Terrell Owens Signs With Bills
Bills Make Puzzling Signing
In a puzzling development, the Buffalo Bills have signed Terrell Owens to a one year, $6.5 million deal, according to ESPN. The Bills offense struggled mightily last season, with young quarterback Trent Edwards showing signs of inconsistency or poor preparation throughout the season. Buffalo started the season 4-0 before losing 8 of their last 10 games. The Bills were 0-6 against the AFC East, and 0-6 against teams with a better than .500 record.
Owens Makes A Big Target
The signing of Owens gives Edwards a big target across the middle, as well as a deep threat. Owens has the potential to make the Bills offense click immediately by drawing coverage from the Bills’ other wideout, Lee Evans. Owens can also be a sullen non-performer, as he has indicated in several other franchises and cities throughout his career.
Owens production was noticeably down this season, due mainly to a brief absence of Tony Romo from the lineup. Throughout his career, Owens’ numbers are inconsistent, ranging from great when he is focused (as in 2004 Philadelphia) to dismal when he is disinterested (as in 2005 Philadelphia). One thing is for certain, Romo is certainly a better quarterback than Edwards, and it may not take long for Owens to go from focused to disinterested in Buffalo if Edwards can’t get it together.
Strange Signing
What makes the signing so puzzling is the fact that the Bills have a young quarterback who is still being developed. Owens is a powderkeg that has the potential to destroy Trent Edward’s ego with a single screaming match. Also, Buffalo’s score if you can, pass if you must, but always run offense doesn’t immediately seem to be a good fit for Owens. Unless other moves are ahead, such as a veteran quarterback being signed, Edwards is going to be left to reign in Owens during his sideline tantrums. Dick Jauron has never been the most vocal of coaches, and seems to lack the mettle of a Bill Parcells, who had some success keeping Owens in check.
The Bills have other needs to address, and can do so in the draft, but signing an inconsistent, problematic, and aging wide receiver hardly seems to be the answer to what was at best a dreadful offense last season. Buffalo has not signed any other notable free agents, and add a distracted Marshawn Lynch (on probation for a gun charge) and you get a Bills team worse than the one on the field last season, but with all the joy of an angry Terrell Owens added.
Bills Need To Hope For A Fast Start
Perhaps Owens will shine in Buffalo, as for the first time, he will truly be marquee name on the roster of an NFL team. Sharing the spotlight with players such as Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb seemed to grate on Owens’ nerves in the past. Owens may thrive on the fact that he will be somewhat of a novelty for the Bills- a superstar- on a franchise that hasn’t had one since Drew Bledsoe left town.
One thing is for sure, if Edwards can’t get him the ball, or if Jauron doesn’t alter the offense for him, or if the team should fall into the basement again, Owens’ antics will be sure to follow. Perhaps the tantrums and helmet throwing will distract everyone from the fact that this team is once again lingering in the AFC cellar, and not competitive for yet another season.
What? Terrell Is A Bill
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