PFT: Bengals Considered Deactivating Terrell Owens In Final Three Games Of The Season

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 19, 2010 10:17 PM EST in Analysis

Even though he left the game early in the first quarter with a torn meniscus in his left knee that will keep him out for the rest of the year, the Cincinnati Bengals had considered deactivating Terrell Owens for the final three games of the season, according to Pro Football Talk.

The move would not have been based on Owens’ controversial comments from the latest edition of The T.Ocho Show, but based on his attitude and performance in practice and games.

While things like this are hard to see and understand as fans watching on television with no access to practices, one doesn't have to look beyond Owens' history (see 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys specifically) to believe that this could be the case. Then again, some could simply make the connection that Owens' comments on the T.Ocho Show is the reason for his deactivation, and using his (lack of) "attitude" as the reasoning for deactivating him for the remaining three games.

Either way, Owens will not be with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.

Owens had a good year with the Bengals and at times throughout the season seemed like the only player stepping up for the offense. Yet, the cold hard fact is that Owens was one of 53 players that went 3-11 through 14 games this season.

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Comments

I wonder where he'll end up.

It seems like he’ll chase a ring. I’m just trying to think of a contender in need of a number 1 or 2 receiver.

"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428

by sexsalad on Dec 19, 2010 10:21 PM EST reply actions

They tend not to need one...

I mean, New England sure as hell won’t take him, I don’t see Art Rooney taking him though they’re in a pretty big need, the Jets won’t need him though he’d fit right in, the Ravens already have a Gentleman’s Club at receiver, the Chiefs and Chargers are distinct possibilities, as are the Rams and Jags.

Pretty much the playoff-hopeful this year that are likely to be one-and-done are pretty much the only clubs that need him.

Joe Reedy: "Supposedly Marvin could not find his flag to challenge the call. I am not kidding. #bengals"

by Doc Scratch on Dec 19, 2010 10:41 PM EST up reply actions

Houston Texans.

It could work…especially if they get Bill Cowher.

by ddbumpus on Dec 19, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

It would be awesome to see Andre Johnson and TO across from each other.

"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428

by sexsalad on Dec 20, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

you definitely seem to be on the TO bandwagon

and I’ll admit he performed on the field, which you’ve brought up many times. What is your honest evaluation of him though as a total player (including lockerroom presence, leadership, and other things)? I’m not trying to pick a fight here, but was wondering if you feel his on-the-field performance outweigh what his ostensible chemistry effects appear to be.

For example, this will be essentially the 4th team (5th if you include Buffalo, though I’m not very aware of any fallout he had with them) that has cut ties with him on a negative basis. Do you view this as coincidental, the fault of his teamates, owner, his driving passion to win which alienate those around him, or because of his own negative personality?

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Dec 20, 2010 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

He's a guy that I love watching on another team but I'm not sure about him as a Bengal.

I wouldn’t be sad at all if he left (I fully expect him to anyways.) He has great talent and he’s fun to watch. There’s no denying that at all. But you’re right, his personality isn’t really what you want out of a star.

My opinion on him is, like I said, that I love seeing him on a different team because of his talent but I’m still not sure about his overall presence and whether I want him on my team, if that makes sense.

One thing I do have to say for him (and Benson) is that even though he’s a pain in the ass sometimes in the locker room, you can tell he wants to win. The games where he played best was when he was trying to help pull the team back from a big deficit. He can be a whiner about it and that sucks, but at the very least you can say he has heart.

"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428

by sexsalad on Dec 20, 2010 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

He leads in a different way than other people do.

He’s the extreme version of a Jordan/Kobe style leader. He goes out and gives his all every game and he expects nothing less from his teammates. He’s never been the guy to go wrap his arms around a teammate and comfort them, but he’s the guy who expects a lot from them and he’ll be pissed if they don’t produce. The same thing can be said for guys like Michael Jordan.

I don’t see either way of leadership as better than the other, and I feel a team needs both. What I will say is that when you are so caught up in demanding the most from teammates that it starts locker room issues, it becomes a problem. TO crosses that line at some points and does become an issue for a team.

"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428

by sexsalad on Dec 20, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions

I'd say that's probably a fair assumption

personally, I was never really a fan of MJ or Kobe, though you can’t argue they weren’t/aren’t successful. I think the key with them was having mature enough and selfless teammates around them who were willing to take a backseat (i.e. Pippen, Harper, Fisher, Kerr, and surprisingly Artest/Gasol). And partly why they can get away with it is because they typically have the ball in their hands every possession while everyone else revolves around them. With recievers, they only get the ball a fraction of the time and cause tension when they complain or lobby themselves. Then you get mentally-weak QB’s being distracted and disgruntled RB’s and other recievers altering their game to try and get attention. I feel like everytime Palmer makes a bad play, he is worried about how TO/Chad will react, which drains him mentally throughout the game and leads to errant and stiff passes.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Dec 21, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

i could see Chargers taking him in

A.J. Green anyone?

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Dec 19, 2010 10:44 PM EST reply actions

Heck yes

We need A.J. Green, especially if T.O. leaves.

by STJ32 on Dec 19, 2010 10:48 PM EST reply actions

I would love to trade down

but that wont happen, so I would really like to get Green. We wont have any deep threat when TO is gone. Not to mention Ocho will be in his last year with the team. Green or Bowers are the only two players that warrent the 2nd overall pick that make sense. Unless of course the amazing GM decides not to bring back JJoe, then the pick should be Patrick Peterson.

by JCompton41 on Dec 19, 2010 10:54 PM EST reply actions

Well this is too bad.

The guy plays good football. I wish we could deactivate the fans who don’t see that. I wish we could bring him back next year. But he’s clearly soured on the organization now. Hey, sounds like a few hundred thousand people I know!

Whatever, he’s gone. Chad’s gone. Hopefully Carson’s gone. Maybe we’ll finally get an extended look at the human scapegoat, Jerome Simpson. Or maybe the team wants him to fail as well.

by Brian B on Dec 19, 2010 11:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions

As well as TO has played this year

and the numbers he’s put up, I have wondered how much effects his personality put on Palmer. For instance, why has Palmer consistently tried to force the ball into TO’s hands this year, often resulting in interceptions? Was he trying to appease TO, who as Cbyers would point out, in response to his punking? Granted, Pamer at this point in his career shouldn’t be affected by this, but as I’ve alluded to numerous times, he isn’t the strongest, mentally-wise. And I have the feeling TO, along with Chad all these years, was the wrong personality to match up with Palmer.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Dec 19, 2010 11:08 PM EST reply actions

RE:

I think their personalities were fine. But I can’t argue with you that maybe (just saying maybe, that’s all), Palmer could have felt pressured to keep feeding Owens the ball to the point of forcing it.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 19, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

If Palmer was forcing it by throwing to TO

maybe he should have forced it a lot more. Because the results were good when he made the connection.

But seriously, who tries to appease egos of wide receivers? That gripe is 100% fan speculation every time it comes up. If Carson is trying to force the ball to Owens, it’s because he’s the best receiver they have on the field. Not because of his ego.

by Brian B on Dec 19, 2010 11:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

You're right, I've never heard of TO having problems with any of his QBs,

teamates, coaches, or anyone in general before. And Chad has always been the consummate teamate.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Dec 20, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions

Wasn't it Palmer's idea to get TO

based on their California workouts? Palmer might have been liason between the team and TO and felt a little pressure to make TO happy to get the ball and the Org. happy with his numbers. Overall TO is still a great athlete but he was less than consistent, especially catching the ball, and can share the Blame on some of CPs turnovers.

"When you chart (the plays) and see where it broke down there was no common theme to it." - Bob Bratkowski

by featherman on Dec 20, 2010 7:23 AM EST up reply actions

Signing T.O. put the pressure back on Palmer's arm...

…and he can’t deliver. Injuries, whatever. Experiment over, move on.

Make it simple. Sign Benson and balance the offense better. You got Shipley and Gresham. You got Chad who is still regarded by defenses at least as a premier NFL receiver. It’s back to where the franchise was 12 months ago – you just need someone opposite Chad and that answer comes either in free agency and/or in the second round of the draft.

by wiseking on Dec 20, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

Just goes to show

Who was the former player that lit up Twitter about the way MIkey Boy runs things? (Anyone remember?) Because T.O. spoke up about the way the franchise is run, Mikey Boy was gonna deactivate him! Mikey Boy is a REAL piece of $#!T

"Shiny. Let's be bad guys."

by KentuckianaBrowncoat on Dec 19, 2010 11:34 PM EST reply actions

Meh I was over him by week 2

Offense looked (sounded) better without him.

by Throw the ball on Dec 20, 2010 12:07 AM EST reply actions

The record book will show...

…the won yesterday without him.

Thanks for the memories, T.O.

by wiseking on Dec 20, 2010 7:14 AM EST reply actions

They won, not the ...damn

by wiseking on Dec 20, 2010 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

First TJ, now TO

The team won yesterday against a pathetic Browns’ defense. The “Orange and Black” won it with their running game, behind good blocking. “Mikey Boy” doesn’t realize it yet, but the passing game will only get worse w/o Owens, unless the FO decides to squander our first and/or possibly second pick in the coming draft on WRs.

It’s a shame that there are so few leaders among the players on the Bengal roster, especially given the shortage of guidance provided by management and coaching, for this organization. Perhaps we don’t realize it either; but the fire and intensity that TO brought to this franchise, albeit for only a short time, along with his desire to play on a team that would bring it’s A-game to the field of play, every game, will be sorely missed. It will finally dawn on the average Bengals’ fan.

by Fair weather fan on Dec 20, 2010 9:33 AM EST reply actions

Respect to T.O.

The stats show he had a great season, but it was tapering off over the past few weeks. For all the excellent work T.O. put in, there were still plays that he gave up on which negated some or all of the good work. I suppose you judge him on the standards he set, and he was wayward, as was Chad for part of the season.

In the end, I don’t think the Bengals can deal with all the distractions that comes with T.O. and that’s why he’ll not be back – and his injury may not help his situation, either.

If the decision from the FO is to rebuild, then WR will be one of the first positions under scrutiny in order to find someone opposite Chad for 2011. In fairness, they have tried to retool through free agency with Coles and Bryant and got their fingers burned. That says as much about scouting as anything else. The only free agents who have responded for the Bengals have been street free agents – Benson, Adam Jones, Larry Johnson – the ones with the chip on the shoulder.

by wiseking on Dec 20, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions