The rumors of where Terrell Owens will end up are starting to heat up.

While the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons have been mentioned, league sources told ESPN don't be surprised if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seriously consider signing the wide receiver.

Owens, who was suspended Nov. 5 after he again criticized Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb, will be released by the Eagles before March, when he’s due a $5 million roster bonus.

ESPN said the Bucs are lured by adding another big play receiver for young quarterback Chris Simms. ESPN said the main obstacles are the salary cap and Bucs coach Jon Gruden somehow excusing what Owens did to his friend, Eagles coach Andy Reid.

On Nov. 23, an arbitrator upheld the Eagles' decision to send Owens home for the season, ruling the team was justified in its actions.

Owens’ suspension without pay cost him $764,706 of his $3.25 million base salary for this season. He was paid $955,882 over the final five games just for sitting at home.

The Eagles informed Owens he must repay $1.725 million of the $2.3 million signing bonus he received in March 2004. The NFL Players’ Association filed a grievance against the Eagles, claiming the team breached Owens’ contract by trying to get back part of the bonus and by leaving him inactive for the rest of the season.

Owens has five years remaining on a seven-year, $48.97 million contract that he signed when he came to Philadelphia last year. His problems started when he demanded a new contract after an outstanding season in which he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 24 years.

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Owens was kicked out of training camp for one week after a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid that followed a shouting match with offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

Owens also annoyed the Eagles by violating the dress code on road trips, parking in coaches’ spots at the team’s practice facility and sleeping through one team meeting, not bringing his playbook to another and refusing to open the playbook at another meeting.

One day after the Eagles banished him, a contrite Owens pleaded for another chance in a public apology outside his home in Moorestown, but the team was unmoved.

Owens was set to earn base salaries of $770,000 in 2006, $5.5 million in 2007, $6.5 million in 2008, $7.5 million in 2009, and $8.5 million in 2010.

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