It wasn’t hard, but Owens improves Bills’ passing scoring threat

By Anthony Bialy  |   Friday, March 13, 2009  |  Comments( 140 )

Buffalo Bills
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The Buffalo Bills’ receivers scored more than Terrell Owens did last season. Of course, their team figure of 14 doesn’t exactly impress, especially when matched against a single player; also, it took 10 Bills to obtain that meager total, including defensive end Ryan Denney and his devious special teams end zone trip in Week 1. Owens at least brings along a knack for generating cold numbers, even if he personally incites a chilly reaction.

On paper, Owens has always looked, and still looks, fantastic. He’s compiled 139 career touchdowns, tied for fourth all time with LaDainian Tomlinson; the list of players with more receiving scores is 1) Jerry Rice. That is all. He’s crossed the double-digit touchdowns threshold during eight seasons over his career, including obtaining 10 in the last one. Further, Owens reached a career high of 15 only two years ago, indicating that he’s still productive entering his 14th season.

On the other hand is Buffalo, which only racked up 35 touchdowns of any kind during 2008. That includes a mere three from No. 1 wideout Lee Evans, an amount which remarkably made him the team leader in scoring catches. Getting precious few points from receptions is partially why the Bills averaged a puny 21 points per game, good for only 23rd in the NFL.

That works out to 336 points over the season; meanwhile, Owens scored or set up his kicker for a total of 70 points on his own, more than 20 percent of Buffalo’s total. He’s already a huge component of his new team’s scoring offense, but the fear is what he brings besides points.

Of course, the tradeoff with Owens is his well-established potential for turmoil, including his attention-hogging gestures in the immediate aftermath of many of those aforementioned scores. On top of that, it would be far more impressive if he could just add tallies without giving himself an obnoxiously self-aggrandizing title like “Touchdowns Only.” Why couldn’t the universe have blessed us by having the person responsible for determining his Christian name assign him a non-T one?

Unfortunately, football isn’t played in a vacuum and a fantasy superstar isn’t necessarily an asset in reality. Owens gets touchdowns, but it’s often while carrying baggage. On the other hand, there’s not much potential for ego conflicts when it comes to scoring on this team: Based on last season’s unimpressive air game, it’s not like Owens’ teammates can argue he’s taking away their points.

The sad positive is that Owens joined a team where he can basically only add to the scoring total. Buffalo’s distressing inability to find players who can either catch a pass in the end zone or run one there has been beyond troubling. But it’s something their new guy is equipped to do. Plus, it’s not as if they’re creating something negative with one of his positives: Owens will increase the amount instead of merely being the beneficiary of the amount getting redistributed.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (140)

About Anthony Bialy

I'm just here to submit columns.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 140  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
bflobob8		10:17 AM
03/13/2009
It's being reported thet the Bills and Fat Bastard aren't even close in negotiations. Who was it that said Peters wants to be the...
Avatar
No.2
ba bye		10:38 AM
03/13/2009
I think Gene and Dough Boy are heading for their "undisclosed location" again. My, my...can you sense the approaching hurricane...
Avatar
No.3
flda-dennis		10:47 AM
03/13/2009
Anybody see the Hitler/TO thing on youtube. Pretty funny stuff. I think the Bills are going down the same path with Peters as...
Team News  |  View All Bills Content
Manning to the Bills?
Why not? Now that the Colts have rid themselves of the Polian family,...
3 weeks, 1 day ago   |   Manning to the Bills? ( 258 )
Nix needs to fix the Bills p...
In 2010, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey were banking on Aaron Schobel to tr...
3 weeks, 3 days ago   |   Nix needs to fix the Bills pass rushing problems ( 28 )
Stop the Revolving Door!
Wade Phillips, current Texans D- Coordinator - Playoffs. Mike Mularkey...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Stop the Revolving Door! ( 191 )
Is a Bills Succession Plan g...
In the wake of talks from NFL experts stating that there are going to...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Is a Bills Succession Plan going to take effect in 2012? ( 89 )
Bills 1st half results
Last year after 8 games, the Bills were a miserable 0-8. This year aft...
3 months ago   |   Bills 1st half results ( 625 )