The case against signing Terrell Owens Okay so it’s easy to simply point out that TO is one of the most arrogant, selfish, tactless athletes since Joey Barton (I use the term athlete and any Man City player generously), but I thought, let's look at the situation a little more objectively. So, the Bucs need TO to win a Super Bowl? Let’s look at the winners of the last 10 Super Bowls in this age of Super Free Agents. Super Bowl XXXI – Green Bay Packers. The Pack’s leading receiver was Antonio Freeman a good but not great receiver who was with them for years. The game was turned by big plays from a wide receiver, Desmond Howard, but in his role as kick returner. Super Bowl XXXII – Denver Broncos. The Broncos won with a grand total of 123 passing yards – enough said Super Bowl XXXIII – Denver Broncos. A rare exception in this decade of Super Bowls, a big passing performance. Rod Smith hauled in 5 for 152 yards in a 336 yard passing day for Elway. But Rod Smith was not a big money free agent – he was an established receiver in an established team. Super Bowl XXXIV – St Louis Rams – A whopping 414 passing yards but only 23 points. No-one remembers the 100 yard games for Bruce and Holt (two more one team guys), just the last second stop on the one yard line Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore Ravens – 153 yards passing – Did they have wide receivers? Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots – a mighty 145 yards passing for Tom Brady. Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 215 yards for big bad Brad. But no-one will ever confuse Joe Jurevicius and Keenan McCardell with TO. The game was won with surprisingly good rushing by Pittman and defensive big plays. Super Bowl XXXVIII – New England Patriots. Big performances for Brady and Branch. But Branch is no superstar and the Patriots will always be remembered as the consumate team that won games collectively. Super Bowl XXXIX – New England Patriots. See above. Oh yes and a certain T Owens hauled in 9 for 122 but the Eagles couldn’t do it. I accept that Owens was injured and McNabb had a nightmare 4th quarter but one thing that shone through in that game was there was only one real team on the field, and they won. Super Bowl XL – Pittsburgh Steelers. 158 total passing yards for the Steelers. Hines Ward was the difference maker but, once again is a longstanding receiver on the team with the reputation for being, shock horror, a team man. So how many big money free agent receivers have won Super Bowls in the last 10 years – I count a big fat TO. Love him or hate him, and no-one can dispute his talent the sums don’t add up. Big money free agent receivers do not equal Super Bowl success. The great thing about this game is that time after time it shows a good team, with team chemistry will win the big one. TO is a great talent but will never make a team great. You want a big play making receiver with Super Bowl pedigree? How about Mike Vrabel? Andy Coish, February 2006