Where to Terrell Owens?

When Terrell Owens was finally given the boot by the Dallas Cowboys in March of 2009, it signaled the end of 2 eras in the National Football League. For one, the "T.O. era in Big D" was finally over as Jerry Jones turned the page and came to his senses that his Cowboys don't need the distraction of one, Terrell Owens, in order to climb that playoff win hurdle. Secondly, the T.O.'s release signaled the end of an era where he would be viewed around the league as one of the best at his position. With San Francisco, Philadelphia, and now Dallas an afterthought, the very last major media buzz surrounding Owens began. Would their be a team left in the league willing to take such big gamble in bringing Owens into their locker room?

With even Al Davis taking a "hands off" approach towards Owens, his future seemed bleak when the Buffalo Bills emerged. One of the most unlikely suitors imaginable, the Bills reached out to Owens, offering up a 1 year deal worth $6.5 million. Arguably the league's most high-profile, greedy, all about me, athletes playing for a blue-collar, modest city...one that prides itself on tradition and loyalty to their franchise...not necessarily what you would call a "match made in heaven". Either way, the Bills were desperate for attention and they placed all hope in that Owens could provide the big play ability and much needed hype every cash-strapped franchise dreams of. The Bills knew getting themselves into the Terrell Owens business was a big risk on so many levels but as an organization that hadn't seen a playoff appearance in a decade.

If there was any doubt that Terrell Owens would fall into obscurity the minute he was cut by Dallas, all doubts were erased by week 3 of the 2009 season. Totaling just 5 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown, to include being completely shut out against New Orleans. As the season drone on the Bills struggled, all of Terrell Owens in the media was about what he didn't do. Outside of a Bills' highlight or a disgusted look on his face, while trolling the sideline, the media attention on Owens faded to black. Owens mustered a couple of big plays during the season, a few typical T.O. outbursts, post-game pouting, but all in all...2009 certainly signaled a completely irrelevant year for 5-time Pro Bowler. In the end the all T.O. mustered as Buffalo Bill: 55 catches, 829 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Not bad numbers for a Bills wide receiver but terrible for guy making nearly $7 million dollars to bring his ego into a stadium that Ralph C. Wilson Stadium can barely fit inside it.

"Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills" wasn't a successful experiment but at 36 years old, how much more experimenting can be done with the man? Regardless, the Bills are highly unlikely to bring T.O. back for another year...meaning we we replay the 2009 off-season all over again. Or do we? The media is noticeably silent about where Terrell Owens goes from here and though the 2009 NFL season has to be completed, T.O.'s 2009 season is long over. The fact still remains that Terrell Owens will need to find himself another gig or just retire. Is retirement an option for Owens? Considering the fact that he's ring-less and most likely unsatisfied with his 2009, I highly doubt that. But where to T.O.? With so many bridges burnt down and age coming into play, what team will be next to take the plunge and if there's anybody willing, are they a legit contender?

Looking ahead to what could be, I will say that Owens is going to have to make a sacrifice at one end. Whether he willingly takes a pay cut or isn't selective over where he plays, T.O. will have to do something he has never done before, come to terms with the fact that he's an afterthought. There's no doubt that the guy is still in phenomenal shape and can produce. The $6.5 million he took from Buffalo last season was generous and he won't see an offer like that again. So is it time for Owens to do the aging veteran with no ring move and sign for a lot less somewhere he can win? Would signing for close to a veteran's minimum ease many of the concerns to come along with his signing? All possibilities but nothing definite. Most players in T.O.'s position would of matured long ago but then again, most players aren't Terrell Owens. So who will be? Who's interested? Oakland? Atlanta? Jacksonville? Oakland? We shall see and I am sure we will hear all about it once 2010 free agency kicks off.

I've still got that popcorn ready T.O., when can I eat it?

Written by Rapido Romero at:

http://www.clutchtimesports.net/forums/entry.php/17-Where-to-T-O