Terrell Owens: Why Not Chicago?

The recent release of wide receiver Terrell Owens from the Cowboys could be the godsend the Bears having been looking for: a big physical, dangerous weapon.

Will Jerry Angelo pursue the flamboyant wide out? Probably not. But let's take a look at our current receiver corps: Devin Hester (C-), Marty Booker (D), Rashied Davis (D for Drops), Brandon Lloyd (D- for B-Lloyd the rapper), and the list just gets worst.  Last year's offense had no identity whatsoever, especially at this the WR position. 

Let’s talk about all the reasons why the Bears shouldn’t gamble on T.O.: He’s a cancer for any locker room, he’s a me-first kind of fellow, he’ll throw a QB or offensive coordinator under the bus in a heart beat...the list can go on forever.  But with a perennially anemic offense with no consistent passing game and no identity, what would Angelo have to lose? It's not like age is of concern to Angelo (refer to our last two big free agent WR signings, Muhsin Muhammed and Marty Booker!). 

One could make the argument that another future Hall of Fame receiver, Marvin Harrison, would be a better pickup.  But there would be a need for a Peyton Manning type Hall of Fame type quarterback, and with all respect to Kyle Orton the Bears lack that key ingredient.  He’s been on the decline physically over the past few seasons and was demoted to second favorite to Reggie Wayne. 

Now that we have all of this out of the way, let’s take a look at a Bears offense with Terrell Owens.

First and foremost, he has an incredible work ethic and knows how to play the wide out position.  We had an inexperienced group at the position and they also lack the “swagger” a receiver should hold.

Secondly, our rookie running back led the team in receptions, not by the choice of the offensive coordinator but because of necessity.

And, this team has nothing to lose.  The offense has no identity or flow on a week-to-week basis.  Adding a target like the 35-year-old T.O. to Matt Forte, G-Reg, Hester, and a more improved as well as experienced Kyle Orton could help this offense out tremendously.

Now, will Mr. Angelo and the Bears management go this route? More than likely not.  Maybe they’ll draft a receiver prospect to help.  The most likely suitors would probably be a team like New England, who gave Randy Moss the chance to redefine himself.  It’s a risk to gamble on a player with the background of No. 81 either way, but with risk comes reward.