As we all know, this past week Terrell Owens was released from the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas faithful were pleased to see him go before the distraction he becomes for a team fully comes in bloom. For Dallas, it was a great move before a bad situation became worse but what becomes of Terrell Owens then?
Owens is getting up there in years. Even at age 35, he still has the ability to dominate the game but how much longer can he be a game-changer? Last season, Owens made 69 receptions, his lowest total receptions in a full season since 2000, but was able to claw up 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Owens probably is not the best receiver anymore, but can still be ranked in the top echelon of wide receivers. It can be argued Owens’ best days are going to be behind him this coming season and I would agree with that. The question is not when will Owens stop being a game-changer but when will Owens finally realize he is not a game-changer anymore, which plays into the problems he creates with teams because Owens propably feels he is the top receiver in the game still.
With Owens now at age 35, there is a new reason behind all his troublemaking antics. Frustration. Why would Owens be frustrated though with statistics such as 9 seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards or for catching 13 or more touchdown passes in a season 7 times in his career? It is doubtful Owens would be frustrated about that. What he is frustrated about is the biggest statistic that breaks him, 0 Superbowl rings. He got that one shot in Philadelphia in 2004 to win, but lost to the New England Patriots by a score 24-21. The next season, Owens would start complaining about Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb in which he was ultimately kicked off the team. Owens is not a fan of mediocrity either which is why he left the 49ers and refused to play a game for the Ravens. Dallas got the memo on how Owens has the tendency to complain about his quarterback and after crying in front of the press after a 2007 playoff loss, he complained on how Tony Romo and Jason Witten would draw up plays in secret (surprise-surprise, the Cowboys were losing games at the time) which ultimately brought Owens to the end of his tenure in Dallas.
But where does Terrell Owens go from here? Owens main goal at this point in his career is to win one Superbowl title but he rather win as a team’s primary receiver than play second fiddle. We know Terrell Owens never will complain when he is on a winning team and at this point of his career, if he complains about a team one more time it has the ability to end his career. The first problem though is that is there a winning team that will take a chance on Owens. Owens’ reportedly has plenty of team offers on the table but what winning team such as an Indianapolis or a San Diego, or a Miami, or a whatever team you want to throw in, would ruin such chemistry to grab a guy who and go off on you like a timebomb within the next two years.
So pretty much the philosophy is like this. The older Owens gets without a Superbowl title, the more frustrated Owens will get. The more frustrated Owens gets, the more easier it is that Owens snaps and finds the simplest excuse to complain about teammates or the organization in general. The only way Owens will not complain is if he wins the Superbowl this season. If Owens gets a ring, the tension and pressure will be gone along with the frustration.
So yes, I think Owens has the ability to shut up and play at the end of his career. Granted, signing him is a high risk move and if the team starts losing, Owens can very well be the arsonist behind the destrtuction of another NFL organization.
EDIT: And with the finding out that Terrell Owens has signed with the Buffalo Bills, we can watch my philosophy go into play this season as its obvious Buffalo will not win a championship. Right?
