Risk Vs Reward: Buffalo Bills Give T.O. One-Year Deal

Terrell Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that he would have a deal for his client before the "end of next week, if not sooner." It was much sooner.

The Buffalo Bills signed T.O. to a one-year contract that is worth $6.5 million, $4 million of which is guaranteed. That is almost $4 million less than what Bills WR Lee Evans is due to be paid ($10,374,585) in 2009.

“I’m leaving America’s team (for) North America’s team. I must move on, and it’s another beginning for me,” Owens said. “If I can be that extra added piece to get them to the playoffs, then that’s what I’m here for. I looked at the defensive side of ball and offensive side of the ball, and these guys have all the pieces.”

While Owens says "these guys have all the pieces," Bills Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas says these guys "stink." And last off-season, Bills safety Donte' Whitner guaranteed that the Bills would make the playoffs, which they did not do after their 5-1 start.

Neither Whitner nor any of his teammates should make any playoff guarantees for 2009. However, signing T.O. should improve their offense substantially.

The Bills ranked 25th in the NFL in total offense (305.1 ypg) and were tied for 26th in the league in passing touchdowns (14). Of the Bills 14 receiving TDs, nine of them were made by their wide receivers.

In 2008, Owens had nearly as many receiving TDs (10) as the Bills did as a team. In fact, he has 38 receiving TDs, which is tops in the league, during his three-year span spent in Big D.

Even though he drops his share of passes, T.O.'s production on the field is not the question mark. It's the locker room antics that has led the majority of NFL teams to publicly declare their lack of interest in the divisive diva WR.

There is always a risk with T.O. However, considering he will be 36 years old in December and only has a one-year deal (in other words, this is essentially a contract year), I think the potential reward for the Bills outweighs the risk.