Terrell Owens was Not the Buffalo Bills Scapegoat

I am responding to an article in the SportsDayDFW.com sports page that insinuates that Terrell Owens has become the “scapegoat “for the Buffalo Bills 2009 season.  Owens is far from being considered a scapegoat in Buffalo…as a matter of fact he was one of the few bright spots we had last year. 

The article quoted Ravens receiver Derrick Mason. Derrick was quoted as saying, "Sometimes, the perception becomes reality and it's not fair.”

He went on to say, "Looking at him, you can see he's in great shape, that he can still fare well and produce numbers. But now he's been treated like a scapegoat for what happened in Buffalo; it's unfair."

Derrick, obviously you have not followed the Bills or have watched much film of Terrell’s performance last year.

Last season was a train wreck! The entire team as a group underperformed! Most Bills fans have chosen either Dick Juaron or Trent Edwards as their scapegoats.The majority of fans had very little negative to say about Owens, despite his down year. If the Bills organization were to ask him to return today, the fans would welcome him back with open arms.

The 2009 Buffalo Bills season in a nutshell:

· The offensive coordinator fired before the first week.

· 20 or so players put on the injured reserve list,.

·  Head coach Dick Jauron was fired.

·  The offensive line had new starters each week. 

· A carousel of quarterbacks couldn’t get the ball down the field.

The Dysfunctional Buffalo Bills organization from top to bottom deserves full blame.

So…why is Terrell Owens looking for a team?  Terrell Owens is still out there because last year he did not produce to his full potential. Terrell dropped many catchable balls. He did not go out of his way to knock balls away from the defensive backs to prevent interceptions on poorly thrown passes.

At times he seemed” uninterested” on the field and sideline (his body language told the story). He did his best to avoid cold weather practices, and at times did not go across the middle “to make the big play."

Despite not having a "typical T.O year," he  did manage to catch 55 receptions for 829 yards. His faults were not physical but mental. It seemed like he did not have the "drive" to  give 100 percent every down.

Terrell needs to come to grips with the fact that today he is better suited to be a role player. He needs to look in the mirror and embrace this fact. Once he does, he will prolong his career and possibly earn that Super Bowl ring he desires.

Just for the record, though Terrell was not at his best, he was not by any stretch considered to be our scapegoat. He was our best receiver and he made a terrible season interesting.

Mason, get your facts together before you speak about our Bills!