I know what you’re thinking. He’s a diva. A cancer in the locker room. A quarterback’s worst nightmare. They already have Chad Ochocinco, they don’t need another loud mouth.
I’m here to enlighten you on what this signing by the Cincinnati Bengals is: a good thing.
A good thing.
Let that process as I’m sure you might think I’m out of my mind. This is where I hit you with the knowledge.
Terrell Owens may not be the pro bowl wide receiver he once was as he like every athlete before him suffers from: aging. Last season with the Buffalo Bills might not instill any confidence in you either with 55 catches, 829 yards, and 5 touchdowns.
Still don’t understand why I like this transaction? It’s because Owens is in the perfect situation for a number of reasons.
Owens joins a team that is leaps and bounds ahead of the Buffalo Bills Owens suited up for last season. Owens had to deal with two quarterbacks who look straight out of the CFL (Canadian Football League) in Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick went to an Ivy League school, but his abilities on the field don’t quite match his smarts. In Cincinnati Owens gets to play with an above average quarterback in Carson Palmer.
The offense Owens will partake in allows Owens to be a piece and not the piece. In Buffalo Owens received double coverage as did Lee Evans with Buffalo forced to rely heavily on the running game. With inept quarterback play and typically trailing in games, the Bills gameplan became fairly predictable and simple to defend. Owens joins a cast that includes fellow receiver diva Ochocinco and newcomer receiver Antonio Bryant. The Bengals also drafted stud tight end Jermaine Gresham and also have Cedric Benson in the backfield. Owens can still be a serviceable receiver, but no longer one that can carry a team like he has throughout his career. He can do just that with the Bengals.
Owens joins Ochocinco as the complimentary receiver. As the second option, Owens will see less double coverages and won’t line up against the opposing team’s top cornerback. With the exception of deep backfields, Owens will thrive against most team’s second cornerback. Ochocinco will receive most of the double teams, allowing plenty of single coverage for Owens.
Lastly and maybe most importantly, that ego will likely be tolerated unlike never before. In Cincinnati, Owens joins good friend in Ochocinco, who has caused nearly as much drama during his career as Owens. No team cares for these shinanigans, but the Bengals have put up with it for years.
Don’t expect pro bowl numbers from Owens, but he will post solid numbers and be a valuable asset for the Bengals.
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