The Terrell Owens Sweepstakes: Five Teams That Need Him

When a player of Terrell Owens' skill level hits the open market, teams are usually tripping over themselves to get an offer sent to the player's agent. But considering the player in question is T.O., teams are only tripping over themselves to deny interest in acquiring the controversial-but-talented wide receiver.

Just more than 12 hours after his release became public, nearly a third of the league has officially declared its non-interest in Owens.

The Giants, Redskins, Ravens, 49ers, Vikings, Falcons, Browns, Dolphins, and Cowboys (for obvious reasons) are already out. Don't expect T.O.'s other former team, the Eagles, to want him back in Philly after the messy divorce the team had with Owens.

There are some NFL teams without a need at wide receiver, T.O. or not. Count the Patriots, Cardinals, Packers, and Chargers out.

Owens has been called a locker-room cancer multiple times over the course of his career, and many teams won't be interested in adding a player like that, including the Buccaneers, Steelers, Jets, Texans, Jaguars, Broncos, and Saints.

Indianapolis lost WR Marvin Harrison, possibly creating a hole if Anthony Gonzalez isn't ready to step in aside Reggie Wayne. But the Colts will likely use one of their first-day draft picks to fill the void left by Harrison's departure.

The Bengals don't have any history of shying away from volatile characters. With that being said, what would happen if Chad Ocho Cinco and T.O. had to share catches? Yikes.

Carolina already has its hands full with Steve Smith, who is underrated as a locker room disruption. Having T.O. in town would only make Smith worse.

Tennessee's offense focuses on the run. While they still need a solid receiver, Owens won't be donning the blue and white in 2009.

Buffalo has the money to sign Owens, but the team is looking to keep Lee Evans (and his hefty contract) atop the wide receiver depth chart. The Bills are an outside contender, but unlikely to sign T.O.

Detroit is rebuilding. Owens is, most likely, completely uninterested in being a part of a rebuilding team.

So five teams remain. Which team is most likely to sign Owens?

5. Seattle

After signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Seahawks are an outsider in this sweepstakes, but an intriguing one. Deion Branch and Nate Burleson haven't set the world on fire, and putting Owens opposite Houshmandzadeh would take Seattle's receiving corps to near-elite status.

Money may be a problem in Seattle, especially at the wide receiver position. Houshmandzadeh, Branch, and Burleson all carry big price tags and there may not be room for T.O.

4. Chicago

Chicago hasn't had a top-flight receiver since, well, never.

While Owens may not be the ideal type of player for Chicago's locker room, he would make the Bears' offense immediately better. But Chicago's run-first offense, paired with the underachieving Kyle Orton, probably keeps T.O. out of the Windy City.

3. Kansas City

New coach Todd Haley is used to having big-play receivers. How good would T.O. look opposite Dwayne Bowe?

Haley probably won't have the final say. That honor goes to new G.M. Scott Pioli, who studied success at Bill Belichick University. T.O. wouldn't fit with New England and, for the same reasons, probably wouldn't fit in Kansas City.

2. St. Louis

With Torry Holt reportedly looking for his release, there's going to be quite a hole to fill in St. Louis.

A new coaching staff, led by head coach Steve Spagnuolo, will look to make a splash in their first season. Spagnuolo has experience dealing with volatile characters, as he worked directly with Plaxico Burress in New York.

If Owens lands in the NFC, it may very likely be in St. Louis.

1. Oakland

Al Davis probably won't be able to help himself.

The Raiders are in dire need of a big-play receiver. Davis loves big-play receivers and already took a chance with Randy Moss. Owens could have the attention of everyone in the Bay Area.

Oakland has been more of a circus than a successful football team over the past few years. Why not put the proverbial cherry on top by adding the biggest prima donna in the NFL?