Teams that could take on T.O.
Jerry Jones’ latest statements hinted that Terrell Owens may not be released after all. With nearly every national football writer predicting the opposite, the star-crossed Cowboys owner/GM may just be trying to keep the media wolves at bay.
Owens has a roster bonus due in June, so the Cowboys could make sure he’s on his best behavior before making a final decision. What’s clear is that a faction in Dallas, reportedly led by Stephen Jones and Jason Garrett, does not love them some T.O. Let’s say, for the sake of February chatter, that this faction wins out and Owens is released.
Where would Owens go? More importantly, who would be desperate and crazy enough to want Owens?
With a hearty assist to the geniuses at Beckett’s publications, here’s Rotoworld’s best guess for potential Owens landing spots.
1. Raiders: Owens will go where he’s paid the most – period. And Al Davis showed with Javon Walker that he’s not afraid to overspend to get JaMarcus Russell some help. Davis also isn’t the type of owner to worry about chemistry much.
2. Ravens: They have a huge need at the position and have shown prior interest. They also have a veteran locker room that could handle Owens. The trickiest part of the equation here might be the salary cap. Baltimore also wants to find room for Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott.
3. Redskins: The Fighting Cerratos don’t really have the cap room, but they have to be near the top of the list of teams crazy enough to do it. Dan Snyder also invested three picks at receiver in the 2008 draft, with initially poor results. Owens would fix the position quickly and amp up Washington’s NFC East rivalries.
4. Titans: Tennessee reportedly tried to trade for Torry Holt last season, proving their need for a veteran receiver. Owens is no Pacman Jones, but this is an organization that may hesitate before shaking up a tight locker room.
5. Vikings: The Vikings have championship aspirations, and could feel that they are only one explosive offensive piece away from going all the way. They also have cap room and a lack of quality receivers after Bernard Berrian.
There are a few problems with this theory: Finding a quarterback is a greater priority and they may still be hesitant to take on character concerns with the ghosts of Love Boat haunting the franchise.
6. Bears: On paper, they make sense. In reality, we can’t imagine the psychological damage Owens would heap on Kyle Orton. They may have the need and the cap room, but this sort of move is not usually GM Jerry Angelo’s style.
7. Seahawks: A wild card. They need a receiver badly, but offensive coordinator Greg Knapp got in a famous sideline argument with Owens in San Francisco. Seattle head coach Jim Mora was also with the 49ers at the time. Familiarity usually doesn’t breed warm and fuzzies with Owens.
Just missed
Dolphins: Bill Parcells is not going that route again.
Jets: Although Owens would sell some PSLs.
Jaguars: After getting burned by Jerry Porter, they should pass.
Rams:They are more than one player away.
Lions: See St. Louis.
Comments
Buffalo never gets mentioned in any of these FA offerings huh?
Posted by: Steve | February 18, 2009 06:24 PM
How about the following:
Giants- as it would make them the NFC favorites. May be scared off due to plaxico saga.
Browns- gives them best weapons in the game for a young developing QB for a team that wasn't that far away in 2007.
Bengals- will lose TJ Housh and have shown a tendency to overlook character concerns for talent in the past.
Cards- deal Boldin for a 1st and 3rd while adding a WR just as talented on a team that has championship aspirations.
San Diego- could this move potentially put them over the top? Rivers took massive leap last year and this could make him a candidate for 35+ td's.
Houston- another team that could use a star to give them a chance to overtake strong teams at the top of the division. Texans offense would be unmatched.
Posted by: TC | February 18, 2009 09:13 PM
Never been called a genius! But we will take it. I like the San Diego idea. That makes a lot of sense to me!
Great work Rosey - keep it up.
Posted by: Cubsman23 | February 18, 2009 10:40 PM
notice the teams not on the list, they are the ones that compete year in and year out.
Pittsburgh
New England
Indy
Green Bay
Philadelphia (has learned from experience)
whoever gets TO will not win a championship while he is there.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 18, 2009 10:43 PM
Denver ? They have long had a relationship with Dallas. TO would certainly give them a pair of hard-to-stop wideouts (Brandon Marshall), Jay Cutler seems pretty non-chalant about drama, and they are in good shape cap-wise.. Being a Broncos fan, I hope NOT. They are rebuilding the defense, but you never know what they'll do.
Posted by: Me | February 19, 2009 08:30 AM
Once a hotdog always a hotdog.
Anonymous @ 10:43 - that pretty well sums it up.
New England and Randy Moss - there were reports in Boston papers in September of 2006 the the Patriots were interested in Moss.
The actual trade was made 6 months later on draft day in 2007. Bill Belichik whatever else you may say about him (I don't care and neither does he) would not make such a move without thoroughly vetting Moss.
I would bet that T.O. would love to play for New England because they are all about winning, but he has been such a complete, consistent, predictable jerk throughout his career that they wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole, indeed a 20 foot pole.
You can't buy class and you can't buy Super Bowl Rings.
Posted by: Terry from Maine | February 19, 2009 09:19 AM
I like the San Diego idea in theory, it make sense football wise. but I dont think its GM AJ Smith's style.
Posted by: Gregg | February 19, 2009 10:03 AM