Why yes Josh, I am a betting man and I am putting my chips on TO being in stripes on Thursday. According to Joe Reedy, an offer from the Bengals is officially on the table and a decision is expected to be announced within 48 hours..... you better tell Jake Gyllenhall because that's the day after tomorrow.
The Bengals have extended an offer to Owens, which is now the only one on the table after the Rams decided to back out. Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus like the Bengals situation and both sides are still negotiating. The team is hoping that a decision is made in the next 48 hours.
It seems to me that the Bengals could have just saved a lot of time and effort by ending this dance months ago when they had the chance to sign Owens then. However, the Bengals may get a better deal on Owens now that it seams that if the Bengals don't sign him, he just won't play unless he has to fill in for an injured receiver somewhere.
Does this mean that Antonio Bryant is already on the outs? It's hard to say but I find it hard to believe that the Bengals would be giving up on him so early. Maybe they like the idea of having an Ocho-Antonio-TO-trio on the field. If that doesn't make a defense defecate in their pants, I don't know what will.
Stay tuned for updates.
UPDATE (I said to stay tuned!!!): Joe Reedy tweets: There's a reason why the Rams pulled out of the TO bidding -- the asking price hasn't cone down. Now it will be seen if the price comes down for the opportunity to play for a contender and his best friend.