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Dwayne Bowe finally agreed to sign the franchise tender from the Kansas City Chiefs meaning he's officially in the fold and under contract for the 2012 season. Bowe was spotted in KC last week but after a false report that he was signing his tender we didn't hear anything else out of visit to KC.
Looking at the timeline of Bowe's return, it's notable that he's agreed to sign the day after training camp in ended. I'm guessing something changed between the time I talked to Bowe back in May -- when he said he would be at training camp -- to the start of camp when he was nowhere to be found.
Back in May, when I talked to him, he sure sounded like he was prepared to go to St. Joe for training camp.
"I love St. Joe, man. The fans line the field just like this. I signed every day for 30 days. It was like, when they see me out at the Wal-Mart, it's nothing but love. I've never seen fans like Kansas City that's so dedicated and so honored."
But then he never showed. I don't think it's a coincidence that he signs on the day after training camp ends. Bowe made his point, that he's willing to sit out some time in order to exert the only source of leverage he has, but that's all he could do. At some point, staying away from the team would end up hurting him in the 2012 season, which would then hurt his ability to negotiate a longterm deal next year. It's debatable whether he's reached that point staying out as long as he did.
Showing up now, with three preseason games remaining, gives him an opportunity to integrate himself into the Chiefs new offense under Brian Daboll and hopefully, maybe have a big season in 2012.
