Last week, numerous reports indicated the top two teams interested in free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens were the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. After the Ravens made a move last week to acquire Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals, it appears the Bengals are the only team interested in signing Owens at the moment.
Like the Bengals, the Ravens were in need of another big-name wide receiver for Joe Flacco to throw to. They traded their third and fourth-round picks in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft in exchange for Boldin and a fifth-round pick.
With this in mind, Cincinnati needs to make a move on Owens not only for the sake of improving their passing game, but to compete in the AFC North.
For the first time in franchise history, the Bengals swept the AFC North last season and won their first division title since 2005. After the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers clashed in the AFC Championship the previous season, many analysts expected one of them to win the division in 2009.
Instead, Cincinnati emerged as one of the top sleeper teams in 2009 on their way to the fourth seed in the AFC, thanks to a strong defense and a powerful running game led by Cedric Benson.
While the Bengals managed to stay consistent on defense and in the running game for most of last season, the passing game was an area opposing defenses used to their advantage.
Despite Chad Ochocinco being named to his sixth Pro Bowl, wide receivers Laveranues Coles—who was recently released—and Andre Caldwell failed to be an effective part of the passing game. Not to mention Palmer lost his top deep threat in Chris Henry after he fractured his arm against the Ravens in Week Nine.
The AFC North was considered one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL last season and was expected to be in 2010. Now that Boldin is with the Ravens, it’s safe to say the division will be even more competitive next season than originally expected.
If the Bengals want to repeat as AFC North champions, they will need to acquire a big name wide receiver either in free agency or the upcoming draft just to compete with the other teams within the division. Owens has proven to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL with the right quarterback throwing him the ball.
Palmer has proven to be an effective quarterback with the right weapons on offense. If Ochocinco and Owens line up by his side next season, there’s no telling what type of season Palmer would have.
The Bengals are in need of a big-name wide receiver and the potential suitors for Owens seem slim—especially now that the Ravens appear to be out of the running. All signs seem to point to Owens ending up in Cincinnati; now it’s just a matter of whether or not a signing that once appeared unimaginable to even consider actually happens.
Post a Comment