There are a lot of reasons why the Chicago Bears won’t sign free agent receiver Terrell Owens, but there are also some reasons it would make sense.
First, no one really knows where Owens is at. He held a workout earlier this week and no NFL teams attended it. After having offseason knee surgery, the receiver obviously isn’t in football shape and that’s just physically. His mental state of mind is another thing entirely. Owens was reportedly rushed to the hospital after overdosing on pills earlier this month — his assistant told the 911 dispatcher she believed it was a suicide attempt.
Despite those red flags, the Bears are suddenly back in playoff contention and really have only one top-tier offensive threat in running back Matt Forte. It’s a risk, but Owens could make them a better team.
Michael Wilbon suggests it’s a risk the Bears should take.
On the upside, don’t tell me [Jay] Cutler wouldn’t drop to his knees to thank the heavens for having a target/threat like T.O. to deploy. Forte and T.O. and [Devin] Hester? Think of a team’s second-best corner trying to cover Hester. It’s like adding an ace who moves your 15-win guy down a spot in the rotation. Even though T.O. is about to turn 38 years old, even though his route running ain’t what it used to be, even though he’s not going to be as explosive as he was two years ago, he’s still an upgrade on what the Bears have. There should be tangible benefit. Another plus? T.O. doesn’t start his antics right away. There’s always a honeymoon period. (Remember the tearful “That’s my quarterback!”) Since he wouldn’t be coming aboard until the midway point of the season, there would be much, much less time (and inclination) for drama. We’re talking nine games plus the playoffs.
We’re not so sure about the comparison of Devin Hester to a 15-win pitcher. In fact, we’re pretty sure the statement is asinine and we’re also pretty sure Sam Shields could handle him one-on-one, but that’s another debate.
The Bears aren’t going to compete with the Green Bay Packers with the roster they have. With general manager Jerry Angelo under fire for not upgrading the team’s offensive line and receiving corp in the offseason, signing Owens, although it might look desperate, could be just what the Bears needs.
Owens had 983 yards and nine touchdowns last season with Cincinnati.
For some reason, the Bears seem pre-occupied with pissing off their only hope for the future (Forte, Cuntler) and scaling down. They are practically allergic to helping themselves out. That said, I still see them edging out the Lions in the division. GPG
Apparently Chicago has extended an offer to TO.
But it’s the Arena League Chicago Rush according to the Kansas City Star.
Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing TO on the Bears. His special brand of locker room poison would be extra special on the Bears…
I’m thinking of the scene in “Dumb and Dumber” when Jeff Daniels trades the van in for a mini bike. Jim Carrey says “Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this… and totally redeem yourself!”
Bring on TO!
Who cares? TO SUCKS.
Why would team’s #2 DB have to cover Devin Hester? Because their #1 would be covering TO?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Holy crap, Wilbon! Join the rest of us in 2011 whenever you’d like.
TO hasn’t been a “threat” to anything other than himself for about the last 5 years.
The only reason he is trying to get back into the NFL is because all of his reality shows will get cancelled if he is no longer playing football.
T.O. is cancer. Why do you think he’s been with so many teams over the last few years? He might be talented but it comes at a high cost. But the Bears might be dumb enough to sign him.