Terrell Owens has never been one to shy away from the media crush, preferring the bright lights of cameras following his every move over the quiet peace of solitude sought by many of his peers.

His obsession with creating distractions with the assistance of the media world has forced all three of his previous employers to send him packing, so it was logical to assume that he’d be looking for more of the same in his fourth.

But instead of pushing for a team in a large market like New York, Miami, or Denver to sign him and reap the publicity involved, Owens has landed in the most unlikely of destinations: Buffalo, NY -  the 46th largest metropolitan area in the US and one of the league’s smallest media markets.

The move is a stunner on a number of levels – from the Bills desire to work with Owens and the circus he brings; to the decision by Owens to pass up the spotlight and move into a blue-collar city on the western edge of New York State that isn’t likely to enjoy his antics on or off the field.

Still, it makes sense when you delve a bit deeper, especially on the contractual end of things. Owens will make about $6.5 million guaranteed this year, but it’s only a single season contract, so the Bills can cut their losses easily if he acts up at some point in the season.

Owens also gives the Bills a tremendous duo at receiver with Lee Evans on one side and T.O. on the other. Along those same lines, the happiest man alive in Buffalo right now has to be QB Trent Edwards, who now has all the weapons he will need to take the next step towards becoming an elite level signal caller. If he can’t get it done this year, he never will.

It’s not a match made in heaven by any means, given the potential risk of watching Owens go off the deep end once again and ruin the Bills locker room in the process, but that being said, it’s a calculated gamble that could easily pay off major dividends this fall with Owens providing stats galore for his new franchise.

Here’s some of the analysis and opinion on the Owens signing being tossed around right now…

• Bills shake up their offense with Owens – Tim Graham (ESPN)

• T.O.’s back in business with the Bills – Matt Mosley (ESPN)

• With Owens in tow, at least the Bills will be exciting – Clifton Brown (Sporting News)

• Owens to Buffalo: Why it makes sense – Shutdown Corner

• Owens liked what he saw in Buffalo – BuffaLowDown

• My condolences to Bills fans – Just Blog Baby

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