Post by scorpion42 on Mar 9, 2009 14:07:03 GMT -7
Terrell Owens will change things for the Bills in a variety of ways.
James P. McCoy / Buffalo News
Updated: 03/09/09 08:24 AM
Owens’ impact on Bills is beyond the field
Media attention will intensify for Bills
By Allen Wilson
NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
After a few unheralded signings, the Bills made the biggest splash of the NFL free agent season by signing wide receiver Terrell Owens.
T. O. in Buffalo. The thought of that is still hard to believe.
The NFL is still abuzz over the news, which was the lead story on ESPN’s SportsCenter and several other national media outlets. The move has been questioned by some and applauded by others.
But make no mistake, Owens is the biggest offseason acquisition the Bills have made since the 2002 draft-day trade that brought quarterback Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo. There are no plans for a pep rally outside Ralph Wilson Stadium this time around, but Owens is sure to generate just as much hype as Bledsoe did, if not more.
Owens’ presence will be felt throughout the Bills’ organization on and off the field. Here are some areas where his impact will be greatest:
Offense
The Bills finished 25th in the NFL in total offense and 22nd in passing last year. It’s no wonder they wanted him.
The Bills had 26 touchdown passes the last two years, 15 of which went to wide receivers. Owens averaged 13 touchdown catches along with 78 receptions and 1,196 yards in three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
The main beneficiaries of Owens’ arrival are quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver Lee Evans.
The Bills realized that for Edwards to fully reach his potential they had to surround him with more weapons. Owens has been one of the NFL’s most dominant receiving weapons the past 10 years. He does butt heads with his quarterbacks on occasion, but given his numbers in his first year in Philadelphia and Dallas you can’t argue that Owens did not help make Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo better.
“He has tremendous upside,” Owens said of Edwards. “He’s an accurate passer. One of the things I asked my receiver coach [Tyke Tolbert] is how many times was he sacked this year. [Edwards was sacked 23 times.] With that being said he’s getting protection, and if he’s getting protection we’re going to get open.”
Evans’ speed and big-play ability made him a constant target of double coverage. Owens may require more defensive attention because he is a bigger, more physical receiver.
Evans was dangerous enough without much help. Imagine how lethal he’ll be with Owens.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to have a threat on the other side as I’m sure [Evans will] be excited as well,”
Owens said.
There is a down side to Owens. He’ll be 36 in December, and while he has been remarkably durable throughout his 13- year career, staying healthy at his age is a greater concern.
He also was second in the NFL last year with 33 dropped passes, according to New Orleans coach Sean Payton, who went on a radio station to tell Saints fans his team wouldn’t be interested in Owens. And of course, we all know about his penchant for calling out teammates — especially quarterbacks — and coaches.
But as long as Edwards gets T. O. the ball regularly and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert keeps him involved in the offense, the Bills could have a happy and productive camper.
Media attention
The Bills have played in prime time only three times in the last two seasons. That may be about to change.
The NFL schedule comes out in early April, but the Bills will likely see an increase of Sunday and Monday night games as well as late Sunday afternoon contests because of Owens’ star power.
That means more national exposure for the team and a bigger platform for its star players to showcase their talents in front of a broader audience.
In addition to the local media that covers the team on a regular basis, the Bills can expect more frequent visits from ESPN, NFL Network, nationally known writers and reporters from newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.
Marketing
It was no coincidence that Marc Honan, the Bills’ senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, and Pete Guelli, senior VP of business ventures, attended Owens’ news conference on Saturday.
They may have been the happiest men in the room. Their job is to sell the Bills’ product to fans and advertisers. Before Owens was signed, there wasn’t much to sell.
With an unpopular coach and nine straight non-playoff seasons, the Bills needed to make a splash by signing a big-name player. There aren’t many bigger names in the NFL than Owens, who will likely help generate ticket sales and sponsorship dollars.
The Bills’ games in Toronto will now have more sizzle with T. O. coming to TO.
That smile on the face of Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon had as much to do with what Owens could do for the team at the turnstiles as it did for what he’s expected to do on the field.
Local party scene
Owens loves being the center of attention and the life of the party. That is part of the reason he throws himself an exclusive birthday party every year that attracts some of the biggest celebrities from sports, music, movies and television.
Will Buffalo be the site of his next bash? Will the stars travel from Hollywood to Western New York in December, given the area’s unpredictable winters?
The first thing is finding a place big enough to hold such an event. The Buffalo Convention Center is one possibility.
Of course, if Owens prefers a bigger, more cosmopolitan city he may take his party north of the border to Toronto.
Owens doesn’t just throw the party so people can pay homage to him. It’s also a charity event to raise money for kids and needy families through his Catch A Dream Foundation.
awilson@buffnews.com
James P. McCoy / Buffalo News
Updated: 03/09/09 08:24 AM
Owens’ impact on Bills is beyond the field
Media attention will intensify for Bills
By Allen Wilson
NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
After a few unheralded signings, the Bills made the biggest splash of the NFL free agent season by signing wide receiver Terrell Owens.
T. O. in Buffalo. The thought of that is still hard to believe.
The NFL is still abuzz over the news, which was the lead story on ESPN’s SportsCenter and several other national media outlets. The move has been questioned by some and applauded by others.
But make no mistake, Owens is the biggest offseason acquisition the Bills have made since the 2002 draft-day trade that brought quarterback Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo. There are no plans for a pep rally outside Ralph Wilson Stadium this time around, but Owens is sure to generate just as much hype as Bledsoe did, if not more.
Owens’ presence will be felt throughout the Bills’ organization on and off the field. Here are some areas where his impact will be greatest:
Offense
The Bills finished 25th in the NFL in total offense and 22nd in passing last year. It’s no wonder they wanted him.
The Bills had 26 touchdown passes the last two years, 15 of which went to wide receivers. Owens averaged 13 touchdown catches along with 78 receptions and 1,196 yards in three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
The main beneficiaries of Owens’ arrival are quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver Lee Evans.
The Bills realized that for Edwards to fully reach his potential they had to surround him with more weapons. Owens has been one of the NFL’s most dominant receiving weapons the past 10 years. He does butt heads with his quarterbacks on occasion, but given his numbers in his first year in Philadelphia and Dallas you can’t argue that Owens did not help make Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo better.
“He has tremendous upside,” Owens said of Edwards. “He’s an accurate passer. One of the things I asked my receiver coach [Tyke Tolbert] is how many times was he sacked this year. [Edwards was sacked 23 times.] With that being said he’s getting protection, and if he’s getting protection we’re going to get open.”
Evans’ speed and big-play ability made him a constant target of double coverage. Owens may require more defensive attention because he is a bigger, more physical receiver.
Evans was dangerous enough without much help. Imagine how lethal he’ll be with Owens.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to have a threat on the other side as I’m sure [Evans will] be excited as well,”
Owens said.
There is a down side to Owens. He’ll be 36 in December, and while he has been remarkably durable throughout his 13- year career, staying healthy at his age is a greater concern.
He also was second in the NFL last year with 33 dropped passes, according to New Orleans coach Sean Payton, who went on a radio station to tell Saints fans his team wouldn’t be interested in Owens. And of course, we all know about his penchant for calling out teammates — especially quarterbacks — and coaches.
But as long as Edwards gets T. O. the ball regularly and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert keeps him involved in the offense, the Bills could have a happy and productive camper.
Media attention
The Bills have played in prime time only three times in the last two seasons. That may be about to change.
The NFL schedule comes out in early April, but the Bills will likely see an increase of Sunday and Monday night games as well as late Sunday afternoon contests because of Owens’ star power.
That means more national exposure for the team and a bigger platform for its star players to showcase their talents in front of a broader audience.
In addition to the local media that covers the team on a regular basis, the Bills can expect more frequent visits from ESPN, NFL Network, nationally known writers and reporters from newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.
Marketing
It was no coincidence that Marc Honan, the Bills’ senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, and Pete Guelli, senior VP of business ventures, attended Owens’ news conference on Saturday.
They may have been the happiest men in the room. Their job is to sell the Bills’ product to fans and advertisers. Before Owens was signed, there wasn’t much to sell.
With an unpopular coach and nine straight non-playoff seasons, the Bills needed to make a splash by signing a big-name player. There aren’t many bigger names in the NFL than Owens, who will likely help generate ticket sales and sponsorship dollars.
The Bills’ games in Toronto will now have more sizzle with T. O. coming to TO.
That smile on the face of Bills Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon had as much to do with what Owens could do for the team at the turnstiles as it did for what he’s expected to do on the field.
Local party scene
Owens loves being the center of attention and the life of the party. That is part of the reason he throws himself an exclusive birthday party every year that attracts some of the biggest celebrities from sports, music, movies and television.
Will Buffalo be the site of his next bash? Will the stars travel from Hollywood to Western New York in December, given the area’s unpredictable winters?
The first thing is finding a place big enough to hold such an event. The Buffalo Convention Center is one possibility.
Of course, if Owens prefers a bigger, more cosmopolitan city he may take his party north of the border to Toronto.
Owens doesn’t just throw the party so people can pay homage to him. It’s also a charity event to raise money for kids and needy families through his Catch A Dream Foundation.
awilson@buffnews.com