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ESPN: Will phins let Ocho be Ocho?

phinatic1399

phinatic1399

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I have gone over the good and bad of the Miami Dolphins signing of colorful receiver Chad Ochocinco to a one-year contact Monday. But one thing I haven't touched on is Ochocinco's personality -- or lack thereof in 2011.

Here is some personal background: I've covered Ochocinco in some capacity since 2004. The Cincinnati Bengals were my first NFL beat eight years ago when Ochocinco was growing with quarterback Carson Palmer and entering his prime. I eventually switched to the Cleveland Browns but kept close tabs on the Bengals, who were in-state rivals and played twice a year. I also covered Ochocinco last year with the Patriots.

I've seen Ochocinco up close at his best (Bengals) and at his worst (Patriots). And I firmly believe he's is one of those players who must be a free spirit and let his personality show to be at his best.

The "Patriot Way" obviously doesn't work for Ochocinco. It's hard for him to stay quiet, and if he does, you're taking away his edge that's made him successful in his career. Ochocinco also can be a freelancer on the field, which is something Palmer worked through in Cincinnati. But quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick were not going to let that fly in New England.

But how will things work in Miami?

Will the Dolphins let "Ocho be Ocho" in the first year under head coach Joe Philbin? Miami is trying to establish a new program, and Ochocinco saying and doing zany things could make for a circus atmosphere. It was that way in Cincinnati when Ochocinco would guarantee victories, change his last name and get fined for creative touchdown celebrations. But Bengals coach Marvin Lewis found the right balance and got the best out of him on Sundays. He is not a bad teammate. Ochocinco is just different and has much more personality than most people.

If Ochocinco is told to shut up, like he was in New England, Miami probably won't get the best of what he has left. Philbin might have a hard time figuring that balance out in his first year. It's not an easy task for any head coach, let alone a rookie.

Personally, I don't think Ochocinco is washed up. Sure, he's no longer in his Pro Bowl prime. But Ochocinco is better than the 15 receptions he had last season.

The key will be if the Dolphins are able to handle Ochocinco's free spirit -- on the field and i

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/43411/will-dolphins-let-ocho-be-ocho
 
I agree with this article. I think we let ocho be ocho. It is unrealistic to take someone, anyone, and ask them to be something they are not. Going to South Fla. will already have him happier and more in his comfort zone as opposed to being in an environment such as NE. I hope he takes on a leadership role with the wide receivers and leads with hard work on the field
 
We use the K.I.S.S. passing offense with him. I'd give him his route and one option choice. I'd have Davone Bess in charge of telling him where to line up.

Allow him to go crazy after scoring a touchdown if he wants to. He is a "Marshall lite" as far as being a locker room problem. He never made it rain or beat up his wife, he would simply tell everyone how many catches and TDs he was going to have in the next game. I have a feeling that if he is not playing, he is not talking that much.

I'd put in his contract that he can act like a "#1" and a "total Diva WR" if he plays like it. On paper I'd OK him to get a penalty for every 5th touchdown pass he catches. He gets a "special bonus silly action" of his choice at 10 touchdowns scored . We should ask him to sign a pair of Dolphin gloves for every pass he catches and we will frame all of them in a large poster of him with a signed #85 jersey. During the week after the game he can have a 3 minute presser for every 1st down pass he caught the week before.

Really, by now everyone should know that Chad Johnson is a star shaped peg. It would be a huge waste of time and money if like the Patriots, we tried to pound him into a square hole. Let Ocho be Ocho if it helps him play like Ocho once did.
 
Did ESPN really write an article about letting Chad be Chad......


Man we need training camp to start ASAP :rolleyes2:
 
I just hope we get to see that river dance TD celebration a bunch of times... my all time favorite!
 
How about we start here: "OK Chad these are called routes, and we want you to run them."

patterns-1.gif
 
He doesn't get arrested or get in trouble. If he wants to River dance or tweet, I could give a damn.
 
Ocho can be Ocho as long as it doesn't impede Tannehill's progress. Chad began to slow down when he was told how to act. If he makes a fool of himself, fine, if it leads to problems with the team, not fine...
 
I agree with the article. It makes a good point. Ocho nature is that. He plays his best when he is like that and is has some freedom in the field.
 
Uruguayfinfan said:
Lol, at least find a good basic Route Tree. No one will get that with two 6's and two 0's as said by previous poster.
Click to expand...

The route tree is exactly right, it is dictated by defensive coverage.

http://footballtimes.org/Article.asp?ID=125

I just posted route running for beginners, since Chad has a hard time grasping the concepts of route running without being able to just "run around and catch the damn ball". lol.
 
Here the Dolphins need Philbin & crew to be the coyotes to sneak them across the Mendoza Line ... & ESPN is worried about Chad's media personna ... gack!! girly-boys!!
 
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