By: Stephen Patterson
Terrell Owens has signed a one-year/$2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The deal also includes another $2 million in incentives according to reports. Owens has spent most of the offseason unable to find a new home after spending last season with the Buffalo Bills. Most of his troubles finding a new team revolved around his past issues and antics while with other teams.
There had been reports over the weekend that the St. Louis Rams had interest in the former Pro Bowl wideout, but the team announced yesterday they didn't intend to sign Owens. The New York Jets also made a late run to acquire the services of the star receiver, with rumors swirling earlier in the day they might attempt to sign him to join their receiving core of Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, but they also failed to get a deal done.Owens joined the Bills last offseason after a tumultuous, yet fairly successful, three-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys. While his behavior in Buffalo was extremely mild compared to his previous stops, he had one of his worst statistical seasons of his career. He only had 55 catches for a total of 829 yards with five touchdowns, but considering he was catching passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards, those numbers could've been a lot worse.
Since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft, Owens has been a constant headache for many of the franchises he has played with. He clashed with teammates, coaches, and management while with the 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cowboys before finally seemingly settling down last season with the Bills. Even though he has been a major distraction at certain points in his career, he has been consistently good on the field.
The Bengals have a history of bringing in players with troubled pasts, and they weren't scared away by Owens' past. Both Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco have said they would welcome Owens to the team with open arms and expect him to add to an already dangerous offense. With Carson Palmer under center, he now has Owens, Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, and Andre Caldwell as his prime targets. And with Cedric Benson carrying the ball and resurrecting his career, Cincinnati is in prime position to make another run at a division title.
