Terrell Owens Signs $2M Deal with Cincinnati

The Terrell Owens saga ended yesterday evening with the announcement that he agreed to a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The deal will strengthen the passing attack for the team that won the AFC North last season.

Addition to Offense

The addition of T.O. gives quarterback Carson Palmer two explosive wide receivers. They already have a running game with Cedric Benson, but teams loaded the box last year while double teaming Chad "Johnson" Ochocincho. T.O. will give the team an improved aerial assault but will also give the running game more room.

T.O. Contract

T.O. signed a one year $2 million contract with the Bengals. He could earn a total of $4 million with incentives. There are six incentives in his contract each equaling around $330,000. This bonus money is performance based and will be paid when and if he:

1. Has 60 receptions
2. Has 100 receptions
3. Has 900 yards
4. Has 1300 yards
5. Has 10 touchdowns
6. Has 14 touchdowns

Chad and T.O. are good friends off the field, but it will be interesting to see if anything changes when T.O. is close to his incentives.

The Terrell Owens Market

Terrell Owens might be 36 years old, but he is still a talented wide receiver.  All of his antics are now costing him a job - or so it seems.  The wide receiver is one of the the highest profile free agents and no one has really been looking into his direction until recently.  Both the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals have recently been talking with T.O.

St. Louis Rams Interest in Terrell Owens

This relationship has me scratching my head. T.O. can still help a team get over a hump to be a true contender. T.O. has said many times he wants to play for a contender. Also, the Rams have a rookie quarterback as the new face of a rebuilding franchise. The last thing this kid needs is a needy prima donna receiver yelling in his ear. This seems to be counterproductive for both T.O. and especially the Rams.

Cincinnati Bengals Terrell Owens Free Agent Signing

This makes more sense than the Rams. Though the players on the team have been the downfall in recent years, at least they know how to handle a receiver such as T.O. Also, T.O. and Carson Palmer have been working out together during the offseason. Having the duel threat in T.O. and Ochocincho would be deadly combination that could propel the team past the first round of the playoffs.