback Jeff Garcia have each gone to the Pro Bowl the last three years, Rome asked Owens if he ever thought of playing with another quarterback.
"Oh definitely, all the time," Owens replied. "I can envision myself playing with Payton Manning or Donovan McNabb. Those are strong-armed quarterbacks that get the ball down the field.
"But Jeff, he's a different type of quarterback. Jeff's going to make things happen on the run. The thing is, we kind of feed off each other. He knows once I get my hands on the ball, that's when the show begins. ... It doesn't matter who I play with. My thing is get me the ball and I'll make things happen. And I pride myself in that."
In a corner
With starting cornerbacks Ahmed Plummer (abdominal strain) and Jason Webster (ankle surgery) out this camp, coach Dennis Erickson said the team will seriously consider signing a veteran free agent to provide depth at cornerback.
Donahue said the team has talked with the agent of sixth-year veteran Fred Weary and may host the former Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints cornerback next week for a tryout.
Donahue said the team hasn't made any attempts to contact 14-year veteran Ray Crockett, who was released Monday by the Kansas City Chiefs.