Report: Chad Ochocinco Not Making The Trip To Baltimore For Season Finale
by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 30, 2010 12:02 PM EST
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When the Bengals finally giving the team's younger wide receivers a shot to see what the future may hold, Cincinnati's offense benefited, summarized in Carson Palmer's rejuvenated body-language like he was actually having fun again. All of this happened when the Bengals two reality-show superstar wide receivers sat due to their respective injuries.
Marvin Lewis left open the possibility that Chad Ochocinco could play during the team's regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. However that possibility has closed with Chad missing Wednesday and Thursday's practices. Now he's not even making the trip to Baltimore.
This is relatively big because Chad Ochocinco may have already played the final game in his Bengals career. His contract calls for an option in 2011. If the Bengals pick it up, they pay Chad $6 million and if they let him go to free agency, the Bengals pay the wide receiver $3.5 million.
Reports have surfaced that Chad would like to remain in Cincinnati as a Cincinnati Bengal. On one hand, as we saw against the San Diego Chargers, the Bengals can continue grooming the team's younger receivers to the point that Chad won't be needed in 2011. On the other hand, the cost to keep Chad would only be $2.5 million and based on injuries that happen every year, having decent receivers stocked is always wise.
However, Chad no longer has leverage. If Chad wants to stay, then the Bengals have the luxury to dictate terms. A few things the team could emphasize is that Chad participates in all offseason programs, ditches his reality/talk shows and mentors the receivers about his work ethic and film study (which is typically under-reported), then he's more than welcome to return. But the old Chad really isn't needed anymore. If he can't help Cincinnati open the door to the next generation of receivers, then there's no real reason to keep him. And this is coming from a guy that spent most of Cincy Jungle's existence defending Chad Ochocinco, calling him one of the reasons that Cincinnati was finally showcased nationally for something positive back in 2003.
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Hey guys, jet fan here
Just curious about how you guys feel about how Carlson Palmer did without his diva receivers. Just notice there are correlations out there showing QB’s playing better without their diva receivers. Two examples. Eli Manning seem to get hot after Jeremy Shockey got hurt the year the giants won the super bowl. Couple that with Tiki Barber retiring, Eli lost two people who probably didn’t let him command the huddle. The other is how Tom Brady went from great to really great after losing/getting rid of Randy Moss.
Well
After one game so far (and mind you, it’s only one game) the proof is in the pudding.
Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 30, 2010 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
+1
Good point. Think about it. A younger QB with a older diva wide reciever. Have you ever tried to manage people older at your job? They just don’t respect you as much. They think you don’t know as much as them because your younger. Chad had one year longer in the league than Carson.
Bring on Jerome Simpson!
Bengals are the worst team in the NFL for the past TWO decades!
refer to my fanpost: Reasons not to play Chad on Sunday
one of the majore points to me is it’s a mental thing with Palmer where he gets tunnel vision and stiffness in his passes with added stress – multiplied by divas like Chad and TO. And it seems Eli Manning has a very similar personality/mentality to Carson Palmer.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
But Eli Manning didn'tt have trouble with Burress.
Burress may not be as pushy on the field and it’s possible that I’m letting his arrest make me mistake him for a diva, but he doesn’t seem like he was the greatest locker room presence.
"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428
Burress may be an idiot and reprobate
but I never really took him as a dominating personality – which is what affects Palmer, not necessarily some guy acting like a thug. Though to be honest, I’m not very familiar with Burress. He almost seems more like a Chris Henry who at least would shut his mouth and play. I think Henry is the reciever who Palmer most benefited from.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Keep in mind Tom Brady broke nfl records with moss and went to the Superbowl!
So there goes that theory
Tom Brady is also Tom Brady. Belichick is Belichick.
He knew when to cut ties once that diva mode was a distraction. We didn’t.
like him or not
he was absolutely one of the 2 things that put the Bengals back on the national stage….that other being his QB who’m much of you want gone immediately. Chad will always have a spot in my Bengal heart.
The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day
Thank you Ocho for what you've done for us.
Just wish you still focused on football primarily.
Your right..
At one point in time, he was a great team player. He used to sleep at work one night a week. That is dedication! But things have changed, he’s old. J. Simpson is more of the future than C. Johnson.
Bengals are the worst team in the NFL for the past TWO decades!
I really hope the Bengals don't get duped into taking this guy back
not even allowing him to go to Baltimore is a great move. Now, just cut him lose once and for all!
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
i bet you he's absolutely FUMING
that he’s not even traveling with the team….i know its standard practice on many NFL teams to not travel injured guys….but with this being his maybe last game as a Bengal you’d think they’d atleast let him travel w/the guys….
The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day
to add insult to injury
Rey Lewis has sort of been his “mentor” over the years, plus you got his ole boy, Housh there now. Although, I’m not entirely sure he’ll be fuming. Now, he doesn’t have to stand on the sidelines and pretend he is cheering for Jerome Simpson and Palmer who are essentially proving they are better without him.
GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
RE:
“not even allowing him to go to Baltimore”
It’s not usual for injured players not to make the trip with a team to an away game. Unless you heard something else, I don’t think the team is saying to Chad, “you can’t come with us.”
Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 30, 2010 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
yea, but you have to wonder if Marvin pulled him aside and said
“You’re not coming with us, Chad.”
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Possible
But I honestly don’t see that at all. Chad has often referred to Marvin as a father figure and I think their relationship is pretty solid like that. It would just be petty from Lewis and the Bengals to say he can’t come.
Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 30, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
they practically got into a fist-fight during the playoff loss to the Steelers
and Chad may say that, but he says a lot of things I don’t believe he is really sincere about. I hate to throw my cynic hat on, but let’s not forget who Chad’s agent is.
And even if Chad does look up to him, I can’t imagine Marvin isn’t worn out by now with Chad. Though he wouldn’t publicly address it, I think he’d like to be done with him.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
This is really big for Jerome and Andre
I’m excited to see if these two guys can carry the team, if they play well its very possible we wait to draft a WR till the 2nd or 3rd rounds.
or FA
who is actually healthy this time – and not a diva
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Nah, no FA.
Big reason why Andre and Rome can be successful is that they’ve been doing this w/ CP for 3 years now. FA WR pickups typically fail. I’d rather go w/ Andre and Rome, draft (or I guess you could sign a lesser known FA) to fill out the 4/5/6 spots.
lesser known FA
that is what I’d like to see. This way we can load more up on linemen and maybe a safety with our top picks
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
What do you guys think about Breaston?
He won’t cost any more than what MB wanted to pay for Bryant and Arizona is showing no interest in resigning him. He’s put up great numbers for a #3 and had no decline in production when going from a HOFer to Derek Anderson. Breaston, Rome, and Caldwell would be a really speedy athletic receiver corps. I bet Lewis is kicking himself for letting Dez Briscoe go. Stupid stupid stupid.
Hm...
Has he been playing the slot role? If so, there’s no room for him. If he can be the #2 guy, sure, go for it.
People seem to be forgetting that the “#3” (aka Z receiver) role is taken up by Shipley and there’s no changing that.
"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428
Actually everybody is forgetting someone
Nobdy is giving Quan Cosby any love. He’s still a young WR on this team too, IMO has upside…
Quasby sucks, at least as a punt returner.
Unfortunately we don’t have a good sample size of him as a receiver.
"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428
Why is everybody forgetting about Jordan Shipley?
I see everyone mentioning Simpson and Caldwell as #1 and #2, but honestly I’d rather have Simpson and Shipley as #1 and #2.
I don’t really see Caldwell as the long term option is any way shape or form.
I could actually see Caldwell play a
Whines Hard role, without being a punk.. Whines Hard is actually a #2 WR. Shipely is more of a (Welker) slot WR which is considered a #3 WR.
I just don't get why you would want Shipley as the Y (#2) receiver.
He’s a prototypical slot receiver.
"I bet that sex Bengals fan is really pissed now." -DT3428
We always knew these guys were athletic freaks
It’s about time that we see what they can do. If they can put together a solid game against Baltimore, then I’ll be pretty sold on them going into next year. If they are able to go through two of the toughest Ds in the league and look good, I think we can pretty safely head into next season without Chad.
This is our year!
Still hard for me to picture MB letting him go
when he still has to pay him $3.5 million. I think he needs to go, though.
Wide Recievers???
I dont know about everyone else but I hope we stay as a ground and pound smashmouth team. We are fine with our recievers we have. We need to focus on defense and OL. Why pick up another reciever unless we plan on being a high flying offense like weve been? Drop Chad or diminish his role somewhat and become a running team with a possible 3 prong attack.
How much more evidence do we need?
by stripes earner on Dec 30, 2010 3:04 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Chad wants out
I think he would like to hit the open market. The only thing that has him saying he wants to return is knowing that he may not get anyone to pay him $2.5 million to play. On top of that he’s not ranting he wants out because he knows that would put him in an awkward situation if we keep him and will also diminish his value to any suitors for next season. He want’s out.. Quietly..
I think he has mixed feelings.
He wants out but then again he doesnt. Its hard to say goodbye to yesterday. I just want him to play like he did in 09 and stop joking around so much. He needs to marry that lovely latina off the basketball wives. Maybe that will calm him down. Lovely Latinas have been known to have that kind of effect.
Teams dont really need an elite number one reciever anymore to be successful. Keep him diminish his role.Get him a chance at his ring has a running team.
100% sure he returns
Caldwell-Simpson-Shipley won’t get it done. Simpson had a big game against the Chargeless, but don’t start thinking we have our new go-to guy.
Plus, when has Mike Brown ever paid a guy not to play for the team…oh wait, that’s what he does with receivers (see: Coles, Laveranues and Bryant, Antonio).
Manning and Brady have made studs out of no-name recievers this entire decade
we don’t necessarily need any more big names. Get two decent receivers (via FA or drat) who don’t have big heads to replace Chad and TO. Then return to the run game.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
You forget that it's because they're Brady and Manning.
Palmer is not at that level to be able to make whomever they throw to into a competant player.
I think caldwell Simpson and Shipley can get it done
Anything is possible when you play as a complete team.
Between Gresham and Shipley should have a top 10 receiving TE and a top 10 slot guy next year.
And I’m being a little pessimistic about what they can do in their second year. Simpson and Caldwell don’t have to be great, they just have to be good enough to keep those 2 from getting extra coverage.
Thats a good point
Gresham changes the game for us by taking over the middle and is essentially another WR. Anybody else notice that he’s been averaging like 12ypc over the last 4 or 5 games?
I thi k I’d rather see one more year of ocho, with ocho-simpson-Shipley-Caldwell as our 1-4 and obviously Gresham at te. I’m excited to see what simpson does this week- hopefully he proves it wasn’t some weird fluke he was productive.
Of that 1-4 wr set worked, that’d allow us to focus on other things in the draft… D line, o-line, safety….
by ddbumpus on Dec 30, 2010 11:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
keep him
the time to let him go was when Wash offered high picks for him. We will not save much money letting him go now. I say keep him as a Bengal and humble him w a reduced role.
by quickslant on Dec 30, 2010 3:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree
In fact i think we would be surprised at how humble he would be. He always finds his way back into our hearts.
Really?
You guys think he’s humble when he’s not getting the ball/receiving a reduced role? I have to disagree. Look at the 2005 playoff incident, couple that with his 2008 escapades to get out of here. He will raise havoc on chemistry if we keep him and he’s not the center of attention anymore. Humbling Chad Ochocinco by telling him basically he’s not as good as he once was isn’t going to work. His ego is way to big for something like that. Maybe another team could get him to respond differently but he’s too comfortable here to be humbled.
by JamesShively on Dec 30, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
We must win like we did last week
In order to humble Chad we need to become a winner. He has accepted that hes not the same player whether we see it or not. He just wants to win. I cant blame him. hes already a star and does not depend on football anymore
2 down 1 to go.
TO not back, maybe not OCHO and hopefully Benson won’t be around to speak publicly asking for the ball more so he can have his hard hitting 2 yd runs on 2nd down.
Addition by Subtraction is a beaituful thing.
Bengals 2010. Road 2 The Toilet Bowl.
Paul Brown Stadium "The Home of the 2nd down 1yd Run" +
"More blue lines than google earth"
are you really lobbying to get rid of C Ben?
I can’t be reading this right can I? Because last time I checked Benson was the ONLY REASON the Bengals made the playoffs last year…and his lack of carries this year is widely attributed to our sucktitude.
Why the hell would we get rid of one of our best assets?
I think he had a lack of carries
because we often got down big early. I hope we pick him up and split carries next year with him and B.Scott
I agree with GodSillY
Lets be honest we sucked this year becuase we tried to play with a pass first mentality. Chad and TO were not focused on football 100 percent. How stupid to get away from what made you successful last year. Its an overall mentality. WE have and OL who likes to hit people not play patsy with hands in pass protection.
RUN FIRST……THE COACHING STAFF REALLY SCREWED UP THIS YEAR.
Thank you Stripes...this is what I mean!
is it just a coincidence that our last two wins have come with C BEN getting 20 carries a game??
I hear ya!
If Chad wants to stay, then the Bengals have the luxury to dictate terms. A few things the team could emphasize is that Chad participates in all offseason programs, ditches his reality/talk shows and mentors the receivers about his work ethic and film study (which is typically under-reported), then he’s more than welcome to return. But the old Chad really isn’t needed anymore. If he can’t help Cincinnati open the door to the next generation of receivers, then there’s no real reason to keep him.
And there is nothing negative about selling this to CO – He’s been given so much – now it’s time for him to start giving back by mentoring and nuturing the new guys.
don't need any diva's
Chad has been the man for a lot of years now, but everything ends at some point.
He has been the heart and soul of this team and for that I thank him to no end.
We need to get back to running the ball ans playing defense. We don’t need big name wide-outs to do that. We need guys that will run good routes and can compliment the run game. Simpson,Caldwell,Shipley and Gresham. Those four guys can give us the passing game we need, maybe not the high-flying passing game some of us want, but we can win with them.
This team is so so so close, I can feel it.
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Why just let him leave....T
when you have to give him 3.5 million. I think we could get at least a fifth round pick for Ocho. This way you don’t have to give him any money if he doesn’t play for the Bengals. The Patriots might be interested in Ocho, and I’d be willing to bet they are not the only team.
I want to see what Simpson, Caldwell, Shipley, and Gresham do this week before I jump to conclusions.
Nobody will give him 6 million for one year and give up a draft pick to learn a system all over again.
if they do pick up Chad in a trade, Chad would want a new multi year deal for more than 6 mill. Nobody is willing to sign him to more than that. Especially when the draft is going to be capped or as mention slotted. They can work with a younger WR for less and save a draft pick. He’s what, 33? JMO..
Respectfully I disagree....
I’ve already heard the Patriots were toying with the idea. But I do agree with you on the draft and that he’s not worth 6 million. Chad’s worth something to another team in need.
If he does go to the Pats
there will be stipulations though. I’ll lay money on that. Bill Belichump won’t put up with TV shows and such.
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