Idea: T.O. to Baltimore?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

TO turned us down years ago so he could go the philly and get them into the NFC championship game. He's been controversial to say the least, at every stop hes made but there is no denying his talent and production. I think if any team can handle the ego and convince him to adopt a team first mentality its the ravens. i just think the aura that surrounds this team could change anyone into a role-model and with guys like ray lewis, mason, and boldin to put him in line or to show him he's not the best even on this team, i think for once he could concentrate on football, and only football.

he's always been a hard-worker, but his age and ego have left him without a team and for the most part without an offer. the longer this goes on the more his price tag will drop. im beginning to think a team could land him for a 1 yr 2 mill. or less type contract (whether he'll admit it or not) and for that price i think its a no brainer. even though we've solidified our corps i think itd be stupid to pass up a shot at him as we have the team to win now, and his on-field skills would make us better. the only question is would the off-field stuff make the team suffer.

I'd like to see him here if the price is low enough, and the committment is minimal. What do you think??

[theFRANCHISE]

Owens has been hampered by injuries the past few seasons that have impacted his production. Factor in his age and his ego and he's not that attractive of a prospect, even with a minimally-priced contract.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, so the whole concept of having a veteran like Ray Lewis keep him in check is a moot point.

[Guest maryland1]

NO! Don't need his attitude or drama. Pass.

[T-ray]

I don't even think the Browns or the Raiders who need the recievers bad would let him on the team, because he just destroys, or attempts to at least, a team's chemistry. I used to hold him in high regards, but the first bad mistake he made that caused my opinion to drop was turning us down. When he taunted us when we played them, it made me dislike him. The only good thing about him is the fact that he's never been caught with drugs or in fights that have caused him to be suspended, and also his conditioning. However, I'm convinced, not only through my dispisement of him, but also through our reciever depth (mostly young guns too) that we don't need the risk.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

fine, ill sacrifice the verteran-in-check point. how about the ego blow that NO ONE has been interested enough to even offer him an invite to OTA's? thatll make anyone consider a change. I'm not saying we sign the guy, but could a camp invite hurt??? i mean he didnt light things up last year, but with no QB, a non-existent O-line and not one other reciever worth mentioning he put up respectable numbers and was completely quiet other than stating the obvious that he needed help.

im not going to argue with those that dont want him as i completely understand and im not exactly sold on the idea and he blew us off before, but i thought it was a conversation worth starting as we showed interest last year around the trade deadline and were interested before landing boldin. I could see them inviting him if it were for pennies on the dollar and with no committment to keep him if he didnt impress. Hey even throw in a bunch of contract stipulations that his behavior has to stay in check... one disagreeable press conference and hes out! dude wants to win, and he knows its his last shot

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='23 May 2010 - 03:32 PM' timestamp='1274643128' post='413394']
fine, ill sacrifice the verteran-in-check point. how about the ego blow that NO ONE has been interested enough to even offer him an invite to OTA's? thatll make anyone consider a change. I'm not saying we sign the guy, but could a camp invite hurt??? i mean he didnt light things up last year, but with no QB, a non-existent O-line and not one other reciever worth mentioning he put up respectable numbers and was completely quiet other than stating the obvious that he needed help.

im not going to argue with those that dont want him as i completely understand and im not exactly sold on the idea and he blew us off before, but i thought it was a conversation worth starting as we showed interest last year around the trade deadline and were interested before landing boldin. I could see them inviting him if it were for pennies on the dollar and with no committment to keep him if he didnt impress. Hey even throw in a bunch of contract stipulations that his behavior has to stay in check... one disagreeable press conference and hes out! dude wants to win, and he knows its his last shot
[/quote]

A team doesn't extend a camp invite to a player like T.O. Plus, why would he even come when he'd have to compete with Q and Mason for playing time?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='T-ray' date='23 May 2010 - 02:26 PM' timestamp='1274642797' post='413388']
I don't even think the Browns or the Raiders who need the recievers bad would let him on the team, because he just destroys, or attempts to at least, a team's chemistry. I used to hold him in high regards, but the first bad mistake he made that caused my opinion to drop was turning us down. When he taunted us when we played them, it made me dislike him. The only good thing about him is the fact that he's never been caught with drugs or in fights that have caused him to be suspended, and also his conditioning. However, I'm convinced, not only through my dispisement of him, but also through our reciever depth (mostly young guns too) that we don't need the risk.
[/quote]


i respect any opinion on the matter in that all are thoroughly justified... especially yours considering our previous encounter in the TOP 5 forum. but with the browns and raiders point, i think the reason they wont take him as that he has leverage in that he steps in as the obvious #1 which gives him the right to demand more money, and puts him in the spotlight. in that negotiation he has more pull than they would.

with us, we may be the only team with a legitimate shot at the super bowl willing to even talk to him. he needs to win, and we can. he MIGHT be #3 in our line up so we have the leverage in an discussions... plus i dont think anyone can deny that as a #3 WR he could dominate. i know hes a total jack a$$ of a person, but that would give us a top 5 WR at #1, a high quality #1 WR at the #2 position, and an all time great (production-wise) WR whose still a respectable #1 at our #3 position. plus if he messes up we cut him.... i see it as win/win.

if he works out we have probably the best WR corps in the league. if it doesnt hes gone and we lose nothing as we still have an elite group of wideouts

[Ed_Reed20]

It isn't going to happen.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='23 May 2010 - 02:37 PM' timestamp='1274643453' post='413400']
A team doesn't extend a camp invite to a player like T.O. Plus, why would he even come when he'd have to compete with Q and Mason for playing time?
[/quote]


bc the only thing he hasnt done is win! we might be the only team who can win that would even consider him (and i dont know that we even would)... him seeing that all his BS, and knowing hes declining in production; he HAS to know hes got maybe, and its a big maybe, one shot left at it.

hes got money, hes got fame, hes got his place in the record books. why go to a cellar team for a #1 position and money, when you can relax in a role that gaurentees success and weak coverage, and gives you a legitimate shot at a super bowl

[Bltravens]

Not after TO crapped on Ozzie...Ozzie wont forget that ever.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='23 May 2010 - 02:43 PM' timestamp='1274643814' post='413404']
It isn't going to happen.
[/quote]


haha i know, i agree it almost definitely wont happen. just wanted to see if it is worth happening, and if it is possible to convince anyone of it being worth-while... theres not a whole lot to really even discuss at this point in offseason.

i mean the CB issue has been beaten to death, we've marveled at our D and new offensive weapons, i feel like the rookies are vets at this point... thought it might be fun to start debating some less-obvious topics

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='23 May 2010 - 02:46 PM' timestamp='1274643978' post='413406']
Not after TO crapped on Ozzie...Ozzie wont forget that ever.
[/quote]


you would think so, but they almost picked him up at the deadline last year going into the playoffs, and talked to him this offseason before landing boldin. so i dont know how the "burned bridge" argument holds up at this point as far as the legitimacy of it happening is concerned. as far as the fans recieving him in the community: a very valid point

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='23 May 2010 - 01:50 PM' timestamp='1274644237' post='413409']
you would think so, but they almost picked him up at the deadline last year going into the playoffs, and talked to him this offseason before landing boldin. so i dont know how the "burned bridge" argument holds up at this point as far as the legitimacy of it happening is concerned. as far as the fans recieving him in the community: a very valid point
[/quote]
I dont believe the Front Office actually talked to TO and his agent, everything I read was all speculation.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='BOLDnPurPnBlacK' date='23 May 2010 - 03:50 PM' timestamp='1274644237' post='413409']
you would think so, but they almost picked him up at the deadline last year going into the playoffs, and talked to him this offseason before landing boldin. so i dont know how the "burned bridge" argument holds up at this point as far as the legitimacy of it happening is concerned. as far as the fans recieving him in the community: a very valid point
[/quote]


At no point were we close to signing TO last year. If you have any proof that the FO had any conversation with him this year I would like to see it. I cant recall ever hearing anything to indicate any desire to have him come here since he punked us last time.

[Clutch Ravens]

I'd extend him an invite to camp, only to revoke it and throw it in his face.

He's a locker room cancer that would add nothing to the team and his attitude is one that will not fly in the Ravens organisation.

Receiver needy teams have rejected him, as should all NFL franchises.

[T-ray]

Actually, this is a cool, fresh topic to talk about, so kudos for that. Also kudos for backing up your stance when people try to debate the other side, which is being done frequently on this topic. However, I just don't see us picking him up. True, he is an All-Time great, but this move would just stunt our other recievers. We have several developmental players just asking for time in the spotlight so they can get better, prove themselves, and also gain confidence. With this move, we'd have one year of their careers basically thrown out the window. I'm all about the youth movement, because this is the only way to stay consistently good/great year in and year out. Right now, I feel that we have a cramped reciever position, and if this move were to go down, then the youth movement for the recievers would be held back, stunted if you will.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='23 May 2010 - 03:53 PM' timestamp='1274644382' post='413410']
I dont believe the Front Office actually talked to TO and his agent, everything I read was all speculation.
[/quote]
From what I remember, Harbaugh used the "we're interested in anyone that can help our team and will explore all options" line that's become standard for the entire front office. In other words, it's a "maybe, but leaning towards no." If the team was ever legitimately interested, they would've shown their hand and said yes; they certainly did when it came to Anquan Boldin in the days leading up to the trade.

[Guest maryland1]

[quote name='Give it to Clutch Clayton' date='23 May 2010 - 02:58 PM' timestamp='1274644728' post='413414']

He's a locker room cancer that would add nothing to the team and his attitude is one that will not fly in the Ravens organisation.

[/quote]

Agree. TO is an I/me player, not a team player.

[T-ray]

[quote name='maryland1' date='23 May 2010 - 03:10 PM' timestamp='1274645446' post='413418']
Agree. TO is an I/me player, not a team player.
[/quote]

And that right there is the reason why T.O. can't find a job. Teams think he's better suited being a number 2/3 reciever, and his personality will just not let him accept that. And if you can't accept the fact that your career is on the downturn, do like Marvin Harrison and quietly retire.

[ray-ray is a beast-beast]

T.O. is [i]not[/i] a locker room cancer. He was humbled by bad press and the move to Buffalo, and he's been a model teammate ever since the end of the 08 season.

More importantly, the Ravens -- a team with arguably the best receiving corps in the NFL -- do not need another receiver, particularly an aging one.

Our #1, #2, and #3 are some of the best in the business.

And with Demetrius Williams, Mark Clayton, and Kelly Washington we have fantastic depth at the position -- there's just no room or need for Owens.

So, should we get T.O.?

Last Year: . . . Yeah, why not.
This Year: Hell No!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

i get it... hes been a locker room cancer, but on teams with weak locker rooms.

the eagles never really got back to the brink after TO left, and now mcnabbs gone, the main reason TO was run out of town. the cowboys are a joke as far as the locker room goes and pretty much prompted TO to be himself as it gives the franchise attention. i barely heard his name in buffalo, both a good and bad thing. good in that he wasnt being a cancer, and bad that he didnt have great production. the whole cancer argument is heresay, in that we all just go by what analysts say and no one has first-hand proof. hes an outspoken ego-maniac sure, but a talented one that helped both philly and the cowboys get back to the brink.

still, i havent seen anyone really answer the point im trying to raise. personal opinions of the MAN aside... can the PLAYER help us win now?

to the youngster development point, i agree we need to develop our talent to remain at the top, but i think when youre a super bowl contender its better to have proven talent on the field than hope someone blows up and has a great year. i feel its likely that TO takes to heart the fact that no one wants him (his huge ego will be deflated) and moreso, his ego will make him realize that he'll never be considered great unless he wins the big one. the saints, colts, chargers, minnesota, jets, cowboys... you name it, all these teams that have a shot to win wont take him. i dont think we would either, but the question remains...

Could TO help us win a super bowl if he accepted a reduced role as a #3 reciever?

[T-ray]

Can he help us win one? Yes, but I'd put my money on him actually making us lose it by not showing up in the Super Bowl to show his 'talent' off. He's excellent when he's being good, but when he's acting like a fool, he dissappears and somehow takes the rest of the team along with him as well.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

and thank you to rayraybeastbeast, tray, and edreed for leaving emotion/personal opinion of the man out of the matter and looking at it from a football standpoint. i agree with almost every post so far, but those 3 have chosen to look at strictly whether he could help us win or not

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

one thing ive just realized... fans are very important. a great team cannot win it all without a home field advantage. whether TO could help us on the field with his talent, as this forum has shown, it seems a vast majority of ravens fans wouldnt want him here and would be a bad PR decision to make. so, bc of this point, im definitely against having him as the fan base would probably hate it.

... although i think if he did come, after a few games of making nickle and dime backs look silly a few fans might start singing a different tune; but he probably wont ever get that chance. Hell, we all know we can win it all with what we have now!!!

Go ravens

[Shammy]

we already got our 81

[T-ray]

Glad you came over to our side BOLDn! Thats a number 1 reason why we don't think he would make a fit on the team, because the majority of fans just look at him like he's the Devil himself. He's a good guy off the field, and he's a hard worker; he just tends to get full of himself at times, and that doesn't help teams win games.

[edreedfromtheu]

If Terrell Owens can play [b]CORNER, KICKER, or KICK RETURNER[/b]... then I'm for it! SIGN TERRELL OWENS!

[Ravenmore74]

The receiving core is to deep and I don't think we have room to write him into the game plan. If he is available for pennies and willing to be a role player on the Ravens I don't see why not.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

ravenmore my thoughts exactly!! under those circumstances it seems win/win. for that cheap and with no committment is seems a no brainer. if he wants money, years, or a #2 role then forget it!

and @tray... never really was on one side or another. just wanted to stir up a discussion and see what arguments could be made on either side other than the obvious "hes a cancer" "hes an ____" debates that are simply just repeating what people hear on sports talk shows...

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='T-ray' date='23 May 2010 - 03:47 PM' timestamp='1274647662' post='413431']
Can he help us win one? Yes, but I'd put my money on him actually making us lose it by not showing up in the Super Bowl to show his 'talent' off. He's excellent when he's being good, but when he's acting like a fool, he dissappears and somehow takes the rest of the team along with him as well.
[/quote]

Sorry but T.O. has shown up in BIG Games including the Super Bowl where he played injured and still had over 100yds receiving. Also, he would have scored a touchdown if not injured which may have given Philly their first Super Bowl victory