Can Terrell Owens Save the Buffalo Bills?
September 8, 2009 by David Kindervater
Filed under Buffalo Bills
When you factor in the early camp arrival and Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend, the Buffalo Bills had more time to prepare for the 2009 regular season than any other team (ok, the Tennessee Titans did, too). But heading into this 2009 NFL Kickoff Weekend’s opening slate of games, they are one of the league’s most uncertain teams.
Within the past few days, Bills head coach Dick Jauron fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert and the team released their starting left tackle (Langston Walker)—two integral positions in the success of any offense. So with no time to test their suddenly new look offense in game mode, the team must rely merely on a week of practice to ready themselves for one of the toughest tests in the NFL—the New England Patriots in Foxborough. A division rival in front of a national TV audience. On Monday Night Football, no less.
Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press
On the surface, the removal of coach Schonert and Langston Walker smacks of desperation for a struggling offense that only managed six points in their final two preseason games. In due time we may see these moves take shape as sensible decisions. But I’m wondering if it will be too late? I believe coach Jauron is on very thin ice and a poor showing in September might just seal his and this team’s fate.
That brings the headline into play—Can Terrell Owens save the Buffalo Bills? With all the hype and all the hope of a city on his shoulders, Terrell has been nursing a sore toe for a month and has thus only played in one preseason game—hardly a proper introduction to his new teammates. Is he going to be able to step onto the field with a new left tackle (Demetrius Bell), new OC (Alex Van Pelt) and relatively new no-huddle offense and win a football game? There are more questions than answers in Buffalo right now.
Do you think it’s possible that the opening week schedule is rigged? By saying this; I mean Terrell Owens is one of the biggest faces in the NFL. He is with a new team, new reality show, track record of causing drama and riding on the shoulders of Buffalo (we have very high expectations I might add.) It seems to me this is just a ratings game, for television it makes sense that the first Monday Night Game be something that NFL fans and “new potential fans” would both watch. Ratings, Ratings, Ratings!! The first week is supposed to be some of the most watched football next to the super-bowl. Why not give the fans what they want and hopefully snag a new batch of viewers?
No doubt the prime time appeal is thanks to T.O. Plus the NFL will celebrate the 50th season of the American Football League this year. The MNF doubleheader on Kickoff Weekend will be part of the celebration–Buffalo @ New England (ESPN, 7 pm ET) and San Diego @ Oakland (ESPN, 10:15 pm ET). Throwbacks! Ratings! Sales!