Why Terrell Owens Will Make the Buffalo Bills Relevant Again!

The signing of former Dallas Cowboys pass catcher Terrell Owens will make the Buffalo Bills relevant again, comparable to their glory years back in the early '90s.

Sure, Owens did not have many suitors in the free agent market. But some might be thinking why he would go to a market where a T.G.I.Friday’s restaurant is the hot spot in Buffalo.  

Recently, the Bills franchise has stolen away the mythical title from Green Bay, as being the Siberia of the NFL. Very few skilled NFL players opt for the tasty Buffalo chicken wings, the sights of Niagara Falls, and the lack of social scene (can anyone imagine the Dallas Cowboys teams of the 90s playing in Buffalo?), since most players would cross the border and head north to enjoy the nightlife in Toronto.

In fact, the last prominent player that I remember signing with the Bills, was former linebacker, Bryce Paup, and that was towards the end of their dynasty years. No, I do not count Drew Bledsoe, because he was traded to the Bills organization in 2002.

The impact of Owens will make the Bills franchise more appealing for fans, television networks, and mainstream media. For a team that is embroiled in a potential move out of town due to the lack of money being generated by Ralph Wilson Stadium, and being in a small market city.

The lure of moving permanently north of the border to Toronto is appealing since it is considered to be the New York City of the great white north that has unlimited potential for bigger revenue gains.

But what Owens will do off the field is more significant. He will increase jerseys, and overall merchandise sales for a team that not is hip with the younger generation of fans to wear proudly, since most Bills fans are from the Zubaz era of clothing.

If anyone wants proof, on a Sunday morning game-day, just drive around the parking lot at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and there will be a couple of die-hard Bills fans wearing the defunct Zubaz clothing that was ever so popular during the "k-gunn" era in the early 90s.

Furthermore, he will help out the Toronto project in 2009 by generating more ticket sales for the Rogers Centre (the second home to the Bills).

The Bills, and the Rogers Centre committee did have a difficult time selling out the stadium contrary to what they will say. But with Owens on-board, hopefully the NFL, the Bills, and Rogers Centre will come up with a more appealing match-up than last year’s tilt with their division rival Miami Dolphins.

Keep in mind, it is cheaper to go to a Bills game in Buffalo than it is in Toronto, and the atmosphere would be more enjoyable outdoors in Orchard Park than the stale indoor environment of the Rogers Centre.

As for what type of impact Owens will have on the field? For years, Lee Evans has gone about his business playing football with only diehard NFL fantasy football degenerates knowing who he is.

Now, he will be given the opportunity to showcase his skills on the national stage, because he has a legitimate receiver to play alongside with him.

With all due respect, the likes of Peerless Price, Robert Royal, and Josh Reed never really put fear into any opposing secondary during Evans career with the Bills organization.

Owens may not be the dominant receiver he was four years ago, however, he still commands the safety coverage over the top on his side of the field. Thus, it will enable Evans and his world class speed to beat his opponent with ease.

On the other hand, some question how Owens will help the progress of quarterback, Trent Edwards? From his first to his second year, Edwards has steadily improved in every offense category.

His passing completion went from 56.1 percent to 65.5 percent, his touchdown passes went from 7 to 11, and his passing yards went from 1630 to 2600 yards.

Owens will help improve Edwards stats because he has the penchant to make every quarterback he has played with in his career better, especially in his first year with the new team (ex. Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo).

As for what type of impact Terrell Owens will have on the AFC landscape? In their division, the Bills, had an early control of the AFC East by jumping out to a 5-1 start, but they floundered to finish with a mediocre record of 7-9.

For inspiration to win the AFC East, the Bills can look no farther than the Miami Dolphins, as they turned around their franchise fortunes in the span of 12-months when Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano came on-board and implemented their tough minded beliefs that resulted in an 11-5 record, and the division title.

Keep in mind, the Bills lost three games by seven points or less during their second half tailspin, so they could have simply been 10-6, than 7-9.

But with Owens on board, they have easily improved their win-total by at least 2 victories.

Looking at the rest of the AFC, last year’s wild card entrants, the Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts qualified with 11-5 and 12-4 records, respectively.

Meanwhile, the division rival New England Patriots finished with the same record as the Dolphins (11-5), but they did not qualify for the playoffs.

So the task will not be easy to qualify, since the bar has been raised ever so high due to the improved play in the AFC. Looking at their future opponents in 2009, it will not be a simple task, outside of their division, they will face the AFC South, NFC South, as the overall record of their competition is 109-67 (with 2 games to be determined against AFC North and West).

Out of those teams, five of them went to the playoffs, three were division champions, and the rest of the competition on their schedule, minus the Jaguars (5-11), all finished at least .500 and or better.

It will be difficult chore, but if Owens can better the Bills, then why not take a risk on a player who will bring more national media attention to the city of Buffalo that surely needs it?