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In one of the more surprising moves this offseason, the Buffalo Bills signed enigmatic receiver Terrell Owens to a one-year, $6.5 million contract today. On one hand, this acquisition makes sense for Buffalo. They need the offensive weaponry. The Bills’ offense the past two seasons has been anemic. They were 30th in total offense two years ago and only improved to 25th in total offense last season. And quarterback Trent Edwards’ first two seasons — while showing flashes of brilliance — were nothing that would make me think he’s on the same path as, let’s say, youngsters like Baltimore’s Joe Flacco or Atlanta’s Matt Ryan. So, they need all the help they can get, even with ample offensive talent in players like receivers Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish, running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson and Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters. And I really like some of Buffalo’s younger receivers — James Hardy, Steve Johnson and tight end Derek Fine. In one possible scenario, Terrell will demand double-team attention and allow his teammates to potentially thrive. But that’s not his style. He’ll demand the ball and the glory.

All that being said, I think this signing is a form of desperation (is it really about ticket sales?) and I don’t think it’s a good fit. Terrell has earned — really earned — a poor reputation as the malcontent diva nobody wanted. And I think this deal got done so quickly because the Buffalo Bills were the only team that wanted T.O. Sure, agent Drew Rosenhaus will tell you other teams were interested in Terrell’s services, but I have to believe Orchard Park, NY would’ve been at the bottom of Terrell’s list of places he’d like to play football. (I guess this is one of the few places T.O. hasn’t burned a bridge with a former coach or owner.) So, I don’t think he had many — if any — other options.

In Buffalo, I think T.O. is in a perfect position to “bully” his quarterback and head coach — something he has become known for. Trent will be entering only his second full season as the Bills’ starting quarterback and he will, most likely, be at the receiving end of many a T.O. rant. And head coach Dick Jauron is one of the more mild-mannered head coaches in the NFL. T.O. will have a license to run his mouth and could destroy any hopes this team had of developing a solid chemistry and making a long overdue postseason run.

Source: BuffaloBills.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Buffalo Bills Sign Terrell Owens

The Buffalo Bills were on a bye this weekend and the players were probably home watching football or outside enjoying the absolutely stunning fall weather here in Western New York. But the front office folks might still be working hard at dealing for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez before the National Football League’s Tuesday trade deadline.

Not to read too much into this, but as of 9:38 p.m. ET, running back Fred Jackson is not on the BuffaloBills.com roster or depth chart. What gives? Is the Bills webmaster getting a head start on a trade that Fred Jackson will be a part of? Or was it an honest mistake from the official Web site redesign? This past week, the Bills unveiled a new look and improved functionality on BuffaloBills.com. In a league-wide effort to enhance Web site content and user navigation, the Bills are the first NFL club to launch the new platform while the remaining 31 teams will follow periodically over the next three years. I actually liked the old site better. Anyway, new Web site, new tight end?

Source: BuffaloBills.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Gonzalez to Buffalo Bills?

Sitting in the press box and watching the Miami Dolphins getting pummeled by the Buffalo Bills this afternoon, I almost felt sorry for them. A handful of players seemed to have their heart in what they were doing, but for the most part, it looks like the Dolphins have called it a season — a very sad season from a proud and historically successful franchise. I’d cut them some slack with the host of injuries they’ve suffered lately, but no team can compete with the Buffalo Bills when it comes to bad luck there. And yet head coach Dick Jauron and the Bills have emerged as (still) a playoff contender heading into week 15. Coach Jauron earned his 50th career win today in the 38-17 victory. A Cleveland win over the N.Y. Jets keeps the Bills one game back of the Browns for that final AFC Wild Card spot, but these two teams meet next weekend in Cleveland to see who gets the upper hand heading into the final couple weeks of the 2007 season.

Rookie QB Trent Edwards didn’t have his typically high completion percentage today (he was 11 of 23), but he did throw four TDs (easily a career high) and didn’t commit any turnovers. The running game is what spearheaded this victory. Fred Jackson had 115 yards on 15 carries and Marshawn Lynch, back from a high ankle injury, added 107 yards on 23 carries. The Bills suddenly have a two-headed monster in their backfield and in the cold of December, there’s nothing they’d rather have. Both Fred and Marshawn impress me with their toughness and bruising running style. They’re both built about the same (Fred’s a bit taller) and take a battering ram approach to their workday.

The Buffalo Bills are not playing perfect football. But they play hard. They play with desire and heart. And I see a good young football team developing into what should be a great young football team in 2008. Getting the playoff-race experience this season, I believe, will pay huge dividends next. As for the Dolphins, I don’t think they’ll win a game this season. An 0-16 record is just a Ravens, Patriots and Bengals loss away. I’m sure a complete overhaul will begin in January.

Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dick Jauron Gets 50th Win as Bills Roll, Miami Dolphins Drop to 0-13 After Loss

Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch will begin testing his injured ankle in practice tomorrow, but I have to believe the Bills are in no hurry to bring him back for two reasons:

• Backup RB Fred Jackson – Fred carried the ball 16 times for 82 yards against the Redskins last weekend. He also caught four passes for 69 yards in that game. Enough said.
• The next opponent – The Miami Dolphins are 0-12. The Dolphins have played some decent football. They’ve lost a bunch of games by three points and they played the Bills tough last month in Miami. They’re actually one of the NFL’s best defenses against the pass, but they’re dead last against the run. I’m not rushing (no pun intended) one of my best players back against the league’s worst team, even if every game is a must-win at this point. I’ll hand the ball to the aforementioned Mr. Jackson 30 times.

Marshawn is the future of this team on offense and one of the Bills’ best players. But Fred is running the ball well right now, so I let him have at it. He has fresh legs. I get Marshawn into the game only if absolutely necessary. The work that Fred is getting now will pay dividends down the road. Every successful NFL team needs at least two high-quality running backs. I believe the Bills have that now.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Fred Jackson Gives Bills Depth at RB, Marshawn Lynch Expected to Practice