SportsNation Blog Archives
Chad Ochocinco
Chad Ochocinco needs a roommate. He's already managed to get himself lost in Boston's winding streets, and he wants to avoid as much of that as possible. To that end, he's planning on living with a Patriots fan for the first two or three weeks of the season -- you know, like you do -- just until he gets his bearings. Will he follow through, or is this just more talk from the mouthiest man in Foxborough?
- "He should just find the most socially awkward person at MIT and move in with him, and just drive him nuts with all the partying and being ocho. I would definitely watch that reality show " -- SN commenter a817995
- "There's crazy bad and crazy good. I think this is one of those times his crazy is good. He's definitely trying to make a good first impression. Just have to see how long it lasts." -- SN commenter VonStev1668
Would you room with Ochocinco?
Ochocinco needs a roommate to show him around Boston for a few weeks, until he gets acclimated. Would you offer your services?
Do you qualify?
Ochocinco's list of roommate requirements: Internet connection (1). Xbox 360 (1). That's pretty much it.
Who would you live with?
We feel like Ochocinco would be pretty fun to live with. Brady would probably hog the shower. Belichick might scowl at you if you didn't take the trash out.
If you're a Patriots fan, you awakened Thursday morning to news your team had traded for Albert Haynesworth and went to bed contemplating the idea that Chad Ochocinco would be joining him in New England. For a lot of fan bases, that might be cause for a sleepless night. All deals still need to be finalized, but are Patriots fans worried? Judge for yourself.
- "Charger fan here, so hate the Pats, but hats off to the management for making these bold moves. (How the heck do they convince teams to part with players for next to nothing while the rest of the league overpays, I will never understand). Looks like the Hoodie has an answer for a Revis and Aso pairing." -- SN commenter pdutia
- "This does improve the Pats, but don't forget, Ocho and Haynesworth's names are 100 times bigger then their actual production on the field." -- SN commenter YearOfTheCheese513
Who is more likely to hurt?
Will controversy erupt about Haynesworth taking plays off or Ochocinco complaining about his touches? Or will it be smooth sailing ahead?
Who is more likely to help?
For a team that went 14-2 last season, the Patriots did seem to have glaring needs. Will Ochocinco help open up the deep game more than Haynesworth solidifies the front seven?
Will Ochocinco be silenced?
Twitter may not be for everyone, but Ochocinco's account is for nearly 2.4 million followers on the service. It makes for an interesting fit for the notoriously tight-lipped Patriots.
Replacing Randy Moss?
As big-play receivers who create headlines, Ochocinco and Randy Moss are easy to compare. But at 33 years old, is Ochocinco capable of matching even Moss' least productive full season?
- Vote: Who will be the Ravens' most productive receiver?
- Rank 'Em: What will the AFC North standings look like this season?
- Great Debate: Can Ochocinco and T.O. coexist? | Vote on the dynamic duo
- Chat: AFC North blogger James Walker, 4 ET | Former Steelers RB Jerome Bettis, 3:15 ET
Who knew the Bengals would be the model of stability in the AFC North? Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens seem to be getting along just fine -- they're launching a combined reality show, in fact -- and the preseason offered little in the way of headlines.
The rest of the division? Well, that's where it gets interesting.
The Ravens made a splash Monday by adding T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a depth chart that already includes Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Donte' Stallworth. The Browns are dealing with Montario Hardesty's season-ending knee injury and the Steelers are turning to third-stringers from Oregon at quarterback (thankfully for the city's fans, Dennis Dixon and not Akili Smith or Joey Harrington).
Kevin (OH)
JW, love the blog...who's been the biggest surprise (or disappointment) in the preason?
AFC North blogger James Walker
Browns QB Jake Delhomme has played very efficient football. I don't think the Browns could ask for a better preseason. They just need it to continue. Full transcript
Ricky (Cincinnati)
With Greshaim and Shipley, How would you rate the Bengals draft and where do you see them finishing the season?
Mel Kiper
I gave them a B grade the same day of the draft. That was my gut reaction. I think that's about right. Gresham is talented if he stays healthy. Shipley is quick. Not fast, but quick. He can return some kicks. He's a football player. The solid B is about right. The offense can be helped by them. As far as the season, I think the Ravens are the clear cut favorite to win and the Bengals are vying for that second spot. The Bengals will be in the mix for a wild card. Full transcript
- Vote: Will Manny Ramirez be an asset or a liability? | Hall of Famer?
- Rank 'Em: Are the White Sox in your Power Rankings top 10?
- Quiz: Can you name the right-handed hitters with 3,000 hits?
Chicago has seen its fair share of memorable duos. Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Mrs. O'Leary and her cow. Al Capone and Elliott Ness. Oprah and Stedman. But for pure entertainment potential, would anything really top pairing Manny Ramirez and Ozzie Guillen under the pressure of salvaging a playoff bid?
The details of how Ramirez will move, be it by trade or straight waiver claim, were still unclear Tuesday afternoon, but it appears a lock that the aging slugger will next suit up for the White Sox. Questions of AL Central supremacy aside, that would also place Guillen and Ramirez within approximately 300 miles of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati. Caught in the middle, can Indiana survive?
“Of course it was a desperate move on the White Sox, that isn't some super secret realization. They are falling out of the race fast and need a shot in the arm. Manny can do that as long as he is interested. They are taking a chance, but I would do the same since it is only a month or two the White Sox have to put up with him.
” -- AlMightyIronfist
“manny will rake in chicago. he can hit when he wants to. and he will want to. and i dont really blame him for getting tossed from that game. the dodgers spit on him and them wanted one last bit of production from him before they threw him out with the trash.
” -- pbigby
- Rank 'Em: Are Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco among NFL's elite receivers?
- Vote: Is Joey Votto a more valuable player than Albert Pujols this season?
- Rank 'Em: Where are Reds in MLB Power Rankings? | Bengals in NFL Power Rankings?
It's been a long wait, but for Cincinnati sports fans, the good news is finally yours again.
The University of Cincinnati got things rolling in 2010 with a BCS appearance (we won't mention the final score against Florida), but that was just the appetizer. Absent from the playoffs for 15 years, the Reds continue to lead the NL Central as the baseball season rolls on toward Labor Day, and highly touted rookie Aroldis Chapman nears his MLB debut. And the Cincinnati Bengals promise to be one of the NFL's most entertaining teams. They might even be good, too.
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco played their first preseason game together up the road in Canton, and while Owens made more noise talking about his departure from the Cowboys than he did in limited time on the field, his presence helps Bengals games rate as must-see television -- at least in the Queen City.
Nick (Cincinnati)
Is there any hope that Carson Palmer can get back to the form and promise he once showed, or is he just average (or worse) since the injuries? Or is the offensive line more of the culprit of the bad passing offense last year?
ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner
The issue for Palmer is that he doesn't have anyone who can beat top-line coverage. Cincinnati faces a brutal set of CBs this year and neither Owens nor Ochocinco did much of anything against red-rated CBs last year (check out the Insider article I wrote last week for more details). The Bengals are going to once again be a run-first team. Full transcript
Clay D (NY)
Other than St. Louis, which team in either league has the best pitching staff for the post-season?
Hall of Famer Joe Morgan
First of all, I don't think St. Louis has the best pitching. They have the best two or three guys, but then where do you go? As far as depth and bullpen, I don't think they have the best pitching. I think the Reds have the best pitching with the least amount of pitching experience. I think they have the best 5 starters. They're not as good as Carpenter or Wainwright, but they have 5 good starters. Depth wise, I think the Reds have the best depth. Full transcript
Chaz (Dayton, OH)
Coach, how is your family adapting to life in the Queen City?
University of Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones
We love it. I've said it on numerous occasions, Cincinnati is a big city with small town values with tremendous pride. It's a great city to raise a family, especially with small boys. We couldn't be prouder to be residents of Cincinnati. Full transcript
- Vote: Who will complain first about not getting the ball enough?
- Rank 'Em: Will the Bengals own one of the league's best passing offenses?
- Quiz: Can you name the NFL's other well-traveled receiving greats?
What happens when you take a team that ran the ball more often than 28 teams last season and give it arguably the two neediest wide receivers, a position not known for an abundance of selflessness in the first place? Frankly, we have no idea. But we'll watch.
AFC North champions a season ago, the Bengals are only scheduled for three primetime games this season (including a Thanksgiving game against Rex Ryan and the loquacious Jets). But the way we see it, the Bengals with Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are must-see viewing from Week 1 against the Patriots through Week 17 against the Ravens.
It's a chore Spielberg or Scorsese might not want, but one SportsNation blogger thinks Carson Palmer is the right director for T.O. and Ochocinco.
- "Also, if there is a QB who can handle a huddle with TO and Chad in it at the same [time], it is Carson Palmer. He doesn't back down and will let them know how he feels about their performances on and off the field as well. He let Chad know earlier this offseason he needs to stop worrying about being a star and to come work out, so as you can see he won't let TO run over him like Owens has been able to do in the past, especially with Tony Romo. I think that is what TO really wants is for the QB to be in his face just the same and push him as much as possible which will help TO succeed and not be a distraction in any way to the Bengals locker room." -- Check out greg_g74_pt.2's blog.
Pete (Cincy)
Is A. Bryant not doing well in his rehab? I don't see how they figure playing 85, Bryant and T.O at the same time.
AFC North blogger James Walker
There is always enough room for three receivers, Pete. Most teams have three-receiver packages in its offense. All three would see the field, it's just a matter of who starts. My guess is it would be Owens in this case. I think the person hurt the most would be Andre Caldwell and/or Jordan Shipley. Full transcript
- Vote: Would the Jets be a better fit than the Bengals for Terrell Owens?
- Rank 'Em: How do some of the NFL's most famous egos stack up against each other?
Putting Terrell Owens on the same football team as Chad Ochocinco? Yikes, that sounds like a bold move by the Bengals. The only thing riskier that we can think of is to put T.O. in the media capital of the world. What's that, Adam Schefter? The Jets have reportedly reached out to Drew Rosenhaus about Owens? Well, this could be interesting.
Owens is the most intriguing old guy outside the state of Mississippi not in camp, but at least some fans think he gets a bad rap on the chemistry front.
- "You've heard of mountain out of a mole hill. Well T.O. is Himalayas out of an ant hill. He was made a scapegoat in two places (Dallas and Philly) where the fans refuse to recognize the root of the real problem (coaching and ownership). But yet neither team has gone any further than they did with him on the team (don't quote me, but I don't think). Also, he's never said anything that isn't true. Maybe he shouldn't have said it, but it didn't make it not true." -- SN commenter charles_thomas24
Then again, even if T.O. ended up being the most boring reality-television star this side of the "Real World" in Washington D.C. when "Hard Knocks" takes on the Jets, how much does he have left as a football player?
- "Great now with Braylon Edwards and T.O. on the team my beloved Jets will lead the league in dropped passes with just two players. All those drops will be no good for the development of the sanchize!" -- SN commenter mkarmd
SprungOnSports (Long Island)
Is there a point to the Jets signing TO other than Hard Knocks ratings? They seem pretty set at WR despite Holmes' suspension.
ESPN New York's Rich Cimini
Let's be clear: I think the Jets are a long shot to sign T.O. A source told me this morning this is basically exploratory in nature, much like the JaMarcus Russell situation a month ago. But there's no doubt that the "Knocks" folks are rooting for T.O. in NY. Could you imagine the shows? It would be must-see TV. And I agree, they're set despite Holmes' suspension. And nothing has changed with Braylon Edwards; as I reported a month ago, he's not getting suspended. Full transcript
Carson Palmer says he's all for the Bengals bringing in Terrell Owens to play opposite Chad Ochocinco, a move we can only assume would necessitate Jeff Probst taking on sideline reporter duties for CBS. But would that even be T.O.'s strangest pairing of 2010?
We talked earlier this week about Ochocinco's upcoming run as a "Dancing With the Stars" contestant, but unless Roger Goodell will be dancing with him instead of fining him, that's small potatos compared to Owens reuniting with Donovan McNabb.
The apparently former feud foes will team up with Antonio Gates on Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes" to play Hakeem Olajuwon, Rick Fox and Kenny Smith in basketball. Can a Conan O'Brien appearance on Jay Leno's couch be far behind?
“unlike football, TO seems to be a pretty good teammate when it comes to Reality TV shows. Well at least for the one he did for ABC
” -- phillkoo
“Hey T.O., in case you forgot, those passes will be low and behind you. Good thing in basketball you're allowed to bounce them.
” -- CraigoB52
“Let's hope McNabb doesn't get tired because we all know who T.O. will blame if the Pros don't win....
” -- MShlyank
- Your Rankings: Who are the leading candidates for NFL MVP?
- Chats: Chris Mortensen wrap | Matt Williamson, 12 ET | Mel Kiper, 1 ET
Should we offer a moment of silence for fantasy football owners coming to the realization that Saints safety Darren Sharper has scored more touchdowns this season than Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs or Anquan Boldin?
The Saints are just outside the top 10 in total defense at the moment, which is kind of remarkable when you think about how often their opponents have the whole field to work with after yet another Saints touchdown and yet another Saints kickoff. Sharper may not be the sole reason for the success, given that he shares the field with guys like Charles Grant and Jonathan Vilma, but as a newcomer with a league-best six interceptions and three touchdowns, he's becoming the face of it.
When push comes to shove, 67 percent of SportsNation prefers a great defense to a great offense. But are you ready to give a guy like Sharper MVP consideration?
Mixing athletes and television analysts isn't always a great idea. Just ask Tim McCarver and Deion Sanders. But occasionally breaking down the wall between words and actions can be downright entertaining.
Monday night, after dispatching Radek Stepanek with ease at the U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic challenged John McEnroe, calling the match from the booth, to come down and take some non-verbal shots on the court. Never one to shrink from a challenge, McEnroe jogged out and as the video above shows, held his own in the light-hearted rally.
Light-hearted might not be quite the phrase anyone would use to describe Skip Bayless, but he took his place opposite an athlete Tuesday morning, when Chad Ochocinco appeared on First Take. From Ochocinco disagreeing with Bayless that he's a better receiver than Terrell Owens to defending his kicking skills, it was, well, interesting.
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