The weirdest sports story this weekend was the news that Terrell Owens has signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. Owens, who loves the limelight and attention, would have been the last player one would associate Buffalo, an NFL Siberia when compared to his other teams in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas.
“I’m leaving America’s team (for) North America’s team,” Owens said at a news conference. “This may not be the most ideal place for a lot of people, but I’m the guy. I beat to my own beat sometimes, my own thinking, my own intuition.”
In thinking about this deal, I can see how it makes sense for both sides. T.O., a narcissistic drama queen, was blackballed by most of the teams in the league, fearful of taking on a major headache, so his options were limited. Yet he would up signing a contract that will pay him $800,000 more than he would have made had the Cowboys kept him. If he has a great season, he can then bargain for more money in 2010 from Buffalo or someone else.
From the Bills’ standpoint they pick up a guy who, despite diminishing skills, still had more yards and touchdowns last season than any Buffalo receiver. Buffalo has had a pop-gun offense for years and Owens gives them a big-play guy to go along with Lee Evans at wideout. And they are only on the hook for one season should T.O. become decisive.
My guess is that he’ll be on his best behavior given that 2009 is a showcase year for him to try and land a long-term deal. T.O. was great in his first seasons in Philly and Dallas, before he started driving everyone nuts. The AFC East just got more interesting.
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Exactly Jim. You nailed it.
Also add that from Buffalo’s prespective, TO is not coming in as a missing link to a Super Bowl run. If the team improves that’s awesome, if they don’t…well it’s S-O-S around here with the Bills missing the postseason and TO won’t take all the blame because the team just isn’t that good.
At very least, the Bills are interesting for the first time in a while.
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I’ll say the over/under on Trent Edwards being found crying in the fetal position under a scorching hot shower is Columbus Day.
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Toronto, getcha popcorn ready!!!!
TO in TO… I can’t wait!!!
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 5:02 PM
“I beat to my own beat” Yes, TO, I believe you certainly do. LOL!
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 6:45 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okhiJjuefPw
I think this video clip has been on here before, but the words were changed to fit the current situation.
Still freaking hillarious….though the idea of Hitler being a Bills fan is a little disturbing.
on Mar 10th, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Hey Enigma:
You beat me to the T.O. in T.O. line. I agree with Jim – the Bills desperately needed another impact wide receiver to go with Lee Evans. Plus it is only a one year contract – so if it does not pan out no harm long term on the salary front.
If Marshaun Lynch can stay out of jail and Trent Edwards continues to improve I think the Bills have the potential offence to make some noise in what should be a very interesting AFC East.
As for Buffalo being in Siberia – sure Bills will be lucky to be scheduled for even one prime time game – but all it will take is a few wins and suddenly the Bills will be one of CBS primary games each week. Up here the Bills are almost always one of the games televised to about half of Canada. So yes Buffalo as a TV market is tiny but add Ontario and much of the rest of Canada and suddenly the Bills actually have potentially the 5th largest ‘local’ TV market in the league.
Even though I do not have a ticket for the Bills game to be played up here in Toronto this year (I do for 2010 and 2012 already LOL) – I just may splurge on tickets for this year to see the Bills – if it looks like the game can mean something and now I have a bit more optimism with the addition of T.O that it will.