Terrell Owens, the NFL's resident loud mouth veteran receiver is still hanging out there on the free agent line, blowin' in the wind. Fantasy owners have now endured two seasons getting next to nothing from the former WR stud. From Dallas to Buffalo to unemployed. So when you reach out and draft him this season, many of your fellow managers are going to be mumbling the word "fool." Oh who are we kidding, they'll be calling you names and laughing at your ignorance. Let them have their fun. For you my friend may be the one who ends up with fool's gold.
Certainly Owens was no fantasy stud last season, and he's lost a step at 36-years-old, but he has far more left in the tank than his 2009 numbers might indicate. Let's be real, the Buffalo Bills were beyond woeful at quarterback, an issue they hope to address this off-season. Owens didn't get much of a chance to shine, but he did do something very impressive. For the first time in his career he kept his mouth in check and behaved himself. Could it be maturity?
T.O.'s stats are gaudy and impressive. Last season he became only the sixth receiver to eclipse the 1000 reception mark. Through last season he has 1,006 receptions, 14,951 receiving yards, and 144 touchdowns. I don't believe he's done.
Given the right opportunity and a solid quarterback, T.O. can still put up decent fantasy numbers. How high his ceiling is will be based on where he lands and who his supporting cast is.
The latest and most promising rumor has him potentially landing with the Seattle Seahawks. This would be good for Owens and Seattle. Matt Hasselbeck is better than any QB that Buffalo had last season. And of course there is a chance Ben Roethlisberger could wind up in Seahawks blue as well. The squabs have two first round picks to trade. Big Ben to T.O. spells fantasy bling. But we're just speculating. If we've learned anything from trade rumors, it seems players end up in surprising places.
Owens may have to wait until after the NFL draft this week before his options become clearer. Teams that could be in his wheelhouse include Redskins, Raiders, Jaguars, Cleveland, Denver, and Bengals.
The Washington Redskins seem unlikely now that Donovan McNabb is there, but perhaps both players have grown enough to put the past behind them. The Oakland Raiders would make no sense for T.O. unless they get a quality QB, and this is another team that could aim for Big Ben.
Cincinnati Bengals? I don't see T.O. across from Chad Ochocinco. The Jacksonville Jaguars could certainly use T.O.'s talent and swagger, but David Garrard is not an exciting quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns have the need, but I don't see Mike Holmgren or Eric Mangini meshing with even a watered down version of Owens personality. The Denver Broncos make for an interesting case, with Brandon Marshall off to the Miami Dolphins, they have a hole to fill at receiver. But would coach Josh McDaniel take a chance on another diva playmaker?
So many options, and yet the fantasy Gods will tell you he will probably end up on none of the teams above. Still, Seattle seems the best fit.
Your thoughts Knucklehead Knation?
