Chicago Bears Should Just Say No to Terrell Owens

Michael Wilbon may be a Bears fan, but he's off-base here, in my opinion. He believes that Terrell Owens could help the Bears, but I say it's just not worth it.

Sure, the Bears lack an elite wide receiver, that much we agree on. And yes, Jay Cutler could use better weapons around him.

But there is a reason that "T.O." is out of the league currently. And it has almost as much to do with his playing ability as it does his reputation for causing trouble.

First of all, Wilbon's premise is based on his belief that Owens remains a true No. 1 wideout. But he's coming off of a knee injury, and although he played well in his last season, he failed to reach 1,000 yards.

We had our own wideout who almost got to 1,000 yards receiving last year in Johnny Knox, and what good has that done for the Bears this year?

Meanwhile, a guy like Knox comes with a lot less baggage than T.O.

Now, I realize we would have both. But my point is, for the Bears' passing game to improve, Cutler needs time to throw. Signing T.O. won't help the offensive line.

Further, this Bears team already has enough rancor in the clubhouse. Matt Forte, who is having an MVP-type season, wants a contract extension and Lance Briggs wants more money.

Chris Harris was benched, then asked for a trade and now has been cut from the team.

Even before the season started, there was division over the decision to allow veteran center Olin Kreutz to go free.

Recognizing all that, do the Bears really need another dividing presence on the team?

I say no. And that's what the Bears should say as well.

Can you imagine the potential for conflict between Owens and Cutler? The first time Cutler elects to throw the ball to somebody else it will cause a war.

T.O. is all about T.O. and not the team. And while there always are other players who think that way, too, Owens has no problems pouting to let everyone know he is unhappy.

In fact, Wilbon even admits as much.

"T.O.'s going to demand the ball and pout when he doesn't get his way. Lovie Smith and Mike Martz and half the guys in the locker room are going to want him out," says Wilbon.

Perhaps the best reason not to sign him is that Owens may not even be in football shape, and at least one former NFL Hall of Famer has suggested that.

So let's recap here. The Bears need a No. 1 wide receiver. Now, that fact cannot be argued.

And Owens, who no other team has attempted to sign (other than the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League), is coming off a torn ACL, is almost 38, may be out of shape and is known to be a cancer in the clubhouse.

And he's the guy we need? Um, I think I'll pass.

Owens turns 38 next month and could very well have lost his explosiveness just from age, not to mention that serious knee injury.

If Owens is such a good idea, why haven't the 49ers, who need a wide receiver, come calling?

Recently, things have taken a darker turn for Owens, whose reported overdoses have led some to question if they were suicide attempts.

Look, there is no question that the man is hungry and seems to need the money. But let him become some other team's problem.

The Bears need help at the wide receiver position.

They just don't need T.O.