Every week before the Falcons game, I'll be selecting one player to keep an especially close eye on. This week, it's cornerback Chris Owens.
Old or not, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are a handful for any cornerback. Chris Owens will get to experience those trials today.
I debated putting Brent Grimes up here, but he's proven himself to be a capable starting cornerback already this season. If anyone's going to pick Carson Palmer, it'll be Air Grimey, and he's capable of blanketing Ochocinco. I hope he'll be called upon to do so.
That leaves us with Owens. I've had high hopes for Chris Owens from the beginning, and he's performed well in a nickel role this season. Starting and matching up against one of a pair of talented wide receivers is a different ball of wax entirely.
I believe in Owens. The Falcons need him to perform well as they attempt to shut down the struggling Bengals, who have the potential to explode offensively at any time. One would hope the Falcons could shut them down, but despite his experience with T.O., Owens could be up against a guy who has lit the world on fire the last couple of weeks. It'll be a test for Owens, but I do expect him to rise to the challenge.
So lock your gaze on Chris Owens, folks.