The Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Terrell Owens to a one year deal worth 6.5 million dollars. I can honestly say I didn’t see this one coming. The Bills are in need of a playmaker on offense and T.O. could be the answer. Owens, 35 was released by Dallas on Thursday after a year in which he single handily ruined the Cowboys locker room. He joins a Buffalo team that came flying out of the gate last year to to win five of its first six games only to stumble and lose eight of their next ten. A number of factors contributed to the teams nose dive and lack of offensive production. With T.O. in the fold the Bills are banking that he can take pressure off the running game and open up the aerial attack.
FANTASY IMPACT: Fantasy Brothers sleeper Trent Edwards was never able to regain his first half form after suffering a concussion in week five. Edwards tossed 5 tds and 2 ints through five games. (Week 6 was a bye and only 3 attempts in the week 5-injury game) Heading into week 8 he was considered a borderline QB1. Over the next 10 weeks Edwards played in 8 games and managed to toss only 6 tds compared to 8 ints. The drop off in production was felt by the entire teams overall offensive statistics. With Owens in the fold the Bills hope to build off of the early season success and keep teams honest with a more balenced attack. Coupling T.O. (last year #’s 69-1053-10) with a legitimate polished wide out like Lee Evans (63-1017-3) gives the Bills one of the best receiver tandems in the N FL. Lee Evans could be the biggest benefactor of the T.O. signing. For the first time in his career he won’t be double teamed nearly as much as he was in the past. With opposing defenses focusing on the wideouts it will ultimately open up the running game. Marshawn Lynch is facing a suspention by the league but has the upside and talent to be a borderline RB1 when given the touches. Fred Jackson is an explosive change of pace back who will produce solid numbers in Lynch’s absence. Wideouts Josh Reed, Roscoe Parish and second year man James Hardy will round out the group of receivers. Reed is a possession receiver who will be a perfect fit in the slot as the teams number three WR. Parrish thrives in the return game and has the speed to get behind the secondary adding a home run threat everytime he touches the ball. Hardy seems to be the odd man out and will most likely serve as the teams fifth receiver. The Bills offense has the potential to have several fantasy relevant players.