No deal for free-agent wide receiver Terrell Owens is imminent, but his connections to Cincinnati are increasing.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has been working out regularly with Owens in California and has been highly impressed, according to a team source. Palmer has gone so far as to tell Bengals officials what an asset Owens could be and how much talent he still has.
If nothing else, it has gotten Cincinnati thinking and talking about a receiver it hosted for a free-agent visit in March. Back then the Bengals opted for Antonio Bryant, but a team that has been short-handed at wide receiver knows it never hurts to stockpile talent at the position.
Owens also has another strong supporter in Chad Ochocinco, his close friend and reality TV colleague. The two have helped each other promote their respective shows on VH1.
Another Bengals source said Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, visited Cincinnati this week, though it is possible he was there for Ochocinco's football camp.
"We will see as we get closer to training camp," a Bengals source said Friday night. "Nothing now that I know of."