When I got the news yesterday that Terrell Owens was joining the Buffalo Bills, I immediately called shenanigans. I was in an underground parking lot frantically trying to get service on my phone to check online.

Owens Agrees to 1-Year Deal with Bills

GTFO.

The Bills don’t sign high profile free agents. The Bills don’t even think about taking on players with off-field baggage. The Bills don’t spend money when they should. Terrell Owens? A Bill?

Let’s be honest, where’s the downside? This is an NFL team that is in a small group with Detroit and Oakland that represent failure in the NFL. Perennial losers. Afraid to take chances. An organization that doesn’t understand the new NFL and the team’s record has shown for that.

They’ve gone 7-9 for three straight seasons. They haven’t gone to the playoffs in nine seasons. Their front office essentially stayed the same. They continue without a traditional general manager. The pro personnel director and top college scout remains in place. The only way the Bills could expect new results to try something completely new on the field.

Bringing aboard the biggest lightning rod in the league oughta help.

Why it is a great move:

Buffalo Becomes Relevant Again

From a business and marketing point alone the deal is great. ESPN highlights. NFL Network coverage. Can you imagine the circus that is going to be St. john Fisher come Training Camp? The fans who left after last season’s frustration will be replaced by fans curious to see the TO circus. I’d be willing to bet Buffalo sells out every game.

The Front Office Has a Swagger

Bills fans are reacting differently to this deal because we simply don’t have experience with big time deals. A small market brings smaller spotlight. but the positive here is that the new Bills brass, led by Brandon, aren’t afraid to pull the trigger and adapt to the new NFL. This should be highly praised.

The Offense Gets Better

Slice it anyway you want, TO is a freakish talent and puts points on the board. Lee Evans has never had a decent guy across from him to free up his looks. Marshawn Lynch will not be seeing 7 in the box with TO and Evans split wide. And Trent Edwards has a dynamic playmaker to make his job a hell of a lot easier. Now we don’t have to be afraid about passing on 3rd and 8.

It Is Only a One Year Deal

The price tag is amazingly cheap compared to other contracts being made with wide receivers. Getting Owens cheaper than Laveranues Coles just signed with Cincinatti, and at one-year deserves praise regardless if people believe Buffalo overpaid. TO will generate alone much more than his salary in new interest in the club. And coming from TO’s turbulent locker room relationships in the past, if he acts up at all, Buffalo cuts him free after the year to go find work elsewhere. He has to prove to be a team guy if he wants to play in the NFL next year, it is that simple.

Owens is the last guy people would expect the Bills to sign, precisely the sort of player they wouldn’t have courted in years past. But the Bills must be applauded for trying something different. How do you think Bill Belicheck and Bill Parcells took this news? They had to be just as shocked as anyone.The Bills badly needed another offensive weapon to aid the development of their young quarterback and to help themselves in a very competitive division. It is refreshing to see this initiative from the team. The status quo just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.

So put me on board the TO bandwagon.

Never thought I’d see the day.