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Monday, December 13, 2010
Bengals’ Ochocinco fights through frustrating season
The Cincinnati Bengals are on a 10-game losing streak, and the season is essentially over for the franchise’s abysmal 2-11 season. Thoughts of post-season play were erased from the minds of fans midway through this lost season. The team’s debacle left many wondering what went wrong with the underachieving Bengals.
What was missing was the excitement and bravado star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco brought to the offense. He didn’t play with the same flair fans have grown to love. He hasn’t scored enough to showcase any new touchdown celebrations. There has been no element of surprise from the flashy receiver.
As the season comes to a painful close, Ochocinco is a shadow of the player we know him to be. And regrettably, he is no longer the center of attention.
As he noted in his autobiography, “Chad I Can’t Be Stopped,” which he recounts how he has persevered in life, Ochocinco reflected on getting through a frustrating season.
“It’s all about pride for me,” he said. “We could lose every game, and you know what you’re going to get out of me. That flamboyant part of the game that I bring is exerted more when we’re winning. When we’re losing like this, it’s more so on the back burner.
“I still have that same drive, but it just doesn’t show up the same. It’s like the sun is shining, but a dark cloud is over it. I’m still shining, but not the way I want to be. It’s been a frustrating year, but I’m going to keep on working hard and finish strong. When you turn on the film, regardless of what that record shows, you’re going to get the same 85.”
With receiving yards and touchdown catches down this season 65 receptions for 795 yards and four touchdowns, Ochocinco could have easily become a disruption under these circumstances. Instead, the receiver said he is taking a positive approach by not letting his past accomplishments as the Bengals’ main receivers, create controversy for the organization.
“How I feel about the season we’re having doesn’t matter,” Ochocinco said. “I just have to keep my head on right and not be the problem child of the past. I want to be a part of the solution and not the problem. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the coaches’ decisions being made. There is nothing I can do, but go out there and do the best I can to help the team win.”
Ochocinco led the team with six receptions for 71 yards in the loss against Pittsburgh on Sunday. But future Hall-of-Famer Terrell Owens remains the team’s leading receiver with 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. Last year, it was all Ochocinco, who lead the team with 72 receptions for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns as the Bengals swept and won the AFC North, only to lose in the first-round to the NY Jets.
Knowing Ochocinco as a perennial all-star receiver, defensive coordinators focused schemes to take him out of the Bengals offense; a move that allowed Owens, Jordan Shipley and others to flourish in the offense. But Ochocinco is quick to point out there is no animosity between the players. Their frustration is united against another losing season that began with such high hopes.
“People won’t know that from the outside looking in,” Ochocino said. “People don’t study film and don’t see me being double covered on ever play of the game all year long. But it’s a part of the game.
“I like the way people say it’s a compliment that I have been able to maintain a level of frustration throughout adversity. There is only so much we can do as a team creatively to allow me to get open and find ways to get me the ball. That’s the way it is and I’m cool with it.”
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