Can T.O. reach 2,000 yards?

By Vikram Mohan Sports Central Columnist

Although Terrell Owens is the best receiver in the NFL, few people took his prediction of breaking the 2,000 receiving yard plateau last season seriously. His prediction seemed almost laughable when he had not had a 100-yard game until midway through the season. Yet my feeling is that he will accomplish his goal this season.

First, this season is his contract year. As motivated and hard-working as Owens has always been, even he would try a little harder in his contract year. He has expressed interest in testing the free-agency market, and if he wants a $20 million dollar signing bonus, he will need to put up even better numbers.

Second, most reports claim that new 49ers coach Dennis Erickson (or the real Jim Mora, Jr., as I call him) wants to pass more often than his predecessor, Steve Mariucci, did. Well, even if he does not want to, Bill Walsh will make him. Erickson does not exactly carry much weight.

Anyway, this shift in philosophy will allow quarterback Jeff Garcia to utilize his arm and throw downfield, which, in turn, means more yards per reception for Owens and, of course, more receptions. This move is good for the team in general. Remember how much better the Niners played when they opened up the offense in the second-half of their wild card matchup against the Giants?

Finally, the Niners' schedule works in Owens' favor in two ways:

1) They will face a number of poor secondaries.

In Week 3, the Niners play the Cleveland Browns. A lot of people may think that the Browns will have a good defense this season, but I disagree. Just look at their secondary. Any secondary that can make Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb both look so good to Butch Davis that he cannot bring himself to deem one as the starter has to be awful.

In Week 4, they travel to Minnesota. The Vikings were 29th in passing yards allowed per game and gave up a ridiculous 33 passing touchdowns last season. But, yeah, the Vikes should be fine as long as Randy Moss is really "back" and promises to play on every down. Yeah, definitely no worries here.

The Niners also play Chicago, Detroit, Arizona twice, and Pittsburgh. All of these teams finished 23rd or lower in pass defense last season. In these seven games alone, Owens could have over 1,200 yards.

2) Their schedule includes four division winners (three of which are down the stretch).

They also play two games apiece versus the rejuvenated Rams and the up-and-coming Seahawks. Some may say this difficult schedule is bad for Owens' chances of reaching 2,000 yards, but I think it will help.

With such a tough overall schedule and with the Rams battling for the division this season, the Niners cannot afford to bench/rest Owens for any game as they did last season. Also, since most of the tough games will be close, they will not be able to take Owens out of these games, for doing so would jeopardize their chances of winning.

Furthermore, as much as Owens may deserve to be suspended for some of his outrageous antics, the Niners will not even think about suspending him with the games they have to play.

Everything looks like it could come together this season for Owens' historic push for 2,000 yards. Throw in the fact that cornerback Mike Rumph is still on the team, and his chances of reaching his goal seem even more likely. (Rumph will get you about three or four extra possessions ... not per season, mind you, but per game ... and not by an INT, but by blowing coverage and allowing the opposing offense to score on a 50-yard bomb in 10 seconds.)

In fact, I am so confident that Owens will close in on 2,000 that I am putting my good name on the line by providing a week-by-week forecast of his upcoming season.

Week 1, vs. Chicago Bears

Owens makes up for last year's disappointing opening game performance by catching for 170 yards and one touchdown. After his touchdown, his friend, C-Money, throws him a Kordell Stewart jersey from the stands. Owens puts on the jersey, pulls out a packet of silly putty, rolls it into a ball, and attaches it to the bottom right side of his face.

He picks up the football, points to the name on the back of his new jersey, throws the ball into the ground, and then pretends to cry. He follows this routine for the next 10 minutes, much to the delight of the crowd.

On the ensuing possession, Stewart is laughed off of the field, and Rex Grossman is named the starter for the rest of the season. Those rumors about Stewart begin to resurface.

Week 2, at St. Louis Rams

Owens registers a "tough" 63-yard performance. But, the Rams make a big statement by winning the game. In the post-game press conference, before anyone asks Owens a question, he proclaims that he is a better receiver than Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce combined.

Week 3, vs. Cleveland Browns

Jeff Garcia picks the Browns apart and Owens goes for 161 yards. Before the game, Tim Couch tricks Butch Davis into agreeing to shave his head if Cleveland loses. Davis refuses to shave his head after the loss, since he was tricked. Couch cries.

Week 4, at Minnesota Vikings

Owens loves playing in domes and has a remarkable day: 189 yards receiving and two touchdowns. After his second TD, Owens grabs one of those old "3-Deep" shirts that referred to the triple-receiver threat that was Chris Carter, Jake Reed, and Randy Moss.

Owens takes his Sharpie from his sock and begins putting a big "X" over Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Moss runs to the endzone to see what all the commotion is about. He is delighted when he sees that Owens has not crossed his name off and has crossed out the "3" and replaced it with a "1."

Then, to the surprise of everyone, Owens replaces the "D" in "Deep" with an "H," then adds "of junk" right below it. After five minutes of sounding out the letters, Moss says, "one heep of junk," and looks angry. He is so mad that he takes the Vikings' next two possessions off.

Week 5, vs. Detroit Lions

Another big day for Owens. 167 yards receiving and one touchdown. After his TD, his friend, B-Dogg, throws him a hoagie from the stands, because Owens did not have lunch. In a classy move on his part, Owens splits the hoagie in half, walks over to the Lions' bench, and gives one half of it to Steve Mariucci.

Week 6, at Seattle Seahawks

Owens has 102 yards and one touchdown. After his touchdown, he pulls his Sharpie out of his sock and the crowd cheers. He then walks over to the Seahawks' bench and signs head coach Mike Holmgren's face.

Week 7, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In a brutal game, Owens puts up 75 yards. The Sporting News runs an article about his quest for 2,000 yards.

Week 8, at Arizona Cardinals

Owens improves on last season's 132-yard performance against the Cardinals by going for 163 yards. After his lone touchdown in the game, he runs up the stairs to buy a Cardinals player jersey that he can put on. He is amused when he finds out that the stadium does not sell any player jerseys.

At the halfway point of the season, Owens has amassed an amazing 1,090 yards.

Week 9, vs. St. Louis

In a key divisional matchup, Owens comes through with 150 yards against a quality Rams' secondary. Owens is featured on the cover of "Sports Illustrated," while Jacquez Green is featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of "S.I." Kordell Stewart is featured in a framed picture in his mom's house.

Week 10, Bye Week

SportsCenter interviews Owens about his chances of reaching 2,000 yards.

Week 11, vs. Pittsburgh

Owens breaks the 200-yard barrier for the first time all season, going for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Owens holds out his hands after his first score awaiting his post-touchdown hoagie. Although he has a broken foot, Jerome Bettis sprints to the end zone from the bench, leaps up, and intercepts the hoagie. He then devours it.

After his second touchdown, Owens looks around for an old Kordell Stewart Steelers jersey that he had set aside, but cannot find it. He later learns that Bettis ate it during halftime.

Week 12, at Green Bay Packers

In a classic QB duel, Brett Favre outdoes Jeff Garcia. But Owens manages 120 yards and one touchdown. He respects Green Bay, so he limits his endzone celebration to a spiking of the ball and a little shimmy.

A couple of days later, Owens' friend, J-Kat, tells the media of Owens' original celebration idea. Apparently, it involved a Najeh Davenport jersey, a laundry basket, and laxatives.

Week 13, at Baltimore Ravens

What starts out as a strong defensive outing by the Ravens deteriorates due to their offense's inability to move the ball. Owens has 100 yards and one touchdown. He needs 330 yards over the next four games to reach 2,000.

Week 14 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Owens has a decent game: 80 yards and 1 TD. ESPN's Tom Jackson mentions that Owens "has a shot" at 2,000 yards in his "T.J.'s Take" column.

Week 15, at Cincinnati Bengals

Owens struggles and only puts up 62 yards. Before the game, Owens hangs out at Corey Dillon's house. Dillon shows him the dreadfully boring and uneventful Corey Dillon episode of "Beyond the Glory" three times.

Week 16, at Philadelphia Eagles

Owens matches the 166 yards he caught for last season against the Eagles. After his lone TD, he tries to find Tai Streets to give him a high-five, but he cannot find him. He then discovers that Andy Reid ate him.

Week 17, vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Niners are still playing for a bye in the playoffs, so Owens plays every down in this tight game. Owens goes for 92 yards. He finishes the season with an astonishing 2,070 yards, breaking the previously unthinkable 2,000-yard plateau.

The crowd gives him a 10-minute standing ovation, and he decides that he wants to finish his career in San Francisco after all. Sweet.

Wildcard Weekend

Terry Bradshaw says on FOX that he believes that Owens can reach the 2,000-yard mark. James Brown nods in agreement and says, "Good point, Terry."

Article courtesy of Sports Central.