Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has had a great career in Cincinnati. During his ten years with the Bengals, Chad posted 751 career receptions, 10,783 yards receiving and 66 touchdowns. Seven of his ten seasons have ended with at least 1,000 yards receiving and from 2003 through 2007, Chad averaged over eight touchdowns per season. It hasn't always been a smooth ride for Chad, but by in large, he'll be remembered as one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.
There's a wide spread belief that Chad won't play out his final season under contract, due $6 million next season. Even Chad has felt it, slowly promoting himself for other teams, such as the Jets and Patriots.
What's ironic in all of this is that Cincinnati fans had a much bigger issue with Chad demanding a trade than Carson Palmer demanding it. People felt insulted that Chad was ripping their home/favorite NFL team during any interview he was on. For his part, Chad was the one demanding it. He was the one talking to the media about it. Palmer hasn't said a single word publicly about it.
On Thursday night, Ochocinco hung out with ESPN 760's Jeremy Marks-Peltz to talk about how Miami has always been his team(s) and how Cincinnati has always been good to him.
"Speaking of the Dolphins, like, I can say this. The Dolphins have always been my team since I've grown up. Anytime I play Madden, I play with the Dolphins. I mean, everything, the Heat, the Marlins, you know, the Panthers. I've been a Florida guy all my life. I love Cincinnati, it's been good to me, I would like to win, I want things to turn around. I'm not in control of the situation, as you can see, my quarterback [Carson Palmer] is fed up. But we'll see what happens."
No. I don't think this is a front assault to get the Dolphins to trade for him, or sign him if he's released as a free agent. Every player had a favorite team growing up and most often it wasn't the team that they currently play for. And we have no problem that Miami is Chad's favorite team; it doesn't change that fact that he had a great career with the Bengals.