"I don't think there's a big market for him," says ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer. "It's going to take a coach with a big ego who feels he can handle any personality."
"Is he looking for $10 million, $5 million or $1.5 million?" Keyshawn Johnson asked. "If he thinks he's going to make high-end money, it isn't going to happen. He strikes me as a guy where it would hurt his pride to take less than he thinks he's worth.So there are a lot of factors."
"He's been one of the great receivers for 10 years, but he just isn't as good as he once was," Dilfer said. "He's not worthy of his salary as a No. 1 receiver."
Said Johnson, "If he didn't see this coming, then shame on him. This is the reality of life in the NFL. At some point, everybody's going to get cut."
To quote Walter Sobchak, "has the whole fucking world gone crazy!?!?!?"
I'm not here to argue that TO isn't a malcontent, a stubborn 13 yr old boy in a 34 yr old-freak-of-nature's body, difficult to coach, difficult to play with and all those things. But you're fucking kidding yourself if you don't think that some team isn't going to jump at the chance to add him to their offense (yes, that's a double negative, but I'm still smarter than Keyshawn).
(Side note: when a story has been speculated for weeks and then happens, reporters aren't allowed to use the word "shocking" - if the Pats cut Brady that would be "shocking" - this is not shocking.)
I just did a quick run down of last year's standings, by my count there are 14 teams that lack a true #1 receiver and would fucking salivate at the chance to add TO.
In no particular order: (team and who they trot out on Sundays as their "#1")
WA: Santana Puss
CHI: Willie Gault, right?
DET: Mike Furrey - no, I don't even have a joke here
TB: Michael wait, I got an extension? I suck! Clayton
NO: Marques Barbie Doll Colston
SF: Arnaz I try really hard Battle
STL: Torry I was good before electricity Holt
MIA: Ted Ginn and Ted Ginn's vagina
NYJ: Jericho I'm not related to Jericho Cotchery
BAL: Derrick it doesn't matter how many articles Peter King writes about me being underrated I'm still not scaring anyone Mason
TENN: Um, Brandon not even the ball boy trusts me Jones?
JACK: Reggie please don't tell anyone I went to UW Williams
SD: Chris Steel Magnolias Chambers
OAK: Javon have they framed me for murder yet Walker
That's 14 teams - 14! Almost half the fucking league.
(BTW, the list above doesn't include PHI and MIN, both teams desperate for a #1, but too much history with TO to go near - adding them brings the list to 16)
Say what you will about TO, if you don't think someone is signing him at 2 years for $15 - you're a goddamn moron.At first glance, BAL seems to make the most sense, doesn't it? They add a vertical element to their O, have Ray Ray to keep him in line and with TO, Ray and Ed Reed could potentially trot out the greatest "miked up" segment in history.
