Rams Interested In Terrell Owens

By: Tyler Ward

Talks between wide receiver Terrell Owens and the St. Louis Rams have progressed recently. The Rams have expressed interest in signing Owens, who would join a young cast of wide receivers that include Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, and rookie Mardy Gilyard.

Surprisingly, the former 49er hasn't been signed to a contract, but there have been a few teams that have seriously thought about adding Owens to their team. ESPN's John Clayton said earlier in the week that he wouldn't be surprised if Owens didn't get signed until the NFL regular season starts, barring a significant injury for another team.

Even though the Rams are in a rebuilding process, Owens has considered signing with the team after an unsuccessful season with the Buffalo Bills last year. Owens' agent Drew Rosenhaus said that the wide receiver would seriously consider the offer, along with any other offers made to him.

The Rams are not the only team bidding for Owens' services. Reportedly, the Cincinnati Bengals have inquired about signing the ex-Cowboy, with praise from starting quarterback, Carson Palmer and star receiver Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals signed Antonio Bryant earlier this offseason to help the receiving corps, but he apparently hasn't shown much. The Bengals signed Bryant to a four-year/$28 million contract earlier this year. If the Bengals do in fact sign Owens, Bryant would play rather sparingly.

Also, Cincinnati isn't ready to offer Owens a contract and a formal offer hasn't been given. The Rams have appeared rather aggressive in the pursuit of Owens, hoping to add veteran leadership to their young receiving corps.

Whether it's the Rams or Bengals, an announcement of the signing is expected within the next 48 to 72 hours.

After being taken 89th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1996 draft, Owens spent the majority of his career with the team, becoming one of the best wide receivers in the game. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004, but only played two seasons with the team after Owens and quarterback Donovan McNabb got in a few arguments. He signed a 7-year/$49 million contract with the Eagles prior to the 2004 season. Owens then agreed to join the Eagles' rival Dallas Cowboys in 2006, after lobbying to get released - he signed a 3-year/$25 million contract with America's team.

He finished out all three seasons in Dallas, going over the 1,000 yard mark in each season. As a free agent in 2009, there weren't many teams interested in Owens, but in a surprising move, he finally joined the AFC after signing with the Buffalo Bills. However, his 2009 season was one of the worst of his career, playing in all 16 games, but only caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns.

For his career, Owens has 1,006 receptions for 14,951 yards and 144 touchdowns with San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Buffalo.