In a recent interview with Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports, Rams running back Steven Jackson sung the praises of a couple of the team’s young wideouts.
Unfortunately, Jackson didn’t know their names.
Jackson likely knows the name of a veteran wideout who could soon be joining the team. Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports, and we separately have confirmed, that the Rams are in “serious pursuit” of Terrell Owens.
Owens has talked openly about playing for a contender. In recent years, the Rams have contended only for the first overall pick in the draft, finishing at No. 2 twice before finally applying that extra effort required to climb that specific mountain.
Along the way, the Rams have won a total of six games in three seasons, bottoming out at 1-15 in 2009.
The competitive limitations that the Rams are experiencing likely means that T.O. will want more money from the Rams than other teams would have to pay. It has been widely believed that Owens seeks $5 million for 2010.
The Rams’ interest proves that not every member of the 2004-05 Eagles coaching staff has adopted an N.F.W. approach to a reunion with T.O. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo served as linebackers coach and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmer was the quarterbacks coach in Philly when Owens had a great first season, followed by a Year Two nightmare culminating in a four-game unpaid suspension and an invitation to get the hell out for the rest of the campaign, with pay.
In contrast, Spagnuolo and Shurmur had no interest in trading for long-time Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
The Bengals also are interested in Owens, and it’s expected that the situation will heat up this week. Apparently, it already is.