Terrell Owens: The Experts Chime in on His Cincinnati Bengals Deal

The Bengals' signing of Terrell Owens has the media salivating over what is certain to be an entertaining upcoming season in Cincinnati.

The news created an overwhelming reaction from media pundits nationwide, eager to get have their opinion on the Ochocinco-Ochouno duo heard.

Owens was scheduled to arrive in Cincinnati on Thursday morning, but he missed his overnight flight from Los Angeles and will also miss his first scheduled practice with the Bengals.

For the moment, the media will have to wait to ambush him at the airport.

Here's a look at what the experts are saying.

Peter King, Sports Illustrated

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - JANUARY 9: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals signals at the line of scrimmage against the New York Jets during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by A

Peter King thinks the Bengals are headed for disaster. Time will tell, but Carson Palmer should have an interesting year regardless of how much success the Bengals have.

”(Carson Palmer) is willing to take a risk that he could have three veteran complainers in the meeting room this year if they don’t think they’re getting the ball enough.

"With Cincinnati being a predominant running team, and investing the pick and money in the most athletic tight end in the draft this year, it’s entirely possible the leading wide receiver on the team could catch 70 balls—with the others below 50. I don’t care how peaceful Owens is now.

"If he’s catching two or three balls a week, he’s not going to be happy."

Rich Eisen, NFL Network

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 18: Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills runs past Lito Sheppard #26 of the New York Jets during the game on October 18, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Rich Eisen echoed the thoughts of many: Terrell Owens will certainly make things exciting to watch, even in the preseason. Eisen also managed to sneak in a plug for the NFL Network.

"With the Bengals signing Terrell Owens, the Hall of Fame Game just got more interesting and so did NFL Network’s Thanksgiving Night game: Bengals at Jets."

Herman Edwards, ESPN

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills catches the pass during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 31-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Ima

Herm Edwards has always been Mr. Positive, so his reaction to the Terrell Owens deal was hardly surprising.

“He doesn’t have to have great numbers. If he catches 55 balls like he did last year, that’s a plus. He’s a big, physical wide receiver that can come across the middle. He can out-jump you for jump balls. He’s going to help this offense…that will be a fun locker room, especially when they’re winning."

Chad Ochocinco, Twitter

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Chad Johnson #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 16, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Nobody is happier to have Terrell Owens in Cincinnati than Chad Ochocinco. His reaction on Twitter was short and sweet.

“Dude, I got my Bugatti here in Cincy. I’m picking you up from the airport, ain’t no luggage room though.”

Doug Farrar, Yahoo Sports

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 27: Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 27, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Farrar took the middle-of-the-road approach to the Terrell Owens deal. Does anyone actually study T.O.'s game footage with the Bills?

"While there are those who believe that Owens has little left to offer based on his sub-par stats with the Buffalo Bills last year, others who have studied the tape think that there may be a few good years left in Owens’s body."

Jason Whitlock, Kansas City Star, Twitter

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - JANUARY 9: Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the sideline late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Cinc

The ultra-opinionated and always entertaining Jason Whitlock used the magical world of Twitter to ask a very important question.

“Who will throw the first punch when TO and Chad Johnson get in fight? My money is on Ochocinco.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 23: Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures on the sideline against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 23, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Needless to say, many media members are simply thrilled with the Bengals' newest edition, including Pete Prisco.

"The idea of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens playing together for the Cincinnati Bengals will make most cringe. Not me. I like it."

Mark Schlereth, ESPN

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - JANUARY 06: Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys stands dejected in the final minutes of the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 6, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle

Mark Schlereth is apparently part of the minority of experts who believe that Terrell Owens still needs to be double-teamed.

“Five years ago, I would have said no way could those guys coexist. But both of these guys have matured and realized that each is going to help the other out. To me, this is a great situation for the Cincinnati Bengals. You can’t double team them both.”

Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati Enquirer

Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens arrives at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for ESPY)

The Bengals just became arguably the most interesting team in the NFL in 2010. Paul Daugherty of the Bengals is excited, but cautious.

"Lordy, is this going to be a blast. At a certain career point, almost every player makes a slight turn from Me to We, is search of something his money and fame can't buy. Maybe Owens is there. Maybe he'll never get there."

Time will tell.

Steve Wyche, NFL.com

Harry How/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 7: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles is on the field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Eagles 27-3. (P

The Bengals are a run-oriented team, as NFL.com Steve Wyche pointed out. He took an interesting take on the Terrell Owens signing:

"While Owens may be perceived as a diva, he'll willingly block in the run game, a trait that is always attractive to coaches."

Terrell Owens is attractive to coaches?

Joe Namath, Former New York Jets Quarterback, Twitter

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Yes, Joe Namath is on Twitter. Although he hasn't responded to the Bengals signing of Terrell Owens, he did voice his interest in Owens Monday amidst a flurry of T.O. to the Big Apple rumors.

"What Jet fan would NOT want T.O. on the team!"

In all likelihood, plenty of Jets fans weren't thrilled with the prospect of adding Owens to the mix.

John Gonzalez, Philadelphia Inquirer

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 5: Wide Receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaps into the end zone in front of safety Bhawoh Jue #21 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead at Lincoln Financial Field on Dece

Terrell Owens certainly burned bridges when he exited the City of Brotherly Love, but one columnist thinks the receiver will fit in with the Bengals.

"I actually like the move by the Bengals. I know a lot of people with rip T.O. and wait for him to strike out against Palmer, but I think he'll be fine. At least for this season."

Mike Preston, The Baltimore Sun

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Terrell Owens #81 of the Buffalo Bills catches a pass against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 31-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Mike Preston is happy that the Ravens didn't pursue Owens and hardly surprised that he ended up in Cincinnati.

"The Bengals are a team that like to live close to the edge, and Owens fits in with some of the questionable players Cincinnati has drafted or signed in recent years."

Michael Fabiano, NFL.com

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 14: Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys walks on the field against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium on December 14, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Terrell Owens certainly belongs on the field with the Bengals, but his statistical output is difficult to predict in what is a crowded collection of receivers, as Michael Fabiano points out.

"Aside from the fact that Owens is long in the tooth, there's another reason to temper his statistical expectations with the Bengals—that team needs another receiver like Joan Rivers needs a facelift."