Chad Ochocinco, Future Hall of Famer?

by BeerRun on Jun 1, 2010 10:23 PM EDT

When he calls it a career, will 85 belong in the Hall of Fame? Peter King, the sportswriter Cincinnati Bengals fans love to hate, says he has a shot to have a shot:

SIMPLY AN OVERSIGHT. "I love your column and look forward to reading it every Monday. However I have to ask why you left Chad Ochocinco off your list of potential HOF receivers? He is the only receiver to ever lead his league in receiving four years in a row. Always puts up good numbers (minus 2008) and is a seven-time Pro Bowler. That sounds like HOF type attributes to me." --Ben Indino, Colorado Springs, Colo. I blew it. There were about 30 receivers whose stats I was looking at and I simply forgot to include him. He certainly is among those who has a chance to catch 1,000 balls and have his case heard for Canton one day. I apologize for the oversight.

The reference is to King’s MMQB column from the previous day, in which he talks about an upcoming "logjam" of Hall-worthy wide receivers. At his current average of 76 catches a season, Chad would need just over four more seasons to reach King’s 1,000-catch mark.

Setting aside the question of whether he can or will catch 1,000 balls, Chad doesn’t look like a Hall of Famer -- yet. That could easily change, but I see at least three factors working against him right now.

First and foremost is the Bengals’ current image. Thanks to the Lost Decade, the team is firmly cemented in the "loser" category in the minds of many pundits and sportswriter, a fact many (including myself) have recently lamented. That’s a huge anchor around not just 85’s neck, but anyone else on the team who may eventually generate Hall of Fame talk.

Second, while Chad’s stats are very good, so far they fall a touch shy of great. In his best year, 2005, he had 97 catches, 1,432 yards and 9 touchdowns. Compare that to the best years of the current and eligible Hall of Famers in King’s list:

Jerry Rice, 1995: 122/1,848/15

Cris Carter, 1995: 122/1,371/17

Tim Brown, 1997: 104/1,408/5

Andre Reed, 1994: 90/1,303/8

Art Monk, 1984: 106/1,372/7

One thing that jumps out at me is that everyone but Reed has at least one 100-catch season. Chad has yet to do that. And though not reflected in the above numbers, everyone but Monk has at least one season with double-digit TD receptions, another hurdle Chad hasn't jumped. So, if we are setting statistical benchmarks, I would say Chad needs to ring a few more bells to get attention from Hall voters.

The third factor is Chad himself. His showboating rubs a lot of people the wrong way, and I think 2008 will ultimately come back to haunt him. Leadership is one of those factors looked-for in Hall of Fame players, and that’s never been Chad’s thing.

All of that said, Chad has virtues that should appeal to Hall voters, too. In an era when it seems like a different NFL player is in trouble with the law or getting suspended for alcohol or drugs every other day, Chad is a straight arrow. For every person his endless self-promotion annoys, there’s another who can’t get enough. And then there are those times when he surprises everyone.

If Chad can stay healthy and focused -- both things that people question these days -- he may get his chance at the Hall. But the bottom line is, he still needs to step up his game to do so, which means less Dancing With the Stars and OCNN, and more dancing with Carson Palmer and OTAs. Otherwise, the closest he'll come to that coveted yellow jacket will have been his sideline gag.

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Comments

correction

And though not reflected in the above numbers, everyone but Monk has at least one season with double-digit TD receptions, another hurdle Chad hasn’t jumped.

Chad did catch 10 TD’s in 2003.

by Bengals Talk on Jun 1, 2010 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

no offense

but you forgot randy moss in 07

98/1493/23

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Jun 1, 2010 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I don’t think his point was best receiving seasons, just best seasons by those that are in the hall of fame, or eligible for it. Moss is neither……. yet.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 2, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

simply put...

his stats will never be hall of fame caliber.

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Jun 1, 2010 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

The thing he needs is a SUperbowl win

Thats what seperates Monk and Rice from Carter, Moss, Brown and Reed. (could be wrong on any of those but I don’t think I am) A RIng would erase the Loser Bengal image and seperate Chad from the others, especially if he could get 1,200 yards and 12 TDs in the year we win it.

by jim0ijk on Jun 1, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

you are correct sir

by goffchile on Jun 2, 2010 8:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If he and Palmer can step up for a few more seasons

Then I could see him being on the ballot, but not as a lock. A ring wouldn’t hurt either.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Jun 2, 2010 2:42 AM EDT reply actions

if anderson and riley and curtis have taught us anything

it’s that without a ring, your chances of making it to the hall are not good. no matter how great you were on the field.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Jun 2, 2010 6:37 AM EDT reply actions

Good but not good enough yet

No super bowl ring, not really a dominant receiver, has problems in receiving against some of the better elite cornerbacks, definitely need to score more TDs to be the team’s point getters. As much as I like Chad, I think he is good but just not great yet. But neither is Chad retiring tomorrow. He still has at least a couple of good years left and let’s see if he will excel when every receiver on the Bengals team is asking for the ball. Very much like Bob Trumpy, may be the best tight end for the Bengals but not HOF standards.

by Richard L on Jun 2, 2010 6:44 AM EDT reply actions

He has a shot to have shot

says it best. Based off his current career I would say no way. Although his skill set easily warrants his induction, his stats do not. He would have had many more stats to match his skill set had the Bengals’ passing offense kept in par with 2005 consistently. Now that we are a power offense, his chances of making up the ground he has lost will be hard and I think he knows it.

Honestly, I think he is more concerned with his next career (which is better than the 75% of NFL players that go broke after leaving) than with getting into the Hall of Fame, which is absolutely fine with me. He has had a great career and has been VERY entertaining to watch. Best of luck to our Ochocinco!

by hachigo! on Jun 2, 2010 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree

While he has begun to consider his future career, I doubt anything nags him more than wanting to get into the Hall of Fame. He obviosuly desires attention, but consider the immortal attention that the Hall brings. He may know that he will never be regarded as the best reciever of all time, but he has a Rice like work ethic, and that combined with his desire for attention will push him to get into the Hall.

by jim0ijk on Jun 2, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

RE

Had a Rice like work ethic… I love Chad but DWTS and Reality Show’s along with the 2008 off season show’s me his work ethic has slid a little..

by JamesShively on Jun 2, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair Enough

But I also think he could regain it

by jim0ijk on Jun 2, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Close, very close.

Chad is very close to the Hall, IMO. Obviously he has to have a few more good to great years. I don’t think that will be too much of an issue however. Chad is always in great shape. His route running should allow him to be productive for a few years easily. He will continue to add to those numbers and in the end I think his numbers will be favorable. Hopefully by then the national media will give the Bengals more respect. Also by then, hopefully the voters who may have an issue with his self promotion will not remember all that but will remember that he never was in trouble with the law and the only reason he had his “issues” in 2008 was because he simply wants to win. He wants to win at everything. That is another reason I believe he continues to put up good numbers for a few more years. It will be very close but I believe he will be worthy. A lot of it will depend on the National Media’s perception of the Bengals when it is time to vote.

by C1ncy4Life on Jun 2, 2010 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

You hit that one on the head..

+100000000000000000

by WHYUS!! on Jun 2, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

If he's going to the HOF, he needs to make his mark this season

This means, as stated, near 100 catches season. It means he needs 1000 yards. It means he needs 10+ TDs.

To put it simply, Chad’s HOF chances are all on HIS shoulders but also on his teammate to support him.

Not only do I think it’s possible, but if he succeeds it means we are in the playoffs and crushing opponents. He will never get this type of opportunity again, nor will we.

by UpStateMike on Jun 2, 2010 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

100 catches

I think that Hall will lokk much moreat yards and TDs than catches. Receptions are a nice Stat, but it is what you do once you have the ball that leaves a mark in the NFL.

by jim0ijk on Jun 2, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

HOF or not. I know I want him to retire a Bengal. He is a HOF WR in my book.

HOF is a joke anyway. Writers do the voting and most writers have their own agenda. I have little respect for their biases. If I don’t have respect for someone why would I care about their opinion about anything. This is just another thing that the NFL has does wrong. These guys are the least credible of any group associated with pro football. IMO retired coaches with 50 games, retired players with 6 seasons, current NFL HOF guys. If this group did the voting I would see the HOF as something more meaningful.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jun 2, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

Right on.

I never understood this about the HOF.

by Jaegner on Jun 2, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think he will get in.

is he is playing in an era with guys like Moss, Larry Fitz, Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Vincent Jackson are grabbing all the pub from the media as well as putting up (or expected to continue to put up) ridiculous numbers for the next handful of seasons. Factor that in with the logjam of WRs still awaiting the hall, I just see Ocho getting lost in the shuffle and not making the hall.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jun 2, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Ocho makes his own publicity.

He made Twitter explode for the sports media. Plus a zillion other things of course, but I don’t think that is why he would not get in. Just like King did, he didn’t add Ocho simply because he was scrolling through the numbers and didn’t add it up, and a fan had to do his homework.

by UpStateMike on Jun 2, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it really depends on...

How much longer he plays and the next few seasons if he can put up some ridiculous numbers. His numbers are very good, but they would look better if he can keep doing it for another 4-6 seasons. I hate how people base someone’s worth off a team award like the superbowl. It really is retarded, and I will give you a prime example. Barry Sanders, guy played on an awful team and put up kick ass numbers his whole career. If he would have played for any of the better teams back in his day he would have had rings galore.

As much as I would like to see Ocho in the hall I will gladly take him being as productive as he has in the past and bring home some glory to this team.

by TCfromDubVee on Jun 2, 2010 11:51 AM EDT reply actions