Terrell Owens: Which Team Would Benefit Most from T.O.?

It’s no secret that Terrell Owens has a substantially big personality that has at times gotten him into trouble. Throughout his career, T.O. has been more than vocal about not only his opinions, but about marketing himself to NFL teams.

Last Wednesday he sat down with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to put his marketing—and acting—skills to work. 

After an opening statement in which he showed off his surprisingly good acting skills by announcing his retirement, Terrell proclaimed he was only joking, and that he would be returning to the NFL this season.

The six-time Pro Bowler may be the most physically fit 37-year-old around. Last year he proved he can still play and put up big numbers, but how will much of an effect will that ailing knee have?

This announcement has many people, including myself, wondering which team it is that Owens will play for, if any.

There may not be a better team for Terrell Owens than the Saints. But that doesn't mean that he is what’s best for them. 

New Orleans ranks second in the NFL in passing yards per game, largely due to Drew Brees. Aside from having the talented arm, Brees has the leadership and veteran mentality that would be able to handle the T.O. ego. 

The Saints obviously have plenty of receiving options, but health has been an issue so far this season.

Here’s the problem: When Owens was released from Dallas, there was a lot of talk about New Orleans maybe picking him up. Sean Payton quickly put an end to those talks by saying Terrell Owens is not the kind of player he wants on his team.

While that was a few years ago and Payton is always looking for different weapons to use, the Saints are not having any trouble moving the ball through the air.

There’s an old saying that goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Detroit taking a chance on a player like Owens would certainly have a lot of people asking questions, but it might not be a terrible move.

Everyone knows about Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, but the Lions No. 2 and 3 leading receivers are tight end Brandon Pettigrew and running back Jahvid Best. Adding a big physical presence on the other side of the field from Johnson might be too much for opposing defenses to handle.

The big X-factor with the Lions adding a Terrell Owens would be whether they would want him disrupting the team chemistry they currently have.

They also have young quarterback Matthew Stafford, and T.O. has a bad history with quarterbacks of all ages.

The Chargers are yet another team with many receiving options, but they too have been hampered by injuries. 

Aside from Vincent Jackson and running back Ryan Mathews, they really haven't gotten much production from anyone else.

Philip Rivers and Terrell Owens together might not be a great idea. They're both very outspoken and could end up bumping heads before making plays. But while that may be true, having two big receivers like Owens and Jackson to throw to is something Rivers would benefit from immensely.

Owens, much like in Detroit with Johnson, could be a nice complement to Larry Fitzgerald.

Lining up two big physical receivers would spread the field and really open up the passing game for Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals. We saw how well Fitzgerald and former Cardinal Anquan Boldin worked together; Owens and Fitzgerald would offer up much of the same package.

Owens could also potentially help the development of younger receivers Early Doucet and Andre Roberts, assuming he would be willing to work with them.

The Cardinals could use anything right now to help out their 1-4 record.

Terrell Owens back in San Fran? He began his career and spent a majority of his NFL career there in what were statistically his best years. With Owens turning 38 later this year, it’s no secret that he will be retiring soon, so why not finish where it all started?

Jim Harbaugh has done an outstanding job through his first five games as 49ers head coach. At 4-1, he seems to have brought his winning ways from the college game in Palo Alto down to San Francisco.

The 49ers have veterans at key positions, in running back Frank Gore and quarterback Alex Smith. Smith, however, has no one to throw the ball to. San Francisco is a horrific 29th in the NFL in passing, and tight end Vernon Davis seems to be the only one catching passes for them.

They could definitely use the help at wide receiver; a big target like T.O. could help balance out their offense.

Finishing up in San Francisco seems only fitting for what has truly been a remarkable career.

Follow Anderson on Twitter @Anderson_Sports