Terrence Owens back in game with Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Terrell Owens needed only two days to find another place to play.

The Buffalo Bills decided to take a chance on the talented but high-maintenance receiver, signing Owens to a $6.5 million, one-year deal Saturday.

The 35-year-old Owens caught 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns last season with Dallas. But the Cowboys were looking to improve the atmosphere in the locker room and decided they would be better off without him.

"I'm leaving America's team (for) North America's team," Owens said at a news conference.

The Bills will be Owens' fourth stop. He started with San Francisco, bounced to Philadelphia - where he helped the Eagles get to a Super Bowl - and then to Dallas.

"I must move on, and it's another beginning for me," Owens said. "If I can be that extra added piece to get them to the playoffs, then that's what I'm here for. I looked at the defensive side of ball and offensive side of the ball, and these guys have all the pieces."

The Bills were in need of a receiver to take the pressure from Lee Evans. They got one of the biggest names out there.

"We all know of his tremendous ability and look forward to what he will bring to our offense," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said in a statement. "This is a very exciting day for the Buffalo Bills."

Owens, a six-time Pro Bowler, is among the NFL's career leaders in catches, yards and touchdowns. Over the last three years, his 38 touchdowns are 1 more than Randy Moss, and he's among the league's best in catches, yards, yard per catch and yards per game.

He's coming off the ninth 1,000-yard receiving season in the last 11 years.

"We got one of the premier playmakers in a playmakers league," said Russ Brandon, Bills chief operating officer.

For the Bills, the signing is their biggest splash since acquiring quarterback Drew Bledsoe in a trade in 2002. Team officials flew to Miami on Saturday morning, flew back to Buffalo with Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus and signed the deal in the late afternoon at Bills headquarters.