SportsNation Blog Archives
Terrell Owens
One has to wonder whether Terrell Owens' shirtless free-agent workout will become something of an annual ritual, akin to what the Brett Favre retirement vacillation was for the past few years. Owens' workout was attended by zero NFL teams, but as you can see above, the footage is available to whoever would like to watch it. Owens had 983 yards and nine touchdowns last season, but his torn ACL is obviously still a concern for potential employers.
- "This reminds me of the scenes in Napolean Dynomite when uncle Rico records himself playing football by himself. " -- SN commenter Reagan Frey
- "The funny part is at 37, he is STILL better than 70% of the WR's in the league." -- SN commenter TBrown1012
Would you want Owens?
There's a good chance that Owens can still be a legitimate deep threat in the NFL, and his body of work is second to very few receivers in football history.
Owens' legacy?
When you have Terrell Owens on your team, you don't just have a star receiver -- you have a media personality whose presence on a team can be overwhelming.
Best ever?
Jerry Rice is the consensus No. 1, but the NFL may have lost two of its all-time greatest receivers this season, with Randy Moss having retired and Terrell Owens not looking like he'll latch on with a team anytime soon.
3. Is Terrell Owens right to blame the coaches in Cincinnati?
Randy Moss got in hot water for asking and answering his own questions. Terrell Owens has Chad Ochocinco to facilitate controversy. Productive on the field and quiet off it most of the season, T.O. said Tuesday that he blames the coaches for the Bengals' 2-11 record. So is he out of line or on the money?
- "If I have said it once I've said it 1,000 times. TO has never told a lie. What he has to say to the media is usually dead on. The problem is that he says it to the media. That's why a plethora of organizations and former (present no doubt) teammates have such a problem with him." -- SN commenter Sons Keeper
1. Would you rather have Randy Moss or Terrell Owens?
Randy Moss is heading to Tennessee to prove the third team is the charm this season. Meanwhile, a few hours to the northeast, Terrell Owens is quietly putting together a Pro Bowl season. Yes, we said quietly. Aside from the occasional tweet,, T.O. hasn't made waves with the Bengals, but do you trust him more than Moss?
- "We all know he's still got some juice, but it's running out fast and Revis and Cromartie were right about him being a slouch. To me, it seems like he's just an average receiver now ... getting old. I wish there was a fountain of youth ... bring back '98 Randy." -- SN commenter l33yang
- Rank 'Em: Who are the NFL's most overrated players?
- Vote: Is T.O. overrated, underrated or fairly rated?
- Vote: Week 7 picks | Power Rankings | MVP Rankings
We keep waiting for Terrell Owens' Twitter reaction to a Sports Illustrated poll of his peers in which he took top honors as the NFL's most overrated player. Unfortunately, he seems more interested in his television show with teammate Chad Ochocinco and, somewhat curiously, Zenyatta. Go figure.
As James Walker notes in his AFC North blog, T.O. is on pace for a monster statistical season. But is the fact that the Bengals are languishing at 2-3 suggest the players have a point about his value? You can rank candidates for the league's most overrated player, but who did we miss? Who do you think deserves the overrated title?
Phil (Cincy)
Is Carson Palmer even a top 20 QB any more or do you feel the OC/receivers/OL has been a major part of the problem? How should the Bengals approach the position next year (high draft pick, FA, etc.)?
Football Outsiders' Bill Barnwell
I don't know if I could name 20 quarterbacks better than him, but I do think there's been some serious degradation there. He just doesn't look like the same guy that was there before the injury in 2008; whether it's because he never got the Tommy John surgery his elbow needed or because he's aging is hard to say. Don't think there's going to be very many quarterbacks available next year, and the Bengals have holes at wide receiver and in their front seven that should be high priority. Full transcript
zach (tn)
is T.O. or chad is the number 1 guy in cincy?
AFC North blogger James Walker
Terrell Owens is getting the most opportunties, but I think that's partially because he's getting the most single coverage. That is why the Bengals signed Owens, because teams did the same last year and the passing offense had no answers. Full transcript
- Vote: Who will be the Ravens' most productive receiver?
- Rank 'Em: What will the AFC North standings look like this season?
- Great Debate: Can Ochocinco and T.O. coexist? | Vote on the dynamic duo
- Chat: AFC North blogger James Walker, 4 ET | Former Steelers RB Jerome Bettis, 3:15 ET
Who knew the Bengals would be the model of stability in the AFC North? Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens seem to be getting along just fine -- they're launching a combined reality show, in fact -- and the preseason offered little in the way of headlines.
The rest of the division? Well, that's where it gets interesting.
The Ravens made a splash Monday by adding T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a depth chart that already includes Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Donte' Stallworth. The Browns are dealing with Montario Hardesty's season-ending knee injury and the Steelers are turning to third-stringers from Oregon at quarterback (thankfully for the city's fans, Dennis Dixon and not Akili Smith or Joey Harrington).
Kevin (OH)
JW, love the blog...who's been the biggest surprise (or disappointment) in the preason?
AFC North blogger James Walker
Browns QB Jake Delhomme has played very efficient football. I don't think the Browns could ask for a better preseason. They just need it to continue. Full transcript
Ricky (Cincinnati)
With Greshaim and Shipley, How would you rate the Bengals draft and where do you see them finishing the season?
Mel Kiper
I gave them a B grade the same day of the draft. That was my gut reaction. I think that's about right. Gresham is talented if he stays healthy. Shipley is quick. Not fast, but quick. He can return some kicks. He's a football player. The solid B is about right. The offense can be helped by them. As far as the season, I think the Ravens are the clear cut favorite to win and the Bengals are vying for that second spot. The Bengals will be in the mix for a wild card. Full transcript
- Vote: Will Manny Ramirez be an asset or a liability? | Hall of Famer?
- Rank 'Em: Are the White Sox in your Power Rankings top 10?
- Quiz: Can you name the right-handed hitters with 3,000 hits?
Chicago has seen its fair share of memorable duos. Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Mrs. O'Leary and her cow. Al Capone and Elliott Ness. Oprah and Stedman. But for pure entertainment potential, would anything really top pairing Manny Ramirez and Ozzie Guillen under the pressure of salvaging a playoff bid?
The details of how Ramirez will move, be it by trade or straight waiver claim, were still unclear Tuesday afternoon, but it appears a lock that the aging slugger will next suit up for the White Sox. Questions of AL Central supremacy aside, that would also place Guillen and Ramirez within approximately 300 miles of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati. Caught in the middle, can Indiana survive?
“Of course it was a desperate move on the White Sox, that isn't some super secret realization. They are falling out of the race fast and need a shot in the arm. Manny can do that as long as he is interested. They are taking a chance, but I would do the same since it is only a month or two the White Sox have to put up with him.
” -- AlMightyIronfist
“manny will rake in chicago. he can hit when he wants to. and he will want to. and i dont really blame him for getting tossed from that game. the dodgers spit on him and them wanted one last bit of production from him before they threw him out with the trash.
” -- pbigby
- Rank 'Em: Are Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco among NFL's elite receivers?
- Vote: Is Joey Votto a more valuable player than Albert Pujols this season?
- Rank 'Em: Where are Reds in MLB Power Rankings? | Bengals in NFL Power Rankings?
It's been a long wait, but for Cincinnati sports fans, the good news is finally yours again.
The University of Cincinnati got things rolling in 2010 with a BCS appearance (we won't mention the final score against Florida), but that was just the appetizer. Absent from the playoffs for 15 years, the Reds continue to lead the NL Central as the baseball season rolls on toward Labor Day, and highly touted rookie Aroldis Chapman nears his MLB debut. And the Cincinnati Bengals promise to be one of the NFL's most entertaining teams. They might even be good, too.
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco played their first preseason game together up the road in Canton, and while Owens made more noise talking about his departure from the Cowboys than he did in limited time on the field, his presence helps Bengals games rate as must-see television -- at least in the Queen City.
Nick (Cincinnati)
Is there any hope that Carson Palmer can get back to the form and promise he once showed, or is he just average (or worse) since the injuries? Or is the offensive line more of the culprit of the bad passing offense last year?
ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner
The issue for Palmer is that he doesn't have anyone who can beat top-line coverage. Cincinnati faces a brutal set of CBs this year and neither Owens nor Ochocinco did much of anything against red-rated CBs last year (check out the Insider article I wrote last week for more details). The Bengals are going to once again be a run-first team. Full transcript
Clay D (NY)
Other than St. Louis, which team in either league has the best pitching staff for the post-season?
Hall of Famer Joe Morgan
First of all, I don't think St. Louis has the best pitching. They have the best two or three guys, but then where do you go? As far as depth and bullpen, I don't think they have the best pitching. I think the Reds have the best pitching with the least amount of pitching experience. I think they have the best 5 starters. They're not as good as Carpenter or Wainwright, but they have 5 good starters. Depth wise, I think the Reds have the best depth. Full transcript
Chaz (Dayton, OH)
Coach, how is your family adapting to life in the Queen City?
University of Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones
We love it. I've said it on numerous occasions, Cincinnati is a big city with small town values with tremendous pride. It's a great city to raise a family, especially with small boys. We couldn't be prouder to be residents of Cincinnati. Full transcript
- Vote: Who will complain first about not getting the ball enough?
- Rank 'Em: Will the Bengals own one of the league's best passing offenses?
- Quiz: Can you name the NFL's other well-traveled receiving greats?
What happens when you take a team that ran the ball more often than 28 teams last season and give it arguably the two neediest wide receivers, a position not known for an abundance of selflessness in the first place? Frankly, we have no idea. But we'll watch.
AFC North champions a season ago, the Bengals are only scheduled for three primetime games this season (including a Thanksgiving game against Rex Ryan and the loquacious Jets). But the way we see it, the Bengals with Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are must-see viewing from Week 1 against the Patriots through Week 17 against the Ravens.
It's a chore Spielberg or Scorsese might not want, but one SportsNation blogger thinks Carson Palmer is the right director for T.O. and Ochocinco.
- "Also, if there is a QB who can handle a huddle with TO and Chad in it at the same [time], it is Carson Palmer. He doesn't back down and will let them know how he feels about their performances on and off the field as well. He let Chad know earlier this offseason he needs to stop worrying about being a star and to come work out, so as you can see he won't let TO run over him like Owens has been able to do in the past, especially with Tony Romo. I think that is what TO really wants is for the QB to be in his face just the same and push him as much as possible which will help TO succeed and not be a distraction in any way to the Bengals locker room." -- Check out greg_g74_pt.2's blog.
Pete (Cincy)
Is A. Bryant not doing well in his rehab? I don't see how they figure playing 85, Bryant and T.O at the same time.
AFC North blogger James Walker
There is always enough room for three receivers, Pete. Most teams have three-receiver packages in its offense. All three would see the field, it's just a matter of who starts. My guess is it would be Owens in this case. I think the person hurt the most would be Andre Caldwell and/or Jordan Shipley. Full transcript
- Vote: Would the Jets be a better fit than the Bengals for Terrell Owens?
- Rank 'Em: How do some of the NFL's most famous egos stack up against each other?
Putting Terrell Owens on the same football team as Chad Ochocinco? Yikes, that sounds like a bold move by the Bengals. The only thing riskier that we can think of is to put T.O. in the media capital of the world. What's that, Adam Schefter? The Jets have reportedly reached out to Drew Rosenhaus about Owens? Well, this could be interesting.
Owens is the most intriguing old guy outside the state of Mississippi not in camp, but at least some fans think he gets a bad rap on the chemistry front.
- "You've heard of mountain out of a mole hill. Well T.O. is Himalayas out of an ant hill. He was made a scapegoat in two places (Dallas and Philly) where the fans refuse to recognize the root of the real problem (coaching and ownership). But yet neither team has gone any further than they did with him on the team (don't quote me, but I don't think). Also, he's never said anything that isn't true. Maybe he shouldn't have said it, but it didn't make it not true." -- SN commenter charles_thomas24
Then again, even if T.O. ended up being the most boring reality-television star this side of the "Real World" in Washington D.C. when "Hard Knocks" takes on the Jets, how much does he have left as a football player?
- "Great now with Braylon Edwards and T.O. on the team my beloved Jets will lead the league in dropped passes with just two players. All those drops will be no good for the development of the sanchize!" -- SN commenter mkarmd
SprungOnSports (Long Island)
Is there a point to the Jets signing TO other than Hard Knocks ratings? They seem pretty set at WR despite Holmes' suspension.
ESPN New York's Rich Cimini
Let's be clear: I think the Jets are a long shot to sign T.O. A source told me this morning this is basically exploratory in nature, much like the JaMarcus Russell situation a month ago. But there's no doubt that the "Knocks" folks are rooting for T.O. in NY. Could you imagine the shows? It would be must-see TV. And I agree, they're set despite Holmes' suspension. And nothing has changed with Braylon Edwards; as I reported a month ago, he's not getting suspended. Full transcript
- Vote: Among top receivers, would you rather have T.O. or the other guy?
- Rank 'Em: Is Owens one of the five best wide receivers of all time?
- More from ESPN.com: James Walker's AFC North blog on Roethlisberger's contract
It's not quite Simon and Garfunkel (or even Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, for that matter), but reports that Donovan McNabb is lobbying his new team to consider signing his old nemesis, Terrell Owens, made for juicy reading Tuesday. But drama aside, how much football sense would the move make?
A majority of SportsNation voters believe T.O. is still one of the top 20 receivers in the NFL. At least, they believe that in theory. Earlier this week, SportsNation ranked 20 of the league's best receivers not named Owens. And when you pit T.O. against the guys at the bottom of those rankings, he starts to look the worse for wear.
Marc (City of Brotherly Love)
Happy Green Day!!!!! Where have you been hiding at Jeremy? Which is crazier? The Eagles brass saying they are not rebuilding or McNabb lobbying for TO in DC? Great to have you back buddy!!!
Scouts Inc.'s Jeremy Green
Probably McNabb lobbying for TO in Washington. Sounds bizzare but he is right in that at least on the field he would fill a void in the offense. Full transcript
“TO no longer has the skills that make him desirable to teams. Now he actually has to quit acting like a self centered jerk and try and play nice so maybe, just maybe a team with a shot at winning a few games show some interest. Under it all, TO can't change who he is, though, which is a team chemistry killing cancer. TO=Team Obliterator!
” -- SeaDog73
“Wow. Washington signing T.O. to play with McNabb would be the ultimate "salt in the wound" moment for us Philly fans.
” -- rodeojones000
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