There are several reasons why the Cincinnati Bengals would be interested in Terrell Owens. Ranging from having a backup plan to Antonio Bryant's knee to just having a trio of badass receivers to dominate the AFC North. Either way, when you look at the current crop of Bengals receivers, one thing stands out; even though there's plenty of upside and potential as a group, these guys are largely unproven and inexperienced. If you combine all ten of the team's receivers on the roster, they've recorded 2,134 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns as a unit. This isn't necessarily a damaging thing, considering that two receivers are rookies, one receiver was out in 2009 and two others spent time on the team's practice squad.

Here's the breakdown for our receivers in 2009.

Span that out over the course of their respective careers, and the Bengals have three receivers with over 100 receptions, 1,000 yards receiving and ten touchdowns.

It's an incomplete graphic, for sure. The Bengals are likely going to be incorporating two rookies into the team's offense with Shipley and Jermaine Gresham (not that he's a receiver or anything); provided Dezmon Briscoe doesn't disappoint during training camp and the preseason, he could in a position to make the squad as well. Simpson, a disappointing figure from the 2008 NFL Draft, has made enough noise during offseason practices to be a factor. While the upside for all receivers is huge, the inexperience is also glaring and big -- with that in mind, wouldn't Matt Jones have an advantage based on his experience alone?

So with the uncertainly surrounding Bryant's knee and Caldwell hardly being considered a number two receiver, it makes too much sense for the Bengals to go out and sign Terrell Owens, if for anything, an insurance policy.