Terrell Owens desperately wants to be back in the league. The New England Patriots desperately need veteran receivers. Would he be a good match in a Patriot uniform?
First off, T.O. hasn’t played in an NFL regular season game since 2010. His last practice was in 2012, when he lasted just 20 days in the Seattle Seahawk’s training camp. He’s 39 years old. And he’s more of a head case then Dennis Rodman. Why would the Patriots sign him?
In Owens defense, the Pats are in desperate need of veteran receivers. Danny Amendola was supposed to take Wes Welkers spot, until he got injured in game one. Aaron Hernandez was expected to be the top receiver this year and now he’s in prison. Rob Gronkowski is still milking his injury. Danny Woodhead and Brandon Lloyd are gone. Shane Vereen is injured. As for the rest of the Patriots, they are rookies (excluding Julian Edelman).
“Tom Brady has a lot of young guys and I’m sure he could use some veteran help and I would love to play for a guy like Bill Belichick and play with a quarterback like Tom,” Owens told The Boston Globe. “They are going to try to win by [receiving] committee.
T.O. believes his veteran’s presence and knowledge of the game would make him a good fit in a New England uniform. He’s a freak-of-nature type athlete for a 39-year-old and promises he is not the on-field, off-field head case he was 10 years ago.
“I think it’s the reputation of the things I’ve done in the past,” Owens said. “People won’t let my mistakes die. It’s just puzzling for me. I’m just keeping my faith, staying patient, and praying I get another opportunity.”
The Patriots took a chance similar to this with Chad Ochocinco, who signed with them in 2011. He didn’t produce nearly to his prior abilities and was a non-presence in the Super Bowl. He only managed 15 receptions for the whole year. Bill Bellichick believed if Chad’s behavior changed and he regained his focus with the right structured environment around him, he would be able to be the dominate receiver he once was. He was wrong.
This weekend the Patriots face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.