Oakland Raiders: Why Terrell Owens Would Be a Good Fit in Oakland

The man famous for his exotic end-zone celebrations and off-the-field antics is still on the free-agent market.

The Oakland Raiders would be wise to sign him for a multitude of reasons, regardless of the fact that he can be a headache. Just look at the team across the Bay—the San Francisco 49ers signed an aging Randy Moss for the right reasons and the Raiders would be wise to get Owens for very similar reasons.

For one, the Raiders have the cap space. With a $120 million limit, the Raiders have spent only $107.8 million for the 2012-13 NFL season.

Terrell Owens would be a great expenditure because he won’t demand too much money. At 38 years old, the future Hall of Famer wide receiver cannot ask for too much money (if he does, the Raiders should drop any consideration in signing him).

A one- or two-year deal for at most $2-3 million per is a nice, low-risk option for the Raiders. If he is more trouble than help, then just release him or bench him.

And T.O. has proven he can still perform.

Maybe it’s not at the former All-Pro level, but he grabbed 72 catches in 2010 for nearly 1,000 yards and tacked on nine touchdowns. To put that in perspective, Darrius Heyward-Bey was the leading receiver for Oakland last season and had 64 receptions. No Raider receiver had more than five touchdowns.

While it is duly noted that the Raider receiving corps spent a good portion of the 2011-12 season trading spots on the injury list, T.O. looks like he still has some gas left in the tank.

Perhaps his greatest value would be the fact that he is a veteran. While I hesitate to say “veteran leadership,” Owens has more than a decade of experience on Darrius Heyward-Bey (25 years old), Denarius Moore (23), Jacoby Ford (24) and rookie Juron Criner (22). That is worth something, as Owens could be a valuable tutor.

It may be a colorful career, but you cannot doubt the numbers that Terrell Owens has put up.

The Raiders have grabbed former great 49ers wide receivers in the past (remember Jerry Rice?), so I say they should continue the tradition.

Last time, it eventually led them to a Super Bowl appearance.

Like my work? Read a popular Oakland Raiders blog I write here.