What exactly is an "opportunity"?

People are still harping on TO for complaining about wanting the ball more after the loss to the Redskins a week ago. Sure, Owens was "thrown to" a bunch of time (17, I think), had a couple drops, 7 catches and two runs. So, he wasn't exactly frozen out, but don't mistake 17 balls going his direction with Romo giving him 17 opportunities to catch the ball.

Had I known the outcome of the game before it happened (as well as TO's comments), I would have taped the game and charted the throws to TO. Then, I'd be able to answer how many actual, realistic opportunities TO had to make catches in that game. Obviously, he had more than a few because he made 7 catches. But, really, the numbers are less relevant than I think people think they are.

If Player A is thrown to 10 times, but is unable to get his hands on any ball, whereas Player B is thrown to 5 times and makes 5 catches, who's really more involved? If a QB has a guy he throws to if no one is open, that WR will have inflated "thrown to" numbers without a comparable increase in actual opportunities to make catches. Should TO be happy that he is the intended receiver on a play when the ball is knocked down by a guy at the line?

I'm not entirely sure, but I would imagine the only thing worse than not getting the ball thrown your way is to have uncatchable balls thrown your way. Wide receivers want to make plays, but their ability to make plays is contingent on the play of other players. If WR's don't get open, that's their fault. If the ball doesn't get there when they are open, that's when problems are bound to occur.