Terrell Owens finally has a job. After months of searching and incessant rumors of supposedly interested teams, the enigmatic receiver has agreed on a one-year deal worth approximately $2 million. The Bengals are obviously hoping that Owens’ presence can add a vertical threat and some stability to a passing game that didn’t necessarily scare any defenses last season. Owens appears to be a good fit in Cincinnati, for a variety of reasons.

The Bengals were a run-oriented offense in 2009. Powered by a resurgent Cedric Benson, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season, the Bengals changed their identity to a smash-mouth style of play from the old school ranks. However, toward the end of the season opposing teams started stacking eight men in the box in order to stifle the Cincinnati running game. The effectiveness of this strategy was never more evident that in the Bengals’ 37-0 playoff loss at the hands of the New York Jets. The Bengals had become too dependent on the run.

Owens’ presence will help open things up, both in the running game and the passing game. Fellow receiver Chad Ochocinco faced constant double-teams last season, and quarterback Carson Palmer had little else to work with in the team’s aerial attack. It was this lack of offensive firepower through the air that allowed opposing defenses to stack up against the run. With Owens starting opposite Ocho, defenses will no longer have that luxury. Add in the presence of rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham and this offense could be an entirely different animal in 2010.

Five Tadacip years ago, pairing Owens and Ochocinco together would never have worked. Both receivers were attention-starved and constantly craved the spotlight. With both wideouts a bit older and a bit wiser, they’re more focused on winning than putting on a show these days. While they both still carry some showman-like traits, the chances of the two receivers butting heads are pretty low. They’ll likely realize that they need one another to succeed this season, and should work together in trying to take down the division for a second consecutive year.

The addition of Owens could do wonders for Palmer. Once considered to be one of the best signal callers in the league, the former Heisman Trophy winner and number one overall pick has never been the same since suffering a horrific knee injury during the postseason a few years back. His decline in production had likely been a product of both his injury and a less potent receiving corps. With Owens, Ocho, Gresham and Antonio Bryant, Palmer is equipped with the best set of weapons he’s had in a while.

A relatively inexpensive one-year commitment to Owens presents the Bengals with minimal risk. Last season, we saw that T.O. can bite his tongue and that he still has some big play ability. If nothing else, the star receiver will sell loads of Cincinnati Bengals tickets and merchandise, probably paying for himself in the process. The upside of this move, however, could mean another NFC North title for the Bengals.

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