Former Bengals Wide Receiver Chad Ochocinco Makes New England Patriots Debut

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 13, 2011 10:22 AM EDT in Veterans of Cincinnati

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the New England Patriots looks on during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 12, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Down by 15 points in the Cincy Jungle fantasy football league, the Kirkendollyrama had one player remaining to secure a victory from the jaws of defeat. It was like the final plea from Luke Skywalker for his father's help before the Emperor's final death stroke. One player. My Anakin was named Tom Brady. Obviously by now you've heard; so if you were annoyed by the giddy squeaks you heard coming north of Cincinnati, then my bad. Throughout the course of ESPN's first of two Monday Night Football games, Tom Brady completed 32 of 48 passes for 517 yards and four touchdowns in an epic display of aerial awesome. If you're a fan of football, especially Madden video games, this was a fun game to watch; an NFL record 933 yards passing combined between Brady and Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (416 yards).

Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, fluttering towards the heavens so excited to be on a team like the Patriots after the Bengals traded him, made his debut in a Patriots uniform after posting three receptions during the preseason. According to several published reports, Chad is taking longer than expected to adjust to New England's playbook. Of Brady's 32 completions, Chad Ochocinco caught one for 14 yards receiving. Of Brady's 48 pass attempts, Ochocinco was targeted three times. In truth the first time we noticed Chad was when he was flagged for an illegal formation in the first quarter that negated a 41-yard Tom Brady pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.

While we might sound a little trivial and antagonistic towards Chad, we're not meaning to. In reality, save for one offseason in 2008, we liked Chad; for all intends and purposes, he was a big part of raising the bar for Bengals football and contrary to popular believe, he was as hard a worker on this team as anyone (before reality TV consumed him). And we do hope for a successful sunset to a great career.

That being said, Brady scored the most points in our fantasy football league, giving me a decided win and a 1-0 start this season. It's the first time I've been over .500 in the last four years.

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Comments

The guy is overrated

Like I have said for the past 5 years…He is not a playmaker…He looks so pretty and crisp coming in and out of his breaks, but we dont see what the coaches see and hint at to the public…he is often in the wrong place…..Will not go up and get it, and risk being hit…He has absolutely no ability to run after the catch…..Just wait guys….I am not bitter about this guy…I have an objective view…He has an outstanding ability to keep his body in bounds but that is about it….I would take Green or Simpson in a heartbeat of Ocho, at they are hungry

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 13, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

"Will not go up and get it, and risk being hit…"

Really? I’ve seen him jacked SEVERAL times throughout his career. It’s late in his career you might be referring to, but to believe that he wasn’t a playmaker earlier in his career is just silly.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 13, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I am talking about him now

He still gets hit, I just dont think he will sacrifice his body as much anymore…His ability to get hit AND HOLD ON TO THE BALL, is really what I was referring to. I agree, he used to be a great receiver….

by ticalcaldwell on Sep 13, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds like a smidge of poor recollection

mixed with bias confirmation.

A Ongreed the Deserving
-coviner's lawful neutral Paladin / Debutante character

by supergrover on Sep 14, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

uh

how many 10,000 yard receivers does cincinnati have in club history?

" I for one, welcome our new Buffalo overlords. " - Whokebe

by palewook on Sep 13, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

And we should care because....???

Chad had a great career with our beloved Bengals. He’s gone and I, for one, would be satisfied if I don’t hear anything more about him or what he does. Why?

I lost respect when he talked about the winning culture at NE – dissing the Bengals. I had a problem for 2 reasons. 1. Although we know this, what was his motivation? Parting jab? Something else? 2. He was, or could have been a leader in this clubhouse and he could have tried to create that winning culture. Instead he chose the clown route. He didn’t try to instill the winning culture here, he chose to break it down with his antics.

Sorry. Bitter. I really don’t care what he does after his career with the Bengals. In fact, I was pretty happy that he was a non-factor in the game.

Stepping down now.

by bengalsmofo on Sep 13, 2011 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

Mike Brown will not let anyone create a winning culture with this team.

by bengalinflorida on Sep 13, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually like Chad

And I can’t beleive I’m saying this but the trade looks like it’s going to be another smart move where the Bengals end up getting the better end of the deal. I know people will always look back and say we could have gotten 2 number 1 picks from Washington, but it was really more than likely only going to be a 1rst and 3rd rounder, which is still a lot and I agree we should have taken that deal. However, once again they did a great job getting value this off season, most of the other teams just cut vetrans they no longer valued but we worked it out and actually got something in return for Chad. A 5th in 2012 and a 6th in 2013. If you also take into consideration the Pats cut B. Tate, theoretically to make room for Chad, that adds another 3rd round pick from 2009 that we were able to obtain because of the departure of Chad. Not too bad a 3rd from 09, a 5th 2012, and a 6th 2012 for someone who looks kind of lost, at least right now.