PFT (and Newsday): Lewis "Had More Reservations" About Terrell Owens Signing: Peter King Disagrees

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 29, 2010 4:19 PM EDT in Analysis

A recent report suggests that head coach Marvin Lewis is "not entirely on board" with the recent signing of Terrell Owens. To be honest, I was hesitant to post something like this -- it seems more like tabloid journalism. I know what you're saying. "But you just wrote on a report that Lewis wasn't happy with Andre Smith's rehab." Boom. You're right. However, quite frankly, Lewis' frustration with Smith is somewhat expected and I'd be surprised if we heard nothing on the subject anyway.

Anyway, Newsday's Bob Glauber, through PFT, writes that Lewis "had more reservations" regarding the Bengals signing of wide receiver Terrell Owens.

"He's got big concerns," a source with "direct knowledge" of Lewis' mindset told Glauber. "T.O. is more than just a receiver, and Marvin is aware of the potential for problems."

Gregg Rosenthal surmises that "with Lewis' contract situation up in the air, we wonder if this will serve as another grating reminder of his limited personnel power." That, I can't dispute. Lewis' lack of power surfaced in 2008 when many believed that Lewis wasn't on board with Mike Brown's decision to bring Chris Henry back and Lewis had little input on the matter.

Either way, it's understandable why Lewis would be hesitant with Owens. The team has worked hard putting together a solid chemistry of mature players, which was shown last year during various tragedies, and the potential of splitting that up has to weigh on Lewis. We're not exactly saying that Owens will blow anything up, but you have to admit, the handgun is cocked and many are wondering if that hammer will fall. Until then, it's not good to wonder about such things out of our control. Owens will be a wide receiver and the Bengals passing game will benefit from it.

UPDATE: Peter King responds, tweeting (it's frickin' Twitter world now): "Just spent 70 minutes with Lewis. I'd heartily disagree."

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Via Twitter:
SI_PeterKing: RT @ProFootballTalk: Report: Lewis not “entirely on board” with Owens addition … Just spent 70 minutes with Lewis. I’d heartily disagree.

by JamesShively on Jul 29, 2010 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

was just gonna say that

i’d trust the guy who has decades of football experience, hates the bengals anyway, and is on site vs. anyone from PFT. even if it is rosenthall (who i like better than any other)

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Jul 29, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

RE:

FYI. PFT only relayed what was said on Newsday.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 29, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Glauber

is a has been hack. Bottom line is that TO makes the Bengals better at the receiver position. Who is a proven guy after Chad and Bryant? Marvin knows the answer and so does Peter King.

by Tommyboy45 on Jul 29, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

PFT becomes more and more of a joke

They just post this made up crap in order to get hits on the site. I give them credit for that working but they are terrible journalists

by Diesel2405 on Jul 29, 2010 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

I couldn't agree

more about PFT, they are horrible! Posts concerning Bryant’s knee and him headed to the PUP list were total fabrications, they tend to just make shit up.

by Tommyboy45 on Jul 29, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

They tend to present speculation as fact in the hope of being ‘first’ at a big story.

Anymore they are like the boy who cried wolf—difficult to believe anything they say.

by goffchile on Jul 29, 2010 4:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

"Bat-Boy signs with the Raiders!"

PFT is the Weekly World News of sports media. Why do you guys even give them a glance. Even if you see a juicy headline, wait for a credible source to pick up on it. Circus freaks. Carnies. Gypsy Carpenters.

2010 - The Year of the Tiger.

by UpStateMike on Jul 29, 2010 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

I go there for the comments of course.

That place gives me a good laugh everyday

by Diesel2405 on Jul 29, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

This might be the comment...

that implied reservations:
“Lewis said his only concern in this addition was if it would “retard” the growth of his younger receivers. His offensive coaches helped convince him that Owens could help those younger receivers become better receivers by his on-field and practice work ethic."
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/07/28/marvin-lewis-thinks-he-can-manage-owens-ochocinco/

by carsick on Jul 29, 2010 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

someone who would have made the team...

…Is not going to now. That’s the only reservation I have. But it is true that owens pt will also cut into caldwell’s and shipley’s.

by goffchile on Jul 29, 2010 7:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

see, i have that same reservation, but then i think if they bring in t.o. and he replaces somebody, isn’t that because the coaches believe he makes the team and position better? it’s a bit of a dilemma.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Jul 29, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it takes some of the pressure off of Shipley

He gets a chance to learn from 3 pretty experienced hard working WRs. I still expect him to contribute but playing the slot and the short middle of the field stuff is different in the NFL and Shipley will now get a chance to better prepare himself for his role in the future. I have said before that the only reservation I have is that we will lose a WR with potential, but WRs with potential are not rare animals. If TO helps us go deeper in the POs then it is worth the cost. If he doesn’t then Marvin’s concerns are confirmed.

I also think it is possible that if Marvin was over ruled here by MB it won’t make him more likely to renew his contract as that seems to be an issue.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jul 30, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions