TO Feels That All of His Incentives Aren't Reachable

by Jason Garrison on Aug 4, 2010 9:00 PM EDT

Terrell Owens signed a year deal with the Bengals for $2 million and he has another $2 million in incentives written into his contract. If he makes his extra $2 million, it will mean that he'll have helped the Bengals offense greatly. TO isn't so convinced that he'll reach all of his milestones,though, especially the 100 catches during the season milestone. He thinks it's unrealistic even though it's for an extra $333,333.

"I know that's an unreachable goal," Owens told Bengals.com. "It is what it is. Malcontent? Check my statistics. I've had 100 catches one time in my career. One. So go figure."

The year that TO had 100 catches was in 2002 when he had exactly 100 catches from Jeff Garcia out in San Francisco. He racked up 1,300 yards that season (not quite a career high) and helped lead the 49ers to a division championship. They eventually lost, in the playoffs, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who would go on to win the Super Bowl.

I agree with TO that 100 catches in a season is a pretty tall order but I disagree that it can't be done. If there is a reason it can't be done then the reason should be that there are too many talented Bengals receivers, like Chad Ochocinco, Jordan Shipley, Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell and tight end Jermaine Gresham, to focus on TO enough to get him 100 catches.

Either way, TO isn't really worried about the money. He's doesn't feel that the Bengals may have given him an unfair incentive in his contract. TO says he's just concerned about one thing and that isn't money. It's winning.

"I definitely took a pay cut to grasp the opportunity to win a Super Bowl," Owens said. "Like I said I know I'm worth more than what I'm being paid. But I'm here playing with my good friend Chad [Ochocinco] and playing with a team that definitely has an opportunity to win the Super Bowl."

Good answer. I don't really remember why I ever disliked the guy.

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I'd love for him to reach them all

Because that would mean the Bengals would be winning big time.

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Aug 4, 2010 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

TO also knows

It’s almost a lock for him and Chad to have some sort of commerical deal. How can it not? This story of him joining sent shockwaves through the NFL. Advertisers tend to pick up on hot topics. <<McDonalds???

I hear there is money in such work.

2010 - The Year of the Tiger.

by UpStateMike on Aug 5, 2010 5:34 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder if he thought of that dimension. He hasn’t been big-time marketable in awhile because of his attitude issues. He and Chad together can make millions in endorsements if they partnered up, assuming our team starts out strong.

On another note, am I the only one who thinks TO is not worth more than he is being paid? He had a not so great season last year and has shown he is at least on a bit of a decline. I still think he is our best option but he isn’t a top-5 receiver anymore. His answer was fine, but it still hints at that sense of entitlement he has carried around the majority of his career.

by Jcon77 on Aug 5, 2010 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, you are on an island

TO did not have a decline last year. He averaged 15.5 yds a catch or something like that on an offense with crazy legs Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball. Their O line was swiss cheese.

by whodeyfans on Aug 5, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, thanks

His per catch yardage was right where it has always been. Absolutely a fact. His offensive system was horrible. Thats a given. What I was trying to point out is that a number of reports I read indicated teams who looked at him saw a noticeable decline in burst and speed in his route running. To say a 36 year old receiver is in decline, even one as in shape and fundamentally sound as Owens, is not being on an island. I don’t think he will have a bad year nor am I saying he is over the hill. I was just pointing out that overall statistically, he did not have a great year. He may yet still be a top 10 receiver, but really I think he is the second best on this team.

by Jcon77 on Aug 5, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

You want fries with that?

I honestly can’t believe Chad has never appeared in a McDonald’s commercial before. Given his love for it, how much he eats it, and the fact that people know that about him, it really surprises me that the company didn’t jump at the opportunity. Though I guess he isn’t really liked much outside of Cincinnati.

by MrMcLargeHuge on Aug 5, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Not trying to be a jerk

But that headline is rather misleading. Makes it sound like TO expects to fall short of ALL his incentive clauses.

by Todd G on Aug 5, 2010 7:54 AM EDT reply actions

Your Team Actually Gave T.O. and Incentive to Cry for the Ball More?

Oh man, your front office doesn’t know what they got into. The biggest knock on Owens is that he blames the QB, offensive coordinator, head coach, etc. when he doesn’t get a ton of touches a game and his attitude destroys locker-rooms. And your front office gave him a $300,000 incentive to behave that way?

As a Dallas fan, I’m amazed. I can’t believe a GM in this leauge would actually do that for this player.

I hope you guys don’t get into any losing streaks where Owens isn’t getting his balls, because it could cascade quickly. See: Dallas Cowboys 2008 season.

by Blue Eyed Devil on Aug 5, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Roy Williams?

by Jcon77 on Aug 5, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

so you missed the whole point of the article where he points out that he knows the incentive was unreachable. you don’t sign on as a #3 and expect 100 catches.

by Cry on Aug 5, 2010 2:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs