Did HBO push the Dolphins into signing Ochocinco? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Did HBO push the Dolphins into signing Ochocinco?

P

phinmanniac

Rookie
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
178
Reaction score
1
Let's be honest besides Reggie Bush what other "household name" players do we currently have? With the TV show coming up, could it have been possible HBO influenced their decision? Bill Barnewell from Grantland.com thinks so:

-----------------

"Ignore the excuses and reasoning being thrown around to justify this release and just focus on the numbers. Chad Ochocinco had 15 catches for 276 yards in 15 games last year. His output was roughly similar to the likes of Naaman Roosevelt, Louis Murphy, and Jerricho Cotchery last season, and those guys didn't get to play with Tom Brady. It didn't work out, and at 34, it's not like Ochocinco was suddenly going to get significantly better within the Patriots offense.

The problem with signing Ochocinco is that he doesn't play special teams, which makes him very difficult to carry as a reserve wideout on any team's roster. The only team in the league that was really in need of a veteran wide receiver to suit up and strictly play on offense was Miami, so it's no surprise that the Dolphins signed him on Monday night. This is likely an all-or-nothing proposition, since it wouldn't make sense for the Dolphins to carry him on the roster as a backup wide receiver. In other words, Ochocinco will either make the team and see significant action at wideout, or he'll be cut at the end of training camp.

Oh, and yes: If you believe that HBO leaned on the Dolphins to sign Ochocinco and give them a lead character for Hard Knocks, you're not alone."


Article: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8041164/the-starting-qb-jobs-for-grabs-offseason-stories-matter

------------------------

Secondly, I'm torn on the whole "Hard Knocks" thing. As a fan it will be great television but there is a reason almost every other team turned it down. It’s easy to see why: coaches are busy getting their teams ready to win games. Having cameras in every meeting room could easily serve as a distraction. There were only 2 teams that showed interest this year -- Jacksonville (they'll take any publicity/attention they can get) and us.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No, this had nothing to do with HBO, this was about trying to improve at WR. The Dolphins have question marks to begin with at WR, but what happens if Hartline or Bess suffer a major injury? Who would we have then? It was a cheap signing of a player who has had past success in the NFL. Ireland is not really a TV guy or in the entertainment business, so why would he care about attracting viewers to a TV show? Ireland only cares about winning games so he can continue to keep his job. He is not going to waste his time thinking of ways to make Hard Knocks more "sexy". That is a ridiculous notion.

Bill Barnewell of a website I never heard of is an idiot. Or at least that is what Troy Drayton would say, because he went off on how ridiculous and stupid people must be to think this was a PR move or for ratings. This was a FOOTBALL ONLY move.
 
I believe there are mutliple reasons behind this:

1) The Dolphin receiving corp is lame, Chad will more than likely start and contribute heavily. There are legitimate reasons it didn't work out in New England that I will not regurgitate.

2) Because of reason number one, it is an added bonus that it will help draw attention to a franchise that has watched its season ticket fan base erode. That is the cold hard reality of business, if some of you are bothered by that then you are living in delusiaville.
 
Our Receiving core dropping balls and not being up to speed pushed us to sign Ocho. Hartline is also hurt and not showing much. As much as I'm rooting for him, I just don't expect Hartline to be a star on this team!!! Ocho can still make plays and has a huge chip on his shoulder. It's a perfect situation for us cause if he still has it, we get a veteran and playmaker. If he doesn't have anything left, we cut him. My guess would be 700yds and 6 TDs if he makes the team.
 
I joked last week about signing him just for the TV show, but I can see 85 contributing. Only getting 15 catches last year is troubling, but when you're on a team with Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, you won't exactly have big numbers
 
I dont think HBO pushed Ireland/Philbin into bringing in Ochocino, but I do suspect Ross made them do it.
 
Highly doubtful. I think a better reason would be that we need all the WR help we can get.
 
phinmanniac said:
Let's be honest besides Reggie Bush what other "household name" players do we currently have? With the TV show coming up, could it have been possible HBO influenced their decision? Bill Barnewell from Grantland.com thinks so:

-----------------

"Ignore the excuses and reasoning being thrown around to justify this release and just focus on the numbers. Chad Ochocinco had 15 catches for 276 yards in 15 games last year. His output was roughly similar to the likes of Naaman Roosevelt, Louis Murphy, and Jerricho Cotchery last season, and those guys didn't get to play with Tom Brady. It didn't work out, and at 34, it's not like Ochocinco was suddenly going to get significantly better within the Patriots offense.

The problem with signing Ochocinco is that he doesn't play special teams, which makes him very difficult to carry as a reserve wideout on any team's roster. The only team in the league that was really in need of a veteran wide receiver to suit up and strictly play on offense was Miami, so it's no surprise that the Dolphins signed him on Monday night. This is likely an all-or-nothing proposition, since it wouldn't make sense for the Dolphins to carry him on the roster as a backup wide receiver. In other words, Ochocinco will either make the team and see significant action at wideout, or he'll be cut at the end of training camp.

Oh, and yes: If you believe that HBO leaned on the Dolphins to sign Ochocinco and give them a lead character for Hard Knocks, you're not alone."


Article: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8041164/the-starting-qb-jobs-for-grabs-offseason-stories-matter

------------------------

Secondly, I'm torn on the whole "Hard Knocks" thing. As a fan it will be great television but there is a reason almost every other team turned it down. It’s easy to see why: coaches are busy getting their teams ready to win games. Having cameras in every meeting room could easily serve as a distraction. There were only 2 teams that showed interest this year -- Jacksonville (they'll take any publicity/attention they can get) and us.
Click to expand...

The suggestion that a t.v. show would influence a personnel decision like this is amongst the worst conspiracy theories I've heard.
 
Zounds said:
I dont think HBO pushed Ireland/Philbin into bringing in Ochocino, but I do suspect Ross made them do it.
Click to expand...

No chance. He's not going to tell the football people to sign a guy if they report to him that his workout was bad. It makes no sense. Winning games is what makes people come to games, not the name on a sweater. If Philbin and co. told the owner he can't help us, he wouldn't push for it.
 
Andyman said:
No chance. He's not going to tell the football people to sign a guy if they report to him that his workout was bad. It makes no sense. Winning games is what makes people come to games, not the name on a sweater. If Philbin and co. told the owner he can't help us, he wouldn't push for it.
Click to expand...

It makes sense because many owners do in fact tell the GMs to go after a FA or draft pick. Remember when Ireland wanted to trade for orton, and Ross said no? It happens

And who said Ireland reported to Ross that Ochocino's workout was bad?
 
Andyman said:
No chance. He's not going to tell the football people to sign a guy if they report to him that his workout was bad. It makes no sense. Winning games is what makes people come to games, not the name on a sweater. If Philbin and co. told the owner he can't help us, he wouldn't push for it.
Click to expand...

I know for the real fans it's all about winning. But for ownership it's all about revenue/business. People forget that. It's been proven time and time again that "names" attract attention, sell merchandise and fill seats. I agree it's a band-aid solution -- it won't last if you don't win. BUT we've seen this ownership try all kinds of gimmicks: celebrity ownership, Jimmy Buffet, the Peyton sweepstakes, Hard Knocks, and the latest being the Ochocinco signing. I'm hoping he can contribute but it's hard not be slightly skeptical.

I know people hate talking about this but we have serious attendance issues. If it wasn't for the loophole which allows TV affiliates to buy up remaining seats for .34 cents on the dollar we'd have almost every home game blacked out. We'd be as bad as the Tampa Bay Bucs last year who led with 5 blackouts in 2011 -- yes it's that bad! We are literally giving away 10,000+ tickets every game. Trust me, it's a major problem and Ross is doing everything he can to fill seats!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This was a simple ploy to get the uneducated fans to buy tickets to see a big name...that and our WR corps suck.

I don't think HBO had anything to do with it though.

However, you can just about guarantee that the spotlight will be on him for the show...so expect the "Ego-cinco show" coming to HBO this summer...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom