Is the NFL ready to see boisterous wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens on the same team?
Ochocinco asked for it Thursday during an interview with NFL Network's Rich Eisen and Warren Sapp, even saying he would take a pay cut to make it happen. Owens countered later in the day by saying the league doesn't want them together because the combination would be too dynamic.
But, really, could Owens join Ochocinco in Cincinnati? And, more importantly, could they co-exist with the Bengals?
Owens said yes because both players have the same goal in mind -- winning a Super Bowl.
"Of course (we) could," Owens told NFL Network's Deion Sanders. "I did (share the football) with Jerry (Rice in San Francisco from 1996 to 2000).
"Chad and I are the best of friends. ... Nothing could drive a wedge between us."
Owens is still under contract with the Bills, but he will be a free agent this offseason. Owens came to Buffalo on a one-year deal after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.
Owens called 2009 an interesting year in Buffalo -- his first with the team. The Bills fired their coach and offensive coordinator and traded their left tackle before the season even started. Owens finished with 55 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns, some of his lowest numbers since an injury-plagued 2005 season.
"I would like to be a Bill under the right circumstances," Owens said. "I want to compete for a Super Bowl. If the neccessary pieces are put in place for that to happen, then I'll be there."
Defensive change in Buffalo
The Bills hired veteran
coach George Edwards on Thursday to take over a defense that will switch from a 4-3 scheme to
a 3-4 next season.
The Bengals have some nice pieces in place with Ochocinco and quarterback Carson Palmer, and they won the AFC North before losing to the New York Jets in the AFC playoffs.
One member of those Jets -- cornerback Darrelle Revis -- recently took a shot at Owens, calling him a "slouch." Owens strongly disagreed with Revis' assessment.
"I have no earthly idea (where that came from)," Owens said. "There is nothing slouchy about my game. If you ask anybody around this league, coaches, players, what have you, slouch would be the last word to come out of their mouth.
"Obviously (Revis) he is feeling himself a little bit. He's had a good season. But slouch, it's a matter of disrespect. Slouch is not anywhere near my game."
