Free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens recently expressed interest in playing for the New England Patriots.
"Obviously the situation with the Patriots, they are starting out with a lot of new guys," Owens told the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. "You never know how management is thinking, what their process is as far as bringing in veterans."
The 39-year-old receiver spent time with five teams during his illustrious, sixteen-year career, with his last stop coming in Cincinnati in 2010. Owens had a productive year with the Bengals, recording 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.
After suffering a torn ACL during the 2011 offseason, Owens joined the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League. The team released Owens in May 2012.
He returned to the NFL later that year, signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks but was cut shortly before the start of the regular season.
Owens admitted teams are wary of signing him due to his age.
"I understand they may look at my age as an issue but I'm not your average 39-year-old," he said. "I think if you watch me work out, I'm not really concerned about injuries or anything like that. Plus, I'll be getting paid the vet minimum, so it's not like I am asking for any extra incentive in my contract."
The fact that Terrell Owens will turn 40 this December is just one reason the Pats may be hesitant to sign him. He has gained notoriety as one of the most high-maintenance prima donnas the game has ever seen.
The five-time All-Pro receiver was routinely surrounded by controversy and burned bridges almost everywhere he went. Most organizations put up with his antics because his on-field production far outweighed the baggage; he had nine seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving and eight with 10 or more touchdowns.
But his numbers have declined with age and fewer teams are willing to take a chance on him. With its offense struggling to keep its head above water, the Patriots may be one of those teams.
Bill Belichick has a history of acquiring, and for the most part, taming disgruntled stars. Look no further than Corey Dillon, Randy Moss and Chad Ochocinco.
A future Hall of Famer, Terrell Owens has accumulated 1,078 career receptions (6th all-time), 15,934 receiving yards (2nd) and 153 touchdowns (3rd) in his career.
At this point, the Patriots will really have nothing to lose.