Should the Falcons finally sign Terrell Owens?
Terrell Owens didn't have much of an impact in Buffalo last season. (Mike Groll/Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Folks keep asking the question and now is the time to finally address it.
I’ve been getting tweets at AJCFalcons on twitter.com. (Come follow, we have to celebrate going over 1,600 followers!) Folks have been leaving comments on the blog, sending e-mails and my guys at the barbershop keep asking it, too.
Loading ...Some fans don’t think Michael Jenkins is a worthy No. 2 and are not sure that Harry Douglas will make it back from his knee injury. It’s hard to panic in May, but that’s what hardcore football fans do.
Last season, the Falcons got by with Marty Booker, a quiet professional who came to work and did his job, after Douglas went down.
I’ve gently tried to dissuade the masses from this line of questioning and by citing the headache factor.
The Falcons have clearly been dodging any potential headache players in the post Michael Vick-era in trying to build a championship team.
Each time T.O. has been on the market the Falcons have turned their nose up at the one-time Decatur resident.
Does Terrell Owens have any gas left in the tank? He'll turn 37 in December. (Nell Redmond/Associated Press)
In 1996, the Falcons selected defensive tackle Shannon Brown with the 84th pick in the third round and passed on Owens. He went five picks later to San Francisco. Brown never played a down in the league. (Tedy Bruschi was selected just two picks after Brown. He, of course, went on to help New England stack some Super Bowl rings.)
When Owens’ time was up in Philadelphia, the Falcons weren’t interested.
When Owens’ time was up in Dallas, the Falcons weren’t interested.
Now that he’s out on the streets again and presumably humbled, the Falcons – along with the rest of the league – don’t appear interested.
Even the Cleveland Browns have told him to take a hike.
Let’s look at this from both sides. I want to list some reasons why the Falcons should sign T.O. Then list some reasons why they should not.
Then I’ll turn the floor over to you all.
YES: THE FALCONS SHOULD SIGN T. O.
- The Falcons want to surround Matt Ryan with weapons.
- How potent would a four-receiver formation be with Roddy White and T.O. in the slot on one side and Tony Gonzalez in the slot and Michael Jenkins or Harry Douglas on the other side. Mike Mularkey could put
Michael Jenkins scoring against Texas. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
back on his “Inspector Gadget Hat” and scribble away.
- T.O. didn’t cause any problems in Buffalo. You know, maybe after all of these years in the league he’s no longer a quarterback killer. He will turn 37 in December.
- Veteran wide receiver coach Terry Robiskie and Gonzalez could keep Owens in line. Robiskie used to be a Raider, you know.
- T.O. has averaged 14.9 yards per reception over 15 years and can still get open. He needs just 49 yards to reach 15,000.
- T.O. would help the popcorn sales at the Georgia Dome and give the Falcons some “sizzle” and “star” power.
NO: THE FALCONS SHOULD NOT SIGN T.O.
- T. O. is washed up. There’s nothing left in the tank.
- T.O. has thrown his quarterback under the bus in San Francisco (Jeff Garcia), Philadelphia (Donovan McNabb) and Dallas (Tony Romo) and the Falcons can’t risk him turning on Matt
Will there be a McNabb and Owens reunion in Washington? (Associated Press)
Ryan.
- T.O. will be an unnecessary distraction, crying in press conferences and trying to bring attention to himself.
- T.O.’s had a nice run. Maybe he should just get on with his life’s work.
- T.O. is a six-time Pro Bowler and five-time first team All-Pro, but hasn’t done it since 2007.
YOUR TURN . . .
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430 comments Add your comment
Timothy Justice
May 18th, 2010
11:10 am
NO, BUT HE_ _ NO! Didn’t the Falcons already make that mistake when they signed that clown called Deion Sanders years back? We don’t need another circus act in town. We need to start winning some championships. I am getting tired of almost. Come on Falcons, let’s get some people with CLASS on the team, who want to win for the team and the city, players who believe in teamwork, not just ME!
David
May 18th, 2010
11:11 am
NO, plain and simple.
FalconTransplant
May 18th, 2010
11:12 am
You got’em fired up DOL
Why would we expect Mike Smith to ‘Handle’ TO
I was Smitty out there coaching our young guys and making us a team.
Not controlling TO
TO is a Duecsh
No to TO
FalconTransplant
May 18th, 2010
11:12 am
*want Smitty out there
dominic
May 18th, 2010
11:13 am
not my choice either way its a good call and i agree TO hasnt made any bad decisions
dan
May 18th, 2010
11:14 am
Well let’s take T.O.’s antics out of the equation and look at production on the field. His last year in Dallas and last season in Buffalo, his numbers went down. Now I won’t hold Buffalo against him because that was a terrible situation, but I will hold Dallas against him. He had all the resources to succeed in Dallas and he didn’t. When Randy Moss was given a similar opportunity wiith New England, he grew up and played his arse off and he has had career years the last 3 seasons. The bottom line is that T.O.’s production got worse his last year in Dallas, which is why Jerry Jones cut him( that and he knew that Miles Austin was waiting in the wings ready to take over). I think T.O. is on the tail end of his career and I can name 5 WR’s who have been better than him the last 2 season’s including Roddy White( who STILL isn’t getting the respect he deserves as a 1# WR by the ATL fans and the National Media). Looking at it objectively, I really don’t think T.O. would add much to the Falcons line up.
a.r. top
May 18th, 2010
11:14 am
Should they sign him? NO. Enough said. Lets move on to more important things in Flowery Branch.
Kate
May 18th, 2010
11:15 am
YES THE FALCONS DO NEED HIM AS A WEAPON! he is older now and seems to have calmed down. I say we give him a try! He would be amazing on the offensive line up and would bring tons of fans to the dome!
ELVISINTHEHOUSE.
May 18th, 2010
11:16 am
Just saying,it would be real funny if T.O plays for another team and be the main reason they win a superbowl.But i must say this,if he plays for another team that plays the falcons they don’t have a CB who could defend him.And please don’t say robinson before he was picked up by the falcons i read a lot of comments from so called bird fans saying,”nooo we don’t need robinson he’s washed up and got killed by recievers last season”.But now he’s with the falcons and labeled a shut down corner from the same wishy washy fans who slammed him.Falcon fans,go figure.
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:20 am
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL CEASE BEING A FALCONS FAN IF WE SIGN TERRELL OWENS!!!!!!!!! I CAN NOT DEAL WITH THAT GUY! HE IS TEAM CANCER! I WILL LITERALLY, SERIOUSLY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, NOT ATTEND A SINGLE GAME, WATCH FALCONS GAME OR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FALCONS AS LONG AS HE IS ON OUR ROSTER!!!! HE IS AN OLD MAN THAT ACTS LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL KID! PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:22 am
ANYONE WHO SAYS YES IS AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KATE, CRAIG, RYAN,ETC….ALL IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1 Falcon Fan
May 18th, 2010
11:22 am
yes they should sign him to a 1 year contract, just like the Bills did. Worse case scenerio he starts to turn into the diva he once was, and if that’s the case after the 2010 season..u let him go and don’t re-sign him. I mean with the way it’s going with the NFLPA and the league it might not be any football in 2011 anyway, so why not win now? I think he could help us sellout all the home games, and win our division. Just imagine T.O. in a Falcons jersey, i’m sure that would be many jerseys sales and in the dome, maybe not as much as Vick’s jersey was. Even though he will be 37 this year, he is still better than some of the younger WR. Imagine a def coordinator having to game plan to stop Michael Turner and the run game, BUT then you got Roddy White, T.O., and Tony Gonzalez in the passing game…This would also help our corner backs because they would get to practice against two big WR everyday in practice…So yes the reward far out weighs the risk…sign him to a 1 year deal..if he does well and produces and helps us go deep into the playoffs, then consider signing him to another 1 year deal in 2011….if there is a football season!
FalconTransplant
May 18th, 2010
11:24 am
@Elvisisinthehouse
A team with potential to make it to the Superbowl would not be interested in TO
As is apparent to the NON movment of any team in the NFL to sign him as of yet.
If he does find a team this year it’ll be after a training camp injury or even after the season starts and a WR goes down.
I’d say 100/1 TO will not be on a playoff team this year.
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:24 am
#1 FALCON FAN YOU ARE THE #1 IDIOT! THE GUY IS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE WHO CANT EVEN CATCH! i AM SERIOUS WHEN I SAY THAT I COULD CATCH BETTER THAN TO!!!!!
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
May 18th, 2010
11:24 am
omg ATL4life. Not everything is racist if a black person is not drooled over and courted. Most fans and supporters truly are color blind and every other kind of blind if they feel a chance for a winning season and winning players. This man is a one man team so let him go find a one man team. We just might be building a football team made up of 18+ players who are willing and able to play together as a team. Plus he’s old and if so many other teams have let him go/passed him over maybe it’s time for him to retire gracefully.
FalconTransplant
May 18th, 2010
11:24 am
50/1 he doesn’t even play
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:26 am
NOBODY WANTS A DEGGUM TERRELL OWENS FALCONS JERSEY, ARE YOU COMPLETELY STUPID?!?!?!?
ryan
May 18th, 2010
11:27 am
The Falcons sign Dunta Robinson who can be hot head sometimes so i say all bets are off it won’t hurt giving this a chance he does not have crimenal record like Mike Vick.
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:29 am
TERRELL OWENS WOULD NOT MAKE OUR TEAM BETTER, OR ANY TEAM FOR THAT MATTER! THE GUY IS NO GOOD ON THE FIELD, OFF THE FIELD, IN THE LOCKER ROOM OR IN THE HEAD!!! ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT WE SHOULD GET HIM HAS COMPLETELY LOST THEIR MIND!!!!
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:32 am
RYAN, YOU ARE AN IDIOT! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH VICK OR ROBINSON? NOTHING. WHY SHOULD WE SIGN HIM? FOR WHAT REASON? HE IS NOT PRODUCTIVE!!! THAT IS THE BOTOM LINE! NOT TO MENTION, HE IS OLD, CRAZY, AND BAD FOR A TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Devildog
May 18th, 2010
11:33 am
Sign T.O.? Should you actively try to catch cancer?
mike
May 18th, 2010
11:34 am
I’m ready for the Falcons to stop looking for all church boys and take a chance on some talented players. With a guy like this you should be able to put in his contract a “get out of line and you’re done” clause. And the first time he acts out cut him and move on. That makes it easier to control future knuckleheads.
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:34 am
I HAVE WASTED ENOUGH TIME HERE. THIS IS STUPID. DIMITROFF DOESN’T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT IDIOT, ANYWAY.
ReddJonn68
May 18th, 2010
11:34 am
There are no impotant things at Flowery Branch, we did not make significant additions to an offense that has been surpassed by the lowly Saints. If you guys haven’t noticed the game is almost like fast break basketball now. The League wants scoring plain & simple, the changes in the game benefit the QBs, not defense. The Saints capitalized on it, by loading up on one side. Get with the program or get left in the dust again for the next few years. If not TO then get some damn body
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 18th, 2010
11:36 am
NOT gonna happen. To even speculate about this is absolutely laughable.
Isn’t there something realistic we could discuss?
Love most of your stuff DOL, but this was a TOTAL waste of my time.
Pete
May 18th, 2010
11:37 am
Just asking this absurd question illustrates how little you know about the current Falcon franchise. A franchise that has finally………after 43 years……….rid itself of a 3rd rate circus act status.
Why not ask if the Falcons should add O.J. Simpson as a consultant ??
Please.
TEAMPLAYER
May 18th, 2010
11:38 am
The Falcons are showing too many weaknesses that have not been address…True the team does need to take the weight off Roddy…I don’t blame Jenkins as much as I do the FG kicker last year…..I want to win now…I don’t want to cheat like that team up north that was caught with the camera they haven’t won anything since..but I do want the team to make a good showing by knocking off the Super Bowl champs and win the division
Say NO to T.O.
May 18th, 2010
11:38 am
HELL NO
JOHN
May 18th, 2010
11:39 am
HECK NO
BOB
May 18th, 2010
11:40 am
PLEASE NO
JIM
May 18th, 2010
11:40 am
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NO
JIMMY
May 18th, 2010
11:42 am
SIGN HIM TO THE CHEERLEADING SQUAD
Robopop
May 18th, 2010
11:44 am
Not only NO but HELL NO! Are you kidding? He has always been an over-rated and under-talented player whose biggest fan is himself. I have been a Falcons fan since they have been a team. Before that I was a Cowboys fan and for several years the only time I wanted Dallas to lose was when they played Atlanta. Until they acquired Owens. At that point my two favorite teams were the Falcons and any other team against Dallas. I have stayed with them from the beginning but a signing Owens would be just as bad as re-signing Mike Vick. Either one would make me an EX fan.
osama
May 18th, 2010
11:44 am
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHELL NO!
TO, while being a lightning rod of negative or controversial attention also tends to be in the Top 2 in dropped passes EVERY year!! He just as much of a drive-killer as TD maker, if not, more so.
While TO may ‘LUV ME SUM ME!!’
The Falcons ‘LUV US SUM WE!!’
It’s about team not one person.
Oh, and at last chek, how rings does TO hav?!
Perigrine Falcon
May 18th, 2010
11:47 am
Ask Greg Knapp
Mike
May 18th, 2010
11:49 am
No. The guy is a proven scumbag.
Geezer
May 18th, 2010
11:51 am
Absolutely not….that is just what the Falcon’s and Mr. Blank need another Michael Vick circus type enviroment and that is exactly what you would get it T.O. came to Atlanta. Never, not for any price!
tnfalcon
May 18th, 2010
11:51 am
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not enough talent left to deal with the baggage.
KentWatson
May 18th, 2010
11:53 am
We should sign T.O. without question. Its not a matter of whether he will be a cancer or not, because that is irrelevant. Mike Smith doesnt put up with any B.S. If T.O. conducts himself as a professional the Falcons may win the superbowl this season. On the other hand, if T.O. starts his crap and is a constant distration, Mike Smith will kick him off the team and terminate his contract. WHAT IS THERE TO LOSE. There is nothing to lose but there is a LOMBARDY TROPHY to gain if T.O. performs. Historically, T.O. has been one of the top wide receivers in the NFL and has produced enough numbers to be a FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAME. Who wouldnt want to sign a first ballot hall of fame wide receiver?
Perigrine Falcon
May 18th, 2010
11:54 am
If you can’t reach Greg Knapp for comment, try Steve mariucci, Donavan Mcnabb, Jeff Garcia, or Andy Reid. Take notes, use a Sharpie.
tnfalcon
May 18th, 2010
11:55 am
ABSOLUTELY NOT AGAIN! Arthur Blank could save money and just inject himself with a cancer causing agent instead. One bad apple can spoil the barrel.
Perigrine Falcon
May 18th, 2010
11:55 am
I wouldn’t want him if he still had the skills, which he doesn’t. Might as well resign Andre Rison.
Atldark
May 18th, 2010
11:56 am
Hell Yes I will take Owens. but I would take Crayton if he’s avail over owens. its hard to beleive the end has come for Owens.. His mouth killed a great career.. But he put his heart on the field when he plays and payoff time we will need players like that… 1 year deal
GET TO!!!
May 18th, 2010
11:56 am
The falcons need to get TO–whatever it takes. Offer him a boatload of money and benefits and he’ll be the missing piece in the offense. Just pay up!!! TO will be the man on offense baby!!!
Hayseed Dixie
May 18th, 2010
11:58 am
Who knows, maybe if he’ll come to Atlanta, he’ll finally come out of the closet.
Perhaps he won’t be such an angst ridden queenie after that. They could get him a rainbow falcons helmet, specially for him.
Perigrine Falcon
May 18th, 2010
11:58 am
ReddJonn68, the man’s color has nothing to do with it, I’d feel the same if we were talking about Jeff George.
tnfalcon
May 18th, 2010
11:59 am
ABSOLUTELY NOT THE THIRD TIME! TO won’t play special teams. His speed and reflexes are third string at best.
Dawglasville
May 18th, 2010
12:00 pm
ReddJonn68 You are absolutely right. I get as angry about that as reading someone say the the Falcons and Braves are redneck organizations. We all have a few we wouldn’t want to represent us.
Just Saying......
May 18th, 2010
12:02 pm
There was a time T.O.’s talent open doors for him, even as his mouth kept shutting them. His talent was undenyable, his passion uncontrollable and his mouth unstoppable. T.O. had the potential to exceed Jerry Rice, to take his place as one of the best receivers of all time. But unlike Rick, T.O. never grasped the concept that football is a team sport, having the best athlete at every position isn’t always enough. Those players with the most heart, desire and drive will win out over the pure athlete every time.
So should the Falcons sign T.O., No. Not because his tank or desire to play or win is in question. But rather, T.O. still doesn’t have the heart, commitment and the ability to put the team ahead of himself.
So do the Falcons have the ability to work with and help keep T.O. in line, to play nice? I have little doubt they do, the Falcons appear well grounded and focused, more than I can ever remember in the past. But do we really want them focused on T.O. or winning a championship.
I for one, believe in the current process and feel strongly they are on the right path. T.O. is off the path, a winding road promising a short cut to the finish line, when in fact it leads to the middle of nowhere.
Just Saying………..
tnfalcon
May 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
ABSOLUTELY NOT ONE MORE TIME! Arthur, save money and just put a loaded gun to your head instead.