No, I'm not talking about a Terrell Owens reality show on ESPN 8. I'm looking at a potential destination for the mercurial receiver. A city that flirted with Owens earlier in the offseason, but decided to go a different route. The city of Cincinnati.
When the National Football League offseason began with Owens leaving Buffalo to venture onto the open market, two AFC North teams were quickly linked with the six-time Pro Bowler. Cincinnati and Baltimore were both desperate to upgrade their receiving corps, but despite head coach John Harbaugh's public interest, the Ravens never made a serious run at TO.
So, up stepped Chad Ochocinco, who lobbied for his team to bring in Owens. In fact, regarding the move, the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson said he "was sure of it". He even offered to take a pay cut to make it happen.
That's when the real fun began. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he'd support the move. So too did Carson Palmer, texting "If any qb can deal with extravagant wrs, it's me" to the Cincinnati website. Owens went on to proclaim he'd even change his name to "Ocho Uno" just to fit in.
A visit was arranged on a Tuesday, and things looked to be falling into place. But something else happened. The Bengals signed Antonio Bryant. The same day Owens was in town, so too was the younger Bryant. The difference was that Bryant left his meeting with a four-year, $28 million deal. Owens was without a contract, and Ochocinco was without an ocho-teammate.
Terrell Owens currently remains on the free agent market, waiting for a franchise to give him another chance. There's been speculation that the Oakland Raiders may show interest, and TO's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says he's been in contact with three teams regarding the former 49er, Eagle, Cowboy and Bill. NFL teams know better than to close the door on any options, and I propose that the Bengals still make Ocho Uno a reality.
Yes, the team has Ochocinco, Bryant, the newly signed Matt Jones and youngster Andre Caldwell, but Owens would add another dimension to a pass offence that struggled last season. Ochocinco and Bryant are both electric big-play receivers, but the team lacks a dependable wideout to run the intermediate routes and catch the ball over the middle. It's too much to ask of Jones to assume such a role, so why not Owens?
He would bring over 1,000 career catches and almost 15,000 receiving yards into the fold, and give Palmer another dependable target. Sure, Owens' play has declined with age, but he's still one of the more capable pass-catchers in the league.
Of course, there is the negative side of having Terrell Owens on your team. To borrow from Austin Kent, he's "potentially filled with snakes". All it takes is one game when he isn't targeted enough, and Owens is telling anyone who will listen how his talent is being wasted. Combine that with the unique persona of Chad Ochocinco, and Carson Palmer could be wishing he had neither player.
If the Cincinnati Bengals truly wish to contend for the Super Bowl next year, Terrell Owens should be brought into town to don the orange and black. He's far too valuable a receiver to remain on the open market for long, and he could provide an immense upgrade over the receivers behind Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant.
But perhaps even more important than the on-field results, Terrell Owens joining the Cincinnati Bengals would make for some great TV.
Current Comments
6 comments so far (post your own)The top 3 picks are definitely locks in my opinion but then it gets interesting with the plethora of offensive tackles. I’ve heard reports that the Mike Shanahan may prefer Trent Williams over Okung because of his athleticism to make blocks downfield. If that happens I can see the Chiefs taking Okung and Bulaga dropping down to the Bills. That being said, Bryan Bulaga may be the bust out of the top tackles (that is if the Raiders don’t draft Campbell solely because of his 40-time and give him millions and millions of guaranteed dollars) I see Bryan becoming a guard before his rookie contract is up – he’s got tiny arms! The Bills should go with either McLain (to man the 3-4 with Posluzny), Dan Williams (can’t have a 3-4 without a nose tackle) or any OT that drops to set themselves up for the Jake Locker sweepstakes of next year. Another year of the Edwards/Fitzpatrick fiasco in the AFC East would guarantee a top 3 pick.
I’m guessing Jimmy Clausen will drop a la Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers of drafts past because of teams’ needs more so than skill level. I think Clausen will excel (much like Rodgers) with a couple of seasons on the bench on a playoff team like the Vikings or even Steelers. There’s a report that Steeltown is shopping Roethlisberger for a 1st round pick however in my opinion Big Ben, much like the girls he forces himself upon, is damaged goods.
The wideout position is intriguing this year with the usual diversity of the meathead top guy in Dez Bryant and the workhorse steals likely to go early in the second round in Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn. Tate gets low like a running back after the catch and fights for the ball when it’s the air – either the Bucs or Rams will take a stab at him early in the second and the Broncos should even wait to get Benn (or Damien Williams) in that round as well. Unless Dez drops to the Patriots I think he’ll likely be a monumental bust. Work ethic cannot be undervalued in the NFL draft – especially at the WR position!
There is my three and half cents – my busts are Bulaga, Campbell, Tebow, and Bryant... obviously depending on how high they go and how much money they get! My future hall of famers are Suh, Berry, and Clausen – I’m fully aware of how ridiculous that sounds!
Posted by Justin Irwin on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 1:07pm
In fairness, Bulaga has longer arms than Joe Thomas or Jake Long. Where was the concern about them coming out of the draft? As long as he has good mechanics and can be coached, he'll work out fine.
I'm really on the fence as to what the Bills should do. I'd love for them to get one of Clausen or McClain who could anchor their respective positions for the next few years, but I also understand the need to fix the offensive line (Bulaga/Anthony Davis) or find a decent nose tackle (Dan "The Boy" Williams).
Posted by PJ LeConte on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 1:39pm
In comparison to his Big Ten predecessors Bulaga isn’t the “can’t miss” consensus top 5 pick that either Thomas or Long were. They were heads and shoulders above the rest of their respective LT classes. My problem with the Hawkeye is he’s not a stout athlete, I don’t think he’ll be able to contain the top pass rushers in the NFL with his slow feet. He is coachable though, but intangibles will only get you so far. I have Davis higher on my board.
Also, I wouldn’t blame the Chargers for taking a corner like Kareem Jackson because they have an early 2nd rounder to take a RB or NT. I'm not a fan of Ryan Matthews, they should take the BEST running back on the board. ;)
Posted by Justin on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 5:11pm
I wouldn't be shocked to see the Eagles make a move in either direction and wouldn't put it past them to select Pouncey if he is available wherever they pick. A safety is a likely possibility too.
Posted by Dave on Thursday, April 22, 2010 @ 6:27pm
Terrell Owens joining the Cincinnati Bengals would be really great...but Mike is preferring Trent Williams over Okung because of his athletics...Can\'t wait to see that...
Posted by Legendarydevils on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 @ 2:39pm
However...i have missed that show...have to download that one from some rapidshare sites..
Posted by Ldevils on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 @ 2:40pm