[Jeff Christiansen]

According to Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole, Bengals WR Terrell Owens admitted to the team's coaching staff that he understands his skills have diminished. While it's nice to hear T.O. being realistic, this should also serve as a reminder that he's not the player he was earlier this decade. Still, the Bengals coaching staff believes he can be a dangerous weapon on the outside. "No, he doesn't get away from bump coverage very well and he doesn't run the middle anymore, but you can see that he can still get vertical against a secondary," an anonymous staff member said. "Last year, whenever teams doubled Chad or rolled the safety his way, we couldn't beat the man coverage on the other side. T.O. can do that." However, Owens does come with baggage as he isn't a model of consistent behavior and therefore, the Bengals are simply hoping to get the talent that he still has left out of him and at the same time they're hoping to keep the problems at bay long enough for this to work. Or as one coach put it: "Life is short, might as well make it interesting." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Owens struggled last year in Buffalo with 829 receiving yards and five touchdowns and will try to resurrect his career in Cincinnati. The Bengals are a much better scenario for him than the Bills because he has more talent around him, especially at quarterback. Carson Palmer should enjoy throwing to Owens, who is expected to compete with Antonio Bryant to be the No. 2 WR behind Ochocinco. I think Owens will win that battle and start for the Bengals this season. Consider Owens a low-end No. 3 and a definite No. 4 Fantasy WR on Draft Day. He's not an elite Fantasy option anymore as he's now only a quality reserve fantasy WR at this stage in his career and will probably help the Bengals more than your fantasy team.

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