From Buffalo with Love: An Open Letter to Terrell Owens

Dear Terrell:

Please excuse me for being informal with my greeting, Mr. Owens, since we haven’t been formally introduced. I am Miguel Rodriguez, a candidate for the Bills’ beat reporting job at bleacherreport.com.

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of me, even though I was once among the group of reporters assembled around you for an interview following your old team’s win over your new team on Monday Night Football in a thrilling comeback at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

While I am not as well-known in the business as Peter King, Vic Carucci, or your old friend Ed Werder, I am an experienced reporter who is willing to work with you to give you an alternative outlet to share your views on football, life and western New York.

Think of it as an offer to be your personal publicist at no cost to you.

If you’re not getting the ball thrown your way enough, call me—I’ll help you rectify the situation.

If you’re in the mood to throw head coach Dick Jauron and/or quarterback Trent Edwards under the proverbial bus at any point during the season, I’ll gas it up for you.

If you need to get something off your chest and it's not fit to air on your reality television show, text me.

If you want to tell me how it all went wrong in Dallas, send me an e-mail. No Twitter tweets, please, because, as you already know the most obvious and minor statements get blown way out of proportion by the national media.

While I know you have a reputation for overstaying your welcome in the past, I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt during your time with North America’s team.

I’m willing to believe Steve Mariucci, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid, Tony Romo and Wade Phillips treated you unfairly during your time in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Dallas. I’ll buy that you just acted out your frustrations because you didn’t know of any other way to escape a no-win situation.

You might not be willing to trust me because so many media types have betrayed you in the past, just waiting to use your name and the word "selfish" in the same sentence.

I won’t do that to you. Trust me. I get what you’re all about. You just want to win and be the reason the team wins.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

I’m willing to listen. I’m willing to believe you.

If you’re still not buying what I’m selling, I promise I’ll vote you into the Pro Bowl.

That will help you get another contract with a contender, which as we all know is what you’re really after this season.

I can be reached at [e-mail] or [phone].

Thanks for your time and good luck.

Best regards,

Miguel