The T.O. Show is coming to Cincinnati this week. Terrell Owens is looking for a new team and the Bengals came calling. He may be the first player to visit the Bengals that offseason that doesn’t have a criminal record. Owens will join Antonio Bryant on a visit today.
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You my have already heard that Chad Ochocinco (formerly known as Johnson) will be on the new cast of Dancing with the Stars. He’ll probably do pretty well since playing wide receiver has a lot of emphasis on footwork. Plus, Ochocinco used to play soccer. But he also may have some real dancing experience up his sleeves. We came across a video from a few years ago that shows Ochocinco taking dance lessons. You know, back when he wasn’t the #1 most annoying player in the NFL.
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The Bengals haven’t had the best luck when it comes to adding players with quality character. From 2006-2007, Cincinnati players were arrested at least 13 times. At least they’re picking up guys that are used to wearing striped or orange uniforms. In fact, they may be adding up to three more individuals that have been on the wrong side of the law.
Word out of Cincy is that the Bengals have offered Matt Jones a contract. Jones is best known for his incredible physical tools and love of cocaine. The Titans have already extended an offer to the quarterback turned wide receiver. The National Football Post reports that the contract from Cincinnati is worth around $630,000 even though Jones didn’t suit up at all during the 2009 season. The Bengals are also looking at a second criminal named Jones. Adam “Pacman” Jones tried out for the Bengals on Thursday. Pacman provides some versatility since he’s also a return man, but his skills didn’t keep him from losing his job with the Cowboys and Titans. Last but not least, it’s also reported that the Bengals have interest in Donte’ Stallworth. He’s been out of the league since killing a man in a car accident.
The Bengals must really be hurting for talent if they’re looking at all of these guys. There aren’t many guys that can come back from not playing for a year and then succeed in the NFL. If the Bengals are still looking for guys, I hear that Charles Rogers is looking for work. And hey, Plaxico might be out of jail before the 2011 season!
Tags: adam pacman jones, cincinnati bengals, contracts, donte stallworth, football, free agents, marvin lewis, matt jones, NFL
Chad Ochocinco did a lot of talking and tweeting before Sunday night’s game against the Jets. And that’s pretty much where his impact on the game ended. While he was heavily involved in pre-game coverage, the man formerly known as Chad Johnson did absolutely nothing in the game itself.
The Jets ran all over the Bengals, who had previously boasted a stout defense. While the Jets couldn’t get much going through the air, they mixed in a bunch of different looks and ended up with three players rushing for over 60 yards. On top of that, the Jets’ defense didn’t allow a single score. Carson Palmer completed merely one pass for zero yards before exiting at halftime and Ochocinco was held off of the stat sheet completely by Darrelle Revis.
The Jets’ victory sets up a rematch with the Bengals on Saturday. I expect the Bengals to be slight favorites (-3.5 to -4 I’m guessing) but the Jets may very well win again. New York has proven once that they can shut down Carson Palmer. Now they need to do it when Cincinnati has number one running back Cedric Benson in the lineup. Even so, I wouldn’t imagine the Jets changing much of their gameplan for the rematch.
Tags: afc, cincinnati bengals, football, mark sanchez, new york jets, NFL, playoffs
The Bengals come to town Sunday night with a chance to dash the Jets’ playoff hopes. Even though they’ll face a staunch secondary including Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, key members of the Jets’ pass attack remain confident. Both Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards made statements indicating that they expect to play hard and play well.
Rookie QB Mark Sanchez didn’t even come close to guaranteeing victory. But his words may be even more meaningful as a result. Sanchez stated that he’s made a natural progression and finally feels fully comfortable with the scheme and his responsibilities. Conversely, he refused to guarantee anything or claim that he’d “arrived.” While may Jets’ fans will gripe about his numbers, this is the type of confidence bordering on swagger that makes a champion. I’d also advise those fans to check out Joe Namath’s 1968 season where he actually threw MORE interceptions (17) than touchdowns (15) in the regular season. Whether or not Sanchez becomes a champion and elite leader, it’s important view him through the correct lens. There’s no doubt that Sanchez is capable of leading the Jets to the playoffs and success thereafter (see: Brad Johnson in Tampa Bay, Trent Dilfer in Baltimore). Sanchez may still need to mature with his decision-making on the field, but clearly he has a handle on his role as a professional:
“Maybe it came too late, but it was time to really make a jump as a rookie and start to not play like a rookie anymore. Have I arrived? Absolutely not. Do I feel totally comfortable and know everything that’s going on and am I trying? Absolutely.”
Braylon Edwards made seemingly more direct statements of confidence. However, he came short of actually guaranteeing victory even though the New York press characterized it as such. More than making a guarantee, Braylon seemed to be describing the tone among his teammates. He didn’t just come out and say the Jets would win. However, it’s clear that he thinks the Jets will be inspired when they take the field on Sunday night:
“We won’t lose this game. We want it too bad. You can just talk to the guys and get a feel. You can listen to (coach Rex Ryan’s) conviction when he talks to us.”
Whether or not the Jets win on Sunday night, it’s far too early to slap a label on Mark Sanchez. If anything, he’s clearly a professional and his desire to learn (and win) is evident. Looking at his last four wins, it becomes obvious that he can game-manage when given the opportunity. In the last four wins with Sanchez as a starter, he’s had attempts numbering in the teens and has only one pick in those games. Sure, Sanchez isn’t blameless for his turnovers and his part in the Jets’ losses. But it’s clear that there’s a point of diminishing return on his pass attempts.
Tags: braylon edwards, cincinnati bengals, football, guarantee, mark sanchez, new york jets, NFL, playoffs, quarterbacks, rookies, sunday night football, victory
Bernard Scott scored an oh-so-sweet return touchdown on Sunday against the Steelers. The score essentially won the game and the only other points came on field goals. Scott’s 96-yard return was certainly worthy of praise. But his fellow return man Quan Cosby also had a highlight-worthy effort. Cosby managed to block three Pittsburgh special teams players on his way down the field.
As the other man lined up to receive kicks, Cosby got the first block for Scott. Then he managed to catch up to the play and make two more blocks at the very end of the play. We’ve got each of the blocks spot-shadowed below for you below. Bengals special teams coach Darren Simmons had this to say about Cosby’s blocks:
“In my 13 years in the NFL that’s the single biggest effort play I’ve seen. He blocked a guy coming down the field first and then he’s behind the play and chases everyone down and almost bypasses everyone to a great block on a safety and then peels back and blocks somebody right at the end.”
Quan Cosby was drafted in the 6th round of the 2001 MLB draft and played four years in the Angels minor league system. The Mart, Texas native still had a desire to play football and landed at the University of Texas. He was an impressive college receiver and posted 212 receptions (No. 2 on UT’s all-time list) for 2,598 yards (No. 3 on UT’s all-time list) and 19 TDs (No. 4 on UT’s all-time list). He also had the most kick returns and kick return yardage in school history. But at 26 years old, he found himself an undrafted free agent. He later signed with the Bengals and got a gig as a return man. Quan had a punt return touchdown in the preseason and is 4th in the AFC with 11.7 yards per punt return.
Cedric Benson is among the NFL leaders in rushing this year. Before that, he had been considered a bust after being drafted fourth overall by the Bears in the 2005 draft. Benson couldn’t quite put it together after finishing as the 6th ranked rusher in NCAA history.
Last year, Cedric’s situation improved when he signed with the Bengals. However, he’s taken the Stephon Marbury approach to his old team. Benson believes that the Bears started rumors about his lack of work ethic and said he was a prima donna. The former Texas running back says he would have signed earlier had the Bears not engaged in a smear campaign.
Maybe that happened. Or it could be the fact that Cedric sold his Chicago house when he had issues negotiating his rookie contract. Then his alcohol-related mistakes made him look “Ricky Williams crazy.” Clearly, he never really met expectations when he was on the Bears. Hey, he wouldn’t be the first Texas running back with a long road to success. Ricky Williams was a bust before breaking out as the NFL’s leading rusher on the Dolphins. Similarly, Priest Holmes was an undrafted free agent before (temporarily) setting the NFL record for touchdowns in a season.
Tags: blackball, cedric benson, chicago bears, cincinnati bengals, football, NFL, texas longhorns
Even if there are no NFL games in 2011, Chad Ochocinco still plans on playing football. The Bengals wide receiver has indicated that he may jump to Europe to play soccer if there’s a work stoppage in the NFL.
It’s no secret that the man formerly known as Chad Johnson loves soccer. He grew up playing the game in Florida and is friends with AC Milan star Ronaldinho. Here’s what he told Sports Illustrated about his soccer days:
I played soccer before football, and I was good. That’s where I get my quick feet — my feet are unbelievable. When I got to high school [Miami Beach High], I had to choose between the sports because they were in the same season. I chose football because I saw more opportunity, but it broke my heart. I still follow soccer; I watched every minute I could of the World Cup. I like to think I play football like Ronaldinho, with the trick moves and the anticipation. When he plays soccer, he looks completely different from everybody else. I try to do that too.
In a twitter exchange with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ochocinco revealed his plans to potentially join Italian Serie A team AC Milan. So he may join his buddy Ronaldinho in early 2011 if the NFL can’t get a deal done. Here are the screengrabs of the tweets:
The most hilarious part of Ochocinco’s potential international soccer career? Chad Ochocinco would become just the THIRD American to ever play in the Italian Serie A. Alexei Lalas was the first when he joined Padova in 1994 and Oguchi Onyewu (out with a torn knee tendon) is currently signed with AC Milan.
It doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Playing in the Italian league would probably pay better than the UFL (or CFL?) and pose less of an injury risk. Ochocinco would also substantially expand his fanbase internationally. Though, one has to wonder if he’d actually make an impact on one of the best teams in the world. He’d be lucky to earn minutes as a substitute considering he hasn’t trained or played in years. And there are still question to be answered about Chad’s move to Italy. Will he change his name to Otto Cinque? Will I have to pay for a new Ochocinco iPhone application? Only time will tell.
Tags: ac milan, chad johnson, chad ochocinco, cincinnati bengals, football, labor agreement, lockout, NFL, ronaldinho, serie a, soccer, work stoppage
Ike Taylor "kisses the baby" after winning Super Bowl XL
I think it’s fair to say that Chad Ochocinco’s antics have reached the point where they’re extremely annoying. The Bengals receiver’s latest proclamation is that he will make Pittsburgh cornerbacks Ike Taylor and William Gay “kiss the baby.” If you don’t know what that means, you’re not the only one. The Steelers CBs had to be told that it meant “it’s all over.” Good one, Ochocinco! Gay and Taylor were amused but unfazed. The man formerly known as Chad Johnson has merely one 100 yard game and 3 touchdowns against Pittsburgh since 2003. You know what’s funnier than the garbage spewing out of Chad Ochocinco’s mouth? The fact that the 17th best receiver in the NFL is talking trash to the team that won the Super Bowl.
Tags: chad ochocinco, cincinnati bengals, football, ike taylor, kiss the baby, NFL, pittsburgh steelers, william gay
The NFL season creates a number of memorable images and week two was no different. Jeff Reed and Chad Ochocinco reached opposite sides of the spectrum during games this Sunday. Reed was the goat for the Steelers as he missed two field goals that proved to be the difference in a loss to the Bears. It appeared that Reed was crying (or at least pouting) on the sideline as Robbie Gould cemented a victory. Chad Ochocinco scored a touchdown in a win over the Packers. He made good on a promise from earlier in the week and made his own “Lambeau Leap”. Ochocino actually seemed to seek out the only two Bengals fans in the front row — I wonder if he set that up. You can see the video of Ochocinco’s TD celebration here and the visual evidence is after the jump.
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The NFL has already declared that they won’t allow tweeting from the sideline. However, Chad Ochocinco still plays on broadcasting from the sidelines. He plans to side-step the ban by inviting fans to the games to tweet for him. Apparently, the Bengals receiver will devise some sort of hand signal system to tell the fan what he wants to tweet. I’m not sure it will work out, but you have to respect the man’s self-promotion abilities. I wonder what the hand signal for “child please” will be.
Via Mashable:
Tags: chad ochocinco, cincinnati bengals, football, iphone, NFL, twitterYesterday, we reported on a study revealing that social media may be for narcissists. In what has to be looked at as related news, NFL star Chad Ochocinco has become one of the mediums most prolific celebrity users, responding to fans, taking to UStream (ustream) almost daily, and suggesting he’ll tweet from the end zone at some point this season.
The NFL has come out and said no tweeting will be allowed during games, but on tonight’s Ochocinco broadcast on UStream, the wide receiver announced a creative way to get the job done that should also be a big win for some of his fans.
Ochocinco says he’ll soon launch a contest, in which he’ll select one of his followers each week, fly them to the Bengals game, and work out hand signals so he can have them update his Twitter (Twitter) account while he’s on the field. The result will be Ochocinco tweets during the game that don’t technically violate the NFL’s policy of no cell phones during competition.
Love or hate Ochocinco, this is one of the cooler and more hands-on ways we’ve seen celebrity social media users engage their fans. Of course, if his performance on the field doesn’t live up to expectations, his team might have a few issues with his seemingly constant presence on the social web, which will also soon include an iPhone app that was announced on tonight’s show.
Jordan Palmer is still trying to be a backup QB in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a backup plan. He’s also in the business of creating iPhone apps. Right now, he’s signed with the Bengals and has been one of his brother’s backups since 2008. It’s still unknown how his career as an athlete will pan out.
Jordan’s iPhone app business seems to be taking off. He’s created apps for high-profile stars like Chad Ochocinco and Mark Sanchez. He may even work with T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Mark Cuban in the future. The younger Palmer’s apps offer fans even more inside information by directly connecting them to players. You can get the Mark Sanchez app for only $1 but the Ochocinco app will run you between $3-5. I have a sneaking suspicion that Ochocinco’s app will play a prominent role in him pissing off the NFL during a game this year.
Via Miami Herald:
Tags: app, carson palmer, chad ochocinco, cincinnati bengals, iphone, jordan palmer, mark cuban, mark sanchez, smartphone, t.j. houshmanzadehBengals backup quarterback Jordan Palmer spent the offseason working on a business venture with two California friends. Their company develops individualized iPhone applications for athletes, allowing them to connect with fans on the go. They rolled out one for Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, and expect to have Ochocinco’s app approved by Apple and launched before the season starts.
Then, who knows?
“I’m a big advocate of the iPhone,” Jordan Palmer said. “I’m all about it. I’m always reading about it and pushing its capabilities and seeing what’s coming out next. We looked at the business and what’s going on with the applications and the growth. The growth is through the roof.
“We found a niche, and we’re trying to take it over.”
Rock Software, Inc., builds social networking applications tailored to the individual, but designed to work through an iPhone exclusively. Anyone can submit an application for use through an iPhone, but it must meet Apple’s requirements and the company holds approval rights.
Jordan hopes to add more high-profile customers soon. His company has talked to Seattle Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh – a former Bengal – about getting an app. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in launching one once the NBA season starts.
