One year after they were featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks," the Cincinnati Bengals have scripted their own reality show.
T.O. and Ocho. Two self-conscious stars, one NFL team.
How will they fit? How will it work? Which wide receiver will provide most of the drama? And, more importantly, will any of it help the Bengals return to the playoffs?
The Bengals reached a one-year contract agreement with Terrell Owens on Tuesday, a team source told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi, and the veteran receiver is expected to report to training camp in a day or two.
NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora confirmed that Owens will be paid $2 million in base salary and could earn an additional $2 million in incentives. Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called the incentives "very reachable" and indicated that they are consistent with Owens' production in Buffalo, where he made $6.5 million last season.
Rosenhaus pointed out on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" that the receiver hasn't signed anything yet, although he admitted it "looks like a formality at this point." Rosenhaus expects the deal to be finalized Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
On his Twitter account, all Owens would say was, "Hoping 2 b a Bengal w/in the 24hrs!!" He later said: "Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!! Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!"
Players are required to report for the start of Bengals training camp Wednesday in Georgetown, Ky. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, Owens isn't expected to attend the morning practice Thursday, but he likely will show up for the night session.
Rosenhaus said the Bengals were Owens' first choice, giving him a chance to team with close friend Chad Ochocinco, who already has dubbed the pair Batman and Robin. The Bengals made an offer Monday, and Owens accepted it one day later, after the St. Louis Rams dropped out of the running.
"The Bengals have always been the front-runner," Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. "Even though I talked to some other teams during this process, the Bengals have always been the team that showed the most interest. Terrell has always been excited about them."
The Bengals gave Owens a tryout in March, but they decided to sign Antonio Bryant to a four-year, $28 million contract instead. Although he said on NFL Network that he doesn't have "direct knowledge" of the situation, Rosenhaus believes Bryant's health status played a role in the Bengals chasing Owens.
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