The San Francisco 49ers announced on Wednesday that former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens will become the 28th inductee in the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. He is already a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class and was inducted in August of 2018.
Owens spoke with reporters via a conference call following the announcement by the 49ers and was asked about the team's current squad. The Hall of Fame receiver believes the 49ers can be successful if the team works to put the right pieces around its quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo.
Owens said that one thing he learned from his time in the NFL is that every year is different. The success or lack of success from one year may not necessarily impact the next. The 49ers certainly know that to be true. The team finished its 2017 campaign with five-straight victories with Garoppolo as the starter and won six of its final seven games. San Francisco went on to win just four games this past season.
"With the 49ers, they definitely have some pieces in place," Owens said. "Number one, it starts with a quarterback. I know Jimmy Garoppolo just got hurt last year, but again, with the upside and what people saw of him within the last two years of what he can do, and you put some pieces around him, then the sky's the limit.
"Obviously, defense wins championships. You don't have to be the number one, number two, three defense. As long as you're playing good at the right time, and everyone's playing in harmony with each other, and there's that chemistry, anything can happen."
Owens believes Garoppolo's time with the New England Patriots and learning from quarterback Tom Brady will result in success for the 49ers signal caller.
"Now you've just got to put the pieces around this guy, and then have a great training camp, and like I said, barring injuries, anything can happen going into the playoffs," Owens continued. "Again, you have all the pieces right there in place to be very, very successful."