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Ira Kaufman
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Posted Mar 5, 2009 by Ira Kaufman
Updated Mar 5, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Don’t even think about it.
The sudden availability of Terrell Owens on the open market may be intriguing for several NFL teams, but Tampa is no place to land for the mercurial wide receiver.
Let’s remember, Owens is 35 and the Bucs have embarked on a massive rebuilding plan designed to keep the franchise competitive over a long period of time. Tampa Bay GM Mark Dominik has made tough decisions in an effort to forge a younger roster and provide opportunities for inexperienced players to show they can be quality starters.
Signing Owens would make a PR splash and trigger a mad dash to Tampa for ESPN crews, but it makes little football sense. Owens is well past his prime and the Bucs would be making a huge mistake by deviating from their game plan.
Tampa Bay fans have to swallow hard in 2009 and realize this club is building toward the future. That doesn’t mean Dominik and Coach Raheem Morris are expecting to go 5-11, but Owens needs to play for a team that can compete for a championship.
Meanwhile, the Bucs need to address some serious issues on defense, where the loss of Phillip Buchanon creates another glaring void. New defensive coordinator Jim Bates is wondering when his needs will be addressed.
The Bucs should resist any temptation to pursue Owens and stay on point. The future isn’t now - they proved that by releasing five prominent veterans last week.
Besides, can you imagine the burden on Tampa Bay’s coaching staff trying to keep Owens, Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow happy?
Don’t even think about it.
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Reader Comments
Por (Joe) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
I think the Chiefs will make a play for him.Probably a one year deal. It was Scott Pioli that did the deal with Moss when he was the G.M. for the Pats.
Suggest removalPor (JK) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
That’s not what Coach Morris said at their news conference on black Wed. He said the Bucs would be competing for championships in year one and beyond.
Suggest removalPor (bucfan4life) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
everyone is a bad fit fot the bucs by the looks of it…..
Suggest removalPor (:PapaJohn) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
TO should go to Oakland where he where losers and thugs go to be never heard from again.
Only a senile owner would be so crazy to sign him that jacka—.
Suggest removalPor (Joe) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Also, I read a couple of weeks ago that T.O. was going to have tv cameras following him around throughout the offseason. Some kind of reality show I guess. Don’t think that would sit well with the Bucs organization.His ego has surpassed his ball skills!
Suggest removalPor (ref813) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Joe, Haley was O coordinator for Dallas when Owens got there. He doesn’t want him. I don’t want him on our team. The Raiders are probably the only option. I can’t see TN taking him. The only thing I would dislike more than signing Owens would be trading anything for V. Young. He’s a bigger Vick. Neither can throw.
Suggest removalPor (Jay Molina) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
The dismantling of the Tampa defense continues. Let’s not make it worse by bringing in this cancer that has been unhappy at every stop in his career and has thrown every one of his quarterbacks under the bus. It doesn’t matter what Morris said at his bubbly news conference. The facts say that this team is in complete rebuilding mode and we should not expect more than 6 wins next year.
Suggest removalPor (Joe) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
ref813…nice point! I hadn’t considered that.
Suggest removalPor (Austin F) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Forget Owens. Focus on Holt, hands down the best receiver that anyone could have hoped to attain this free agency.
Suggest removalPor (B. L. Zeebub) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Writer should have heeded the advice of the first line of this article:
“Don’t even think about it.”
Why do we even need to ask this question? Any team signing TO risks alienating 50% of its fans and wrecking the locker room… Should not even be mentioned.
Suggest removalPor (Larry Williams) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
ONE WORD…..CHEMISTRY
Suggest removal**JUST SAY NO TO T.O.**
Por (Ray Peters) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Aw come on. The Bucs aren’t going to win anyway. Bring in TO so we can at least have some national TV coverage. The Bucs will be in LA in a couple of years anyway so lets have some fun!
Suggest removalPor (Jim Kinzer) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
I’m like the little old hamburger woman, “Where’s DA Beef”! If Bates don’t stop losing players and start getting some players, he may jump the sinking Pirate Ship!
Suggest removalPor (wayne james) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Bring T.O. to tampa r u kidding me we have never had an off.player of his talent in tampa.ya i know he is a ego problem. every team he has been on has made the playoffs went to super bowl with philly on 1 leg .i dont care what he does off field .when he is on field he is top 5 wr in nfl at his age
Suggest removalPor (Todd) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
THEY HAD PLENTY OF CHANCES TO GET DEALS DONE TO BUILD TOWARD OUR FUTURE IN FA AND HAVEN’T DONE SQWAT !!!!!! BESIDES PICKING UP ANOTHER RB THAT WE NEEDED. THREE STRAIGHT DAYS AND HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING EXCEPT PICK UP A PK…LOL WHAT A FREAKING JOKE !!!
Suggest removalWHAT WE NEED IS NEW OWNERS THAT LOVES THE BUCS AS MUCH AS WE DO. AN ACTUAL BUCS FAN SHOULD OWN THIS TEAM.
Por (Scott Fink) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
I think you are right on target. The hard decisions are being made everyday…new coach, younger players….T.O. is heading down the road…we need guys coming up.
Suggest removalPor (GloboBall) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Is any top rate free agent a good fit for the Buccaneers?!?
I sure would like to see something of the Derrick Ward caliber signing on the defensive side.
At the risk of jumping on the band wagon, I’d even celebrate a Tank Johnson signing. At this point that’s a no brainer. Isn’t it?!?
Hell, I’d even go get those Ravens CB’s, Ivy and McAllister.
Suggest removalPor (cval) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Ditto on NO-T.O. But, maybe we could trade our 1st and 3rd picks for a slew of 5th rounders so we can give plenty of opportunity to “young and inexperienced players.” What hogwash. (Please note the sarcasm)
Suggest removalPor (greg) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
NO NO to a TO! Torry Holt is getting up there in age and has lost some steps as well, but can catch the football still. But, our need is on Defense at the moment, DL and CB. Sign Tank Johnson Duminik and a CB. Then draft for a WR with 1st round pick. Or are you guys just focused on next years first round pick? If you are, you better play poor enough to draft McCoy, 4.6 speed and throws a great deep ball. If we win too many games we may have to take Tebow to placate Floridians!
Suggest removalPor (Jake) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Bring him on board…at least it will make losing both interesting and quite entertaining!
Suggest removalPor (Andrew) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Wouldn’t surprise me Joe. As long as he doesn’t sign with us. Dallas only let him go cause his ego won’t fit in their new stadium.
Suggest removalPor (Erik) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
To all T.O. haters I have 2 names and 2 words for you geniuses. Warren Sapp, Keyshawn Johnson=Super BOWL!! Oh that’s right, re-signing Hankton will help get us to the Superbowl,right? LOL.Go BUCS!!
Suggest removalPor (Erik) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Cortez Hankton=310 yds in 5 years or T. Owens, future hall of famer? What a joke. Hankton? That’s a whopping 62 YARDS A YEAR!! Back the truck up and pay this guy!! We should lock him up at $100 million over the next 5 years! The YUCK is BACK! Thanks Dominik!
Suggest removalPor (DaKidGottSkillz5) on March 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
ok yea we kno TO is a problem but i tell you what. if you want to draft a WR this year then you can say bye to drafting a QB. i say we sign TO so we can fill in the other WR and tell me this wont be nice. TO on the Left Bryant on the right and kellen Winslow at TE or slot!!!!! that WR core right there is sick and anyone that doesnt agree is crazy…!!!!! we sign him and then we can trade for a QB or Draft one. we got the running game checked but we missing a reciever who can stretch the field and To is that guy And plz holt is old hes not as good as TO and if you think so U got problems
Suggest removalPor (Roland) on March 06, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Ref813 if Vick = V. Young then does V. Young = Tim Tebow?
Suggest removalBTW nice posts lately.