Free agent wide receivers Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant will meet with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The team is in need of another big-name wide receiver to help improve last year's 26th ranked passing game.
Rumors of the Bengals interest in Owens have been swirling ever since Chad Ochocinco started campaigning for the six-time Pro Bowler during Super Bowl week. While the talks at first seemed to be nothing more than Ochocinco running his mouth for the fun of it, the rumors became more realistic last week after Cincinnati decided to terminate the contract of Laveranues Coles after just one season.
If Owens does end up signing with Cincinnati, the Bengals would immediately contain one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL for 2010. With one of the top running games and defenses in 2009, all the team needs is some improvement in their wide-receiving core to be considered favorites for winning their second straight AFC North title.
However, the one factor that could stand in the way of this happening is the price Owens may ask for. After signing a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills last season for $6.5 million, there’s a good chance Drew Rosenhaus—who is arguably one of the top agents in sports—and his client will ask for a hefty contract.
Bryant on the other hand is arguably one of the top unrestricted free agents left on the market and will be turning 29 on Tuesday—which could become a major factor for Cincinnati. The Bengals received heavy criticism for signing Coles to a four-year contract worth $28 million despite the fact he turned 32 in December. The fact that Bryant is seven years younger than Owens could play a major factor if the team has to decide between the two wide receivers.
It’s no secret the Bengals need help in the passing game. Imagine how much easier life would be for Carson Palmer if Owens or Bryant lines up alongside Ochocinco next season in Cincinnati.
First things first though; let’s hope everything goes well on Tuesday for the sake of the Bengals’ passing game.
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