NFL: Bills haul in Owens -- Newsday.com
Quote:
March 8, 2009
Well, that didn't take long.
Just three days after the Dallas Cowboys told him he was being released, controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens has signed a one-year, $6.5-million deal with the Buffalo Bills.
More than half the league's teams had publicly proclaimed they would not be interested in signing the controversial wideout. Among those teams were the Giants and Jets.
Owens joins a Bills team in need of another receiver opposite starter Lee Evans. Buffalo brought in former Jets receiver Laveranues Coles for a free agent visit, but Coles wound up signing a four-year, $28-million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Owens is tied for sixth place among NFL receivers with 951 catches, and his total of 14,122 yards is fifth best all-time. His 139 touchdowns are second only to Jerry Rice.
But for all his brilliance on the field, Owens has been unable to get along with many of his teammates and coaches. When he played with San Francisco from 1996-2003, he had frequent run-ins with coach Steve Mariucci and quarterback Jeff Garcia. He eventually was traded to the Eagles, enjoying a run to the Super Bowl in his first season. But things quickly disintegrated as he demanded a new contract and publicly criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Owens was suspended midway through the 2005 season and then was released. He was signed by Dallas before the 2006 season and played three seasons before being released by owner Jerry Jones. Owens had publicly criticized quarterback Tony Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett last season, suggesting that Romo and tight end Jason Witten were drawing up plays behind Owens' back.
Owens joins a Bills team that suffered a major meltdown last year. After getting off to a 5-1 start, the Bills went 2-8 in their last 10 games and missed the playoffs. Bills owner Ralph Wilson considered firing coach Dick Jauron after the season but decided to keep him for at least one more year.
Bills quarterback Trent Edwards now faces the challenge of keeping Owens happy, a tall task considering Owens' past dealings with quarterbacks.
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I never liked T.O.--all his talent came with his disruptive presence in the locker room. He put up some good numbers the last three years with the Boys, but I think next season with the Bills may be his last, considering his age. Besides, he'll be in high demand behind some sports desk should he retire--he may be a jerk, but he is entertaining.