T.O. Runnin' On Empty: Part Deux

On October 25, 2011, I posted an article about Terrell Owens' effort to sign with an NFL team after recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. Representatives of Owens, who declared him fit, invited several NFL scouts to an informal workout to observe Owens with the hopes of generating some interest in the loquacious receiver, but no one bothered to show up.

I had speculated that the only team that might take a flyer on Owens were the Seattle Seahawks, but only if they were able to position themselves into playoff contention, which I couldn't see happening (click here for the original article). 

As expected, no NFL teams  signed Owens so in January 2012, the former All-Pro (whiner) swallowed his pride and signed a contract with the Allen Wrangers of the Indoor Football League. But to no one's surprise, that didn't last very long and in May 2012, the team cut ties with the perennial malcontent.

And so now we come full circle as it was reported today that the Seattle Seahawks have indeed signed the 38-year old Owens to a one year contract worth a reported $995,000. My response to that is: Really? Is that the best they can do at this point?

Granted the Seahwks are depleted at the wide receiver position but this seems like the work of a desperate organization just one month from the start of the season.

So the question is, does Owens have anything left to make a meaningful impact given his age and questionable knee. I assume the Seahawks vetted him and the answer is yes.

If nothing else, the Seahawks are gambling on Owens to take the pressure off Sidney Rice (double-teamed) and give new starting QB Matt Flynn another wide out option. But can the former primadonna accept a more limited role in the offense? Owens' modus operandi is to act like a jerk when things don't go his way (see Donovan McNabb).

Maybe the Seahawks are hoping that, for one more year, Owens can recapture just a little of the magic that made him the probable Hall-of-Fame receiver he is today. After all this is the same franchise that also signed Jerry Rice as the curtain was coming down on his career, too.