Another T.O. To Buffalo Reaction Article

With Terrell Owens first reception as a Buffalo Bill he will pass the Bills all-time leading receiver, Andre Reed, in career receptions.  Saturday, the Bills made a surprise move by signing the controversial Owens to a one year $6.5 million contract.

The Bills desperately needed a big veteran target opposite Lee Evans.  2008 first round pick James Hardy is at least another year away, after suffering an ACL tear late in what was already a disappointing rookie campaign.

The signing of T.O. by the Buffalo Bills is perplexing to say the least.  The Bills organization has always made it a priority to sign high character players to build a team rather than a collection of talent.  Owens character has certainly been called into question over his career.

Owens first stepped into the spotlight in a 1998 wild-card playoff game between the San Fransisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.  After dropping five passes and fumbling another, Owens finally made a big play, catching the game winning touchdown with seconds left on the clock.  After being awarded the game ball, a teary-eyed T.O. would tell his teammates how much he loved them.

T.O. soon became recognized as one of the premier receivers in the NFL.  He became a media darling after his hilarious touchdown celebrations including "sharpie-gate," grabbing pom-poms and becoming a cheerleader aired endlessly on SportsCenter. 

He became the Godfather of the modern day wide-receiver diva, letting his ego get the better of him.  He began to think he was bigger than the team, publicly criticizing quarterback Jeff Garcia and ultimately demanding the 49ers release him or trade him. 

T.O. went from media darling to media whipping boy.

He then went to Philadelphia and in his first season helped the Eagles make their first Superbowl in 23 years.  In three seasons before Owens' arrival, the Eagles had been defeated in the NFC championship game.  Things seemed to be sunny in Philadelphia before Owens' well publicized falling out with quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Then onto Dallas where the story was almost identical.   His first season everything was great, Dallas made the playoffs, but after a Tony Romo fumble on a hold cost the Cowboys the game, things began to sour with Terrell.  By last season there was an obvious tension between Terrell Owens and quarterback Tony Romo.

Throughout all of T.O.'s troubles and criticisms, I had always remained a T.O. apologist. I always lamented that T.O. had never been in trouble with the law and had an unparalleled workout regiment.  But last year I finally grew tired of his antics and wished he would try to become less of a "me" player and more of a team player.

History dictates that T.O. will no doubt make the Bills a better team on the field.  But how long before he grows tired of sharing balls with Lee Evans?  Owens is growing older.  Who will he blame when he loses a step?  How will he deal with his teammates benefiting from the respect he gets from opposing defense while his production begins to decline?

There are many questions about this marriage between Owens and the Bills that won't be answered until the 2009 season gets underway. One thing I do know is I am a Terrell Owens fan.

Why?

Because he plays for the Buffalo Bills.