WADDLE'S WORLD: Owens could give Bears lift they need

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Maybe I’m starting this premise on the wrong note by referring to myself as “TW.” Speaking in the third person, even if it’s only using initials, does feel creepy.

To some of you, the concept of trading for Terrell Owens also feels creepy. Please allow me to explain myself.

First of all, I’m looking at the big picture here and setting my sights higher than high. That’s what you’re supposed to do when you acquire a marquee quarterback like Jay Cutler.  

If you are content watching Cutler do his thing for three hours every Sunday, you need to snap out of your trance. I admit it is mesmerizing, but the play of Cutler has me wanting more.   

The goal is not to get better, its to get to the postseason and make noise once you’re there.  

Did you see the Vikings on display last Monday night? Do you realize they’re 5-0 and have a game-and-a-half lead in the NFC North? Are you confident that these Bears, as they are currently constituted, can get past those Vikings? 

I say no, but for argument’s sake, lets say they catch the Vikings and win the division.  Can they keep up with the New Orleans Saints, the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles, or the Atlanta Falcons for that matter? If the answer is no, then why not pursue a player who might take you to that next level.

Through four weeks, the Bears receiving corps has been better than expected. Devin Hester continues to develop, Earl Bennett is a legitimate contributor, and Johnny Knox is more than a pleasant surprise. But they’re the weakest group in the division. 

The Packers have one of the most talented and deepest set of targets in the NFL. The Vikings’ trio of Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin is more explosive. The Lions have the best receiver in the NFC North in Calvin Johnson and a big and dangerous target in Bryant Johnson.   

Add T.O. to the mix up at Halas Hall, and I say the Bears move into second place in this little contest, and become more of a contender in the conference.

Aren’t you excited by the thought of Knox and Hester flying down the sidelines and tight end Greg Olsen and Owens working the seams? My guess is that Cutler is giggly about the possibilities.

And really, what’s the risk? Owens isn’t Milton Bradley in a football helmet. T.O. is a much better football player than Bradley is a baseball player, and the Bears wouldn’t be investing three years and $30 million.  

The cost likely would be a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick and about $4 million, the remainder of his 1-year, $6 million deal.  

Worried about the distraction? Don’t be. Worst-case scenario, the Bears launch him at the first sign of naughty behavior. I say it wouldn’t happen.  

Owens knows this is his last stop if he doesn’t behave, and that’s why he’s comported himself well in Buffalo despite meager success. 

T.O. needs to play well and toe the line if he wants his career to extend beyond this season. 
Of course, this is strictly a hypothetical scenario as the Bills have expressed no interest in trading Owens.  

But with the Bears at 3-1 and the arrow pointing up, why not be proactive and ask the Bills if they’ll come to the bargaining table? Are you listening, Jerry Angelo?

Maybe you’ll be more willing to make a move after getting a look at the Falcons this weekend. Now that’s an offense. A franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan, two difference-makers outside, including Roddy White, a future Hall of Famer at tight end in Tony Gonzalez, and workhorse running back Michael Turner. 

Fortunately, the Atlanta defense is not nearly as impressive. For that reason, I see the Bears keeping this one close. But close won’t get it done. The Falcons are monsters in their building, winning nine of their past 10 in the Georgia Dome. Make that 10 of 11.

Prediction: Falcons 27, Bears 24.

• Tom Waddle appears from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday on the “Waddle & Silvy Show” on WMVP AM-1000. He writes a weekly column on the Bears for The Chronicle.