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 . . .
You can follow the Falcons Beat and Falcons Fan blogs on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
430 comments Add your comment
falcon fan 4-ever
May 19th, 2010
9:08 am
I just don’t think TO fits into the Falcons plans. Yes we might need some help at the WR pos. But I don’t think TO is the answer. Who knows the guys that are in there now. Could possible break thru this year.To bring TO in might spoiled the barrell. I believe we can get along with out him
Scott
May 19th, 2010
9:28 am
No..
We were a circus team for 40 years when the Rankin Smith family were the owners.
We are now an NFL franchise (FINALLY) that wins and does it without self centered players.
Larry
May 19th, 2010
9:35 am
Bring that man in!! If he starts to act up, cut him easy as that
jikj
May 19th, 2010
9:42 am
All about the money, how much cap room are we taking up and how much guaranteed money are we giving away? If TO wants to be pragmatic and sign a contract based on his age and what he brings to the table, then fine. But if he wants the salary he was earning when he was in his prime, then I say no.
Kahuna51
May 19th, 2010
10:00 am
What? Was this that slow of a day for news? Find a real story, please.
Trathavon
May 19th, 2010
10:17 am
I do think T.O has matured. Bring him on! forget all this drama junk lets play football
#1FalconsFan
May 19th, 2010
10:42 am
Yes, we only have one reciever and he’s just slightly above average at best. We didn’t draft one, and can’t afford any of the young big name top talent. Finally, if you can work with your current governor then T.O. should be a breeze!
#1FalconsFan
May 19th, 2010
10:46 am
Oh yeah! Did I mention you only have to sign him for one year and will have cap room next year! Think smart not hard people. Every winning team has a guy with “Character Issues”, its the diversity that makes them strong.
rekingball
May 19th, 2010
10:47 am
How much $ would Owens be willing to PAY the Falcons, to be on the team?
rekingball
May 19th, 2010
10:50 am
‘I think Owens has matured’, heck yeah, he’s 43 yrs. old, isn’t he?
EDDIE B.
May 19th, 2010
10:54 am
OK CALL ME AN OPTIMUM OPTIMIST BUT I REALLY FEEL THIS WOULD BE A GREATMOVE FOR THE FALCONS AND TERRELL.FIRST OF ALL I TRULY BELIEVE T.O.REALLY WANTS TO BE A FALCON AND HAS FOR A FEW YEARS NOW , THAT IN IT’S SELF MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. HE’S ALWAYS BEEN AN PHYSICAL SPECIMAN WITH J. RICE LIKE WORK ETHIC. I REALLY DON’T SEE EVEN AT ALMOST 37 HIM BEING SHUT DOWN ESPECIALLY WITH OTHER WEAPONS AROUND HIM. IF I WAS A DC HE WOULD DEFINITELY CAUSE ME CONCERN COME SUNDAY. THE FALCONS HAVE BUILD A VERY RESPECTABLE, CHARACTER BASED AND HUNGRY FRANCHISE AND T.O. WANTS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PART OF IT. I SAY GIVE HIM A 1 YEAR DEAL AND GO FOR IT! GO BLACKBIRDS!
Jeff
May 19th, 2010
11:10 am
I would rather give one of these other very qualified receivers a 2-3 yr contract.
Austin Miles- 4th year
Mark Clayton- 5th year
Greg Lewis- 7th year
Javon Walker- 8th year
David Tyree- 6th year
Laveranues Coles- 10th year
Kevin Curtis- 7th year (same as Jenkins
And 1 of these RB the same, to replace the often injured Norwood.
Pierre Thomas- 3rd year
Samkon Gado- 4th year
Kevin Jones- 6th year
Adrian Peterson- 8th year
Cadillac Williams- 5th year
FalconForever
May 19th, 2010
12:09 pm
TO went to Buffalo to play opposite Lee Evans, how did Evans play?
No teams double TO anymore, he lead the league in dropped balls two years ago, hes washed up, we should have got Housh from the Bengals last year when he went to Seattle, TJ would have been amazing out of the slot, loves going over the middle and gets you those 3rd Down conv. all things TO doesnt do.
Tony
May 19th, 2010
1:06 pm
The Falcons have a very good offense. They should not waste their oney on T.O. They need to go get a good pass rushing defensive end like try to trade for Umenyora from the Giants or somebody like that. They should have tried to get julius peppers when he was available. Dont waste your money on a distraction at a position that is not a need.
Falcons Not Interested In TO :: 2010 Fantasy Football – Leagues and Games, Free News and Headlines, Cheatsheets, Rankings, and Advice.
May 19th, 2010
1:33 pm
[...] ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION Analysis: The Falcons reportedly don’t want any “headaches” after the whole [...]
rekingball
May 19th, 2010
2:54 pm
435th
gator
May 19th, 2010
5:54 pm
it can be good thing or a bad thing but let face the down side is steeper then the up side HELL NO DONT GET T.O.
marcus
May 19th, 2010
5:55 pm
sign the man to a one year bill that way if he becomes a headache they can just let him go nothing long term make him work for a extra year if he does good but he would be great to through in the mix with the talent we got in atlanta.
Tremond
May 19th, 2010
9:51 pm
Yes we need somebody like t o to help Roddy white out so forget the past he proved he can still play so Atlanta of you want to be a superboql contender go for it
SECFAN
May 19th, 2010
10:36 pm
I think a wholesome team is much more desirable than picking up trouble makers. Leave T.O. be!!!
Dan Duffy
May 20th, 2010
9:49 am
Can we please talk about something more important…TO is washed up and has been a distraction every where he has been. Why do we need that here?
Andrew and Ashlynns Dad
May 20th, 2010
9:58 am
Yes.. yes and yes! T.O. could have helped Fancons last season in the playoffs when the team was lacking weapons and I do believe he is finally getting mature and he has to realize this maybe his last shot at NFL.
Buc Fan
May 20th, 2010
10:42 am
Since I’m a Buc Fan I’d say YES, please sign him. That makes the Bucs that much better.
Honestly though, T.O. is yesterdays news with all of todays drama. You want that? You have a really good looking young, don’t ruin it. I am actually surprised anyone even brings up this guys name anymore.
Buc Fan
May 20th, 2010
10:44 am
“young team”…sorry
Tee Tee
May 20th, 2010
11:32 am
Sign Him!!! at least for one year- and if he works out with the team -keep him! People we have to learn how to give folks a chance- I believe he’s learned a lot during his years in the NFL- it has been trial and error for him- sometimes it takes a couple of errors to finally get it right. I think he’s figuring that out now! So give him a chance! It’ll make it worth the price of those season tickets!!!
82falconfan
May 20th, 2010
1:22 pm
YES,YES, YES AND YES!!!!!!!!!! Look the Falcons need that # 2 guy who will divert some attention away from Roddy and Tony, T.O is that guy. If you all followed last season Terrell was pretty quite in Buffalo, and he seemed to get along with the Bills # 1 Lee Evens. As a # 2 guy in Buffalo T.O had over eight hundred yards and five-TD’s. Compare that to our # 2 guy Jenkins, who finished the 2009 season with 50 receptions, 635 yards, and 1 TD. He had a even worse year than he had from the year before. So with that said, we need to sign T.O to take some presser off and Mattie Ice gets the start in the Probowl become the League MVP, throwing close to 4,000 yard with over 35-TD’s. I don’t know maybe i’m just ranting on, but we seriusly need to help with our receiving core.
scott
May 21st, 2010
6:38 am
not no but HELL NO
Maekju
May 22nd, 2010
12:00 pm
The Falcons finally have a roster of team players with good chemistry. Why would you add someone that could (probably would) undo that cohesiveness? Are people so obtuse that they think bringing in a 37 year old Diva who has the potential to do much more harm than good is really worth the risk? Unbelievable! The collective yawn Owens is getting from the entire NFL is much deserved. NO WAY is he Falcon material.
The Rookie Club is set to visit the Shepherd Center | Atlanta Falcons
May 27th, 2010
6:53 am
[...] Should the Falcons finally sign Terrell Owens? [...]
Jim
June 3rd, 2010
1:46 pm
Forget it! He’s an egocentric bully. The time when he could improve a team are long gone.