Looking at the Positive Culture of WR Terrell Owens
by BenedictA on Mar 7, 2010 8:56 AM EST
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It's no secret that Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens loves the spotlight. What better way to bring in another off season than the promise of sports news circuits across the U.S. buzzing over where Owens should go and why. I think there will be a bit of time passing before he actually commits to a team, whether its his desire to make a couple more bucks on last minute jersey sales or his love of the media hype, we're going to be waiting a while to hear the decision that will inevitably come. With all that hype it appears that Owens casts a negative shadow on the sport. Listening to my daily doses of talk radio all you hear is people ranting about how tired they are of hearing Owens' name over and over again, or how they don't want their team to have him because of the possible negative impact he may have in the locker room chemistry. I believe, however, that it is people like Owens that the NFL needs more of if it wants to maintain its popularity as one of the most watched sports programs in the States. So here is my idea of what positive influences Terrell Owens brings to a city and its people:
Exposure
With the recent success of his television show "The T.O. Show" on VH1 it is easy to see that Owens loves the lime light and plenty of it. Few would probably have guessed that his show would be successful enough to receive offers for a second season, but it has. This means that whatever city acquires Terrell Owens will enjoy a boost of national sports media attention but they will also be gifted the benefits of exposure to an audience that may not be fans of the NFL itself. That being the reality television viewers. Its probably safe to say the majority of the viewers for his show are either fans of Owens or the NFL, but by creating a reality show about his life he brings the fragrance of what life is like for a flamboyant sports star, a drama that few ever get to see. Undoubtedly , this makes his name, the NFL and the a little more recognized by viewers whom otherwise may know little about the area. Its hard to say if this will cause an increase of travel or vacationing to that area, but there is a chance that a viewer may see a landmark they may like to visit, or learn a little culture about a city they knew little about. And, with 1.5 million viewers weekly there is a chance for growing interest in that city or its life.
Respect
Terrell Owens brings something to a team that few other players in the game can command; respect. I'm not talking about the locker room or on the field, but media respect. It has happened that every team that Owens has visited since leaving San Francisco has become an instant playoff contender in the media's eye. Whether it's his towering stature or ability to make plays after the catch there is no doubt that whatever team ends up with Owens will be the talk of ESPN, FOX Sports, and every other outlet as they make weekly playoff picks.
Youth in age
Owens may be showing signs of slowing down, but there isn't one football fan out there that can say they haven't heard of a routine he has performed in the end zone. Despite Owens' age he keeps the youth interested in the sport by his often elaborate touchdown celebrations. This helps create fans with child viewers and hatred by the adult fans of any opposing team. To give an example of this idea from my youth I present to you Deion Sanders. Going to school I couldn't go a NFL week without hearing over and over again what spectacular play Sanders made. Along with those recounts would often include a rendition of the "Prime Time" touchdown shuffle, granted never performed as well as Sanders himself. He was everything to our age group and we ate it up, and the merchandise to go with it; Starter jackets, player jerseys, shoes, we couldn't get enough. To me Deion Sanders showed that you can be great at something and have fun doing it. Even when Sanders came back from retirement to play for the Baltimore Ravens, I would anticipate an interception in hopes to see that dance one more time. He kept my childlike youth while I was well into my 20's, and I'm pretty sure he's responsible for me gaining a few pounds thanks to his Burger King commercial.
It is this torch that must be passed from Superstar to Superstar, the ability to give the fans what they want and keep them wanting more. Owens understands this. Sure, when you're on the other side of the ball and Owens scores on your team you want to drive down to the stadium and meet him in a dark alley after the game, but its the playfulness of this type of player that will keep kids dreaming to be great and us adults remembering the youthfulness of our past.
The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!
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Great story and comments
As much as you might hate TO off the field, he is a star on it and commands respect whenever he goes into the defense. Having him ups an already improved WR corp and give just another great option to Flacco. I’ll take 10 drops from TO if he also gives us 10 TDs along with that. There’s enough room for both here, but we have one thing to remember, and that is we are not a pass-first team and better not start to believe that we can be.
Also, TO has never been in trouble off the field and keeps himself in great shape and should be around for a few more years at least. Want to see him in Cincy with Chad? Then we better up the price to make sure he goes to the NFC like B-Marsh might go to Seattle.
aka 'Rexx'
I agree...
Owens would be a great pickup in the offseason for the Ravens. I think he also realizes that his production was down in Buffalo which might also keep his price tag down for the Ravens to get a shot at him. I honestly was hoping we could have acquired him last season so we did have that big stretch the field player. Coupled with our running game we would have beaten the Colts and certainly been Superbowl bound. But there’s always this year!
T. Owens
With the possibility of Mason not returning or retiring T. Owens could add puch the WR corps. Will Owens be comfortable accepting a secondary role? Can he subjugate his ego for the better part of the TEAM? We know he still has some “juice” left in the tank.
Your premise that Owens is good because of the media expoursure he brings is a doulbe edge sword is it not? The position I continue to maintain about Owens……if sign, put conduct clauses in the contract and tie some of the money to behavior bonuses or else risk an inopportune flare-up at some point during his tenure if the contract has a length greater than one season.
If Mason does not return to us
Then Owens could be a possibility. But we won’t be signing him till after the draft, I can tell you that much.
As much as we would need to find a replacement for Mason next year if he leaves (which could be TO), we need to find a future replacement for that position. Would like to build the WR if we have to from here on out through the draft rather than FA.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Agreed
I have opened my mind to the possibility that Owens could be a Raven. I also share your thoughts on a young guy in the pipe line as a neccessary move. This is a deep draft with talented guy’s at WR. I like Arrelious Benn who is a younger Anquan Boldin in the making if he reaches his potential. He had a terrific combine and could be targeted by Ozzie in the 2nd round.
The only problem with that is...
When you’re chosing WR’s low in the draft you are really getting potluck. I would rather take a later round WR, place them on the practice squad for a year or so, then bring them up…basically work for what they want. If the Ravens take Owens now then they are getting a definate option opposed to a possible. For instance this same gamble happened when they picked up Mark Clayton. They have been waiting, and waiting for him to finally come around which probably isn’t going to happen. They selected him with the hopes of him being a future WR1 and he’s barely a back up at best. They should be working now to trade him or lower his tender so they can at least receive something for him while he may be marketable to headhunters like Chicago or Detroit who are looking hard for WR’s.
Hey Benedict:
This was a well written story. Keep it up and perhaps I can promote them to the Front Page. Thanks again!
aka 'Rexx'
We are already in a catch up position
Prior to FA and the draft I felt that the Bengals closed the gap a bit with their D and Benson’s ability to run the ball. The Steelers, Ravens and Bengals are withing the realm of balance. I think that FA and the draft will tell the difference. We have young team that player well and should only get better this season. The Steelers will be better just be getting Troy back and on the firls for 16 games. The Ravens are aging a bit on D but still are very effective, Flacco is more seasoned and with the addition of Boldin could be more of a down field threat.
The Bengals cannot afford to let TO sign in Baltimore. We need him to keep up if only for the next season. I would say that we have about a 10% chance of getting Marshall and he worries me even if we do get him. Our schedule appears to be a bit tougher than anyone else in the division and if we do not step up and at least get TO as well as a TE who can hold his own we could be in a bit of trouble.
As for me I would like the Bengals to grab TO. Draft Iutapi in the first, a Safety in the 2nd and go for either Shipley or McCluster for the slot in the 3rd. We need to open things up a bit more for Carson or our stint as division champs will be doomed before the season even opens. With the tough AFCN schedule I think 10-6 will win it again and I think the chances of a WC coming out of this division are slim. It will be division championship or watch the playoffs from home. If we get TO or by some miracle Marshall we will be in it to the end but without one of them we will be left sucking hind teat. We will go very aggressively after TO if we do not get Marshall which I do not think we will.
"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"
If nothing else
He could hold free excercise clinics in his driveway again… always a heart healthy advocate… balancing out Ochocinco’s Mickey D’s fetish.
I don’t see you necessarily being out of the WC hunt merely because you don’t win the division… the AFCN frequently has two reps in the playoffs… shoot, almost had three this year.
This is a tough schedule
It entirely possible that 9-7 will not get a WC and as I said I think 10-6 win the division. At this point I think the Ravens are the favorites at this time unless we and the Steelers get busy and make some hay in FA and the draft. Both TO and Chad are in incredible condition. Concern over their attitude can be a point to consider but they are way above average, even among NFL player in their conditioning Mickey D’s or not. I wouldn’t be surprised if TO has another 2 or even 3 years left in him. He had a down year last year but with Fitzgerald throwing to him I am not at all surprised. If we get him we are back in the hunt.
"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"
I totally agree about the SOS and on TO
I was just being silly with the first part… though being in great shape won’t alone keep you from having a heart attack. Saturated fat is still saturated fat.
I agree TO has a lot left in the tank. You saw that last year with his 99 TD play (i think it was 99 anyhow… maybe 98 or something). Especially if he plays opposite Chad or Anquan… my only concern would be how many targets he could reasonably get and when he would melt down because both Q and Senior 85 would be the number one target, followed by Rice and Benson respectively. Don’t know if he could handle that.
Still contend that the AFCN still has a great shot at two into the playoffs. 9-7 made it this year, 2008 an 11-5 team didn’t make it to the playoffs… we will just see. I just would say the chance is no worse than 50-50 a WC is an AFCN team.
by ATXRaven on Mar 8, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Playing a first place schedule
I will be very surprised to see Cincy up there at the top of the AFC North, based on how they finished 2009 and bowed out in the playoffs. Sorry, just my call.
Thanks for the summary of the off season, JJ.
aka 'Rexx'
John
Why do you think its unlikely that a WC will come out of this division? Who is so great in the other 3 divisions that they are going to be better than the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the AFCN? Jax? Ind? NE? Den? Hou? I haven’t look at the schedules, but I assume that Cincy will take a slight step back due to being first place and having to play the 1st place teams in the other AFC divisions (Ind/SD) while we (Hou/Den) and Pit(Oak/Ten) will be alittle better off. I feel we should be battling for at least 1 WC spot this year, possibly 2 for the division.
You are correct
with perhpas one of the teams from the South joining Indy, the AFC West doesn’t impress me and that leaves the AFC East who could have a WC team in it. We have a sgood a chance to have a WC team from the AFC North as the AFC South does.
aka 'Rexx'
I have not done a thorough analysis either
My opinion is based on a generality. Strengths of schedule can be misleading as top teams fall off and lower teams rise every year. Our division contained a good example. The Steelers fell off a bit and the Bengals rose a bit while the Ravens pretty well held their own. But that being said, when one division has what many consider the toughest divisional schedule it generally indicates that other divisions have easier schedules and the win total of that division should be higher. Thus more wins, thus a better chance for wild cards. I am not saying it can’t happen but it is just less likely.
I am proud that the Bengals are in the AFCN. We have a tough schedule but we are also a tough division. The Ravens, Steelers and Bengals are not going to be considered easy victories. That is one thing we should know we play each other twice and they are always very physical games. OK the Jets might consider Cincy an easy win..I thought I would say it before you guys did. LOL.
Bruce, as for next year we will see what we will see. We just ran out of steam towards the end with a couple injuries along with a tough end of year schedule Vikings away, Chargers away and Jets away. If you look at my posts at the beginning of the season I always said we were another off season away and I was as surprised as anyone that we .. uh… well… kidked your butt twice and the Steelers too oh and the Browns too. Hey we can all agree that any playoff year where the Steelers are home on their couch is a good one. You went further in the playoffs than we did so I will just shut up now before I dig this hole any deeper. It is a long season and I have to pace myself..
"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"
Totally agree with the "Steelers on the couch" thing
but want to see them at sub-.500 to quiet their fans.
aka 'Rexx'
Schedules for the big 3 in the AFCN
AFC NORTH
Breakdown is: Cincy has the hardest schedule, with 5 tough games at home and 7 tough ones on the road.
Baltimore is the next hardest, with 4 at home and 7 on the road.
Then comes Pitt with 6 at home and 5 on the road.
I fully expect Pitt to win the division barring major injuries/ or Ben going to jail :)
We will prob beat out Cincy for a wild card. Chances are they will not make the playoffs again this year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Don't knw about your Steelers prediction
They should do not much better than 4-4 on the road next season and looking like a 6-2 record at Heinz, and to me a 10-6 record won’t get them the title, as we will go at least 11-5 IMO.
aka 'Rexx'
So much of this, as I said, depends on what we do this off season
We 3 are so close in talent now that one or two players can make the difference and at this point I would not count anyone out. I would not be surprised if the three teams split victories right down the middle. Your Ravens have stepped ahead a bit in FA to this point and you have a potentially good #1 WR whose only concern is his durability in a division where all WRs will take some real punishment. But we are in the same boat if Chad goes down. The D’s seem about equal overall with different strengths. You are a bit better up front and we are a bit better on the back end. Olines should both be better and the running attacks too. Flacco seems ready to step up and but if Carson can regain form which I think is likely we may have a slight edge with his experience. At this point I don’t see either team being favored by more than 3 points home or away.
Lets face the Steelers are pretty good when they are down and despite allof their distractions right now they will be right there in it. I am not to sure they will be any more successful “unleashing hell” this next year than they were last year but they will play strong.
The big thing in the schedule is that we play the Chargers & Colts, the Ravens play Denver & Texans and the Steelers play the Raiders & Titans. Both the Chargers and Colts will be tough. The Texans lost a lot of players and Denver is actually not that good. The Raiders will be just OK maybe but the Titans will be tough. I think it is possible that the Ravens have a bit of an easier schedule than the Steelers. Right now I like you guys in the Division. I am not as optimistic as Bruce but I will say 11-5 is possible but at best not at least. The Bengals and Steelers will probably go 10-6 and the Bengals at 9-7. But that is now with FA not over and the draft yet to come. BTW Cleveland should be better but a good year for them would be 7-9.
"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"
records imho
Ravens: 11-5
Steelers: 10-6
Bengels: at best 9-7
Could go either way on a couple of the matchups. I have the 3 of us all splitting with each other, each winning 2/4 from the Atl, Car, NE, and NYJ games.
And this is how it comes out…
Ray,I think I just said that. Bruce I didn't say the Browns would go 7-9
I said it would be a good year for them. It would be dangerous to take them too lightly. They have a pretty good Oline and some other quality players. They have a lot of picks and some who knows how to put a team together for the first time in a long time.
Hey, all of this is spec. FA is not over and the draft is yet to come. Things could change enough to upset the balance as we see it now.
"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"
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