Terrell Owens a big impact signing for Buffalo BillsSubmitted by admin on August 10, 2009 - 12:35pm |
Buffalo Bills fans are excited that their NFL team signed wide receiver Terrell Owens, because he makes their team relevant and gives them an edge to compete in their division and also this season in the NFL.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson acknowledged to the Associated Press that part of signing Owens had to do with the relevance factor.
“I said, 'Sign him,” Wilson told AP. “In Buffalo, we haven't had a national figure publicity-wise since [Jim] Kelly.”
Apparently Bills fans are also excited, because for the first time since Jim Kelly, Owens’ presence makes their franchise relevant and no longer a laughing stock in the league - they also need a winning record to be relevant regardless of which player they sign.
“So I thought, 'If this guy's a bad guy, so what?’” Wilson said. “If he's a bad guy we'll have to get rid of him. But if he's a good guy, hey, we're ahead of the game.”
Owens is a performer on the field and a player who produces, but a cancer off the field in the locker room as witnessed in San Francisco when he was the 49ers and Jeff Garcia was his quarterback. There were similar issues in Philadelphia with Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, and let’s not forget, the Dallas Cowboys; American’s team that can handle almost any ego or a player with off the field issues, cut him.
But that aside, other NFL teams who could not handle his off the field issues, know that come game time, like T.O. would always say “get your popcorn ready.”
The Bills in the AFC East with the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, needed some form of leveler which Owens’ presence brings. Now teams have to prepare for them differently on defense and not expect to just stop the running game.
Marshawn Lynch also does not have to carry the load anymore, quarterback Trent Edwards can now throw to two able receivers. Teams have to accommodate for the duo receivers in Owens and Lee Evans.
That might be a problem going into this season.
Owens, who was given the key to the city is also enjoying a reality TV career with his TV show on VH1 and has a guaranteed $6.5 million salary for this season. So bad guy or not, he will bring the press to Buffalo, the fans to the stands and hopefully for coach Dick Jauron, owner Wilson and quarterback Edwards, he will also bring wins.
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