If you follow my column, you know that my last contribution featured a prediction that the Dominican Republic would triumph in the World Baseball Classic. The column was published one day after the Dominicans were embarrassed and eliminated by the Netherlands (Ouch!). Sure, I would love to talk about March Madness, but it’s not worth risking North Carolina being knocked out in the first round. I am going to take some time away from predicting and instead turn to someone we haven’t heard from in a while.

Late on March 7, Terrell Owens signed a one-year 6.5 million dollar contract with the Buffalo Bills. Owens, who is 35, is coming off of a 69 reception, 1002 yard, 12-touchdown season, and will be playing for his fourth team. Time with his first three teams did not necessarily have storybook endings. For example, in San Francisco, he became very frustrated with quarterback Jeff Garcia and asked to be traded. Shortly after, Owens was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had tough times with QB Donovan McNabb. It should be noted, however, that the Eagles did make it to the Super Bowl with Owens. He was then united with Tony Romo and the Cowboys. Because the Cowboys were like a soap opera, Jerry Jones released him after denying many times that he would not trade or release Owens. Now, Terrell Owens will be playing for at least one more year, with the Bills.

Now, with that bit of information out, I have to ask: Terrell Owens, why? Why Buffalo? I mean, when was the last time the Bills made headline news? When was the last time the city of Buffalo was even relevant? Why would you sign with a team that had a 7-9 record for the past 3 years, and hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999? Seriously, let’s look at this more closely. The offense is marginal and the defense is less than adequate. I am pretty sure there is no one on that team that could step up as a leader and guide the whole team to victory, including you, Terrell Owens.

Let’s look at this signing from a different perspective. The way I see this signing is that this is just a huge hostage situation in favor of Terrell Owens. I would be willing to bet that owner Ralph Wilson and Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon said to Owens, “Whatever you want, take it! Just take it! It’s all yours. Just play for us. You want the 6.5 million dollars? It’s yours. You want to wear 81 for a jersey number? Go right ahead. In fact if you want to wear Jim Kelly’s number 12, we would be more than happy to let you.” In fact, expect to hear Terrell Owens Stadium in the near future.

Get your popcorn ready, there is going to be a show next season! They may not be good, but they will be entertaining. Buffalo is back on the map.

Sources: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/

football/nfl/03/07/owens.bills.ap/index.html