Owens + Evans = Potential Excitement On Offense

There's a new star receiver in town and that's a reason to stand up and shout.
 
The Buffalo Bills are hoping the addition of Terrell Owens to their offense will add some much-needed sizzle to a unit that's fizzled the past six seasons.
 
The Bills haven't cracked the top 20 in passing yards since 2002 when Drew Bledsoe, Eric Moulds, and Peerless Price each earned trips to the Pro Bowl. The signing of the 35-year-old Owens means the organization wants to change that while giving third-year quarterback Trent Edwards a legitimate chance at proving he's the long-term answer for the franchise.
 
Owens, along with speedy Lee Evans, gives the Bills a pair of big-play receivers for the first time since Moulds and Price dashed through the secondary of opposing teams during Bledsoe's first year with the club.
 
Through the first two weeks of organized team activities, Owens has been running more deep patterns than Evans, but don't read too much into that since Evans does have a history of scoring on long bombs down the sidelines with six of his 32 career TDs going for at least 70 yards.
 
Edwards will likely throw more in the direction of Owens to keep him happy since Evans doesn't nearly have the history of complaining publicly about lack of touches, but Evans could be the one that winds up having the better season in the event teams devote their attention to stopping Owens, who may be on the downside of his career but is still an impact player.
 
The Bills will likely use more crossing routes and move Evans or Owens around in an attempt to create mismatches.
 
In the event teams decide it will be better to double team both of them, then Josh Reed must change their minds out of the slot. Reed has always been a very good No. 3 receiver and has been quite productive the past two seasons while being miscast as the club's No. 2 option. Reed runs precise routes and can make tough catches over the middle.
 
The Bills would be wise to use four-wide formations to spread out the defense because Evans, Owens, Reed and speedy Roscoe Parrish will keep potential blitzers honest. The idea of having Parrish lined up on a linebacker or slower defensive back should be an offensive coordinator's dream.
 
Of course the Bills' aerial success will depend on just how quickly the offensive line jells. Rookies Eric Wood and Andy Levitre will likely start at guard. That means this will be the fifth time in the last six years the line will feature at least two players who didn't start in the previous season's opener.
 
In addition to those fresh faces, Langston Walker moves from right to left tackle to fill the void created by the trading of All-Pro Jason Peters to Philadelphia. Brad Butler moves from right guard to tackle. Former Carolina Panther Geoff Hangartmer takes over as center.
 
The new line must first prove it can protect Edwards and open holes for running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson in order for Owens and Evans to be factors.

If the line does that, maybe, just maybe there will be some exciting football played in Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first time in a long while.