Will Terrell Owens be "Team Obliterator" in 2009?

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ESPN's Skip Bayless often refers to Terrell Owens as the “team obliterator” (a play on his initials, “T.O.”)

Owens has thrown all of his quarterbacks under the bus. All of them have been young quarterbacks, like Trent Edwards. How can the outlook for Buffalo’s youthful starting quarterback be anything but negative?

Unlike years past, I don't think Terrell Owens has any option but to be a team player this year. He only has a one-year contract with the Bills; if he proves to be a cancer yet again, I don't think there will be any teams left that are willing to take a chance on him.

Realistically, who would? Cincinnati is known for taking a chance on players like Owens, but the combined egos of T.O. and Ocho Cinco would be a readily-combustible combination…ohhh mama, what drama!

I feel bad for young quarterbacks like Edwards, who are thrust into these types of situations with combustible players. I really hope Russ Brandon did the right thing and asked Edwards' opinion on the matter before hiring someone as controversial as Owens.

All that being said, under the right conditions (especially with an offense that figures to be firing on all cylinders when Marshawn Lynch makes his return), I think Owens will continue his "first season on a new team" streak and put up some very impressive numbers.

In his first season with the Eagles after the trade that sent him there, he had 77 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In his first season as a Cowboy, he had 85 catches for 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Even at 35 years old, Owens will still pose a threat to opposing defenses if only with his supreme athleticism and his ability to beat corners by using those tools, such as his leap and agility.

It will be interesting to see how his presence effects the game planning of defenses in the AFC East when they're playing against the Bills. Will the Patriots continue to be as relentless with blitzers up front if they know they have two deep threats to worry about?

The same question applies to Rex Ryan and his blitz-happy packages that will become a part of the Jets' defensive scheme this year.

Both teams have made major moves in free agency to improve their depth at defensive back. The Patriots signed two new starters in Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, while the Jets signed former Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard.

These signings are signs that the guard in the AFC East is starting to become apparent; the teams are orienting themselves towards aerial attacks.

Even the Dolphins’ (in)famous (depending on how you look at it) Wildcat formation is predicated on deep passes.

Owens has continually made an impression in his first year on a new team, and I think this year looks to be a repeat of that trend. If not, the soon-to-be 36-year-old starlet wide receiver might be watching the stars fade on his career come time for the 2010 offseason.

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