T.O. Inks with Seattle. Good or Bad Move?

Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks have decided to take a gamble on veteran receiver Terrell Owens.  He joins a stable of receivers that includes veterans Sidney Rice and Braylon Edwards as well as youngsters Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate and Jermaine Kearse.  If Rice is healthy, Owens and Edwards may be battling for one spot.  T.O. is a man of many things on his final NFL legs.  There has been much debate since going on since last offseason about Owens getting another shot.  The debate has brought many reactions from fans and media.

Whether Terrell Owens is loved or hated, two things are unmistakeable.  He is one of the hardest working football players the NFL has ever seen, and his behavior displayed over a large portion of his career has went passed unprofessional to childish.  The numbers he's put up over his career have been bested by only Randy Moss and the Jerry Rice.  Talent isn't an issue.

The new question always has been what kind of person and teammate is Owens.  T.O. has repeatedly and openly chastised his own teammates including various quarterbacks.  He's also even thrown fits at coaches.  He was one of the most perplexing athletes of his generation because his work ethic reflected that of a team guy, yet his persona became larger than the team itself.  It was if he was really two separate people.  After Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones cut Owens, T.O. was "blindsided".  He had brief stops in Buffalo and Cincinnati where he seemed to be on his best behavior.  Others may not like the TV shows and other added attention Owens' name alone brings but his disruptive nature seems to have died out.

The only remaining question should be, at 38 years of age and almost two years removed from a torn ACL, "can he still play?"  I have no doubts he's worked as hard as anyone would rehabbing is injury.  He's been gone from the NFL for twenty eight regular season games now.  That's a lot of missed time for a man approaching forty.  The good news is he reportedly ran his 40-yard dash in the mid 4.4's.  I'm sure he's still as intelligent as ever.  He's always seemed to have a brilliant football mind.  He understands coverages and situations quite well.

Seattle has very little too lose in this situation because he can be waived at any point and Seattle won't feel the Dallas-like ripple effect that has torn locker rooms apart even after his departure.  Pete Carroll has shown an ability to get the most out of veteran guys, even if for a season.  With Owens on his best behavior and Seattle running a "West Coast" offense, I expect moderate success for T.O.