Patriots: “85” Is All In, It Seems
Sunday, July 31, 2011
This might be fun to watch.
After all, how can you not like a guy that asks for a “group hug” at the end? One thing Chad Ochocinco isn’t – is dumb.
Playing into the hands of media ready to pounce on his words following practice Saturday morning at Patriots Training Camp in Foxboro, the new Patriots wide receiver playfully asked for his hug after giving what he’s known for – colorful, emotional, energetic comments tinged with a bit of sarcasm. The media can be your friend or your foe, this he knows well.
“It’s good to be in heaven, it feels really good,” Ochocinco started, and then added “It’s exactly what I thought it was. Being able to come in here – the first meeting as
soon as I got here with Mr. (Robert) Kraft (was) unbelievable. He welcomed me with open arms. I spoke with coach (Bill) Belichick and he did the same. We had our normal talk, our normal chat like we always do when I get the chance to play against him. It sort of went the same way and other than that, I am ready to rock and roll.”
For a man with a giant personality, and for most of his career with numbers to match that personality, it’s fair to question whether or not a guy like Ochocinco is a “fit” in a place like New England – where veteran leadership and presence in the locker room has always frowned upon (and squashed) behavior that doesn’t fit the “Patriot Way.” You know, walk softly, talk more softly, but carry the big stick?
Hey, the guy had his name legally changed from Johnson to his jersey number in Spanish – Ocho Cinco (eight five). That’s out there.
“I will always be me,” Ochocinco said. “It has been a part of my game to always be me, but there is a certain way the Patriots do it and it’s easy for me. I’ve always been a chameleon so, I am going to blend in and do it the Patriot Way, which is win.
“I think Bill (Belichick), we had our talk and without him even having to say anything, there is no need for some of the stuff I did before,” Ochocinco added. “There’s no need for it.”
With behavioral issues seemingly out of the way, of more importance might be his football-worth to the offense. Perhaps the best receiver in pro football from 2002-07, all of those years with more than 1000 yards receiving, his production over the past three seasons in Cincinnati has dropped off from “great,” to merely “good.” He hopes his move to New England could be a move back to an upward trend.
“It’s hard to maintain a high level of productivity when things are always up and down, Ochocinco pointed out. “The thing about this place (is that) it’s consistent. It’s always been consistent on the offensive side of the ball and defensively, so that allows me to be able to be consistent also. There is only so much that I can control and the position that I was in, in Cincinnati I did the best I could to my ability, and I did it in sort of a noisy way and that says a lot for me – to be able to talk it and still walk it.
“I call it riding the wave; I am going to enjoy it.”
Patriots’ fans hope to be along for that ride, maybe with a big group hug at the very end.
Training Camp Notes
Still no Albert Haynesworth on the practice field Saturday, even though he is officially a signed player. “He’s not quite ready to practice yet,” Belichick said, when asked his whereabouts. “When he’s ready, he’ll be out there.”
In case you were wondering, second-year Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez willingly volunteered his jersey number “85” to Ochocinco, who gladly accepted the gesture. “This was Mr. Hernandez’s way of greeting me here,” he said. “He gave me the number and I didn’t have to pay anything, I just shook his hand and I said thank you.” But is there at least a reward in store somewhere for Hernandez? “Yes. I drive a Toyota Prius, so I was going to let him use my Prius on the weekends, and that’s about the best I can do right now. I have some left over McDonald’s coupons since I don’t eat there anymore.” Hernandez will wear #81 this season, which belonged to Randy Moss last year. It was also Hernandez’ number in college at Florida…
The Patriots did announce five transactions Saturday morning, including the re-signing of unrestricted free agent running backs Sammy Morris (reported here on Thursday), and Kevin Faulk. Faulk is the longest-tenured Patriot on the roster, entering his 13th season with the team. His return was in doubt because of the season-ending knee injury he suffered in 2010…Logan Mankins also officially signed his contract tender, Kyle Arrington made his return official by signing a two-year agreement, and free agent defensive lineman Steve Williams (6-2, 306) also signed with the team after playing the past two years in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions…
Three more roster moves were made following the conclusion of Saturday's camp activities...defensive back Brandon McGowan and linebacker Tracy White were re-signed, while undrafted rookie free agent linebacker Anthony Leonard from West Virginia was released. McGowan (5-11, 210) missed all of last season with a chest injury, after starting 11 games at free safety in '09. White came to the Patriots last season from Philadelphia and finished second on the team in special teams tackles...
With roster cuts announced on Friday including defensive lineman Ty Warren, the thought originally was that the move might be made for salary cap purposes. However, with Warren unable to participate early in camp as he continues to recover from his hip surgery last year, plus with a newly-strained hamstring, his return to New England doesn’t appear likely. “Guys like Ty (Warren) and Nick (Kaczur), gave us a lot of good football here, have been players for a long time, really since their rookie year,” Belichick said Saturday. “It’s just tough to have to move on in those situations. Tully (Banta-Cain) certainly has been a contributor for us and Alge (Crumpler) last year came in and gave us a lot of leadership and gave us a real veteran presence offensively. Those kinds of things are tough. Unfortunately that’s part of what we do. We just had to move on.”
Training Camp Schedule for Sunday
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Practice open to public
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Patriots Experience open
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Afternoon practice
Photo Courtesy: Associated Press
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