Earlier on Tuesday, our own Jason Garrison wrote that based on recent tweets, Chad Ochocinco believes he's on his way out. This is especially true if the team selects Georgia's A.J. Green in the 2011 NFL Draft. But a lot of this comes Marvin Lewis' antagonistic view on the wide receiver.
The truth is that Chad's recent tweets believing he's likely gone could be close to the truth.
According to NFL Network's Steve Wyche, the organization is tiring of Chad.
Chad has an affinity for the dramatic, but he could very well be on the mark regarding his tenure in Cincinnati. I've spoken to people in the organization who said Lewis has become tired of Ochocinco's attention-seeking ways -- and Lewis isn't the only one. Whether that's enough for a split remains to be seen, but there could be more to it.
This feud can be traced back to last season. Before playing the Chargers, Chad Ochocinco learned of bone spurs in his ankle and wasn't practicing. During an interview with the Chargers media, Marvin Lewis called him "mopey". When Lewis signed a two-year deal, Ochocinco commented during an interview with a radio station that he wasn't sure the two could coexist anymore. Asked about Chad Ochocinco playing for the New England Patriots, Lewis said "Belichick's smarter than that." And that was before saying:
"Nobody was talking about him. He didn't stand that," Lewis said. "You want them to talk about you, win football games."
The feud even drew the attention of TNA Wrestling, offering Chad and Lewis a venue to have it out.
The truth is, we sort of agree with Chad here. That doesn't mean we're defending him. But Lewis' often petty responses regarding questions regarding Chad Ochocinco aren't just childish, they're demeaning and very unprofessional -- even if the player isn't expected to return. Free agents see this -- though they probably note the circumstances. I mean, we are talking about Chad here.
Either way, the head coach has to be the bigger man here and let it go. And then let Chad go.