Spring Break
TO show moves to Buffalo
Mark Pedersen
Issue date: 5/19/09 Section: Sports
The traveling circus that follows professional football player Terrell "TO" Owens has packed up the elephants and moved on to Buffalo. As in Buffalo, New York, home of the still existent Buffalo Bills. A town once known for steel mills and Doug Flutie (think Flutie Flakes and Boston College miracles) now has a big-name player to fill Ralph Miller Stadium and bolster its struggling economy once every other week.
This move gives Buffalo a new reason to cheer. Or cry? Or laugh? TO once did all three in the same interview, so it's not totally out of the question. Either way, the Bills recently signed the six-time Pro-Bowler to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. While some question the direction of general manager Russ Brandon, I say, "why not?"
For a team that was in talks about re-locating to Toronto, signing Owens is a stroke of genius. So what if 90 percent of his practice time is spent contemplating his next touchdown dance? To quote another legend of distraction, "I'm talking about practice!"
The fact is that TO should bring instant offense to a team that averaged a measly 21 points per game - bad enough for 23rd in the league. Owens is a perennial 1000-yard, 10-touchdown receiver. Let's compare that to the Bills, who only brought in 14 receiving touchdowns as a team all year. Lee Evans, considered to be the Bills' best receiver, caught a mere three TDs. Statistically, Owens is comparable to the Bills' entire receiving core.
That being said, adding Owens should give Evans, who had over a 1000 yards receiving last year, and QB Trent Edwards (11 TD, 10 INT, 2699 Yards) more room to breath. The Bills (7-9, 4th AFC East) should prove to be quite a contender once Owens settles in. The tipping point will be whether Pro-Bowl RB Marshawn Lynch returns from his three-game suspension from an offseason incident with the hunger he exuded while he was the Bills' offensive workhorse last year.
This is no Cinderella story, but should all the ingredients fall into place, this could be a legitimate playoff contender come November. Don't forget the Bills are also the recipient of our very own OL Andy Levitre. Look for Levitre to represent Oregon State during the filming of TO's reality show this season. Oh, did I mention that this entire transition will be filmed by VH1 for a reality show showcasing Owens? As if this move weren't entertaining enough.
But am I addressing the right side of this transaction? Why would Owens, considered to be one of the best receivers of this decade, ditch America's team in exchange for Buffalo, N.Y.? I understand the scrutiny the Bills are receiving for signing such a head case, but ultimately, it's only one year. The fact remains that Owens left the warm sun of Dallas for the frigid winters of western New York. As a college student addressing other college students, I only have one answer that might foot the bill. Get ready for this: The bars in Buffalo don't close until 4 a.m. Have fun TO.
Mark Pedersen, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
This move gives Buffalo a new reason to cheer. Or cry? Or laugh? TO once did all three in the same interview, so it's not totally out of the question. Either way, the Bills recently signed the six-time Pro-Bowler to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. While some question the direction of general manager Russ Brandon, I say, "why not?"
For a team that was in talks about re-locating to Toronto, signing Owens is a stroke of genius. So what if 90 percent of his practice time is spent contemplating his next touchdown dance? To quote another legend of distraction, "I'm talking about practice!"
The fact is that TO should bring instant offense to a team that averaged a measly 21 points per game - bad enough for 23rd in the league. Owens is a perennial 1000-yard, 10-touchdown receiver. Let's compare that to the Bills, who only brought in 14 receiving touchdowns as a team all year. Lee Evans, considered to be the Bills' best receiver, caught a mere three TDs. Statistically, Owens is comparable to the Bills' entire receiving core.
That being said, adding Owens should give Evans, who had over a 1000 yards receiving last year, and QB Trent Edwards (11 TD, 10 INT, 2699 Yards) more room to breath. The Bills (7-9, 4th AFC East) should prove to be quite a contender once Owens settles in. The tipping point will be whether Pro-Bowl RB Marshawn Lynch returns from his three-game suspension from an offseason incident with the hunger he exuded while he was the Bills' offensive workhorse last year.
This is no Cinderella story, but should all the ingredients fall into place, this could be a legitimate playoff contender come November. Don't forget the Bills are also the recipient of our very own OL Andy Levitre. Look for Levitre to represent Oregon State during the filming of TO's reality show this season. Oh, did I mention that this entire transition will be filmed by VH1 for a reality show showcasing Owens? As if this move weren't entertaining enough.
But am I addressing the right side of this transaction? Why would Owens, considered to be one of the best receivers of this decade, ditch America's team in exchange for Buffalo, N.Y.? I understand the scrutiny the Bills are receiving for signing such a head case, but ultimately, it's only one year. The fact remains that Owens left the warm sun of Dallas for the frigid winters of western New York. As a college student addressing other college students, I only have one answer that might foot the bill. Get ready for this: The bars in Buffalo don't close until 4 a.m. Have fun TO.
Mark Pedersen, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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